Reader comments
Porn trend disturbing

Thanks for reminding us whom pulls the strings at DesNews. We haven't seen a 'porn is everywhere' article for two weeks.

To Anonymous: Instead of being derogatory and sarcastic, let's have an intelligent conversation about the effects of pornography. This editorial contributes to this discussion. You reduce it to mockery. These effects need to be studied and evaluated and not tossed aide by minimizing or moralizing the subject.

I can honestly say pornography hasnt had any ill effects on me. I have never understood what the big deal is. But, I am an agnostic so perhaps I am immune to guilt that an irrational fear of sex brings.

Just when I thought it was save to go out.

CBU, is right, we need another study of the obvious.
We also need to wait to hear from the enlightened,
Social Scientist's. They will tell us unwashed slobs
what to do. Meanwhile, our children will continue to
be corrupted, by the perverts of society, and when
later, they make some very destructive choices,
based upon lies, well, the "Brain Trusts", can then
blame the parents, and/or the religion of their
choice.:-)

LDS take it as an article of faith that porn is dangerous for all, but LDS also take it as an article of faith that sexual "sin" is next to murder in seriousness, worse than torture or kidnapping a child, or making fun of people or treating people with less respect because they are minorities, or robbery or cheating etc, etc. Given this less than logical position, are LDS really in a position to be trusted on this issue? How is soft porn dangerous?

Unfortunately, I find the article very poorly written. To wit "But in the short term, the research showed that young people who perceive that pornography is an acceptable way to express one's sexuality are also more likely" What the article has said, is that people who are pornographers (content providers in the industry) indulge in the following bad behavior, et cetera.
A very small and inisignificant part of the population. Now, if the article has some research on pornography voyeurs being bad for health, morals and civilization, we would all like to hear it.

Populists take it as an article of faith that religion is dangerous for all, but populists also take it as an article of faith that their own fervent beliefs have nothing to do with religion simply because they are not theistic, they mis-characterize and distort the beliefs of others by making claims that are not true, etc, etc. Given this less than logical position, are Populists really in a position to be trusted on this issue? How are mildly addictive substances dangerous?

Most people can probably handle porn "safely," i.e. with no greater damage than possibly a slight increase in their risk for divorce or other relationship failure.

On the other hand, hard-core porn is essentially propaganda for a particular view of sexuality -- one that's divorced from love, kindness, and responsibility, and tinged with themes of domination and contempt. The "science" on this subject is inconclusive (as much "soft" social or anthropological science tends to be), but I'm disinclined to believe that this can't possibly have any negative effect on at least some people.

The number of people for whom access to either guns or porn poses a danger to society is probably very small. On the other hand, many of the most ardent defenders of unregulated porn are in favor of strict regulation of firearms, even though such regulation penalizes hundreds of responsible people for every dangerous person restricted.

I believe porn should be subject to no more or less regulation than firearms. Soft porn is the equivalent of a bolt-action .22, and should be basically available, unregulated, to everyone over 18. And so forth up the scale, through the hard-core porn that's the equivalent of a concealable .45 auto.

"In the not-too-distant past, purveyors of pornography were mailed such publications in 'plain brown wrappers.'"

... Except to Utah, where it was (and remains to this day) illegal to send adult materials--which kind of makes this whole issue moot, doesn't it?

Thank heavens for the Internet.

The Lord commanded, "Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly", also, "If ye look upon a woman to lust after her ye have committed adultery already in your heart". The Lord also said, "If you love me keep my commandments". Enough said.

Yo Dutchman - You are talking about religious beliefs which you are welcome to cherish and enjoy. Not everybody shares them and many people participating on this forum might have an opinion contrary to what your religious creed teaches.

Soft porn is safe? It merely whets the appetite for harder stuff. Ask any hard-core abuser if they got started with hard-core porn.

There is more at risk than relationships. People don't get addicted to firearms like they do to substances and pornography. It's not a valid comparison.

I think its funny that porn is such a big issue in Utah. So anyone that likes to view naked people has problems? When porn takes over someones life just like any other potential behavior that has the power to consume a persons thoughts or actions, then it is a problem. Most people that drink alcohol are not alcoholics. Many so called normal people view porn although they may not admit it. Porn like alcohol is not a problem if people have self control.

Bible interpertation is problematic. The Lord also said in the Bible [Matthew 5:32](and the Book of Mormon too for that matter [3Nephi 12:32]) that if a woman is rejected by her husband, she is not to remarry because this would be the same as committing adultery. If your daughters husband runs off with the secretary, are you going to council her to not marry for the rest of her life?

"I can honestly say pornography hasn't had any ill effects on me. I have never understood what the big deal is..."

The ill effects originates when folks say consumption will have ill effects.

The reason porn became "addictive" is because good, faithful, right-wing religious types needed another scapegoat to blame their bad behavior on.

Now they're trying to ruin it for the rest of us just to cover up their own hypocrisy.

Censorship is always bad.

RangerGordon -- So you have no problem Delta showing X-rated in-flight movies?

You do? Prude.

Censorship is *usually* bad.