Pornography

[anon67074017]

Porn should be illegal and in my view it should be classified as something along the lines of a drug because of how it affects the brain. It is especially harmful to young population. If the U.S. is not going to make it illegal they could certainly put sanctions and restrictions on it to make it harder for people to obtain it. For example sites like youtube could start putting sanctions on their pornagraphic content to make it harder to view. Or companies like youtube could just rewrite their company policies and ban the stuff all together.

Apart from a government ban if more awareness is raised then I think that individual companies could implement their own bans on a corporate level.

YouTube wouldn’t do that. They are too liberal.

 

[Lynxdk]

I would like pornography to be illegal. It is a leftist tool to bring down Christian culture. States have the right to ban the sale of pornography. That does not violate the Bill of Rights. Supporting a ban on pornography does not mean you are a fascist. It means that you are against the degeneration of culture.

Calling it “leftist” is a fat load of nonsense, and alienates plenty of folks who would gladly argue against porn, in particular, many feminists who understand it as a Patriarchal tool, to undermine respect for women and justify in the minds of the viewers that women are hardly more than objects to control, treat, and use as property… a decidedly Right wing ideology.

Mixing the Catholic Church, politics, and the heresies of the West is a dangerous area for the soul, imo.

 

[mikekle]

I don’t think most people agree porn should be made illegal. In fact I think it is a small small percentage who would really want that. I might, you might, but the vast majority of Americans would not ever want that to happen. Somebody is watching it…

Yes, but even those who see nothing wrong with viewing it, they still have those same feelings of guilt after watching porn, just like struggling christians do.

I will admit, I do not have a problem with this anymore, ever since I was put on Suboxone a year ago, my ‘drive’ is at about zero, although in my younger days, I did enjoy watching porn, but liked going out finding the real thing even better, but still, during these times in my life, I still experienced feelings of guilt after watching a porn video, or the morning after a one night stand, that is just something that happens to everyone and it happens for good reason.

 

[phantom87]

I think most people would agree with this is that pornography should be made illegal in the united states. Because nothing good comes out of it religiously speaking and non religiously speaking like in society. I know that it is a huge money maker but law makers need some sense knocked into them. To make it illegal.

its something that I battle with everyday and it is every bit an addiction as anything else even to the exclusion of martial relationships however in this day and age I think making it “Illegal” Would go about as well as the war on drugs … You can find it free on every dark corner of the net , much like drug dealers of old … There isn’t away to effectively police porn unless you are talking about internet censorship which is of course totally different conversation

 

[Lynxdk]

Whoever wants pornography should be allowed to view it. There exists a certain perversion already in the viewer, and it is up to each viewer individually to eventually recognize their addiction. Such perversions must get worked out, not repressed into the unconscious where it acts as a conflict and produces other unwanted behavior. Working through this perversion can lead to great personal insight and allow the person grow much higher spiritually had the perversion never existed.

I do agree with you to a certain extent, and I also want to address a greater set of issues with this, in general, using what you said, with my perspective.

To start with, a Catholic attitude should start with respect for each others Person (you can read the Theology of the Body, and other resources for this), in Body, as well as in Spirit (We are in that sense, Eternal Souls with Temporary Bodies) Particularly to the extend that it would be good to keep in mind a few passages:

Matthew 25:40
‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

It works in the other direction, as well, instead of “For Christ” Whatever you do To another persons body, you also do To the Body of Christ.

Matthew 5:27-28
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

And this is just as important for women, as well as men.

You ~can~ “commit sin” in your mind, But! seeing sin as “Harm” to God, through Harm to another person, such as seeing another person as a “object” to be “used” without respecting the Person(Soul) especially outside of the context of a marriage, but even In that context, one can learn ~why~ these things are considered “sin” and useful as lessons, as Robert mentioned, because God doesn’t just make up rules “because I said so!”

There are legitimate reasons for the Commandments, and the way Christ prioritized and addressed them. It can be especially helpful when we read from Scripture (rather than what we read ~into~ Scripture, when we look for things to justify our feelings) how we’re Should be trying to behave. Allowing the emotional, animal mind to rule us, rather than learning how to master ourselves, is essentially handing ourselves over to sin.

Some struggle with this more than others, especially in the case of addictions, and “beating ourselves up” over it, just “beats” the guilt in deeper, stuffing our feelings, rather than allowing them to exist and pass, without indulging in them inappropriately. Certainly they can be appropriate in the context of Marriage, especially if a marriage well grounded in mutual respect and understanding, but definitely not appropriate, in the case of Pornography.

Why? Because Pornography Exploits other Human Beings, Body and Soul, and often enough, it’s not even by their own free will. Especially in the case of “home made” stuff you can find on the internet, and most Definitely wrong in the case of young adults that may not even be of the age of consent, and younger. At least with “legal” porn, you have some assurance that you’re dealing with adults who are choosing to be involved and getting paid for their “work.”

