Atlas Sexual Morality Poll

[dead0man]

The most shocking part about this poll is we have 100 participants. I didn't think that many people browsed Forum Community.

"sex" is in the title.  It brings the virgins out of the woodwork.

[Consciously Unconscious]

I agree with all but 5 and 7. 

[Lief 🗽]

The question in #5 as posed here is not whether adultery/infidelity is okay. At least that's not how I understood it.

[Napoleon]

Agree with all.

[RI]

Disagree on all but #4 and very technically #1 as it is currently written.

[courts]

agree (or at least don't care) on pretty much everything other than 2, 4 and 7. although 2 is more just the wording not because i'm clutching my pearls. lol

[Antonio the Sixth]

Anyway, disagree on 1, 3, 5, and 6, agree on 4, case-by-case on 2, and I really just cannot but abstain on 7. None of this should surprise anyone. As always, I could perhaps best be described as 'unwilling to fully commit to being [by prevailing forum standards] a socon'.

What do you mean by that?

[TJ in Oregon]

I didn't realize just how conservative the general populace was on sexual issues. I mean, over two-thirds of the population think porn is immoral? Really?

Remember that is different than thinking it should be illegal.

Yeah, that much was obvious. I just underestimated how anti-porn most people's personal views were.

Well, I'm sure a significant number of them are lying.

Why would they lie about whether or not they believe it's immoral? The question asked whether or not they think it's OK not whether or not they do it. I'm sure there are plenty of people who believe it's wrong but still view it.

[World politics is up Schmitt creek]

Anyway, disagree on 1, 3, 5, and 6, agree on 4, case-by-case on 2, and I really just cannot but abstain on 7. None of this should surprise anyone. As always, I could perhaps best be described as 'unwilling to fully commit to being [by prevailing forum standards] a socon'.

What do you mean by that?

Basically what a few other people have said. If the relationship is committed and at least moving towards being a long-term proposition then I think sharing living space can be a very good idea. Otherwise it seems irresponsible at best.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

I didn't realize just how conservative the general populace was on sexual issues. I mean, over two-thirds of the population think porn is immoral? Really?

Remember that is different than thinking it should be illegal.

Yeah, that much was obvious. I just underestimated how anti-porn most people's personal views were.

Well, I'm sure a significant number of them are lying.

Why would they lie about whether or not they believe it's immoral? The question asked whether or not they think it's OK not whether or not they do it. I'm sure there are plenty of people who believe it's wrong but still view it.

Because to consistently engage in something that you legitimately believe is wrong is unhealthy and destructive. I'm sure you're describing a significant number of people, and it's frankly a shame that they've been guilted into thinking that something as innocent as porn is "morally bankrupt," but, more often than not, I don't think someone who faps to porn everyday could truly believe it's immoral. I do think, though, that many people who enjoy porn are brought up in socially-conservative environments where the only right answer to the question is "yes, porn's bad."

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Having this as a "morality poll" is confusing to me.  I don't think any of these are intrinsically immoral.  I wouldn't call something "immoral" just because I think it's generally a bad idea with bad consequences, especially if it's as situational as several things listed here are.

This is where I struggled with some of these.  I suppose I'd vote on what's okay for me, but I admit I struggle to justify the supposed immorality of some of these choices on objective grounds.  In any event, I don't really care about what John, Ben, and Susie do in their own room as long as I'm not involved and the going-ons are all mutually consented to.

Also, the wording of most of these choices is downright terrible.  Is it physically and mentally ideal to view pornography?  The scientific literature I've read suggests it's not.  Is it moral?  That's a whole other can of worms.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Wow I've never seen a poll on Atlas get over 100 votes.

[DC Al Fine]

Wow I've never seen a poll on Atlas get over 100 votes.

I think "Should Opebo be banned?" is the all time leader.

[dead0man]

Wow I've never seen a poll on Atlas get over 100 votes.

I think "Should Opebo be banned?" is the all time leader.

