Pornography seeps out of one's room (1)
A little (or much) of it every day, pornography becomes an addiction, and this happens especially when one starts thinking pornography does no harm. Here I am not referring to children but to adults, to those who think they are free to do what they want in their room.
Ironically, they do not even derive any pleasure from it because pornography leaves them literally drained. It drains their energy and bank accounts. As soon as they turn away from the screen, they feel worse. Pornography unconsciously turns them into slaves. It is a very serious problem indeed.
Marriages are destroyed as husbands are unfaithful to their wives online. Jobs are lost and careers ended as people use their employer's computers to view pornography. Addiction to pornography even leads some people to depression and suicide. We have voluntary organisations for people addicted to alcohol and drugs. We also need an organisation for people addicted to pornography.
All of us have a part to play in finding a solution for the problem, especially when a victim is related to us. Our members of Parliament should face pornography boldly and fight it with all their might.
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Charles Grima
Feb 28th 2012, 09:27
Why must somebody (in this case Joe Zammit decide what is good or bad for others? Are you the law? NO?
If people want to watch porno, let them... If you don't like it, tough luck.
What emptying bank accounts? Porn is FREE on the internet, as much as one can digest, and it is a good 50% of the net I would say...
I choose not to, not because it demeans me or anything, I find the real thing better.... but if anyone wants to look.... fair enough...
Obviously, I am against all forms of child sex, and abuse on women (or men)....
Joe Zammit
Jun 16th 2010, 13:38
Statistics abound in hundreds proving that pornography is detrimental to all people. They prove that one of the main reasons for marriage breakdown is pornography. Through pornography one starts departing from his married partner, even if the victim is unconscious of it. Then, when perhaps it is too late and one becomes a victim, one finds it difficult to give up pornography.
Pornography makes its viewers addicts.
MPs, fight pornography with all your might!
Arthur Soler
Jun 14th 2010, 23:43
@Joe Zammit
I find yorur comments comical, and I agree with Dawn Cummings that you provide no evidence whatsoever in support of your "authoritative" statements. For example, you state that "Marriages are destroyed as husbands are unfaithful to their wives online".
Here are the questions that come to mind....
1) Why is a husband unfaithful to his wife if he wants to watch porno?
2) Throughout your post you imply that men are the bad guys when it comes to pornography. Don't you think that women may perhaps like porno just as much?
3) By your logic, a women would be unfaithful to her husband if she watches porno. But what if they both really enjoy watching porno together, which I suspect many couples do. Would this constitute a case of the husband and wife both being unfaithful to each other? ...or are they simply committing some kind of mortal sin, punishable by eternal damnation in hell?
4) Do you believe that the Creator of the universe is really concerned about the sex lives of individual people?
Please provide us with your usual "authoritative" views.
Dawn Cummings
Jun 15th 2010, 13:49
Joe Zammit does not provide any links because he is afraid we will find this and undermine his argument:
"Mr. Coutts' pattern of erotic asphyxia had already begun by the early nineties, five years before he encountered extreme pornography depicting such activity (1996). The argument that the pornography caused such practices in this case becomes untenable. In addition, the six or seven years (1996-2003) that elapsed between encountering the material and causing the death of Ms. Longhurst creates doubt to the claim that the material is a potent cause of murderous intent."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Coutts
If the murder would have been addicted to cigarettes she would have fought against the tabac industry...right?
Joe Zammit
Jun 14th 2010, 21:15
A mother whose daughter was murdered by a man addicted to violent internet porn has completed her fight to have such images banned. Jane Longhurst, 31, was strangled by Graham Coutts, 39, from Hove, Sussex. He was jailed for at least 26 years. Her mother Liz, from Berkshire, backed by Reading West MP Martin Salter, campaigned for three years to ban violent online porn.
The ban is part of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill. Possession of sexually violent images will now be punishable by up to three years in jail. The bill had its final reading on Thursday where it received Royal Assent. Under the new rules, criminal responsibility shifts from the producer - who is responsible under the 1959 Obscene Publications Act (OPA) - to the consumer.
MPs, fight pornography with all your might!
Christopher Grech
Jun 14th 2010, 15:49
There is much nonsense about what God wants from us, and regarding the use of sex.
Procreation is God given, granted, but there are things that God told us NOT to do, in the Bible.
The following applies only to believers in the Bible.
Fornication is allowed only by married couples, and certainly not of the same sex. St Paul says, that it is better not to touch a women, but if the man wants to have a wife, he can do so, so as to be within the Law, God's law.
Putting anthropology is utter nonsense in this case, and neither human needs as well. Satanists and the like to point out that we are human with human needs.
Going with God's Laws put us into His discipline, of His will, not ours.
Remember that our true self is NOT human, as we have a soul, and it is the soul and its works that really matter, in front of God.
Satan's disciples love to point out "its natural", "its human" to have these sexual activities. Many people have gone astray in this regard. Hoping that someone takes note.
Dawn Cummings
Jun 14th 2010, 14:33
@Joe Zammit
How come you never (or at least I haven't seen any) strengthen your arguments with links and statistics? Execpt for your own opinion expressed here and described as "common moral sense and God's rules" you never back them up with facts. And with just saying "FACTS ARE FACTS" does not prove us anything.
You say marriages are destroyed, jobs are lost and pornography is addictive. Ok...fine...but how many cases are there really?
