Then it’s reasonable to ask why they consume and defend something they don’t respect. Though never addicted to it, I was exposed to it very early (11 or 12 years old I think) and watched it here and there until years ago. I cannot recall when I stopped completely but that shows how long it has been. I gradually became more repulsed by it and thought of its consequences.
I see it as a job, nothing more. Though I wish it were subject to more stringent regulations as to ascertain the safety of its female participants. Our beliefs regarding pornography are more/less diametrically opposed. I believe women are generally the victims in porn, as opposed to men.
I don’t support a ban on porn because such a policy would be reflective of draconian nanny state madness. There are plenty of activities I don’t find particularly respectful (watching reality tv, it’s mindless bullshit) that I don’t think ought to be banned. That being said I wouldn’t mind if the minimum age to participate in pornography was raised from eighteen to say… 21…
Give me one modern example of a modern theocracy that has been a success/that isn’t rifle with human rights violations and upholds adequate rights for women.
I was younger. Found a “magazine” at a family members house
What’s more, outright banning pornography would drive the industry underground to a black market with even less restrictions, a free for all where everything goes and would only serve to bolster the mass incarceration epidemic whilst providing no protections to the poor (young) women who fall prey to this industry. Sexually assaulted when making porn? Tough shit, jail time (akin to how prostitution is treated within the majority of the USA). STI transmission within the industry would also become rampant, and this may cross over to the general public as a result.
I’m repulsed by the notion the industry preys on and manipulates young, vulnerable women. It also worries me that I can’t for sure know whether a video was shot within a safe environment. Did the actress have a choice regarding the content of the video?
This festers within my mind and puts me off watching for the most part.
Can’t think of one that’s good in the modern day. That does not mean there can’t be one.
Perhaps it’s “good” if you agree with the religion of the theocracy. If not, there is lots potential downside.
1 Like
That’s exactly right.
Isis/jihadism I suppose could also be percieved as “good” by its supporters.
And as a result this marginalises what at this point in time might be considered a majority. Those who aren’t devoutly religious/who don’t follow religious rule to a tee, if you’re a woman (being financially independent as a woman under a theorcracy???), those of the LGBTQI persuasion etc. Regardless of individualistic opinion harboured I’ve yet to hear a sound argument as to why this demographic ought to be oppressed/marginalised. Conversion therapy frequently employed by the religious has a bad rep because clinical data + anecdotal observations indicate it doesn’t work because being homosexual isn’t a choice. What conversion therapy does lead to however is trauma, self harm, drug use and suicide.
I would think it would work much better with a homogenous population as compared to the US. I also think it could potentially work and create a happy populace (or above average happy populace), but that would be under those conditions likely.
You would just need a theocracy with the religion in question being the worship of the FSM (Flying Spaghetti Monster). The FSM wants all people treated with respect and dignity.
1 Like
If you want a theocracy Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabi come to mind.
I’m guessing you don’t actually want one though.
2 Likes
I have pretty much the same sentiments other than:
You can support porn production and girls of legal age having the choice of a career in it being available to them without condoning your own family doing it. It doesn’t make you a hypocrite.
I wouldn’t want any of my offspring, and frequently deter relatives from entering the legal profession where I live and I fucking despise it but I’m not against the profession existing.
That’s like a commie saying there’s never been a successful communist country but “we’ll get it right this time”.
1 Like
I’m not Muslim and you just listed Muslim theocracies.
You didn’t specify but I assumed you weren’t Muslim. I was just saying they exist. You don’t want a Christian theocracy either. Unless you get to pick the rules. But then you’re saying you just want a dictatorship where you’re the dictator.
A theocracy is awful for people unless you’re making all the rules. And I’m guessing you wouldn’t be ok with a Christian theocracy if we’re talking about Christian scientists, Amish, etc.
1 Like
It wouldn’t make one a hypocrite but it certainly shows a disregard for the effects of that industry.
I know your stance on it considering we’ve discussed it before.
I don’t think what I said is analogous (correct word?) to getting communism right.
Anyway, as usual, these convos reach standstills. No one can change my mind and I can’t change others.
Til next time (which might be in minutes or days)…
It’s ok. We can agree to disagree. 
2 Likes
I’m of the opinion that a Christian theocracy would fare worse than a Muslim theocracy in this day and age. At least less extreme countries in S.E Asia have had it for decades and they’ve evolved into not sucking too badly while under British rule. Even former Christian nations like Britain eventually said, “fuck it, we’re not doing this shit anymore” because it was apparently not working centuries ago.
And you have to take into account that all these countries should in theory be on the level of the Nordic States because of the amount of their natural resources, yet they still remain 3rd world nations. Only Brunei has become a developed nation and it only has a population of 500,000 - five hundred thousand - people, and a shitload of oil relative to it’s population.
