Topic Index
It's funny, y'know...

Username:Password:
Log In
 (Pages: 1, 2)
Khell_Sennet
Gone Gonzo
Posts: 3558
Joined: 25 Jan 2008

You know, I get a laugh at just what things are taboo here on these forums. We've had epic debates on topics such as Abortion, Homosexuality (including Adoption, Marriage), Politics. We've argued over Muslims and their faith, why people hate Christians, and even things like the value of a human life. These are all touchy subjects, prone to trolling and flamewars, but being a better breed of Internet socialite, we actually get through them in an intellectual and mature manner (mostly), and can debate these topics without falling into petty arguments and personal attacks (again, mostly).

But today, a single topic has been posted, read, replied to, and locked in what I would call record time. I've seen SpamBots and advertisers last longer than this thread, and knowing how fast those lock, that's really saying something.

What was the thread? Incest.
With the speed at which this topic got locked, I'd have expected it be a thread arguing 9/11 as a deserved event, or a plea for the genocide of a race, not something so bland as relative-on-relative intercourse.

Now don't get me wrong here, I'm not saying this as a plea to re-open the thread, or a criticism on the mods for locking it. But what does strike me as odd about this whole thing is that we perceive something such as incest as an off-limits topic... Taboo, if you will. In light of all the other debates that were allowed to continue. It reinforces my current belief that people will overlook murder, mass murder even, or torture, warcrimes, hate, racism, or prejudice, in the face of things they see as sexually "wrong". We hold sexual matters to be such heinous things to discuss.

Look at South Park's "Good Times With Weapons" episode... Trey Parker and Matt Stone are very perceptive, and are well known for pointing out our own idiocies, and this episode was one such time. We have Eric Cartman sneaking across a stage, totally nude, thinking he's "invisible", meanwhile a horribly gored Leopold Stotch (Butters) also makes his way onto the stage, a shiruken sticking out of his eye. Nobody cares about the fact that a child has been grossly injured, because Cartman's nudity was more offensive.

Made as a joke for the show, but true in real life. People are more offended by the sight of Janet Jackson's nipple slip-up at the Superbowl than they are of the slaughter in Iraq. It doesn't make sense. We as a nation, we as a planet, hold sexual things to be so abhorrent, but without sex we wouldn't be here. The worst thing Religion ever did for the world was to convince people anything sexual could be a sin. Sex is the only reason we are here today, the reason our children are going to be around tomorrow. If sex is sinful, then it is a sin to be alive. If sex is not sinful, then nothing sexual that does not hurt another person can be sinful either.

To quote my favorite author, Robert A Heinlein... Sex without love is merely healthy exercise.

Back to the topic of the locked topic, incest... Is it wrong. No. In a world with condoms and birth control pills, sex can coexist separate from procreation, as recreation. If you take out the chance of a defective baby resulting from incest, there is nothing left in the act itself that is "bad", just the ever present conditioning the church beat into us won't let most people see beyond that. Is homosexual intercourse "bad"? No. Is sex before marriage "bad"? No. But we as a society have been indoctrinated into beliefs with no reasoning behind them, save the personal preference of the one doing the indoctrinating.

My point behind all that's been said above... We are in a time of change. The current generation is once again throwing off some of the superstitions of their predecessors. Religion is on a downslide and we are beginning to think for ourselves. Homosexuality and bisexuality are becoming socially accepted life choices. Racism is becoming less prevalent with each new year. In the end, we are all outgrowing the morals or beliefs that have no grounding, but some of these old relics remain. Where will we be next generation? What things that us, the X and Y generations, hold onto as immoral or taboo, will be gone when Generation Z becomes adults? That's my question.

As a sidenote for clarity's sake, I do not mean to endorse the idea that nothing sexual can be "wrong", there are things that are... Rape, child abuse, these things hurt people. Incest does not, homosexuality does not. Willing participants in a sexual act are not being hurt by the act, and thus it is not something that can be considered "wrong" or "sinful/evil". But when someone is being hurt by the act, such as rape, then it is wrong. These are things that are taboo and/or illegal for a real reason, not superstition or dated morality. If we have anything good in humanity as a race, these beliefs, we will never grow out of.

