Why is pornography considered a degrading thing?

I don't want anyone telling me what I can and can't watch. I love it, my girl loves it....and we will keep on buying it.

I like the cut of your jib. Yes, you sound just like me. I can't stand all the busy bodies telling me what to watch and what not to watch either. If I want to watch porn, then I'll bloody well watch porn. And if anyone wants to make an issue out of it and tell me that I can't watch something, then I'd introduce them to my personal friend...Mr Knuckles!

I just knew someone would make the foolish assertion that being a porn star is equitable to a janitor.

Being a janitor is honorable work, albeit not glorious or lucrative.


Give me a brake! I'd much prefer to be well paid to have sex with a beautiful woman, than be some low paid scivvy to some rich fat cat! More times than not, you don't just get badly paid in low paid, unskilled work, but you also get badly treated to boot, and all in the knowledge that your rich boss is getting richer at your expense. I should know, because I've done that sort of "grind". Yeah, that's all being a low paid skivvy is, GRIND! And more times than not, it's hire and fire work as well. No, I think I'd prefer to be paid to have sex with dozens upon dozens of gorgeous chicks, than to be a slave to some fat Capitalist pig! At least then, I'd grow old and die with a BIG smile on my face.

 

I think pornography is degrading to average sized men. I mean most guys in porn films would put a blue whale to shame.

 

We live in a Christian society

That's interesting. Where? I certainly don't live in one.

And I don't think pornagraphy has anything to do with a christian society. I can tell you right now that christian boys watch pornagraphy in secret. No matter how much their preachers tells them not to.

You know why?

Because it's considered a forbidden thing.

Over 70% of Americans consider themselves to be Christians. All of the moral standards our society adheres to are taken from Christianity. Our country was founded on the principles of the bible. Compare decency standards from country to country, each country differs depending on the religious majority. The United States has far more strict censorship policies on sex than most European countries, that's because Christians dominate our cultural landscape while European countries are far less religious or far more liberally religious.

Our lawmakers are 100% Christian, the american people would never elect a non-christian politician because of the perception of religion = good - atheists = bad. I could go on and on, but if you take the time to look at our laws and censorship and the world around you you'll realize that we live in a christian society. Our government won't even allow teachers to teach about the use of birth control for christ sake.

But yeah, I've never known ANYONE that hasn't watched porn at some point in their lifetime. So I find it funny that so many christians talk bad about porn but you know the vast majority of them still watch it to satisfy their own needs. The ole do as I say not as I do routine.

 

But yeah, I've never known ANYONE that hasn't watched porn at some point in their lifetime. So I find it funny that so many christians talk bad about porn but you know the vast majority of them still watch it to satisfy their own needs. The ole do as I say not as I do routine.

So what you're saying is that the majority of Christians are a bunch of hypocrites, that watch porn and go killing thousands of Iraqi civilians for a few oil wells? Hmm, very interesting. And I feel it a bit of a double standard for a greedy self serving Capitalist country like the US, to then turn around the next minute and say it's a good Christian country. If you (the US) understood Christianity as you say you do, then Capitalism and greed for personal wealth is an affront to everything God and Christianity believes in and teaches, or is it that the US only cherry picks what it likes from the Bible and discards the bits it doesn't like? Yes, hypocrites indeed.

Me? I haven't got much time for some ancient 2000 year old book written by a bunch of ignorant peasants in the Middle East. In fact, I haven't got time for any ancient religion. I simply use my own intellect and moral conscience to tell me what's right and wrong.

perception of religion = good - atheists = bad

Yes, that's what Hitler thought in the 1930's & 40's. That's the reason why he gassed atheists by their thousands. I guess that attitude makes the US almost as bad as Hitler. Now all you have to do is gas them.

 

Unless something's changed somewhere down the road, we were taught about birth control in my High School.

As far as porn goes, I enjoy it, my husband enjoys it and we do watch porn together. Strip clubs, well, if he wants to go, I've got no problem with that as long as he keeps things in his pants, and he's been very tolerant of me going to see the male strippers.

But then, we've been together for 10+ years with two kids so we know we're stuck with each other.

 

Strip clubs, well, if he wants to go, I've got no problem with that as long as he keeps things in his pants, and he's been very tolerant of me going to see the male strippers.

That's very admirable of you! Maybe too admirable. I myself wouldn't want to go to strippers if I had a loving relationship with a good woman, because I'd take the attitude that my partner was all that I needed in a woman.

 

So what you're saying is that the majority of Christians are a bunch of hypocrites, that watch porn and go killing thousands of Iraqi civilians for a few oil wells?

Wow, you sure blew that up...

Where did I say anything Iraq? But do I think the majority of Christians are hypocrites? Most certainly. I get that because I was a christian for most of my life, raised in a strict conservative Christian household. So that's where my perception of Christians comes from, from me being a part of that and around that all my life.

But let's not turn this into a religious debate, we've got a million of those already.