PS: You haven't reacted to the statistics about pedophile priests (found guilty) in Malta proving you 0%-argument wrong. Is it because you ignore FACTS that do not suit you?
Nick Falzon
Jun 14th 2010, 13:41
Welcome to the Zimbabwe of the Med. :-)
K Gafa
Jun 14th 2010, 11:42
@ Joe Zammit - Would you like to present your argument in a conference about addictions in November 2010?
e-mail: [email protected]
Andrew Farrugia
Jun 14th 2010, 11:37
Tulips from London (sorry, it should be Amsterdam) anyone?
elton grech
Jun 14th 2010, 09:43
you sound like you must have been through it yourself, therefore I believe you.
Simon Said
Jun 14th 2010, 01:57
Oh Gosh Hope We wont go back to the old Tele Iblea times ,that would be sad, Free your mind and the rest will follow Mr Joe Zammit !
Joe Xuereb
Jun 13th 2010, 13:36
We are endowed with a sex drive, a life motivator, it keeps us going. It is god-given. What we do with it is our business and responsibility. In fact, we don't even HAVE TO act upon it. A prerequisite for survival, it ain't. What I object to is being told not to do it without being told why. That I resent. I have a god-given intellect and I can decide, having done the homework, the gathering of information, what damages me and what doesn't. Punto e bast.
The beauty of this tack is that it levels ALL human sexualities. Applies to both hetero and homo-sexuals. No complacency there! As a sexual pervert my sexuality was attacked for long enough. I scrutinized the phenomenon (gay and straight) in order to survive. I came up smelling of roses. My one-time attackers are still gasping for air. They can come to me for advice. And I don't charge. Except that, if you still prefer the 'Adam-and-Eve-and-talking-snakes' version of the whole shebang, don't waste my time. And yours.
S. Calleja
Jun 13th 2010, 09:11
The forbidden fruit always tastes better. If pornography was banned, I'm quite convinced more people would watch it, in some way or another.
Joe Xuereb
Jun 12th 2010, 23:51
3) So, see sex for what it is, a god-given method to multiply, but not solely. We are human and we seek respite. Deal with it cleanly, be open about it, rubbish porno - and believe me, it exists - can/must be binned. And live guilt-free, neurosis-free, thankful for a god-given respite from daily toil. Communiction is everything. Sex is communication. The sex-drive keeps people driven. But it's only secondary communication. Use it as the main and only communication medium, and you're history.
Porno has its uses. To demonise it outright won't get us anywhere. Is it god's creation or isn't it? If it is - and it is - should we not treat it with greater respect and not let it destroy us? Keeping in mind that piling on the guilt is not an option. Education is key.
Joe Xuereb
Jun 12th 2010, 23:44
2) Some miss the boat, some are handicapped, some are otherwise committed, some are too unattractive to attract mate - unfair, but there you are.
Pornography (appreciation of the human form) has always existed, from the Kouros of ancient pre-Classical Greece to the Victorian era with their thinly-veiled eroticism/respectability. Pornography (appreciation of the human form) has always existed, from the Kouros of ancient pre-Classical Greece to the Victorian era with their thinly-veiled eroticism/respectability. We all look at 'attractive' people in the streets and think.....(rings a bell). If you don't, you're a liar or there's something wrong with you. It's a god-given thing, see!! The curiosity is painful. But pornography, a second-best, takes off the edge of the pain. Relief and respite. Until next time. Porno has it's uses, certainly for the single person. But like everything/anything else, it can be abused. But anything is better than blind repression and the ensuing neurosis. Neurosis is a soul-killer. Especially when other addictions take over. Like comfort-eating, drugs.
Joe Xuereb
Jun 12th 2010, 23:10
1) This is the perspective that refutes the Adam and Eve and Talking Snakes story.
Millions of years ago (I wasn't there, I haven't read this, but commonsense prevails. The best source after dubious statistics). People went naked, they chose mates, the fornication, they began children. Mortality rates, infections were common. But somehow the species survived and here we are today.
Somewhere along the line religion was invented, sex was discovered, guilt was attached and people told to cover up. This created guilt in people and a curiosity how people they found attractive would look in the altogether. At this stage readers should be nodding and say, 'yes, I recognise that'. Anyhow, this guilt mixed with the curiosity about others' nakedness anguished people and some committed crime to satisfy themselves.
The aggressors (rapists were 'sick). The non-rapists suffered in silence. They suffered sexual neurosis (refer to any psychoanalyst). A neurotic state is bad for you.
Most people find a partner and settle (for all it's worth. Monogamy is not a given natural....). But not everybody. Some miss the boat, some are handicapped, some are otherwise committed, some are too unattractive to attract mates - unfair, but there you are.
continued
Jason Fenech
Jun 12th 2010, 20:15
All addictions are harmful. Religion is certainly no exception as evidenced by the many - too many - individuals who think they have earned the right to teach everyone what's right or wrong. No one is asking you to go against your beliefs, so kindly step down from the pulpit and stop preaching.
Joe Zammit
Jun 12th 2010, 20:21
Jason, pornography is not a matter of religious belief only but also of social ethics as well. Our Criminal Law prohibits pornography also under pain of imprisonment in certain cases. Pornography harms society, especially those who think it is harmless. That's the deceit!
Joe Zammit
Jun 12th 2010, 20:07
There are a number of compelling statistics that suggest that pornography does have profound social consequences.