Jobz
Gone Gonzo
Posts: 1292
Joined: 5 May 2008

Good rant as usual Khell. I agree with pretty much everything you said and that quote about sex without feelings being nothing but exercise is brilliant.

I agree that incest isn't bad in a legal sense, or shouldn't be. It shouldn't be a crime, not that I would do it, I could never have sex with anyone related to me...it would just be too...odd. *Shudders at the thought*

Anyway...nice rant.

shatnershaman
Gone Gonzo
Posts: 3002
Joined: 8 May 2008

We as a planet? Just look at german videogame censorship. Sex? Great! Violence? Bad!

Amnestic
Gone Gonzo
Posts: 2986
Joined: 22 Aug 2008

Leopold Stotch (Butters)

Before I post further, I'd like to say that Butters is possibly my favourite South Park character.

Interesting points Khell. Most certainly food for thought. I'd always viewed incest as a bit...weird. I probably will continue to view it as such and will do until the day I die, but you may be correct and future generations may change their views, but I doubt I will.

Easykill
Gone Gonzo
Posts: 1719
Joined: 13 Sep 2007

I agree with you, I was one of the few willing to give that thread a chance at the time. You articulated my feelings over it being locked quite well.

jim_doki
Gone Gonzo
Posts: 1393
Joined: 29 Mar 2008

Being the one that posted first and reported in said topic, and to repeat what i said there, this is not the place to be discussing fetishes and sexual "quirks" for lack of a better word. I honestly feel people have the right to sleep with whatever they want, but Incest topics, like homosexuality topics and most topics based around sex, are invitations to flames and trolls, and I would rather live without them. lately we've been getting a lot of posters who are deliberately starting flame wars. This is a worrying trend and needs to be stopped.

I cannot see a way for incest as a topic not to develop into a flame war. im sorry, i just can't. You can feel free to call me immature and that i dont think highly of the patronage here if you like, but I stand by that in the same way if i posted question about beastiality or scat, it would not be tolerated here

Asymptote Angel
Muckraker
Posts: 265
Joined: 6 Feb 2008

Well-said. I completely agree.

Forgive the toadying tone, but I really don't have anything to add. I just want to express my approval.

TheGhostOfSin
Gone Gonzo
Posts: 1100
Joined: 21 May 2008

Khell_Sennet:
Willing participants in a sexual act are not being hurt by the act

You sure about that?
Depends on the act now doesn't it?

Easykill
Gone Gonzo
Posts: 1719
Joined: 13 Sep 2007

TheGhostOfSin:

Khell_Sennet:
Willing participants in a sexual act are not being hurt by the act

You sure about that?
Depends on the act now doesn't it?

Well, not being hurt in a way they weren't willing to be, or it wouldn't be willing at all.

Maet
Press Junketeer
Posts: 499
Joined: 31 Jul 2008

Church doctrines are generally created to preserve their institution. You can lambaste them for making stupid doctrines, but it's mostly for their self-preservation.

Anyway... I think that sex as taboo is largely due to the fact that it's a private act. War and violence exist in both public and personal spheres, but sex is generally an intimate act not meant for exhibition. Of course all sorts of barriers are being shattered, but perhaps it's just too much too fast.

juandonde
Pulitzer Laureate
Posts: 902
Joined: 14 May 2008

Khell, are you some sort of undercover writer hired by the Escapist to post well written rants on these forums to make them more interesting?

BudZer
Copy Clerk
Posts: 92
Joined: 31 Aug 2008

The world has too much love and not enough respect, just because it's not wrong doesn't mean it's right.

Imitation Saccharin
Gone Gonzo
Posts: 1011
Joined: 1 Dec 2007

Khell_Sennet:
People are more offended by the sight of Janet Jackson's nipple slip-up at the Superbowl than they are of the slaughter in Iraq.

You're Canadian?

Then no.
More people (in your country) called about a racially insensitive ad played during the Superbowl commercial then they did about the nipple slip.

Usually I prefer to avoid saying its all America's problem and no one elses, but in this instance it is.

Khell_Sennet:

there is nothing left in the act itself that is "bad", just the ever present conditioning the church beat into us won't let most people see beyond that.

