Should pornography be legal (faithful Catholics only)?

[Lea101]

I, and each of you, is/are free to NOT CLICK on the links to pornographic sites.

I do not need the government making it illegal. Porn does not force its way into my mailbox. Porn sites do not invade my computer.

I knew of an Orthodox rabbi in Los Angeles whose wife would go through the newspaper every morning before he read it, cutting out ads that she felt he should not see. Lingerie ads, stocking ads, etc. Because in her mind (or in his mind, maybe), these ads were pornographic and might have an unwanted impact on him. This man was so pure (or so unpure!!) that images that we accept every day were disturbing to him.

But aside from such sensitive rarities, pornography does not come seek us out. And you can have filters installed on your computers to protect you from supposedly inadvertent clicks!

It’s not just that (btw young children can get introduced to porn by their peers)

Porn makes lots of money…lots…

Porn stars are treated terribly. Really, really terribly. They, usually female ones, are treated like objects, they do not have actual consent to do some of the nasty stuff people watch. “Rough sex scenes” could actually be rape, but they are forced to go along with it, look as if they enjoy it and keep quiet about it (some of them have quite porn and spoken about this).

STDs and abortions are not uncommon. Drugs too. Suicide too. Most people in porn do not do this to be “empowered” (there are “feminists” who think porn is empowering, but they are just denying facts because it contradicts with their view on sex)

Lingerie ads is a different thing, because these models are, even though objectified, they are not subject to the same sort of violence as porn stars. They are not “trapped”, it’s something they like to do and usually these models don’t just model underwear, they model for LV, sports brands, makeup brands etc.

Sometimes it’s not just protecting our souls, but it’s protecting these women (and men…and children) involved in this industry. If it’s illegal, porn won’t be as lucrative as it is, women and children won’t be forced to degrade themselves so that the company can make $$. Porn is making tons because it is so accessible.

 

[Qoeleth]

I, and each of you, is/are free to NOT CLICK on the links to pornographic sites.

I do not need the government making it illegal. Porn does not force its way into my mailbox. Porn sites do not invade my computer.

I knew of an Orthodox rabbi in Los Angeles whose wife would go through the newspaper every morning before he read it, cutting out ads that she felt he should not see. Lingerie ads, stocking ads, etc. Because in her mind (or in his mind, maybe), these ads were pornographic and might have an unwanted impact on him. This man was so pure (or so unpure!!) that images that we accept every day were disturbing to him.

But aside from such sensitive rarities, pornography does not come seek us out. And you can have filters installed on your computers to protect you from supposedly inadvertent clicks!

That doesn’t make any difference. You could say the same about heroin- ‘if you don’t want it, don’t buy it’. Your argument doesn’t stand up.

Laws should be framed to protect the morally weak for their own perverted tendencies, and to supress and erase degenerate cultural influences.

Western cultures are based on Christianity. Therefore, laws in Western countries should uphold Christian morality.

 

[Lea101]

It’s not just that (btw young children can get introduced to porn by their peers)

Porn makes lots of money…lots…

Porn stars are treated terribly. Really, really terribly. They, usually female ones, are treated like objects, they do not have actual consent to do some of the nasty stuff people watch. “Rough sex scenes” could actually be rape, but they are forced to go along with it, look as if they enjoy it and keep quiet about it (some of them have quit porn and spoken about this).

STDs and abortions are not uncommon. Drugs too. Suicide too. Most people in porn do not do this to be “empowered” (there are “feminists” who think porn is empowering, but they are just denying facts because it contradicts with their view on sex)

Lingerie ads is a different thing, because these models are, even though objectified, they are not subject to the same sort of violence as porn stars. They are not “trapped”, it’s something they like to do and usually these models don’t just model underwear, they model for LV, sports brands, makeup brands etc.

Sometimes it’s not just protecting our souls, but it’s protecting these women (and men…and children) involved in this industry. If it’s illegal, porn won’t be as lucrative as it is, women and children won’t be forced to degrade themselves so that the company can make $$. Porn is making tons because it is so accessible.

 

[goout]

I, and each of you, is/are free to NOT CLICK on the links to pornographic sites.

I do not need the government making it illegal. Porn does not force its way into my mailbox. Porn sites do not invade my computer.