For example, of the 1400 child sexual molestation cases in Louisville, Kentucky, between July 1980 and February 1984, adult pornography was connected with each incident and child pornography with the majority of them. Extensive interviews with sex offenders (rapists, incest offenders, and child molesters) have uncovered a sizable percentage of offenders who use pornography to arouse themselves prior to and during their assaults.
Police officers have seen the impact pornography has had on serial murders. In fact, pornography consumption is one of the most common profile characteristics of serial murders and rapists.
Charles Grixti
Jun 12th 2010, 23:53
Where does an organization like the Church, who has been running and protecting an international ring of paedophiles for decades if not centuries, get the gall to set itself up as the guardian of moral ethics? And please, do not say it was just a few rogue priests or bad apples. Ratzinger himself wrote the famous letter advising bishops worldwide of the official policy of “Omerta” when dealing with authorities, and threats of eternal damnation when dealing with the child-victims should they think of telling anyone about their abuse. In short all designed to protect the Church but not the children who were being systematically abused worldwide by the Catholic clergy.
What cheek!
And Mr. Zammit, I used to have a parrot who repeated a mantra day-in-day out, but that did not mean that he spoke any sense or was rational. They say in humans, this effect can be replicated by brainwashing at an early age, another form of child abuse.
Charles Grixti
Jun 12th 2010, 23:58
Where does an organization like the Church, who has been running and protecting an international ring of paedophiles for decades if not centuries, get the gall to set itself up as the guardian of moral ethics? And please, do not say it was just a few rogue priests or bad apples. Ratzinger himself wrote the famous letter advising bishops worldwide of the official policy of “Omerta” when dealing with authorities, and threats of eternal damnation when dealing with the child-victims should they think of telling anyone about their abuse. In short all designed to protect the Church but not the children who were being systematically abused worldwide by the Catholic clergy.
What cheek!
And Mr. Zammit, I used to have a parrot who repeated a mantra day-in-day out, but that did not mean that he spoke any sense or was rational. They say in humans, this effect can be replicated by brainwashing at an early age, another form of child abuse.
wally vella-zarb
Jun 13th 2010, 00:39
How very interesting and impressive! Did you also know that in some counties in the States, eg, Blount County, Alabama, it is illegal to make love to your WIFE in anything but the 'missionary position'? Or that oral stimulation is also illegal? Significantly, that area is known as the 'Bible Belt'. In these very christian areas, it is O.K. to beat a Ni**er to within an inch of his life - but you can't drink beer, ESPECIALLY on a Sunday! Hooray for christian values!
wally vella-zarb
Jun 13th 2010, 00:44
"Police officers have seen the impact pornography has had on serial murders. In fact, pornography consumption is one of the most common profile characteristics of serial murders and rapists."
Brilliant! That is about as meaningful as saying that most dogs are four-legged. Would you then imply that all four-legged animals are dogs?
Gerry Cowie
Jun 13th 2010, 18:44
Wally Vella-Zarb's cheap jibes serve only to put him all the more firmly into a particularly small minority on this issue! He has nothing constructive to say and can only resort to childish humour and extreme examples in order to cite his case. But he has no case!
Why does he try so hard just to show himself up?
Joe Zammit
Jun 12th 2010, 20:04
According to Henry Boatwright (Chairman of the U.S. Advisory Board for Social Concerns), approximately 70 percent of the pornographic magazines sold end up in the hands of minors. Women Against Pornography estimate that about 1.2 million children are annually exploited in commercial sex (child pornography and prostitution).
Joe Xuereb
Jun 12th 2010, 19:05
2) Human sexuality needs serious appraisal, through gained insights. Suppress it without these and it backfires. There is nothing more addictive than repressed god-given sexual expression (there's a paradox to mull over - and gain said insights!!). The dire consequences that result in never attempting to come to grips with one's god-given urges will surface sooner or later (examples abound). In fact, they are already here. Hence, Zammit's sad repetitive mantras. Poor Joe! And the panicky Vassallo, flapping desperately like a maltese sparrow in a maltese qafas (cage). Looking for answers that are not forthcoming. He wants the cage opened so he can migrate to Iran for a breath of fresh air (do maltese birds, if any left (another addiction, killing birds for pleasure, the list is endless, dark chocolate anyone?!) migrate east to Tehran? Safety in numbers and all that. They could all soar together, the ilk). Milk the situation, seek pastures new. Breathe easy. Roost on the edge of the fountain spouting red-tinted water representing the blood of child martyrs. Now there's food for thought for any would-be pilgrim to a seismic land, caused by loose, rouged women.d women). But these aren't whores.
Joe Xuereb
Jun 12th 2010, 18:57
1) It's said - a real truism, this - that the only way out of a problem is through it (as in, if one is a homophobe, one could do worse than work as a barman in a gay bar, cheek by jowl with gay people, and one's fear/antipathy just goes away. Fear is generally all in the mind. I tried religion once, it did not impress, so I left. Problem sorted).
So, the best way to deal with pornography is to get a guilt-free sex life. Then pornography loses its edge. But it's still useful for those who come behind you. So mustn't be banned. It serves a purpose. It can save a flagging - pun intended - marriage, depending on one's level of maturity.