Also the instinctual predisposition toward avoiding sexual relations with one's siblings.
i.e.- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westermarck_effect#Westermarck_effect

Khell_Sennet:

Religion is on a downslide and we are beginning to think for ourselves.

It does NOT want to go quietly

Khell_Sennet:

Willing participants in a sexual act are not being hurt by the act, and thus it is not something that can be considered "wrong" or "sinful/evil".

So you would support the legalization of sexual activity for all ages with all ages, assuming all involved are willing?

BardSeed
Muckraker
Posts: 294
Joined: 4 Aug 2008

Good post, Khell; you say you're conservative but I'm very liberal and agree with you on a lot of topics..

I was disappointed that the thread regarding incest was closed too; I am confident that we could refrain from flaming each other. I felt that our intelligence was insulted and the thread should have been given a while longer before a decision was made to lock it.
I am British and we barely have a sex education but we do have the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in Europe, I believe. Sexual taboos need to be discarded. Inform the people and allow them to make their own decisions.

PS. Imitation, there is no easy answer to your question but perhaps the age of consent should be set at the time in a child/young adult's life when they are deemed to be educated enough to make their own decisions regarding the matter. The age of consent is 16 here, this is also the age that school attendance is no longer compulsory.

PurpleRain
Gone Gonzo
Posts: 4207
Joined: 2 Dec 2007

Good rant once again Khell. Though incest is dangerous grounds. Sure, without the effect of the baby, is still would destroy the family in the long run. Animals (well, mamals anyway) aren't supposed to be attracted to their own family. They descrete different smells and what not to diswade the act from occuring.

While sex is good, some forms are not. Beastiality is unnatural regardless of relgion backing that statement up or not, so is necro and pedophilia. Strange fetishes, yes, but they are also harmful to different groups involved.

Jaythulhu
Press Junketeer
Posts: 441
Joined: 19 Jun 2008

Despite how well thought out your argument is, I'm afraid I cannot agree that incest ok as long as children aren't produced. Without even going into any kind of religious nonsense, family is supposed to be a collective support unit, not somewhere to look for a roll in the hay. A brother/sister is supposed to protect their siblings, to turn around and seduce one is a major form of betrayal.

ffxfriek
Muckraker
Posts: 310
Joined: 3 Apr 2008

Amnestic:

Leopold Stotch (Butters)

Before I post further, I'd like to say that Butters is possibly my favourite South Park character.

Interesting points Khell. Most certainly food for thought. I'd always viewed incest as a bit...weird. I probably will continue to view it as such and will do until the day I die, but you may be correct and future generations may change their views, but I doubt I will.

agreed its just wayy to weird for me...even thinking about it is just ..... nasty

fluffylandmine
Infamous Scribbler
Posts: 615
Joined: 23 Jul 2008

Good job!

All I can say is Purps took the words from my mouth, he did this in a way that is respectable and reasonable(so did Khell by the way)fashion. It held no hate, just logic. I dohave a feeling though that if we are afraid of a thread that is taboo, and that someone would attack,on the Escapist of all places, that we may need further action and proper action...whatever it may be we can only hope it's what the mods choose to block the illogical populous.

Khell_Sennet
Gone Gonzo
Posts: 3558
Joined: 25 Jan 2008

juandonde:
Khell, are you some sort of undercover writer hired by the Escapist to post well written rants on these forums to make them more interesting?

All I can say, is maybe...

Imitation Saccharin :

Khell_Sennet:

Willing participants in a sexual act are not being hurt by the act, and thus it is not something that can be considered "wrong" or "sinful/evil".

So you would support the legalization of sexual activity for all ages with all ages, assuming all involved are willing?

That is a very loaded question. If I agree, I appear to be a pedophile, if I disagree, it shoots down the validity of my thread. But I am an honest man, and as I am asked, I will answer.

No, I do not have an issue with age. My belief, based on observation, light research into the subject, and personal feelings, is that we all have an age range for what turns us on. The assumption that any man is a risk for sex with a minor is false, like homosexuality you don't have a choice, you either are or are not attracted by a particular age. But I am no expert, don't take my word as gospel. Either way, my stance is that if you could prove that the minor is consenting to sex, not coerced, forced into it, or otherwise deceived into it, then I don't see it as my place to judge. But today, we cannot prove consent, and so we have this nice handy law that suits all our consciences with a nice arbitrary age limit. It's not perfect, but it works better than not having anything. You can't take this kind of thing on a case-for-case basis, we'd tie up the legal system with 15 years of court battles for each year that passes.