 

Where did I say anything Iraq?

You didn't. I was merely making an example of the sheer hypocrisy in society that are called "Christians". It's been many a time that I've seen people who go to church, who also kill other people. I've also seen so many supposed "Christians" in church who wouldn't think twice about walking over his fellow human for a profit.

To be a true Christian, you should not either kill, nor be materialistic in any way whatsoever. I think, until someone can follow those rules, then they should have no right to go anywhere near a church.

 

As you noted, that is the difference between true Christians and false ones. Just because someone has accepted with their mind that God is real and Jesus is the Savior of the world doesn't automatically make them a Christian. True faith brings forth works.

When Jesus said few enter the kingdom of heaven, He wasn't joking.

 

Ah, Jesus. He's a perfect example of what I mean. He was poor, right? He's also the guy all "Christians" look up to, right? Well, if he lived now, in the modern day US, then he would have been viewed as the lowest of the low simply because he was poor. Ironic, isn't it, that the one person "Christians" pray to was at the bottom of the social heap! But was Jesus, the guy that all these materialistic people pray to, materialistic himself? No, to him all people, both rich and poor, were equal. In fact, I remember something in the Bible saying something about the poor inheriting the kingdom of heaven. So much for greedy Capitalists that judge people on their wealth, aye?!

But back on the porn/sex debate, I remember that Jesus accepted Mary Magdalene (sp), who herself was a prostitute. I also remember him saying to the crowd, "He who is without sin, cast the first stone."

And if prostitution was such a bad thing, then why is it that it's the oldest profession in history?

 

I like porn, and i think porn is only degrading if you let it be. Just because you watch porn doesn't mean you have to think of woman solely as sex objects. Also many woman degrade themselves that aren't in porn. TAke for example this girl i go to school with, one weekend she had sex with 4 different guys including a 3 some. I think she is more degrading to woman then porn is. At least in porn the girls are doing what they do because it's there job.

 

I just knew someone would make the foolish assertion that being a porn star is equitable to a janitor.

Really, I'd love to get inside the head of someone who actually preempted the equating of a porn star to a janitor!

Unless, you know, the "slop bucket" connection was made...

E_S

 

this has nothing to do with it being degrading, but there is a thought that too much exposure to porn and all sorts of weird and freaky sexual imagery sort of desensitizes the sexual act. sort of like violence. so you get so used to seeing all this stuff to the point where you don't get as turned on by doing "normal" stuff with your partner or whatever, or even "normal" porn itself.

 

The worst sort of whore; the worst way a woman can degrade herself, is by having relationships with men for their money (a.k.a. gold diggers!). To actively and cold bloodedly search out men only for their money is the worst way a woman can degrade herself.

 

The worst sort of whore; the worst way a woman can degrade herself, is by having relationships with men for their money (a.k.a. gold diggers!). To actively and cold bloodedly search out men only for their money is the worst way a woman can degrade herself.

It's no different than men that marry women for their money. We each use each other, get over it.

 

But back on the porn/sex debate, I remember that Jesus accepted Mary Magdalene (sp), who herself was a prostitute.

It's not a fact that she was a prostitute for one thing. For another, Jesus NEVER accepted anyone's sin. Yes, He forgave and accepted people, but He expected them to turn from their sin from then on out. He didn't tolerate it.

 

I have to raise a question about porn that's been bugging me for quite a few years.

Why is it illegal for a woman to sell her body on the streets (i.e. have sex for money), but it's perfectly fine for a woman to sell her body for a shady porn film? I mean, are these acts any different AT ALL? I personally don't see any difference other than geography and who signs the paycheck.

EDIT: Of course I mean in America. And yes, I know there is a state where it's legal (at least I've HEARD that anyways). I'm talking about mainstream, the general consensus of America here.

 

Prostitution is not necessarily illegal. In some European countries it's actually licensed and regulated like any other trade.

 

FID "It's no different than men that marry women for their money."

Please no mention of John Kerry in here.

 

Hey! John Kerry did not marry for money, he married for love. John Kerry even said so!


Is she a little attractive? I've never seen her. So maybe he "did all for the nookie" or something.


BTW, I do think porn is degrading for the woman, but I also think that the women that do it like to be degraded. Kinda like what my friend said about anal sex one time, she said the only turn on about it was the degrading aspect.

 

Ender_Sai

I don't know if this gap of logic has occurred or not, so if not, don?t worry about it. But one thing that many people seem to miss is arguing a point and arguing in the overall debate.

When Darth Mischievous said something along the lines of "would you want your little girl to be a porn star," the response was "would you want your little girl to be a janitor." (assuming you don't want your girl to be a janitor) It is clear that this part of the argument is not about whether porn is degrading or not, but about that specific reason DM gave as to why we think it is. It may as well be a completely separate debate. It should be treated as such.

There are other things to consider, other reasons why it would/would not be degrading, but the bit about janitors and porn ppl is valid in this one case.

