A new study published in the journal Sexuality & Culture has found that many adolescents in Spain, including those as young as 12, are not only aware of OnlyFans but also see it as a viable and even empowering way to make money. In group discussions with over 160 teenagers, researchers discovered that platforms promoting erotic content are influencing how young people—especially girls—view economic opportunity, self-worth, and sexuality. Teens frequently framed content creation as a personal choice or expression of agency, while minimizing the risks.
You are making a mistake that many sincere believers have made throughout history. You assume your faith is the singular, correct one, and that outsiders only need to open their hearts to see the “one true path.” What often goes unnoticed is that there has never been one true religion. You believe yours is correct because that is what faith requires. But history shows us that as soon as a faith gathers enough followers, disagreements arise. Some argue that leaders have misinterpreted the sacred texts, or that local customs conflict with established rituals. Whatever the reason, division follows. A religion grows, it fractures, sects emerge, and each insists it is the sole guardian of truth. Repeat this pattern over generations, and what began as unity splinters into dozens of sects, often hostile to one another.
Religion does what many of its adherents claim it does not: it changes. It bends, adapts, and evolves in response to pressure and environment. It speciates.
So let me ask you, as one who seeks to understand: if I were to study your holy book and choose Islam, which path should I walk? Should I follow Sunni, risking alienating Shia? If I found myself drawn to the Wahhabi or the Druze? Would these choices lead to peace and enlightenment or would they create yet another division? And if I sought to share my newfound belief with those raised differently, would they welcome my unity, or view me as another intruder cloaking sameness as love and peace?
This is why I, and many others, argue for pluralism. There can never be a single “true way,” for as long as people are individuals, there will always be differences in interpretation, values, and belief. History shows that tribalism, insularity, and suspicion of the unfamiliar are constants of human nature. The only way forward is not to cling to unity under nation or creed, but to accept each other as we are. Only by setting aside the conceit of a universal faith can we begin to overcome the divisions that have defined us.
Thanks for the very lovely and informative post. I agree with what you’re saying and, as a Qur’anist/non-sectarian Muslim, I don’t have much of a ‘community’ myself, sadly, and I’m often demonized by other Muslims online more than folks on Lemmy, lol. 🤷
I take what’s good and disregard what makes no sense, but I have found the Qur’an to be extremely useful and hard to disagree with. Even what you’re saying could arguably be found in the Qur’an : “righteousness is not facing the East or the West” (the belief is not superficial rituals that differ amongst tribes); believers are those who “have humility, abstain from vain talk, guard their chastity except around their mates, but whoever seeks beyond this are the transgressors” (it’s an attitude thing, not just words on paper and rites). I quote previous Scripture and will even yap about Daoism and Western philosophy because wisdom comes from many places (although, as a self-proclaimed Muslim, I take the Qur’an as axiomatic, of course). As long as you strive to control yourself and try to live righteously and generously, I honestly don’t care what you call yourself, you are my brother/sister, and judgment beyond that belongs to the Creator. 🙏👍