Someone who has sex with a minor non-consentually, that's rape and child abuse. That's not in debate, that's just wrong. You are taking advantage of a child against their will, you need to be neutered and incarcerated, or shot and buried. This part is not open to debate, there is no good side to child abuse, sexual or not.

So, Saccharin, to answer your question in a much shorter manner...
I personally don't see sex something to be limited by age, only consent and knowledge of what consent entails. But I see the laws on sex with minors as necessary and doing more good than harm, even if it does need some tweaking here and there*.

*Said tweaking needed to fix the bullshittery of incidents of sexual relations between close-aged minors. A case I once read, an 18-year-old was arrested for fucking his 17-year-old girlfriend. They'd been intimate since he was 16 and she was 15, and it was all fine and legal, but the minute he crossed the 18-line and she wasn't 18, it became a felony. That don't make no f'ing sense.

PurpleRain:
While sex is good, some forms are not. Beastiality is unnatural regardless of relgion backing that statement up or not, so is necro and pedophilia. Strange fetishes, yes, but they are also harmful to different groups involved.

For clarity's sake, I should say that my stance on anything not-harmful is none of anyone's business and not my place to judge... Well, that only applies to human on human intercourse...

Imitation Saccharin
Gone Gonzo
Posts: 1011
Joined: 1 Dec 2007

Khell_Sennet:

That is a very loaded question. If I agree, I appear to be a pedophile, if I disagree, it shoots down the validity of my thread.

I do not know if we will debate again, but I assure you, I will judge you only on how you defend your positions, not on the positions themselves.

Khell_Sennet:

Either way, my stance is that if you could prove that the minor is consenting to sex, not coerced, forced into it, or otherwise deceived into it, then I don't see it as my place to judge.

Do you believe knowledge of sexual consequences is required to give consent? If so, why?

Khell_Sennet:

A case I once read, an 18-year-old was arrested for fucking his 17-year-old girlfriend. They'd been intimate since he was 16 and she was 15, and it was all fine and legal, but the minute he crossed the 18-line and she wasn't 18, it became a felony. That don't make no f'ing sense.

On the topic of idle gossip, I had a cousin undergo just such a situation. He was an asshole for unrelated reasons so we didn't care, but it was a bizarre situation none-the-less.

Flour
Muckraker
Posts: 240
Joined: 20 Mar 2008

Khell_Sennet:

Imitation Saccharin :

Khell_Sennet:

Willing participants in a sexual act are not being hurt by the act, and thus it is not something that can be considered "wrong" or "sinful/evil".

So you would support the legalization of sexual activity for all ages with all ages, assuming all involved are willing?

That is a very loaded question. If I agree, I appear to be a pedophile, if I disagree, it shoots down the validity of my thread. But I am an honest man, and as I am asked, I will answer.

It's a stupid question that shouldn't have been answered.
When have you ever seen a child that's not been easily influenced in to doing what an adult wanted?
It's like a religious person saying "if we allow homosexuals to marry, why don't we allow someone else to marry his or her horse?" There's no point to be made, only a form of chewbacca defense by trying to invalidate one small portion and hoping others will think everything else that user has typed is wrong/false too.

ObadiahBlack
Copy Clerk
Posts: 54
Joined: 23 Sep 2008

Imitation Saccharin :

Khell_Sennet:

Willing participants in a sexual act are not being hurt by the act, and thus it is not something that can be considered "wrong" or "sinful/evil".

So you would support the legalization of sexual activity for all ages with all ages, assuming all involved are willing?

Consent does not mean mature understanding over one's actions. For example, a thirteen year old enganging in sexual activity may have an understanding over the process, but not the responsibility or maturity needed to make such a choice. I once read an article where a couple wrote in asking for advice about their 12-yo daughters SECOND child, and asking whether or not to put her on birth control.

In short: Consent does not mean necessary mature understanding.