I knew of an Orthodox rabbi in Los Angeles whose wife would go through the newspaper every morning before he read it, cutting out ads that she felt he should not see. Lingerie ads, stocking ads, etc. Because in her mind (or in his mind, maybe), these ads were pornographic and might have an unwanted impact on him. This man was so pure (or so unpure!!) that images that we accept every day were disturbing to him.

But aside from such sensitive rarities, pornography does not come seek us out. And you can have filters installed on your computers to protect you from supposedly inadvertent clicks!

We are also free as a society to let the poor starve.
Oh, wait a minute while I rethink that…

 

[Robert_Sock]

“The man who only avoids the outward occasions of evil, but fails to uproot it in himself, will gain little advantage. Indeed, temptations will return upon him the sooner, and he will find himself in a worse state than before.”
-Imitation of Christ

I tolerate pornography because I believe it helps the sinner to eventually uproot the evil of uncontrollable sexual desire within himself/herself.

 

[goout]

“The man who only avoids the outward occasions of evil, but fails to uproot it in himself, will gain little advantage. Indeed, temptations will return upon him the sooner, and he will find himself in a worse state than before.”
-Imitation of Christ

I tolerate pornography because I believe it helps the sinner to eventually uproot the evil of uncontrollable sexual desire within himself/herself.

I’m not sure I follow the logic.

 

[exnihilo]

We would need to define pornography first. I think graphic depictions of the sex act would generally suffice. I do think it should be made illegal. Certainly there is nothing stopping limiting its availability much like the government limits the availability of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. I generally am for little to no government, but I don’t see how a government that can legislate against almost everything else can somehow be limited from prohibiting a far worse evil then cigarettes.

As for the internet there could be a requirement that all pornography be limited to a domain such as ‘xxx’ and all ISPs must provide a block to that domain. Again, I’m not for much government but since we already have an all powerful and intrusive government at least it could do one thing that actually helps.

Lots of terms mean different things to different people. I completely agree there might be different ideas about what is pornography, but there are also different ideas about what is obscene. That hasn’t prevented the law from being able to prohibit in these areas. Should child pornography be illegal or are we out of luck because we can’t agree on what is pornography? Given the current legal situation, which does prohibit child pornography (and even virtual child pornogrpahy which is completely computer generated), it would appear we have no problem defining and prohibiting pornography.

 

[goout]

We would need to define pornography first. I think graphic depictions of the sex act would generally suffice. I do think it should be made illegal. Certainly there is nothing stopping limiting its availability much like the government limits the availability of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. I generally am for little to no government, but I don’t see how a government that can legislate against almost everything else can somehow be limited from prohibiting a far worse evil then cigarettes.

As for the internet there could be a requirement that all pornography be limited to a domain such as ‘xxx’ and all ISPs must provide a block to that domain. Again, I’m not for much government but since we already have an all powerful and intrusive government at least it could do one thing that actually helps.

Lots of terms mean different things to different people. I completely agree there might be different ideas about what is pornography, but there are also different ideas about what is obscene. That hasn’t prevented the law from being able to prohibit in these areas. Should child pornography be illegal or are we out of luck because we can’t agree on what is pornography? Given the current legal situation, which does prohibit child pornography (and even virtual child pornogrpahy which is completely computer generated), it would appear we have no problem defining and prohibiting pornography.

Yes.
We have no problem with working out definitions and policies on a myriad of issues, and imposing a moral value on the nation.

Question for anyone (no one seems to have an answer):
Why is freedom of expression exempted from moral evaluations that we apply to other issues?
Can it be that we are steeped in individualism? And expressing our selves is a uniquely individual thing?

 

[Robert_Sock]

I’m not sure I follow the logic.

The abnormal desire to watch porn must get uprooted from within a person. Merely avoiding porn, and repressing these urges, is counterproductive and will not allow the person to grow spiritually.

 

[goout]

The abnormal desire to watch porn must get uprooted from within a person. Merely avoiding porn, and repressing these urges, is counterproductive and will not allow the person to grow spiritually.

Avoiding porn is not repressing it’s liberating.
Avoidance is not less, it’s more.
By saying no to something bad a space opens up in which I can say yes to good things. If I leave no space, there is no room for the “yes”.

Our culture is choking on pleasure. If we don’t pull away from the table, we have no hope of seeing the joy that is waiting for us.

Pornography serves absolutely no good purpose whatsoever, and I am not trying to be confrontational, but if you think it does you are deceived.

