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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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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 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!

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?

L. Calejja

Jun 12th 2010, 20:10

You have a very strong point Sir. Nobody is perfect thats for sure.

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!

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.

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.

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!!!!

Duncan Sant

Jun 12th 2010, 15:51

Prosit! Naqbel 100%

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?

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.

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.

David Buttigieg

Jun 12th 2010, 13:33

Good one!

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....

Chris Reiff

Jun 12th 2010, 13:00

Yes. Welcome to Malta.

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.

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.

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