Joe Zammit speaks of all the damage caused by pornography as if he had first-hand - pun intended, first 'hander' when still in shorts - experience of fantastic permutations that 'pornography' does. The problem is, all he says is gleaned from bad literature and a fevered, unappeased, very neurotic, anguished imagination.
cont./
t.borg
Jun 12th 2010, 18:22
@m. borg. mhux veru li l-pornografija dejjem tkisser iz-zwieg anzi hemm okazzjonijiet fejn issahhu meta l-aktar il-mara tirtiera kmieni mis-sess.
T. O'Malley Borg
Jun 12th 2010, 18:20
The problem with some people in Malta and all outside Malta is that there are too many Do- gooders, and yet most are actually hypocrites trying to cover their own guilt. Please correct if i am wrong , but the bible tells us i believe:* Let he who is without sin cast the first stone*____Think about it before judging others, you know it make sence.
L. Calejja
Jun 12th 2010, 20:10
You have a very strong point Sir. Nobody is perfect thats for sure.
charles caruana
Jun 12th 2010, 17:55
Mr vella-zarb, who is really being presumptuous here? Your knowledge of anthropology is sadly lacking. I challenge you 1) to mention any primitive society that had no religious beliefs and 2)to prove that that it did not permit those religious beliefs to impinge on its morality, its laws and its culture. Indeed the more primitive, the more permeated with religious taboos and prohibitions.
Your Inca example was a most unfortunate one: their ‘great civilization’ included slavery and human sacrifice, especially of children aged between seven and fifteen, whom they used to fatten up before offering them to their idols. The greedy Christian zealots stopped all this. Ask yourself whether you would have preferred to live under those zealots from Europe or the Incas, and how ready you would have been to offer one of your children as a human sacrifice!
And Mr Zammit has as much right to express his opinion as you or me, however ‘boring’ to some. In fact, he is to be commended for never descending to the depths of vulgar name calling and insulting epithets that some of his critics wallow in.
wally vella-zarb
Jun 12th 2010, 18:55
In consonance with your two favourite contributors, you play with words. You deliberately insert ‘religious beliefs’, ‘taboos’ and ‘prohibitions’ for what I distinctly said were ‘formal religions’. There is a BIG difference.
‘Primitive societies’ had no scientific explanation for most of what they saw around them. The more astute of them, their leaders, quickly created supernatural beings that were endowed with wondrous powers, some even claiming the appellation ‘almighty’. Many of them chose the obvious, something that could both be seen and felt – the Sun. To further entrench their position within the community they claimed direct descent from this ‘god’ who ‘inspired’ all of their decisions and commands – invariably aimed at consolidating their position. In time, these ‘beliefs’ transmuted into the various formal religions (i.e., rules for living) that we know today.
You invoke human sacrifice. The Hebrews, the Maya and the Egyptians had that too – as did the ancient Maltese. It was the norm. Does that detract from their other achievements? Of course, “The greedy Christian zealots stopped all this” - by exterminating them. What a great way of ‘saving their souls’ and gaining all their gold! It doesn’t work any longer!
Peter Briffa
Jun 12th 2010, 19:02
Mr Caruana I have to admit that my anthropological knowledge is limited. But as far as I know religious beliefs were always a part of civilisation. And one of the reason to this is that they needed answers to things that were unknown to them , they needed a belief which punished their enemies, a belief that somewhat justified their acts. They needed faith in order to belief in afterlife. Just imagine telling to a person who has just lost his father that he will never see his father again and explain to him instead how he will start to decompose and so on.
Let me quote Marx
"Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people"
Regards Inca civilisation they might indeed be called brutes in some cases but it also can be said to other religions and the Catholic religion is one of them. Hopefully you will read the following article
http://www.scu.edu/ethics/publications/submitted/Perry/holywar.html
charles caruana
Jun 12th 2010, 21:14
As I’ve shown you in a previous thread, your penchant for selective quoting, even from your own words, is truly admirable.
Your words: ‘Not taking what does not belong to you, including someone else's life, is a concept that was adopted by societies - even relatively primitive ones - as a necessary principle for peaceful coexistence.’ You are here claiming a contractual ‘secular’ origin of morality, devoid of religion or sacred belief. This is a figment of your imagination, as is your simplistic explanation of the rise and nature of ‘formal religions.’ Have you ever heard of the Axial Age? Your explanation of religion as a mere power game is another pathetic simplification. It could only fit easily in an atheist bible.
Yes, human sacrifice was, according to you, the norm, except for Christianity and its Founder, who was sacrificed remember?
Mr Briffa, show me any historical period and any society where Marx’s ideology or his prophesies have been proved true. I suggest you adopt and adapt Wittgenstein’s advice: ‘Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent.’
wally vella-zarb
Jun 13th 2010, 00:24
Mr Caruana, the development of intra-personal relations, otherwise known as 'morality' IS a secular concept. If you feel that my explanation of the development of formal religions is 'simplistic', tell me, how do you reconcile burning bushes that speak, snakes that converse intelligently, bodies that rise up into space without the hassle of space suits (to go where?), spirits that impregnate women who then proceed to give 'virgin birth', people who turn into pillars of salt, etc.,? Are these 'simplistic' fables or are they 'magic'? To any rational person they sound like the fruit of hallucinogens. And then you say that my description of the development of formal religions is a figment of my imagination????
You claim that christianity put a stop to human sacrifices. Really? What about burning at the stake? The (un)holy inquisition? You previously mentioned slavery. Shall we talk about slavery? The plantations and the mines that were run by the Jesuits in South America and other places before they were sent packing? Who was that pope, later sanctified, who, as recently as the nineteenth century held that slavery - of non-christians - was a divine right?