For folks who are struggling with addictions, I would suggest cartoons. Japanese animations, for example, are using Voice acting are far less exploitative of the human spirit, and could simply be considered along the same lines as “romantic novels” as those, also, are largely in the mind of the viewer/reader, at least much more so than “the real thing.”

The biggest problem I have even with “legit” pornography is that I suspect most of the people involved come with histories of child abuse, and so haven’t had the life experience of being respected as persons. How could they? Especially those who grow up being sexually abused, and find themselves situations where, even in trying to escape homes where they’ve been abused, end up on the streets and needing to survive?

And how can one even tell the difference from watching a movie? Some people may make free will choices that result in problem later on, but many more have experience only trouble, from the get go, and have no way to learn the difference, if there’s no one around to show them the difference.

Catholics and Christians especially should keep these things in mind with regard to porn. The World says it ok. God does not. Addictions and instincts can be overcome, when we seek help, professionally, through prayer or with peers, not just for our own sake, but for all of our brothers and sisters as well.

We are All Children of God.

 

[Little_Sheep]

The Governments job is to protect our liberties not enforce morals. Porn is an ethics issue that is not for the government to ban. It is the churches job to encourage morals.

 

[Little_Sheep]

Yes, but even those who see nothing wrong with viewing it, they still have those same feelings of guilt after watching porn, just like struggling christians do.

I will admit, I do not have a problem with this anymore, ever since I was put on Suboxone a year ago, my ‘drive’ is at about zero, although in my younger days, I did enjoy watching porn, but liked going out finding the real thing even better, but still, during these times in my life, I still experienced feelings of guilt after watching a porn video, or the morning after a one night stand, that is just something that happens to everyone and it happens for good reason.

This is not something that happens to everyone.

 

[on_the_hill]

The Governments job is to protect our liberties not enforce morals. Porn is an ethics issue that is not for the government to ban. It is the churches job to encourage morals.

I do not improve myself when I rely on other people to remove the occasion of sin on my behalf.

 

[Lynxdk]

I do not improve myself when I rely on other people to remove the occasion of sin on my behalf.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

I’m confused, is access to porn a good thing so we can practice bettering ourselves?

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

I do agree with you to a certain extent, and I also want to address a greater set of issues with this, in general, using what you said, with my perspective.

To start with, a Catholic attitude should start with respect for each others Person (you can read the Theology of the Body, and other resources for this), in Body, as well as in Spirit (We are in that sense, Eternal Souls with Temporary Bodies) Particularly to the extend that it would be good to keep in mind a few passages:

Matthew 25:40
‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

It works in the other direction, as well, instead of “For Christ” Whatever you do To another persons body, you also do To the Body of Christ.

Matthew 5:27-28
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

And this is just as important for women, as well as men.

You ~can~ “commit sin” in your mind, But! seeing sin as “Harm” to God, through Harm to another person, such as seeing another person as a “object” to be “used” without respecting the Person(Soul) especially outside of the context of a marriage, but even In that context, one can learn ~why~ these things are considered “sin” and useful as lessons, as Robert mentioned, because God doesn’t just make up rules “because I said so!”

There are legitimate reasons for the Commandments, and the way Christ prioritized and addressed them. It can be especially helpful when we read from Scripture (rather than what we read ~into~ Scripture, when we look for things to justify our feelings) how we’re Should be trying to behave. Allowing the emotional, animal mind to rule us, rather than learning how to master ourselves, is essentially handing ourselves over to sin.

Some struggle with this more than others, especially in the case of addictions, and “beating ourselves up” over it, just “beats” the guilt in deeper, stuffing our feelings, rather than allowing them to exist and pass, without indulging in them inappropriately. Certainly they can be appropriate in the context of Marriage, especially if a marriage well grounded in mutual respect and understanding, but definitely not appropriate, in the case of Pornography.

Why? Because Pornography Exploits other Human Beings, Body and Soul, and often enough, it’s not even by their own free will. Especially in the case of “home made” stuff you can find on the internet, and most Definitely wrong in the case of young adults that may not even be of the age of consent, and younger. At least with “legal” porn, you have some assurance that you’re dealing with adults who are choosing to be involved and getting paid for their “work.”

For folks who are struggling with addictions, I would suggest cartoons. Japanese animations, for example, are using Voice acting are far less exploitative of the human spirit, and could simply be considered along the same lines as “romantic novels” as those, also, are largely in the mind of the viewer/reader, at least much more so than “the real thing.”

The biggest problem I have even with “legit” pornography is that I suspect most of the people involved come with histories of child abuse, and so haven’t had the life experience of being respected as persons. How could they? Especially those who grow up being sexually abused, and find themselves situations where, even in trying to escape homes where they’ve been abused, end up on the streets and needing to survive?

And how can one even tell the difference from watching a movie? Some people may make free will choices that result in problem later on, but many more have experience only trouble, from the get go, and have no way to learn the difference, if there’s no one around to show them the difference.