Sure, you can say maybe they value community, religion etc over financial growth(which really isn’t true although you might find exceptions), but when something like COVID or a financial crisis like the ones in 1998 and 2008 crisis hits them, they suffer the most and are the slowest to recover.
How so? I wouldn’t recommend anyone get into bodybuilding as the sport is inherently vein, narcissistic and encourages unhealthy, critical patterns of behaviour. That being said I have no problem with others getting into bodybuilding and I’d showcase my support if a relative expressed a desire to compete. This doesn’t equate to me disregarding the negative ramifications associated with bodybuilding competitively (both natural and enhanced); rather I believe it’s up to the individual to make a calculated benefit/risk assessment.
All theocracies are rifle with similar fundamental flaws. Religious fanaticism, corruption, human rights violations, draconian nonsensical legislature etc. Let’s look at the orthodox (Jewish) communities within the USA, Isreal etc. There is a very strong anti-science/anti Vax sentiment. In Isreal the ultra orthodox have been rioting, assaulting police and disregarding covid restrictions under the guise “God will protect us”. As a result a majority of those catching the virus and a massive portion of covid-19 related fatalities in Isreal trace back to ultra orthodox communities. Instilling theocratic rule re orthodox Judaism would be a disaster.
Theocracies cater towards the ultra religious. You state you want what’s best for society, and I believe you. However your percieved ideal caters towards a stark minority, and it appears as if you wish to take a highly authoritarian approach to keep others “in line” with the ideologies of which YOU as ONE individual perceive to be ideal. You’ve stated you believe democracy is an illusion, so let me ask you? Do you really favour a theocracy; or do you favour a dictatorship that caters towards your percieved sense of morality?
Aside from Islam, theocracies are largely a thing of the past. If they were tremendously effective I’d imagine the construct of religious law would still be popular.
- female genital mutilation
- Capitol punishment for homosexuality
- appalling human rights abuses, particularly related to how women are treated
- mass poverty/government corruption
- anti semitism
- rampant religious fanaticism
- “rape culture” actually exists within these countries. What’s more, women can be jailed for being sexually assaulted under the guise of being “unfaithful”.
The system over there is so fucked I don’t know where to begin. Islam vs Christianity… Seriously? No amount of societally engrained religious fanaticism is positive no matter the religion.
1 Like
Hey… All animals are equal, some are just more equal than others!
1 Like
I’m glad that you brought this up. I said in the other thread I don’t even follow bodybuilding much because looking at people all oiled up and dressed in thongs while posing on stage makes me feel uneasy, to say the least. Plus, the bodybuilders I knew in the 90s where I lived were all FUCKING CRAZY.
But here I am in a bodybuilding forum, lift weights myself to “bodybuild”, and kinda have an idea of who are the more prominent guys in the industry. And I give all posters whom are bodybuilders and/or bodybuilding fans the benefit of the doubt that they are all relatively normal, well-functioning human beings until they prove otherwise.
I really fucking honestly don’t know how I would react to my offspring thinking of entering such competitions. Either I’d be like my dad who promised to “break my legs” if he ever caught me posing on stage, or be supportive of them. There’s a 50/50 chance it could go either way. I really don’t know and I haven’t put much thought into it.
1 Like
I have less of a problem with the oiled up skin/trunks and whatnot. As a matter of fact I admire the sheer level of blood, sweat and tears competitors put in to look like that. What’s more, I don’t even particularly have an issue with gym rats/bodybuilders using AAS provided they’re fully aware of the potential ramifications. A family man probably shouldn’t be using AAS for the risk he may not live to see his child graduate.
What I don’t like is the constant self criticism, sizing up others. The entire sport predisposes one to developing seriously toxic ideologies as to what constitutes how one should look. Bigorexia is a real, documented phenomenon amongst bodybuilders and strength athletes. I’ll let you in on a secret, no one outside of the competitive realm of bodybuilding cares about the striations on your glutes! And getting huge like that to attract girls? Pffft… You’ll be just as well off at a reasonable bodyfat percentage + visible abs. You don’t need to be a freak; you just need to look relatively fit.
Bodybuilding fuels unrealistic body image expectations, what’s more it isn’t healthy to be looking in the mirror hours per day, constantly sizing yourself up against every other male in the room. Competitive bodybuilding isn’t about health either (to boot), with or without drug use the crash dieting, dehydration, compensated hypogonadism (natty bodybuilding) etc isn’t healthy
Although many don’t want dictatorship, nearly all people, likely all in the PWI forum, want a system that caters to their morality. That includes you, I believe.
I won’t discuss details or all that I think on PWI issues I’ve pondered as I’ve said before. So it’s hard to get much out of me on here. Freedom if speech is highly limited now.