Fidili! In all senses of the word!
charles caruana
Jun 13th 2010, 18:31
Mr. vella-zarb, you claim morality is a secular concept, even in primitive religion. Prove it! Otherwise your claim is so much hot air
.
Your interpretations of Biblical episodes would do a bible-belt Christian proud. They are more literal and simplistic than any Texan fundamentalist’s. And your idea of rationality is so narrow that the father of rationality himself, Descartes, would have laughed at it.
There were Jesuits and Jesuits, just as there are atheists and atheists. The majority of those who fought and suffered to abolish slavery were Christian. Do you know that the abolitionist and civil rights movement in the New world was initiated and achieved by Christian activists? Have you ever heard of William Wilberforce, John Woolman, Martin Luther King? Read Rodney Stark, an unbeliever, you might learn some real historical facts before repeating stale atheist chestnuts.
In a few months the secular and atheist fanatics of the French Revolution massacred many more thousands than were killed in 200 years of the Inquisition.
Fidili ! That is rich indeed, coming from someone who is an unwitting slave of such fashionable worldviews as scientism and materialism!
MBorg
Jun 12th 2010, 17:52
@ Duncan Sant
Are you for real ? Do you really think that porn does not harm a marriage ? How very wrong. Porn brings out the animal in man, how can it ever be good ?
DUncan Sant
Jun 12th 2010, 18:07
Yes I am for real and yes I really think that porn doesn't harm a marriage... cheating, drug abuse, alcoholism, beating up the spouse, never being at home, ignoring your partner... those are the things that break a marriage, not porn.
S. Calleja
Jun 12th 2010, 17:42
Yawn...
Gerard Cassar
Jun 12th 2010, 17:11
A Polish Franciscan monk has published in his country a book for couples who intend ro marry or are married. The western world has quickly nicknamed it the Catholic "Kama Sutra".
Peraps for some couples it could be made use better than porno that is only ment tomake easy money
Nicholas Bianco
Jun 12th 2010, 17:07
I cannot believe some of the comments made below ...
(quote)Jobs are lost and careers ended as people use their employer's computers to view pornography. Addiction to pornography even leads some people to depression and suicide.... (quote)
bis serjeta? give me some numbers please especially on the careers part. .....
Joe Zammit
Jun 12th 2010, 16:23
Well done, Dr Vassallo! The great majority of Maltese and Gozitans want people like you to defend morality with all your might.
Pornography does a lot of harm to the whole of society. It breaks down marriages and separates families! Whoever favours pornography favours marriage break-downs!
When one starts thinking pornography does no harm means that one has already started to become its victim. Pornography leads many to their marriage breakdowns.
MPs, fight pornography with all your might!
Duncan Sant
Jun 12th 2010, 17:06
Please speak for yourself.....neither Dr Vassallo nor yourself are defending morality but you are merely dictators, trying to impose your "pure soul" on others. If one favours porn then one favours marriage breakdowns??? Are you serious?? What is worst, watching porn or doing drugs, or killing, or sleeping around and getting STDs (sexually transmitted diseases so you know what it is)? Those are the things that break down marriages and not watching porn.
Nicholas Bianco
Jun 12th 2010, 17:14
Mr.Zammit you have commented alot on pornography doing harm etc, whilst i tend to agree that pornography make be ONE of the causes that may break up a marriage, all you have said is talk to be honest, kindly back your words with facts, i mean no disrespect but... i think your opinion is exaggerated
Robert Agius
Jun 12th 2010, 17:18
@Joe Zammit
How dare you speak for the majority and make such accusations!!!! Your arrogance knows no limits.
God will send you to the the pits of hell for this. :P
MBorg
Jun 12th 2010, 17:36
@ William P Flynn
Why are you so against " Catholicissima Malta"? We have heard your views over and over. We know that you hate the church and all that it teaches, we also know that you do not believe that there is a God
We also know that you are against Article 2 of our Constitution. What I and many others cannot understand is the difference it will make to you , living in Australia if Article 2 was to be removed. Do you hate God so much that you want to eradicate His teaching and presence , you also were against the hanging of the Crucifix in public places, in Malta?
You say that you want us Maltese to be free, is that why you try to indoctrinate us to your way of liberal thinking every time there is something that has to do with our faith in the paper ? Is not your way of life a religion also ? Granted not handed down by God but by men like you and me.
Ramon Casha
Jun 13th 2010, 06:43
"Pornography does a lot of harm to the whole of society. It breaks down marriages and separates families!"
You keep making these baseless claims. Let me try my hand at that....
Pornography offers a way to reduce sexual tension to men who might otherwise resort to rape. Whoever is against porn is in favour of women getting raped!
See? So easy when you don't need to prove what you say.
Peter Briffa
Jun 12th 2010, 16:04
And to all those mentioning how 20 years we had fewer marriages falling apart you should keep in mind that time changes everything. if a woman found her husband has cheated on her or vice they would still remain married not to be judged by society. Separation and divorce where somewhat of a taboo. How many of the readers know of couples that even though their marriages have failed they still live together under the same roof (and they could be easily be compared to two strangers living under the same roof)
Nowadays women are also more independent both financially and emotionally from her husband thus if 20 years a woman might have decided to stick with her husband regardless of the cheating she knows that nowadays she can manage to bring up the family on her own.