Catholics and Christians especially should keep these things in mind with regard to porn. The World says it ok. God does not. Addictions and instincts can be overcome, when we seek help, professionally, through prayer or with peers, not just for our own sake, but for all of our brothers and sisters as well.

We are All Children of God.

Cartoon porn is better than regular porn?

 

[on_the_hill]

I’m confused, is access to porn a good thing so we can practice bettering ourselves?

No, that’s not exactly what I’m getting at. I personally feel that if a person has a weakness, he has to learn to control it himself. It can’t be done for him.

 

[mikekle]

The Governments job is to protect our liberties not enforce morals. Porn is an ethics issue that is not for the government to ban. It is the churches job to encourage morals.

If this is true, why are their ‘sin’ taxes on certain products? Even on alcohol, something as a christian, many do not view as a sin?

 

[pensmama87]

If this is true, why are their ‘sin’ taxes on certain products? Even on alcohol, something as a christian, many do not view as a sin?

Arguably, because they make a lot of money and are non-essentials.

You could also argue that such are taxed as a deterrent for public health reasons (such as tobacco) or public safety (alcohol).

It’s very difficult to prove that pornography is dangerous to public health or safety (though I absolutely believe it is). There is a huge problem with legally defining it (“I know it when I see it”).

Should it be made illegal? I think so…but I think there’s a lot that would need to change in our political and social landscape before such a move would even be possible.

 

[mikekle]

Arguably, because they make a lot of money and are non-essentials.

You could also argue that such are taxed as a deterrent for public health reasons (such as tobacco) or public safety (alcohol).

It’s very difficult to prove that pornography is dangerous to public health or safety (though I absolutely believe it is). There is a huge problem with legally defining it (“I know it when I see it”).

Should it be made illegal? I think so…but I think there’s a lot that would need to change in our political and social landscape before such a move would even be possible.

IDK, depending on what type of porn it is, some can definitely be dangerous/ illegal (child porn, beastiality), strange there is not a sin tax on porn, it would bring in billions in revenue.

 

[Lynxdk]

Cartoon porn is better than regular porn?

Concupiscence, see the Catholic understanding.
Best not to involve others in your own sin. What did Christ say about adultery? I was sure I quoted that.,.

“Cartoons” are an art form. You get what you bring to it.

Also read on_the_hill’s post directly after this one of yours I quoted.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Concupiscence, see the Catholic understanding.
Best not to involve others in your own sin. What did Christ say about adultery? I was sure I quoted that.,.

“Cartoons” are an art form. You get what you bring to it.

Also read on_the_hill’s post directly after this one of yours I quoted.

Here are a couple of problems with your idea.
1). Cartoon porn further dehumanizes the pornography.
2). Cartoon porn lends itself to even more depraved behavior because in it are things that are not allowed either legally or even physically in real life. Further perverting an already damaged mind.
3). There is no (alternative) porn that is not grave matter. To suggest a type of “methadone clinic” for this is silly.
We should encourage others to din no more not sin with anime…

 

[Lynxdk]

Here are a couple of problems with your idea.
1). Cartoon porn further dehumanizes the pornography.
2). Cartoon porn lends itself to even more depraved behavior because in it are things that are not allowed either legally or even physically in real life. Further perverting an already damaged mind.
3). There is no (alternative) porn that is not grave matter. To suggest a type of “methadone clinic” for this is silly.
We should encourage others to din no more not sin with anime…

Your sins are your problem. I was discouraging sin altogether, but how many, especially non-Catholics, let alone Atheists and the irreligious read these threads as well?

People can’t simply jump from Zero or a Negative view of faith to where others are without some reasoned discourse.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Your sins are your problem. I was discouraging sin altogether, but how many, especially non-Catholics, let alone Atheists and the irreligious read these threads as well?

People can’t simply jump from Zero or a Negative view of faith to where others are without some reasoned discourse.

I don’t think you are grasping the concept of sin. Or its consequences or what we are called to do.

 

[dangerousdyls]

Laws prohibiting porn aren’t going to do it. Look how effective drug laws are in the US. Pornography and illegal drugs will continue to be huge problems because the American people have such a demand for it. If nobody was interested in buying, nobody would be selling.

This sounds like oversimplification to me. I don’t understand the argument that banning porn does no good, or does more harm than anything else. I think laws prohibiting porn won’t solve the problem, but they will help. A small deterrence from obtaining it can be the difference for some between viewing it at all or not. That’s especially important regarding protecting our developing teens and youth from those images.

It does seem to get tricky when defining “pornography”, where the line is with free speech, and regulating the internet. Several other countries have a full or partial ban on porn, I’d be curious to know more about how their laws define terms. In my opinion, even a partial ban like not being legal to sell or distribute would be effective. I agree that many of the “stars” of these films suffer from abuse and are being exploited, especially women.