The answer is still yes.

[politicallefty]

These sorts of issues are a big reason why I'm very solidly in the socially liberal camp. Short of extreme cases (such as snuff films or selling oneself into sexual slavery, which should both be illegal), I'm quite adamant that what goes on between consenting adults in terms of sexuality is absolutely no business of the state and I am not one to pass moral judgement. Do keep in mind that a not insignificant number of states had enforceable anti-sodomy laws until 2003.

1. Agree - I don't see any issue here, provided there are safe regulations as to production.

2. Agree - Not only do I agree, but it seems nonsensical for a couple to not first live together to determine compatibility. I'm not sure I know of anyone personally that hadn't lived together prior to marriage.

3. Agree - I see no issue as to what consenting individuals decide to do regarding their sexuality.

4. Disagree - I cannot see the benefits of forcing parents to live together solely on account of their children. That's a recipe for a nasty home environment.

5. Agree - I don't agree with cheating on one's spouse (although I definitely oppose legislating on that matter). If it's something like swinging where both spouses are consenting, that is the sole business of those involved and I see no issue.

6. Agree - Provided all those involved are consenting and equal in the relationship, they should be able to seek happiness as they see fit. (That does sound more like polyamory than polygamy though. Legal recognition of such a relationship would require serious changes to our legal framework that society is not ready for at this point.)

7. Agree - I support a woman's right to choose until viability of the fetus, at which point it would require exceptions (life/health of the mother, rape, and incest).

[Associate Justice PiT]

     Agree with all except #5.

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

1) Viewing pornographic material is ok.

Agree.  Of course it is.

2) It is a good idea for couples considering marriage to live together in order to decide whether or not they get along well enough to be married to one another.

Agree.  This is another obvious one.  You can get along well with someone better than any other but you have no idea how you will react to residing in the same place.

3) It is ok for two people to get together for sex and not necessarily expect anything further.

Agree.  Again, of course!

4) If a couple has children, they should stay married unless there is physical or emotional abuse.

Disagree.  People can split up for any reason they want to.  Now, with children involved, I think there is an obligation to at least TRY to see through problems, but it doesn't mean it has to be emotional and/or physical abuse.

5) It is sometimes permissible for a married person to have sex with someone other than his/her spouse.

Agree.  This just seems obvious to me.  What is the wife is a controlling bitch?  What if the husband is a complete bastard?

6) It is ok for three or more consenting adults to live together in a sexual/romantic relationship.

Agree.  There is no room in my worldview for a disagreement here.  On any grounds

7) I support abortion rights.

Agree.  It's none of my business.

[TJ in Oregon]

Because to consistently engage in something that you legitimately believe is wrong is unhealthy and destructive. I'm sure you're describing a significant number of people, and it's frankly a shame that they've been guilted into thinking that something as innocent as porn is "morally bankrupt," but, more often than not, I don't think someone who faps to porn everyday could truly believe it's immoral. I do think, though, that many people who enjoy porn are brought up in socially-conservative environments where the only right answer to the question is "yes, porn's bad."

I think what it comes down to is that a good number of them actually believe in Christianity and have not discarded the aspects of sexual morality that come with it (barring liberal Christianity of course), including believing masturbation is a sin. A lot of them don't have the strength to actually stop. So they can go a couple directions from there, either continue in a state of internal conflict, find the strength to stop, or take the standard narcissistic modern approach and redefine their moral beliefs to fit their lifestyle. I know we live in an era where nothing is ever supposed to hurt our self-esteem, or heaven forbid require us to make any difficult changes to our lifestyle, but perhaps not everyone believes they're God's gift to the world and never do anything wrong. Some people recognize that they are sinners even if they don't stop.

[afleitch]

Because to consistently engage in something that you legitimately believe is wrong is unhealthy and destructive. I'm sure you're describing a significant number of people, and it's frankly a shame that they've been guilted into thinking that something as innocent as porn is "morally bankrupt," but, more often than not, I don't think someone who faps to porn everyday could truly believe it's immoral. I do think, though, that many people who enjoy porn are brought up in socially-conservative environments where the only right answer to the question is "yes, porn's bad."

