The Book of Happy faces

[_Buffalo]

I'm a fool, no doubt, to wonder this out loud, but why is porn such a hot topic of conversation around here?

LDS and many others think porn is bad. So what?

Maybe it's because of the Mormon obsession with porn. Also, the Mormon idea that apostasy = secret porno addiction.

[_stemelbow]

Maybe it's because of the Mormon obsession with porn.

call me ignorant on this topic but aren't porn obsessions something which is not religion specific? Some people may be obsessed with porn, again I admit ignorance of this, but where does that translate into "Mormon obsession with porn"?

Also, the Mormon idea that apostasy = secret porno addiction.

huh? Many posters here who have left the Chuch bring up porn often and in so doing downplay, it seems, the perhaps negatives of porn that the Church would probably espouse. I'm not familiar with any "Mormon idea that apostasy = secret porn addiction", but I can attest that the number of times porn is brought up here far outnumbers the amount of times i hear it in Church or from LDS folks in general relatively speaking.

[_Quasimodo]

huh? Many posters here who have left the Chuch bring up porn often and in so doing downplay, it seems, the perhaps negatives of porn that the Church would probably espouse. I'm not familiar with any "Mormon idea that apostasy = secret porn addiction", but I can attest that the number of times porn is brought up here far outnumbers the amount of times i hear it in Church or from LDS folks in general relatively speaking.

Hey,Stem,

What are the negatives of pornography? I can think of a few on the porn industry side.

Obviously, child pornography is a true evil and exploits the innocent. Adult pornography can also be exploitive and manipulative of the "actors" involved. I also understand that there is fair amount of organized crime involvement in porn production (never a good thing).

What is the down side for viewers of porn? A serious question.

Who's definition of pornography are we using? At the turn of the last century, a knee showing might have been considered pornographic. Any sort of cleavage would have prompted legal action.

Does the LDS Church have an official definition of pornography?

[_Some Schmo]

call me ignorant on this topic but aren't porn obsessions something which is not religion specific?

I'm pretty sure it's religion specific to the cult in Eyes Wide Shut at least.

[_stemelbow]

Hey,Stem,

What are the negatives of pornography? I can think of a few on the porn industry side.

I can only offer regurgitated ideas that I have gotten wind of from others. I really have no particular interest or training here.

Obviously, child pornography is a true evil and exploits the innocent. Adult pornography can also be exploitive and manipulative of the "actors" involved. I also understand that there is fair amount of organized crime involvement in porn production (never a good thing).

Alright.

What is the down side for viewers of porn? A serious question.

I honestly don't know this. As I said, I can only offer vague statements that I've heard from others and since I don't really know, I'd prefer to say I don't know.

Who's definition of pornography are we using? At the turn of the last century, a knee showing might have been considered pornographic. Any sort of cleavage would have prompted legal action.

I'm not the originator of this thread. I don't have any specific definition of pornography in my head, as per my participation in this thread.

Does the LDS Church have an official definition of pornography?

The Church very well could, but i don't know.

[_Buffalo]

Maybe it's because of the Mormon obsession with porn.

call me ignorant on this topic but aren't porn obsessions something which is not religion specific? Some people may be obsessed with porn, again I admit ignorance of this, but where does that translate into "Mormon obsession with porn"?

Also, the Mormon idea that apostasy = secret porno addiction.

huh? Many posters here who have left the Chuch bring up porn often and in so doing downplay, it seems, the perhaps negatives of porn that the Church would probably espouse. I'm not familiar with any "Mormon idea that apostasy = secret porn addiction", but I can attest that the number of times porn is brought up here far outnumbers the amount of times i hear it in Church or from LDS folks in general relatively speaking.

Zee's extended family accused him of having a secret pornography addiction when he came out as an unbeliever. It's pretty common.

I challenge you to find a special priesthood meeting (conference or otherwise) that doesn't harp on porno.

[_karl61]

I think an issue is whether an addiction* to pornography is a problem or a symptom of a problem. If you watch the video that was linked on this board then you would see it as a problem, likely made my those who are not mental health professionals, who would likely say it is a symptom of deeper issues.

* I would say an addiction is where you are spending large amounts of money, time, or energy, on a certain activity, that you know could bring undesireable consequences, but you feel helpless and unable to stop when you are doing it.

[_Hoops]

I think an issue is whether an addiction* to pornography is a problem or a symptom of a problem. If you watch the video that was linked on this board then you would see it as a problem, likely made my those who are not mental health professionals, who would likely say it is a symptom of deeper issues.

* I would say an addiction is where you are spending large amounts of money, time, or energy, on a certain activity, that you know could bring undesireable consequences, but you feel helpless and unable to stop when you are doing it.

that's YOUR definition. It is LDS authority that is making judgement on its members, so it THEIR definition that is operative here. Where can this be found so one can know if one has an addiction or not? But, this is the inevitable destination of the LDS brand of legalism.

Like many things LDS, there is no clear cut line so one knows where one stands. For all the faults of Protestant Christianity (and there are many), they at least have staked out ground that let's one know where they stand.

[_stemelbow]

Zee's extended family accused him of having a secret pornography addiction when he came out as an unbeliever. It's pretty common.

I challenge you to find a special priesthood meeting (conference or otherwise) that doesn't harp on porno.

Well, what do you mean by "harp on porno"? In the way I'd categorize "harp on porno" I don't' thin kI've ever seen one church meeting that can be considered doing as much. Mentioning it? I think there are tons, perhaps the majority, of priesthood meetings that don't even mention the word or concept. I don't know for sure though, and I don't think I'm too concerned anyway. I don't think mentioning the word can be considered anything close to harping on it though. So, I think the ball is kind of in your court. If they all harp on it, then I'd like to see evidence that any has ever harped on it, first. Perhaps this will give me an idea what you mean by harping on it.

[_Buffalo]

Zee's extended family accused him of having a secret pornography addiction when he came out as an unbeliever. It's pretty common.

I challenge you to find a special priesthood meeting (conference or otherwise) that doesn't harp on porno.

Well, what do you mean by "harp on porno"? In the way I'd categorize "harp on porno" I don't' thin kI've ever seen one church meeting that can be considered doing as much. Mentioning it? I think there are tons, perhaps the majority, of priesthood meetings that don't even mention the word or concept. I don't know for sure though, and I don't think I'm too concerned anyway. I don't think mentioning the word can be considered anything close to harping on it though. So, I think the ball is kind of in your court. If they all harp on it, then I'd like to see evidence that any has ever harped on it, first. Perhaps this will give me an idea what you mean by harping on it.

By harp on porno I mean obsessively talk about what a menace it is. How evil it is. You know, like how preachers in the 20s might have harped on the menace of that "demon liquor."

I've never seen a special priesthood meeting (ie, General Conference, or Stake meetings) that didn't harp on porno.