Imitation Saccharin
Gone Gonzo
Posts: 1011
Joined: 1 Dec 2007

ObadiahBlack:

Consent does not mean mature understanding over one's actions. For example, a thirteen year old enganging in sexual activity may have an understanding over the process, but not the responsibility or maturity needed to make such a choice. I once read an article where a couple wrote in asking for advice about their 12-yo daughters SECOND child, and asking whether or not to put her on birth control.

In short: Consent does not mean necessary mature understanding.

So you support arbitrary restrictions on freedom?

Imitation Saccharin
Gone Gonzo
Posts: 1011
Joined: 1 Dec 2007

Flour:

When have you ever seen a child that's not been easily influenced in to doing what an adult wanted?

This would only be a valid counter arguement if children only operated under the influence of adults.
As they do not, although coercion is possible, there exists a scenario in which the sexual interests of both parties happened to align, and thus the hypothetical is a valid extrapolation of Khell's stated position.

Maet
Press Junketeer
Posts: 499
Joined: 31 Jul 2008

I know I'm not an active member of this debate, but here's my two cents anyway:

In some circumstances (indeed this circumstance) arbitrary restriction is better than no restriction.

ObadiahBlack
Copy Clerk
Posts: 54
Joined: 23 Sep 2008

Imitation Saccharin :
So you support arbitrary restrictions on freedom?

Wow, I was just expecting my post to go unnoticed or people to BAWW at the thought of a 12-yo mother of two. Gimme a sec.
...
...
Okay, as shameful as I am to admit this, I am for some reason being really stupid tonight, and am not fully understanding your question. The best I can say is, when ensuring the safety of a child, no restriction could be considered unnecessary. Like I said, it is proven that children/young teens do not have the mental maturity to support making a decision like engaging in sexual activity.

And I do hope I don't sound rude, but next time you want to ask me something, please don't make it sound like an attack, interrogation, or trying to start a fight. Thanks.

Shugaazer
Paperboy
Posts: 27
Joined: 13 Oct 2008

Incest is abhorrent because it will be emotionally destructive to the people involved, especially if it were to involve parents, and their children. Children, even those that are able to think for themselves, and are mature, crave love from their parents; putting sex into that equation will leave the child confused, and associating parental love with sex; that in and of itself will lead to severe complications in the child's life. Plus, what happens when a parent gets choosy with one sibling over another?

Another thing is, parents exert a massive amount of power over their children, so even if the sex was consensual, just how much power does the child have to say 'No?' If your dad wanted to make love to you, and he's the guy paying your tuition, providing your food, and keeping the roof over your head, are you going to refuse his demand of hot man-love?

Khell_Sennet
Gone Gonzo
Posts: 3558
Joined: 25 Jan 2008

Imitation Saccharin :

Khell_Sennet:

Either way, my stance is that if you could prove that the minor is consenting to sex, not coerced, forced into it, or otherwise deceived into it, then I don't see it as my place to judge.

Do you believe knowledge of sexual consequences is required to give consent? If so, why?

To answer your question, yes, but let's be clear on what is meant. Sexual consequences, I would consider to be things like the chance of getting pregnant, the knowledge that virginity is a one-shot deal and right or wrong, may impact future relationships as some consider virginity a requirement to a relationship or marriage, and that STDs are a very real possibility with sex.

Age be damned, anyone entering into a sexual relationship should understand those consequences, but in the case of someone young, there is often a gap between what they think they understand, and what they really understand. Sexual misinformation is more prevalent than true information, and in my eyes, consent to sexual activity is worth nothing if the person doesn't really understand what they are consenting to.

Imitation Saccharin
Gone Gonzo
Posts: 1011
Joined: 1 Dec 2007

ObadiahBlack:
The best I can say is, when ensuring the safety of a child, no restriction could be considered unnecessary.

Your arguement carries over to adults as well. Hence, any human can be denied anything based on the principle they are insufficiently mature to handle it, although they consent to possessing it.

ObadiahBlack:

Like I said, it is proven that children/young teens do not have the mental maturity

Might I see that proof?

ObadiahBlack:

And I do hope I don't sound rude, but next time you want to ask me something, please don't make it sound like an attack, interrogation, or trying to start a fight. Thanks.

I simply ask questions. It is not my job to handle-hold you.