Purity, Modesty, "Victorian Effect" create Joseph L Bishops

[_Meadowchik]

That's exactly right. That's one reason why they are so heavily addicted to the idea of not masturbating. The leadership of the church is obsessed with masturbation and realizes it needs this in order to control members of the church. Once they lose their ability to keep the members and especially the youth from masturbating then it's GAME OVER. The LDS will slide into oblivion.

Right. It used to be polygamy, the anchor creating a double-bind for believers. Now it depends on Victorian-era sexual morals.

[_Meadowchik]

The problem is that the church will quickly lose control over its members if it loses control of the bedroom.

Letting go of that control would mean letting the Church and its members enter the light and experience humanity in a less destructive manner.

Yes. I'm thinking that the church truly suffers from the "all that is good is not unique, all that is unique is not good," especially when it's demands on individuals become less defensible and rewards diminishing.

[_Themis]

I'm with ya, but I think it would be easier to require everyone with a vagina to carry a gun than it would be to get Mormons and Muslims to ease their modesty standards.

LDS modesty standards have changed quite a bit, but tend to lag well behind most of society. Showing ankle was considered very immodest at one time. Muslims in western countries tend to be less concerned about how much of the body needs covering compared to Muslim countries in the middle east.

[_Dr Exiled]

Sexual predators seem to be a problem everywhere from college campuses to churches. Perhaps repression feeds some of these idiots to act out but I think it is a power thing that probably has its roots in male dominated society and how women are still viewed as inferior. Men like Bishop think women are less than and more property than human. My guess is that this dehumanization of women attitude played a big part in his actions.