Peter Briffa
Jun 12th 2010, 15:58
As far as I know people are never forced to watch porn if you don't like it just don't watch. Mind here I am talking of porn between 2 consenting adults.
Mr Zammit has mentioned how porn is to be blamed with lots of marriages failing. Agreed that porn might lead to some marriages failing but their are plenty other factors which you should take into account.
Marriages fail due to other things such gambling, alcohol, smoking, being violent/rude to your wife or husband, flirting with other woman or man and cheating. Should we start banning all these things which might lead to marriage breakdowns?
wally vella-zarb
Jun 12th 2010, 15:43
"Most laws are based on religious principles - ie "Thou shalt not kill" and "Thou shalt not steal".
By what confused 'logic' do you arrive at that presumptious assertion? Not taking what does not belong to you, including someone else's life, is a concept that was adopted by societies - even relatively primitive ones - as a necessary principle for peaceful coexistence. Formal religions came later and merely adopted these established principles and adapted them, in various forms, to better suit their ambitions of controlling the lesser-educated masses and absorbing as much of their possessions as possible, promising them a 'reward' in the 'afterlife' as a consolation.
The Central American people, the Inca, built a great civilization based on only three laws: (1) Do not steal, (2) Do not lie, (3) Do not idle. That civilization was eradicated through the greed of christian zealots from Europe.
BTW, please try to refrain from your tedious cut-and-paste inanities and innuendo about lapsed catholics, chips on shoulders, Australia, anti-church, secularists, etc. Most of us find them quite boring, to put it politely and very mildly.
Joe Zammit
Jun 12th 2010, 16:22
Il-ligi kriminali hija kollha kemm hi impozizzjoni fuq kull bniedem li jinsab fi gziritna. Il-ligi kriminali hija kollha kemm hi censura. Imma hemm hi u hemm se tibqa'!
wally vella-zarb
Jun 12th 2010, 17:33
Sur Zammit
Tħallatx il-Ħass mal-Pitravi. Qed tkompli tirrepeti l-istess ċuċata meta ħafna kienu dawk li qalulek illi il-Liġi Kriminali u ċ-Ċensura huma źewģ affarijiet totalment differenti. Dan inti tafu iżda xorta waħda tkompli tilgħab bil-kliem. Ma nieħodhiex bi kbira għaliex b’hekk biss tista timpressjona u tinfluenza lil min għandu inqas intelliģenza (fil-każ tiegħek, ħażen) minnek. Tattika li ilna li drajniha minn ċerta għaqda.
Gerry Cowie
Jun 13th 2010, 12:07
Well, there is another person trying to curtail the freedom of others to comment! So it is ok for Wally Vella-Zarb to say whatever he likes but it is not ok for anybody to challenge his views! Your Australian friend tried to curtail the freedom of the Maltese press which dared to reflect the views of locals! If people do claim to be lapsed Catholics and wish to challenge religious views they should expect to be challanged!
Mr Vella-Zarb, if you want to silence me or anybody else who disagrees with your peculiar views, then you will have to silence yourself and your friends first!
You cannot have your cake and eat it!!!!
t. borg
Jun 12th 2010, 15:40
li jdejjaqni huwa li nippruvaw nimponu l-idejat stubidi taghna fuq haddiehor. bhallikieku ahna bravi u intom injuranti. bnieden disgrazjat jista' ma jistax ikollu relazzjoni sesswali ma' bniedem iehor u l-pornografija tissostwixxilu l-isvok tieghu. ghandu dritt ghal dan?
Duncan Sant
Jun 12th 2010, 15:51
Prosit! Naqbel 100%
William P Flynn
Jun 12th 2010, 15:37
No Gerry Cowie, Maltese people can affect change of the law in Malta in all manner of ways.
Why? Bbecause they're citizens. They NEVER cease to be citizens. Whereas you are not.
Consequently, you are forbidden to vote in the poll and I'd advise you not to. Your opinion in Maltese matters is worthless and voting would be dishonest. Have you been dishonest? I'd advise you not to lie.
By the way the statistic of 75% voting to remove Article 2 from our (no, not YOUR) OUR Constitution has not varied much since the first day. That's 4:1 against your precious Ctaholic church MrCowie. I always told you Catholicissima Malta is, and has always been, nothing but a myth.
You're a Gerry-come-lately-tourist telling Maltese what is good for them, you sanctimonious pompous ass. Who TF are you to tell Maltese to strike a balance in pornography?
No! Laws aren't based on religious principles; it's the other way round. Human natural laws preceeded the commandments. Ancient Egyptians had laws about killing and stealing so did every pre-Christian culture.
Now go write in a British newspaper about your disgust of UKhotel rooms offering pornography and keep your nose out of Mlatese affairs.
Joseph Calleja
Jun 12th 2010, 17:20
I suggest Mr Cowie and Mr Zammit check out the survey, they might be surprised at the outcome. Mr Flynn you said what a lot of people would like to say but they are afraid to say it. It seems Mr Cowie and Mr Zammit are on a mission to save the Maltese people. So far I haven't seen any clergy commenting on this but then these two seem to be doing enough talking. I suggest both these gentlemen book a flight with our beloved MP, and purchase a one way ticket to Iran, I know all three of them will get a hero's welcome.
@DR Vassallo: I don't peek into your bedroom, please don't peek into mine.
