Morale over Morality
Sometimes I receive an email from Military.com in my inbox and don’t often take the time to read it, but today’s article stood out like a sore thumb.
The article: Soldiers Say Porn Ban May Hurt Morale
Ever since I served in the U.S. Army in 1993, in Vilseck, Germany, it seems there has been talk about banning the sales of certain magazines from the shelves of military stores. Assumingly, the talks are still around, though now it appears, “U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, R-Ga., has introduced legislation that would close a loophole in the current law that allows the sale of some sexually explicit material on military bases by lowering the threshold required to deem material "sexually explicit."”
Get this: “A Department of Defense committee that reviews materials sold on bases ruled last year that magazines such as Playboy and Penthouse are not pornographic.”
What exactly is the definition of pornographic? “Sexually explicit pictures, writing, or other material whose primary purpose is to cause sexual arousal.”
Could someone please tell me the “primary purpose” of Playboy and Penthouse then, if not to cause/aid persons to/in fulfill/ing the lust of the flesh. We are to flee youthful lusts, not indulge in fornication!
Like all sin, first comes justification of self, “We all read 'em” then the lie one tells themselves to justify their actions “It's not all about the pictures, although 80 percent of it is,” to which I say [1] one cannot use the word “all” for not all military persons indulge themselves in pornographic amusement, and [2] if we take the “80 percent” out would one still purchase and read Playboy and Penthouse? I imagine not, for surely similar articles could be found in other magazines and internet searches, which do not have lustful photographs.
Is morale helped by pornography? How so? “Broun, a Marine veteran, told Newsweek recently that the magazines sold in military exchanges are partly responsible for a rise in sexual assaults in the military and other problems.” What about promiscuity, cheating, covetness, adultery, separation, and divorce? Are these part of the morale booster program of pornography, or simply side effects of those who take their morale too far?
Following this same idea of “Morale over Morality”, while reading this article, I noticed another entitled “Profanity Good for Morale” from last year. Some wish to believe, “that regular swearing at work can help boost team spirit among staff, allowing them to express better their feelings and develop social relationships.” Really? [Uniform Code of Military Justice] What about reading Scripture and praying together, discussing things of God concerning repentance, confession of sin, and salvation? Would this not do the same, and on a more positive note?
Morale, maybe, but surely will be short lived.
The article: Soldiers Say Porn Ban May Hurt Morale
Ever since I served in the U.S. Army in 1993, in Vilseck, Germany, it seems there has been talk about banning the sales of certain magazines from the shelves of military stores. Assumingly, the talks are still around, though now it appears, “U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, R-Ga., has introduced legislation that would close a loophole in the current law that allows the sale of some sexually explicit material on military bases by lowering the threshold required to deem material "sexually explicit."”
Get this: “A Department of Defense committee that reviews materials sold on bases ruled last year that magazines such as Playboy and Penthouse are not pornographic.”
What exactly is the definition of pornographic? “Sexually explicit pictures, writing, or other material whose primary purpose is to cause sexual arousal.”
Could someone please tell me the “primary purpose” of Playboy and Penthouse then, if not to cause/aid persons to/in fulfill/ing the lust of the flesh. We are to flee youthful lusts, not indulge in fornication!
Like all sin, first comes justification of self, “We all read 'em” then the lie one tells themselves to justify their actions “It's not all about the pictures, although 80 percent of it is,” to which I say [1] one cannot use the word “all” for not all military persons indulge themselves in pornographic amusement, and [2] if we take the “80 percent” out would one still purchase and read Playboy and Penthouse? I imagine not, for surely similar articles could be found in other magazines and internet searches, which do not have lustful photographs.
Is morale helped by pornography? How so? “Broun, a Marine veteran, told Newsweek recently that the magazines sold in military exchanges are partly responsible for a rise in sexual assaults in the military and other problems.” What about promiscuity, cheating, covetness, adultery, separation, and divorce? Are these part of the morale booster program of pornography, or simply side effects of those who take their morale too far?
Following this same idea of “Morale over Morality”, while reading this article, I noticed another entitled “Profanity Good for Morale” from last year. Some wish to believe, “that regular swearing at work can help boost team spirit among staff, allowing them to express better their feelings and develop social relationships.” Really? [Uniform Code of Military Justice] What about reading Scripture and praying together, discussing things of God concerning repentance, confession of sin, and salvation? Would this not do the same, and on a more positive note?
Morale, maybe, but surely will be short lived.
I do say - What a silly thing to believe we have Good Morale without Good Morality!
6 comments:
Let's put things in perspective here:
Is it more morally acceptable to read a pornographic book, or to torture Iraqi prisoners in Abu Gharib, or for the matter, Guantanamo Bay, where prisoners are detained indefinitely without trial?
All too often, when Christians talk about morality, they go into "tunnel vision" mode and don't really get the big picture.
And that, Tim, is what you are doing. I wrote a three part series on morals and ethics. You might learn something from it.
Beast
Perspective?
You are comparing immoral acts with immoral acts. It would have been no better to write "Soldiers Say Torture Ban May Hurt Morale".
The point is not whether it is "more morally acceptable to read a pornographic book, or to torture Iraqi prisoners", but whether one is to consider the promotion of pornography as a good way to strengthen morale.
The ""tunnel vision" mode" is seeing pornography as "everyone does it" and that without it morale will be lowered, without seeing their cause of "promiscuity, cheating, covetness, adultery, separation, and divorce."
Tim
Tim:
I have always expounded on the fact that morals is based on exactly that: The comparison of actions.
When one action inevitably leads to harm to another person or persons, we could then expect that action to be branded immoral, or in my case, unethical. When one action does not harm others, but is deemed to be "unsightly" in terms of the standards set up in the name of an invisible sky god, that is something I have a problem with.
Beast
Profanity is good for morale? I disagree!
A good soldier or sailor must not only profane, he must always profane in the name of god, i.e blasphemy.
Keeps the fighting spirits up, invigorates the internal organs, and whenever possible, all infidels must blasphemise five times a day in the direction of washington DC till Bush or the Republicans leave office.
Beast
Beast,
You write, "When one action inevitably leads to harm to another person or persons, we could then expect that action to be branded immoral, or in my case, unethical."
So, since the indulgence of pornography has hurt (emotionally harmed) so many wives, mothers, and grandmothers, along with the "promiscuity, cheating, covetness, adultery, separation, and divorce" I guess I can assume that you also would agree (as you said) "we could then expect that action to be branded immoral, or in my case, unethical."
Thanks,
Tim
"So, since the indulgence of pornography has hurt (emotionally harmed) so many wives, mothers, and grandmothers, along with the "promiscuity, cheating, covetness, adultery, separation, and divorce" I guess I can assume that you also would agree (as you said) "we could then expect that action to be branded immoral, or in my case, unethical."
First things first: Pornography is a legitimate industry, especially in the state of Nevada. Porn stars are entitled to employee's benefits, just like everyone else's.
Does porn cause breakups in marriages? Sure. Like most other things, like food, porn can be addictive. But one can also argue that porn has also enhanced the sex lives of many a couple, who have found sex stale due to the "familiarity breeds contempt" syndrome. It is just another double-aged sword: Use it well, and it will be to your advantage. Abuse it, and it will cause chaos and destruction.
Is porn exploitative? Sure, both to the men and the women. But so is the labor market. We tolerate the labor market because capitalism keeps the economy going. It isn't fair, no doubt about it. But it works.
If we want to compare the pros and cons of pornography, it would be easier to lambaste the porn industry as nothing more than sleaze and exploitation. But think of it as just another occupation or job, and you will see that it is no different from the waiter serving you at Mac Donald's.
Beast
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