Forgive this generalization, but I have noticed simular gaps in logic in many debates I have with deeply religious people (in fact, only with deeply religious people in my experience). This is the first time I feel it has happened here (that I have seen). There is a diffrence between the overall point and a sub point and if you treat them as the same thing the debate is already bleeped up.

 

Maybe people want to watch porn because they want to see boobies and hot lookin' girls. You know what i'm sayin'?

Porn's good...and if one of the actors gets HIV...well too bad, should of used protection or checked that out. But it's not me getting the HIV so people will keep buying the porn.


So rock on porn!!!

 

Me? I haven't got much time for some ancient 2000 year old book written by a bunch of ignorant peasants in the Middle East. In fact, I haven't got time for any ancient religion. I simply use my own intellect and moral conscience to tell me what's right and wrong.

Zethlin_Maximus: Amen, brother. Pun intended.

I may have mentioned this already on this thread but I'm not sure. I'm a Wiccan solitary practitioner who refuses to join a coven because I don't like rules or regimented procedures. I am a spiritual person, not a religious one.

I worship and celebrate as I please.

Cyprusg: To add to your post, many in America have this notion that sex is evil, sex is horrible, sex eats little children for breakfast, sex is a scary monster that goes bump in the night.

It's ridiculous.

I'm reading a book now called The Sexual Revolution in Early America by Richard Godbeer. It discusses how sexual standards in the 1600s, as the English were coming to America, were more lenient--the line between illicit and licit sex was drawn at commitment, not formal marriage in front of a church. In fact, estimates have been made that about one-third of all English brides were pregnant at the time of their formal ceremonies. However, the Church wanted more power, so they set the rule that a couple must be married in order to have legal sex--and they started punishing people who were having sex outside marriage. To this day, the attitude prevails that having sex is something taboo that must be punished.

Vampi: Your marriage sounds like mine. We have a "look, but don't touch" rule. I couldn't give a rat's ass what or who my husband looks at, either in magazines, on the 'Net, or live. He says the same for me, and he has no problem with my large Hayden Christensen picture collection or the shirtless picture of him on my computer, or my viewings of Ewan's assets in "The Pillow Book". The rule is, for both of us, keep it zipped. We've also been together for fourteen years, married ten.

Unless something's changed somewhere down the road, we were taught about birth control in my High School.

You must not have grown up in North Carolina or various other Southeastern states. It is illegal here to teach any other method of birth control other than abstinence. I say the word "condom" in front of a student, and I could lose my job.

The reason I never got pregnant in my teens or 20s was because my mother, while teaching me about abstinence, also had enough sense to know that her rebellious daughter very well might not listen. So I learned about birth control as well, and used it. I feel sorry for kids who are left completely ignorant by parents who believe that doing so will stop them from thinking about sex. When I was in high school, looking at a blank sheet of paper would make me think about sex.

Zethlin: Married doesn't mean dead.

But back on the porn/sex debate, I remember that Jesus accepted Mary Magdalene (sp), who herself was a prostitute.

My personal opinion is that the early church made that up in order to put Mary and other women in a bad light. I don't know that I believe Mary Magdalene was actually married to Jesus, but I wouldn't bet against her being a close confidante of his.

The_Fireman:

Yes, He forgave and accepted people, but He expected them to turn from their sin from then on out. He didn't tolerate it.

How can you forgive and accept someone but refuse to tolerate the fact that they're human?

 

I don't understand how pornography that is non-violent and consensual be possibly considered as degrading to women unless you think that all sex is degrading to women.

I know there are some who think penetrative sex is degrading to women, nutty old Germaine Greer being one.

 

When Darth Mischievous said something along the lines of "would you want your little girl to be a porn star," the response was "would you want your little girl to be a janitor." (assuming you don't want your girl to be a janitor) It is clear that this part of the argument is not about whether porn is degrading or not, but about that specific reason DM gave as to why we think it is. It may as well be a completely separate debate. It should be treated as such.

Dear god.

What is it with young, American males that makes some of you so obtuse compared to your counterparts elsewhere?!? I mean, you can't generally appreciate sarcasm or even mild humour unless it's spelled out with a [face_sarcasm] or [/sarcasm] suffix, and since there's no laugh track in here to tell you when something is funny, you're at a loss...

Please, go off to dictionary.com and look up words like irony, satire and sarcasm. Then maybe rent Blackadder; Season 3 I find is the most caustic of the lot. When you fully understand subtle humour that isn't spelled out for you 10 minutes in advance - like your average sitcom - then we'll talk about my post.

K?



(Note, the above was a sarcastic and ironic post. NOT TO BE TAKEN LITERALLY).

Now, my serious answer: EnforcerSG, I just found it amusing that halfway through his post, DM said to himself; "You know, I'll bet at least one person is going to compare porn stars to Janitors, I just know it!"

E_S

E_S