@Mr Zammit :
Marriages are are destroyed because of a lot of things, one of them being spousal and children abuse which is very common in Malta. Mr Zammit. "Min igarrab ikun jaf". So back off and let husband and wife sort it out. Nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors.
Gerry Cowie
Jun 13th 2010, 12:15
I had no idea that pornography was unique to Malta, Mr Flynn! Where did you get that one from? You seek to curtain press freedom in Malta by telling the editor not to use religion in his articles, thereby reflecting the views of the LOCAL population.
Once you can demonstrate your right to an opinion above everybody else by a change in your behaviour in these columns then you might be listened to.
Your constant jibes against the INTERNATIONAL Catholic church, calling the country you claim to love "Mickey Mouse", attacking the Editor of the Maltese press for expressing locally held views, attacking the Catholicity of Malta, attacking the President of Malta for his speech to the Pope, accusing the Pope of personal responsibility for world events etc etc mean that you cannot claim to be the patriot you say you are!
Do you or do you not hold a legal right to vote in Malta?
K. Vella
Jun 12th 2010, 15:12
Apocalypse coming!
Gerry Cowie
Jun 12th 2010, 14:46
Everybody who expresses an opinion with a hint of religious fervour expects to be the target of athiest secularists.
I think addiction to ath9iest secularism, particularly from lapsed Catholics, often outside of Malta, with large chips on their shoulders, can be vastly more harmful and deadly than pornography.
Yet this does not make pornography right.
It is worth striking a balance between freedoms and their appropriate responsibilities.
Would those in their own homes welcome pornography to be littered around their houses for all to read when visitors came? I think not!
Not much people giving links to surveys for Maltese people only when those promoting these links are citizens of foreign countries. I guess that the one from Australia is thereby barring himself from taking part in the survey he suggests!
It is a pity that a few people take every opportunity to attack the Church for promoting good moral values. Most laws are based on religious principles - ie "Thou shalt not kill" and "Thou shalt not steal". Would secularists like to see laws repealed merely because they are based upon sound religious principles?
Only the people of Malta who have the right to vote can change the law!
Peter Briffa
Jun 12th 2010, 16:15
I stand to be corrected but did not some of these laws like Thou shall not kill and Thou shall not steal already followed by people from all kinds of religious upbringing and people who would be called secularists in today's world? Romans had laws as well and they were not catholic? Such laws where not the creation of God or Jesus for that matter. As far as I know they are not based solely on religious rules and regulations. Are the laws based on religious principles or are these Religious rules based on human morals?
As far as I know secularists are not on a quest to destroy religion but rather to give freedom from the chains of religion. Lots of people have shown to be able to have strong moral values without the need to praying or believing in any god.
Ramon Casha
Jun 13th 2010, 06:40
"Most laws are based on religious principles - ie "Thou shalt not kill" and "Thou shalt not steal".
You're putting the cart before the horse. Those religious laws are based on secular principles. That's why they tend to be universal among all religions. They were among the first laws to be put together by man, and when religions came along and drew up their religious laws, they were included since they realised that they are critical laws to have in any code of behaviour.
Andy Towler
Jun 12th 2010, 14:45
I think this letter fell out of a timewarp and was actually written in 1810, not 2010. That's certainly where its views belong.
Joseph Calleja
Jun 12th 2010, 14:24
"to those who think they are free to do what they want in their room." There you go again Joe.
Mr Zammit like I told you before, I don't peek into your bedroom, please don't peek into mine. I don't want to repeat what that lady told you to do with yourself. Every time you open your mouth you get a dozen negative replies. I think you are a very frustrated man looking for attention but in the meantime you want to pry in other peoples business. Stop trying to convert everybody, people want to make up their own mind and not listen to a sermon every time you open your mouth.
wally vella-zarb
Jun 12th 2010, 14:21
"It is the mark of an educated mind to entertain a thought without accepting it."
(Aristotle)
Ramon Bonett Sladden
Jun 12th 2010, 13:40
For those who are saying that the author of this letter is a religious fundamentalist / extremist, it should be noted that he never mentioned religion. Moreover, yes, I do agree that the state should fight the exploitation of children for pornographic purposes. I also agree with the statement that the more one tries to suppress something, the more it resurfaces. However, whilst religious fundamentalism is wrong, it is just as wrong to ignore morals. We have developed the unfortunate habit of saying that when someone voices an opinion against the Church, that's just healthy freedom of speech, but when someone defends the Church and its teachings, that's just unhealthy religious fundamentalsm. I agree that pornography is addictive and should be discouraged. It might not cause physical harm like tobacco, but destroys the moral fabric of society.
Steve Pace
Jun 12th 2010, 15:40
It might not cause physical harm like tobacco. I agree . Should'nt we ban that as well ??
Duncan Sant
Jun 12th 2010, 15:48
@Ramon
No-one is saying that CHILD pron is good... it should be stoppped and those making it jailed for life. But a porn film between adult actors (or better call them participants) shown to an adult audience is legit.
Robert Agius
Jun 12th 2010, 13:21
'We also need an organisation for people addicted to pornography.'
And for people addicted to - shopping, TV, sex, coffee, attention, authority, food, work, sleeping, smoking, video games, internet...most annoying of all - EGO (many religious people are addicted to this)
or you can quit being a loser and just get a life.
K.Anastasi
Jun 12th 2010, 13:03
Well Joe, you are addicted to religious fundamentalism ... I suggest you seek help too!
