2. Denial of Worldly Comforts and Pleasures

World Scripture

Come behold this world, which is like unto an ornamented royal chariot, wherein fools flounder, but for the wise there is no attachment.
Dhammapada 171 (Buddhism)

Pleasure lies in gold, silver, women, and delectable objects; Pleasure lies in mounts, soft beds, mansions, and attractions of the palate. With all such pleasures, how may the Name find place in the mind?
Adi Granth, Sri Raga, M.1, p. 25 (Sikhism)

Hillel used to say, “More flesh, more worms; more wealth more care; more women more witchcraft; more maidservants more lewdness; more menservants more thieving; more Torah more life; more assiduity more wisdom; more counsel more understanding; more charity more peace.”
Mishnah, Avot 2.8 (Judaism)

The streams of this world are dirty and its springs are turbid. Its window dressing and its show is beautiful but destructive. It is a quickly ending deception, a speedily fading light, a hurrying shade, and a weak and unreliable protection. It is so deceptive that it waits till those who abhor it start taking interest in it, and those who do not know its deception are attracted by it, and are satisfied with it, then it shows scanty regard for them, it snares and captivates them, and tying the rope of death round their necks drags them to their graves.
Nahjul Balagha, Khutba 86 (Shiite Islam)

From endearment springs grief, from endearment springs fear; for him who is wholly free from endearment there is no grief, much less fear.
From affection springs grief, from affection springs fear; for him who is wholly free from affection there is no grief, much less fear.
From attachment springs grief, from attachment springs fear; for him who is wholly free from attachment there is no grief, much less fear.
From lust springs grief, from lust springs fear; for him who is wholly free from lust there is no grief, much less fear.
From craving springs grief, from craving springs fear; for him who is wholly free from craving there is no grief, much less fear.
Dhammapada 212-16 (Buddhism)

But fornication and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is fitting among saints. Let there be no filthiness, nor silly talk, nor levity, which are not fitting; but instead let there be thanksgiving. Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure man, or one who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for it is because of these things that the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not associate with them.
Ephesians 5.3-7

“And ye shall be holy unto me, for I, the Lord, am holy” [Leviticus 20.26]. Even as I am holy, so be you holy. As I am separate, so you be separate. And “I have severed you from the other peoples that you should be mine” [idem.]. If you sever yourselves from the other peoples, then you belong to me; but if not, then you belong to Nebuchadnezzar and his fellows.” Rabbi Eliezer said, “How can we know that a man must not say, ‘I have no desire to eat pig, I have no desire to have intercourse with a woman whom I may not marry’; but he must say, ‘Yes, I would like to do these acts, but what can I do? My Father who is in heaven has forbidden them.’ Because it says, ‘I have severed you from among the nations to be mine.’ He who is separated from iniquity receives to himself the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Sifra 93d (Judaism)

Teachings of Sun Myung Moon

The things of this evil world do not lead us to the gate of happiness; rather they drive us into the snares of death.
(47:49, August 19, 1971)

Heaven’s emotions are in contradiction with humanistic emotions. God does not dwell where people are comfortable, and people must negate themselves to be in accord with Heaven. This is a fact. Therefore, a religion that accommodates itself to the world does not last long.
(51:187, November 21, 1971)

In this world where good and evil are ever in opposition, your body pulls you to become evil while your mind pulls you to be good. Hence your mind cannot completely control the body, and you are caught in the middle, constantly going back and forth. You are better off following a religion that places God’s will as absolute; then you can go to a place that is separated from the satanic world. Leave this world beset by the opposition of good and evil, and live a life of putting goodness first in a separated realm. If you practice such a life, then you will live eternally in the good sovereignty in the spirit world.
(36:82, November 15, 1970)

In order to accomplish your responsibility, you should stand firm, denying everything that has an emotional connection with Satan—Satan’s love, Satan’s recognition, and Satan’s lineage. Why? When Adam was walking the course to fulfill his portion of responsibility, he carried with him all of Satan’s emotions. That is why he failed. What about you? In seeking to accomplish your portion of responsibility, have you cut off all your emotional attachments to Satan’s world? No, you have not been able to cut them off. Can you accomplish your responsibility without cutting them off? No, you cannot. That is why you must deny yourself.
(139:250, January 31, 1986)

Pioneers and people who move history do not seek worldly pleasures. They have the spirit of an explorer who strives to overcome every obstacle on the way to his goal, the promised destination.
(7:87, July 19, 1959)

We should be eternally different from the satanic world. We should be 180 degrees opposite. We should have nothing to do with alcohol, drugs, free sex, and homosexuality. Instead, we should be indignant that Satan has destroyed countless good people through these evils, utilizing false love to leave a trail of sorrow through history. We should be indignant that Satan has compelled Heaven to make countless sacrifices.
(244:148-49, February 1, 1993)

Many American parents encourage their children to date and worry about them if they do not. On the other hand, I teach, “Do not date! Do not touch women!” Whose teaching is more in line with Heaven?
(122:263, November 21, 1982)