 

[edwest2]

Yes.
We have no problem with working out definitions and policies on a myriad of issues, and imposing a moral value on the nation.

Question for anyone (no one seems to have an answer):
Why is freedom of expression exempted from moral evaluations that we apply to other issues?
Can it be that we are steeped in individualism? And expressing our selves is a uniquely individual thing?

“freedom of expression” has no definition. It has an imposed definition: “Anything I define as expression.” For example, I could throw out a bag of trash. Simple, right? No. If I was an artist, I could take that same bag, spray paint a green circle on it and call it “found art.” Neat trick, eh?

All I need is the support of a kind of priesthood which includes art gallery owners, art critics and other established artists.

Every effort is being made to discard shame, guilt or sin from human actions. To make them appear to have no meaning.

Ed

 

[edwest2]

"By saying no to something bad a space opens up in which I can say yes to good things. If I leave no space, there is no room for the “yes”.

“Our culture is choking on pleasure. If we don’t pull away from the table, we have no hope of seeing the joy that is waiting for us.”

Very well said. We need to say yes to good things. To doing good things.

Ed

 

[faithsmind]

Yes.
We have no problem with working out definitions and policies on a myriad of issues, and imposing a moral value on the nation.

Question for anyone (no one seems to have an answer):
Why is freedom of expression exempted from moral evaluations that we apply to other issues?
Can it be that we are steeped in individualism? And expressing our selves is a uniquely individual thing?

Yes, individualism, but also, expressing oneself through forms of communication usually don’t directly hurt other people. But yes, if they are harmful–to children for instance–there usually is some type of censorship in place. Wouldn’t you agree?

Children are the primary reason I believe the Internet should require censorship of harmful porn. Yes, children must be monitored, but take for instance my 11-yr-old son, who was easily exposed to porn after school by another boy’s unfiltered cell phone while waiting in the pick-up line. Kinda hard to be over my preteen’s shoulder at every single moment…

Really, it’s just dangerous and addictive no matter who it is. That’s why hard-core drugs and gambling have also been restricted, as well.

 

[edwest2]

Yes. I’ve seen public services commercials for people who are addicted to gambling to get help.

Drugs used for strictly medical reasons may have unwanted or unintended side effects. Street drugs are illegal for a number of reasons.

Pornographers knew that starting in the late 1960s, graphic depictions of sex acts through motion pictures and still photos would be addictive. So, all the more reason to make it legal.

The internet made it possible for human sexual perversion to be available to the greatest number of people in history. The private became public.

I am for censorship of what the porn industry produces. I’m sure that if the owners were put in a courtroom, a judge would look at what all of them are doing and get to the right conclusion.

yourbrainonporn.com/

Ed

 

[Robert_Sock]

Yes. I’ve seen public services commercials for people who are addicted to gambling to get help.

Drugs used for strictly medical reasons may have unwanted or unintended side effects. Street drugs are illegal for a number of reasons.

Pornographers knew that starting in the late 1960s,** graphic depictions of sex acts through motion pictures and still photos would be addictive.** So, all the more reason to make it legal.

The internet made it possible for human sexual perversion to be available to the greatest number of people in history. The private became public.

I am for censorship of what the porn industry produces. I’m sure that if the owners were put in a courtroom, a judge would look at what all of them are doing and get to the right conclusion.

yourbrainonporn.com/

Ed

But is it “normal” for people to get sexually aroused by it? At one period my life it did become addictive, but with perseverance and God’s grace, I now find it just plain disgusting. People need to uproot their abnormal desire to see porn.

 

[faithsmind]

Yes. I’ve seen public services commercials for people who are addicted to gambling to get help.

Drugs used for strictly medical reasons may have unwanted or unintended side effects. Street drugs are illegal for a number of reasons.

Pornographers knew that starting in the late 1960s, graphic depictions of sex acts through motion pictures and still photos would be addictive. So, all the more reason to make it legal.

The internet made it possible for human sexual perversion to be available to the greatest number of people in history. The private became public.

I am for censorship of what the porn industry produces. I’m sure that if the owners were put in a courtroom, a judge would look at what all of them are doing and get to the right conclusion.

yourbrainonporn.com/

Ed

Well, I suppose one way to fight this is to take my son’s predicament to the courtroom and sue the YouTube group he was watching, arguing that there is physical evidence that their videos have damaged his brain for life.