What makes you an authority on provocativeness relating to pornography? Just as I, thankfully for freedoms and rights, you are not an expert on this matter! And Mary, your ongoing bickering with other people over their opinions amounts to nothing more than flaming. It is actually quite embarrassing to read, as you seemingly expose yourself as someone incapable of entering into intelligent discussion without causing the debate to deteriorate into an argument of titanically childish proportions. Because I’ve read your other posts, in which your comments would seem to indicate this discussion as an aberration upon your usually thoughtful responses, I am willing to bet you must have been having your period while engaged in this discussion.

This discussion took place a very long time ago, so there isn’t any “ongoing bickering”. As far as my views on pornography, I do have a strong view of them and will always say and believe the body is sacred. And no, I certainly was not on my period, though what that has to do with anything I don’t know. Any time someone (usually a man, for some reason) hears a woman getting heated up about a topic, he automatically assumes she is currently menstruating. Not sure why we aren’t allowed to be passionate about a subject without being branded hormonal. And the reason I was not, am not on my period is because (if it is any of your business, but you asked) I have not had a period in over 2 years (it was 2 years this past December) due to the fact I have been pregnant and then breastfeeding during that time, and my cycles have not yet returned. Do you want me to let you know when they do? (yes, sarcasm).

Sexuality isn’t wrong, but treating the body like a marketable object and ignoring the sacred nature of it, is wrong, in my opinion.

Finally, in posts #95 & #99 Mary, you seem to indicate that you do not masturbate. Is this true?

None of your business and very invasive, I must say.

My beliefs in the sacred nature of sexuality are based in my spiritual beliefs and also in my work as a NFP teacher and childbirth educator. And as a woman. Do I think all women think this way? No, of course not. But I am not here to police their opinions, nor does it matter to me what others think. I am responsible for what I believe.

For the record, I believe that sexuality is far too maligned and treated with disregard in the media and in society.

Interesting what you accuse me of, just because you don’t agree. If you have read any of my comments or posts, you will see that I am strongly opinionated, and do respect other’s opinions, even if I don’t agree. My discussions with Bill/George (and another username I won’t name, they are all the same person) you can’t understand as you have not been here long enough to see where many of his comments have come from. Oh and guess what, my opinions are not “conservative” though you probably peg me as a religious fanatic. Oh it’s funny.

I find it rather amusing that you are “embarrassed” by something that is not only almost a year old, but which you don’t understand, as is evident by your comment.

Sally claims:

Women are much more private when it comes to their sex life. What goes on behind closed doors remain there. Men are not so private. And I am talking about men in general not necessarily men in the church.

We certainly hear tons about these actresses, through the media, when was the last time you saw read or heard a major national media outlet report on some guy masturbating to Barely 18 or Shaved magazine?! You haven’t, because men who are masturbating to pornography are generally doing it in private (hence the trench coats). Pornography is one of the strongest tools of Feminism in that it subjugates men to women! It is also one of the most sexist comments to label a male with (saying he is addicted to porn). Porn is a choice not an addiction!

To answer Mary, women are placed on a pedestal because of our patriarchal societal system which dictates that women need to be protected, not only from the evils of this world, but from themselves as well (hence, the many porn starlets).

I agree with Bill when he states,

As a general thought – men are visual and women are more mental when it comes to sexual things. Pictures excite men and thoughts excite women. That is why romance novels work for women and porn works for men.

Men are wired differently than women, it takes different strokes for different folks (pun intended).

But I find it repugnant when he spews, “So mister turban head (Taliban) why don’t you wear a piece of cloth and cover the things you think? ugh.” How childish! If you must resort to racial intolerance than attack a nation that truly deserves attacking – attack an American!

I agree with JM, “Pornography is in the eye of the beholder”. Just as art too is in the eye of the beholder. Sometimes the two are indistinguishable between to differing viewers opinions. So could art be pornographic? How about pornography as art?! Why don’t we ask Tasha Diamant for her opinion.

Mary contends, “When pictures are taken or drawn, to show a naked body in a provocative way, that is pornography. The body is sacred and should be treated so.” Once again though your idea of provocative posing may not be your neighbours, or the rest of society’s for that matter, idea of provocative posing. What makes you an authority on provocativeness relating to pornography? Just as I, thankfully for freedoms and rights, you are not an expert on this matter! And Mary, your ongoing bickering with other people over their opinions amounts to nothing more than flaming. It is actually quite embarrassing to read, as you seemingly expose yourself as someone incapable of entering into intelligent discussion without causing the debate to deteriorate into an argument of titanically childish proportions. Because I’ve read your other posts, in which your comments would seem to indicate this discussion as an aberration upon your usually thoughtful responses, I am willing to bet you must have been having your period while engaged in this discussion.

I agree with Concerned Brother in post #79 – A well thought out response.

Finally, in posts #95 & #99 Mary, you seem to indicate that you do not masturbate. Is this true?

And by the way, how did we digress to a discussion on the merits, or lack thereof, of masturbation when we began to talk about pornography? I fail to see an absolute connection between the two subjects since pornography is not exclusively related to masturbation, just as masturbation is not necessarily connected to pornography. Seems that we tend to take quite liberal strides with our assumptions while discussing the two (very diverse) subjects.

Just goes to show that human sexuality is possibly not an area where any religious body should be dictating rights and wrongs. One need only look to the one true source for guidance the Holy Bible. And, I do not need some quasi-intercessory person (prophet, priest, bishop, deacon, etc) to dictate that to me either, since all understanding comes through God and all mankind equally shares the ability to commune with Him. I shall take my guidance from Him. For what is right for me, He alone knows. And this is quite possibly not the plan He has for you.

Just a side note, pornography is nothing new – it has been around since shortly after the dawn of mankind. Did you all know that pornography was around, and is reported on, in the Bible?! Its true!! Go ahead see how many instances you can find.

I have never heard that it was ok, nor do I believe it is. Sexual sin is sexual sin. There is no different standard for men and women (unless of course you live in the same place Bill does? He seems to have bizarre stories such as this).