I think what it comes down to is that a good number of them actually believe in Christianity and have not discarded the aspects of sexual morality that come with it (barring liberal Christianity of course), including believing masturbation is a sin. A lot of them don't have the strength to actually stop. So they can go a couple directions from there, either continue in a state of internal conflict, find the strength to stop, or take the standard narcissistic modern approach and redefine their moral beliefs to fit their lifestyle. I know we live in an era where nothing is ever supposed to hurt our self-esteem, or heaven forbid require us to make any difficult changes to our lifestyle, but perhaps not everyone believes they're God's gift to the world and never do anything wrong. Some people recognize that they are sinners even if they don't stop.

I think the fact you think masturbation is such a big deal that you regularly make the point of telling us how you don't do it and how others that do are falling short says a lot about you.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Masturbation is good and healthy and has a litany of benefits.

I really don't get what religious virtue there is in self-denial of beneficial practices.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

Because to consistently engage in something that you legitimately believe is wrong is unhealthy and destructive. I'm sure you're describing a significant number of people, and it's frankly a shame that they've been guilted into thinking that something as innocent as porn is "morally bankrupt," but, more often than not, I don't think someone who faps to porn everyday could truly believe it's immoral. I do think, though, that many people who enjoy porn are brought up in socially-conservative environments where the only right answer to the question is "yes, porn's bad."

I think what it comes down to is that a good number of them actually believe in Christianity and have not discarded the aspects of sexual morality that come with it (barring liberal Christianity of course), including believing masturbation is a sin. A lot of them don't have the strength to actually stop. So they can go a couple directions from there, either continue in a state of internal conflict, find the strength to stop, or take the standard narcissistic modern approach and redefine their moral beliefs to fit their lifestyle. I know we live in an era where nothing is ever supposed to hurt our self-esteem, or heaven forbid require us to make any difficult changes to our lifestyle, but perhaps not everyone believes they're God's gift to the world and never do anything wrong. Some people recognize that they are sinners even if they don't stop.

Why is "redefining your moral beliefs" so wrong? I'd rather live my life exploring the world and reaching my own conclusions about morality than unquestioningly accept someone else's moral code. There's no standard here. These are difficult questions for a reason, and if they're not difficult I kind of question whether you're doing it right. There's more to the world than rules and baseless self-restraint.

[Antonio the Sixth]

I didn't realize just how conservative the general populace was on sexual issues. I mean, over two-thirds of the population think porn is immoral? Really?

Remember that is different than thinking it should be illegal.

Yeah, that much was obvious. I just underestimated how anti-porn most people's personal views were.

Well, I'm sure a significant number of them are lying.

Why would they lie about whether or not they believe it's immoral? The question asked whether or not they think it's OK not whether or not they do it. I'm sure there are plenty of people who believe it's wrong but still view it.

Because to consistently engage in something that you legitimately believe is wrong is unhealthy and destructive. I'm sure you're describing a significant number of people, and it's frankly a shame that they've been guilted into thinking that something as innocent as porn is "morally bankrupt," but, more often than not, I don't think someone who faps to porn everyday could truly believe it's immoral. I do think, though, that many people who enjoy porn are brought up in socially-conservative environments where the only right answer to the question is "yes, porn's bad."

It's possible to believe porn is wrong without being a socon or even being remotely religious, you know.

[Mr. Morden]

Wow I've never seen a poll on Atlas get over 100 votes.

The opebo banning thread got 186 votes, so this is nothing:

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=185236.0

[Mr. Morden]

I didn't realize just how conservative the general populace was on sexual issues. I mean, over two-thirds of the population think porn is immoral? Really?

Also of interest….this Gallup poll from last year:

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

There are some ethical problems with porn, of course... I don't think it comes under the barrier of 'morally wrong'