David Buttigieg
Jun 12th 2010, 13:33
Good one!
Andrew cachia
Jun 12th 2010, 12:58
It's looks as if this letter was written deliberately as to provoke such a reaction or else must be a prank.
JJ Creg
Jun 12th 2010, 12:05
Pornography is not made to educate but money making business. It thrives on lies about sex as to attract and hold the audience, messing up in one’s life and attitude towards sex and possibly corrupts one’s mind that sex is something you can have anytime, anywhere, with anyone, with no consequences.
Child porn is one great example that encourages the rise on paedophilia.
Matthew Spiteri
Jun 12th 2010, 11:53
If the kid takes pleasure in touching the hot steel of the cooking pot, who are you to prevent him the pleasure?
No matter how hard you push, if there are large organizations which profit from the habit, it will never stop. Suppression is like pushing an inflated ball underwater: the deeper you push it, the stronger its resistance and eventually it will become stronger and resurface.
The governments should not fight porn, but teach the growing passive population to question things. It is the individual's job to be responsible of him/herself. What the government should fight is the exploitation of children by the porn organizations. The rest should be left in the hands of the public to teach itself to ask questions rather than expect everything ready on the plate for them.
Joe Zammit
Jun 12th 2010, 12:40
Matthew, you know that we have a criminal law. This criminal law deals with anything that harms society. Pornography shatters society and renders its viewers its slaves, like drugs! As you can become a drug addict, you can turn to be a pornography addict. So criminal law safeguards children and adults alike.
Duncan Sant
Jun 12th 2010, 15:44
@Joe Zammit
And what criminal activity am I doing by watching porn exactly? I'm not taking money from others, I'm not killing, I'm not putting other peoples' lives at risk... so what criminal activity am I doing? Please explain as I have no clue what you are implying here....
William P Flynn
Jun 12th 2010, 11:42
I think addiction to religion can be vastly more harmful and deadly than pornography. I know a couple of contributors to these columns who really should see someone. They may need professional help.
This chap, Mr Zammit, thinks that we should all be tal-Mużew and our Constitution has a part which would treat us all as tal-Mużew. This may be a good thing ... or not.
Chapter 1 Article 2(2) of our Constitution empowers the Catholic Church "Authorities" to teach us all, (ALL! No exceptions) what's right and what’s wrong. That might be a great idea or an abysmal one.
The link to the poll below gives you the chance to vote (once and you must be Maltese).
You are welcome to please forward this link to all Maltese regardless of their point of view. Every Maltese is invited to vote.
Here's the link:
http://www.fuse.com.au/wpf/Malta-Poll1.html
I thank the many who have already voted from both sides of the line.
Anthony Bugeja
Jun 12th 2010, 11:42
What a load of extremist rubbish. When I had first access to porn on the internet i used to have a look. Now with free access to internet and satellite porn I never bother.....
Kenneth Zammit
Jun 12th 2010, 11:28
Is this guy serious?
Chris Reiff
Jun 12th 2010, 13:00
Yes. Welcome to Malta.
David Borg
Jun 12th 2010, 11:15
Pornography has negative psychological and social effects. It increases sexual crimes and debases men and women. Therefore it should be restricted and controlled as far as possible (http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/porno.html).
It is true that every person has a right to his privacy. However this right is limited by the rights and values of society expressed in the laws of the state. It is clear that pornography does not promote a healthy view of relationships and encourages promiscuity. It is therefore harmful to the concept of the family.
The liberal society based on absolute freedom is a myth. Infact many countries have legal restrictions on pornography and obscenity, including the United States.
David Buttigieg
Jun 12th 2010, 13:31
"Pornography has negative psychological and social effects. It increases sexual crimes "
Actually the exact opposite is true as far as crime goes!
Duncan Sant
Jun 12th 2010, 15:40
@David Borg
Should we also control movies where guns are used, where terrorists take part, where there is killing and torture? As far as I know, no society tollerates killings, terrorosts and torture. What about those?
David |Borg
Jun 12th 2010, 23:34
Pornography is linked to sexual offences and offendors (http://antisex.info/en/stat2.htm). Violence in films may also cause violence.
victor rodenas
Jun 12th 2010, 11:08
`Marriages are destroyed as husbands are unfaithful to their wives on- line`. Sur Zammit,are you so naive to think that wives are not also unfaithful to their husbands on-line..Did you forget that the first sin on Earth was started by a woman,Eve....Woman,perhaps,are more involved in pornography than men.......to-day pornography is free on the internet,who is going to stop it. I am not saying if it is good or bad,we have to live with it,as we have to live with.........gambling,sigarettes,whisky,drugs,prostitution,abuse,excessive noise,tax,bills..etc.
Joe Zammit
Jun 12th 2010, 12:35
Victor, without denying completely what you have said, I have reflected the primary and first cause of most marriage breakdowns in different countries, also in Malta. Those who work with couples having marital problems always refer to pornography as one of the first causes.
Duncan Sant
Jun 12th 2010, 15:38
@J Zammit
And where exactly did you get that information from?
Sleeping around with REAL women and messing around with REAL man breaks marriages, not watching porn.
Robert Callus
Jun 12th 2010, 10:28
Pornography CAN be harmful. However, censorship and prohibition will only make that worse. The only solution is education:
http://robertcallus.wordpress.com/2010/06/10/make-love-not-porn/
Please choose the reason of your report below: