I know you were directing some specific comments to, I believe, Nautilus. If you didn't want anyone else to read and comment, you should have posted it privately. By posting it publicly, you are inviting others to comment. That's the way chat boards work.
You don't have to "prove" anything to me. What I would like to get you to understand is that it is possible -- and in fact very common -- to disapprove of something but still accept its legality in the U.S. I've stated this several times, in several different ways, but you still don't seem to get it, because you say things like that, seeming to think I approve of porn and I'm trying to "get" you to approve of porn.
There are a lot of things I don't approve of. I don't approve of people skipping Church for some sporting event. But that is their choice. I'm not going to ask the US to pass a law making church attendance mandatory.
I don't approve of people refusing to date people of another race, just because they are another race. But that is their choice. It would be impossible to "force" someone to find someone of another race attractive, even if we tried, and I wouldn't want to try.
I don't approve of porn. But I am not about to sit here and say that someone else is not allowed to use it within the confines of their own home, as long as it doesn't affect anyone else.
If you tell me, "Okay, I get what you're saying, and because of some of the dangers to society at large, I'm still against keeping it legal," I would accept that, and agree to disagree. But that's not what you're saying. You're saying that you want it to be illegal because you don't like it. Sorry, that I cannot accept. "Not liking" something is not a good enough reason to want to make it illegal.
If it were, I'm pretty sure Brussel sprouts would have been outlawed centuries ago.
And yes, you do have to justify that to me, or risk being seen as a selfish idiot who doesn't understand anything about the American legal system. Now, I know you are neither selfish nor an idiot -- I know you are a loving, Christian person who, based on your writing, is probably above average intelligence. That is why I'm making it an issue. If I thought you were just an idiot, I'd let it go, figuring you just couldn't figure it out. I know you're smarter than that.
If you want it to be illegal, you are in support of taking rights away, by definition.
Just to reiterate, I do NOT think you're wrong to hate porn. It is disgusting. Personally, I don't understand what men who do enjoy it see in it ... What little I've seen is either boring or gross on the level of watching a doctor operate. No thanks.
And, as I said before, if you were to come out and say, "Okay, I understand that making it illegal is restricting a freedom, but I feel, because of the damage porn does to our society, the risks of keeping it legal are greater than the risks of limiting this particular freedom" -- Well, I would disagree with you, but that would be an opinion of yours, not a fact, so you wouldn't be "wrong." Yes, you have said enough to support that position.
Where I draw the line is when you make false statements, like "I am not trying to limit people's rights," when clearly you are, or "Why are you saying that it's a bad thing for me to hate porn," which I have never said nor implied, and in fact have said the opposite several times.
There's nothing wrong with having an emotional reaction to some issue. I get emotional about a lot of stuff. It's what makes us human. And what makes us mature humans is being able to recognize logic within that emotion, rather than throw all sense out the window.
You don't have to "prove" anything to me. What I would like to get you to understand is that it is possible -- and in fact very common -- to disapprove of something but still accept its legality in the U.S. I've stated this several times, in several different ways, but you still don't seem to get it, because you say things like that, seeming to think I approve of porn and I'm trying to "get" you to approve of porn.
There are a lot of things I don't approve of. I don't approve of people skipping Church for some sporting event. But that is their choice. I'm not going to ask the US to pass a law making church attendance mandatory.
I don't approve of people refusing to date people of another race, just because they are another race. But that is their choice. It would be impossible to "force" someone to find someone of another race attractive, even if we tried, and I wouldn't want to try.
I don't approve of porn. But I am not about to sit here and say that someone else is not allowed to use it within the confines of their own home, as long as it doesn't affect anyone else.
If you tell me, "Okay, I get what you're saying, and because of some of the dangers to society at large, I'm still against keeping it legal," I would accept that, and agree to disagree. But that's not what you're saying. You're saying that you want it to be illegal because you don't like it. Sorry, that I cannot accept. "Not liking" something is not a good enough reason to want to make it illegal.
If it were, I'm pretty sure Brussel sprouts would have been outlawed centuries ago.
And yes, you do have to justify that to me, or risk being seen as a selfish idiot who doesn't understand anything about the American legal system. Now, I know you are neither selfish nor an idiot -- I know you are a loving, Christian person who, based on your writing, is probably above average intelligence. That is why I'm making it an issue. If I thought you were just an idiot, I'd let it go, figuring you just couldn't figure it out. I know you're smarter than that.
If you want it to be illegal, you are in support of taking rights away, by definition.
Just to reiterate, I do NOT think you're wrong to hate porn. It is disgusting. Personally, I don't understand what men who do enjoy it see in it ... What little I've seen is either boring or gross on the level of watching a doctor operate. No thanks.
And, as I said before, if you were to come out and say, "Okay, I understand that making it illegal is restricting a freedom, but I feel, because of the damage porn does to our society, the risks of keeping it legal are greater than the risks of limiting this particular freedom" -- Well, I would disagree with you, but that would be an opinion of yours, not a fact, so you wouldn't be "wrong." Yes, you have said enough to support that position.
Where I draw the line is when you make false statements, like "I am not trying to limit people's rights," when clearly you are, or "Why are you saying that it's a bad thing for me to hate porn," which I have never said nor implied, and in fact have said the opposite several times.
There's nothing wrong with having an emotional reaction to some issue. I get emotional about a lot of stuff. It's what makes us human. And what makes us mature humans is being able to recognize logic within that emotion, rather than throw all sense out the window.
Anyway, I am finished with this conversation with you. You approve of it being legal. I do not. So...when you are able to actually carry on a conversation without misconstruing what I say I might continue on. Until then try to understand that just as you have every right to approve of something I have every right to not approve.
Stating my point of view is also not taking away anyone's rights. I am one of those people that thinks just because I have a "right" to do something. That doesn't mean I should do it either.
Then again, maybe you are right in a way. Yes, we both agree porn is wrong..but if others cant figure that out for themselves it is their problem. It is also clear that eventhough Christians are commanded to encourage others and help then turn away from sin the goverment is pretty well putting laws on that to where we can't even do that now. Heaven forbid me try to have a bible study with a porn addict without them screaming I am infringing on their rights.
Anyway... I am sure I will see you around in other threads. I do believe this is the only time I have ever disagreed with you too. lol...