Atlas Sexual Morality Poll

[HagridOfTheDeep]

Agree with all but 6 and 7.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

I seem to be in the minority on number five, but why should we let social mores play such a big role here? The question did not say "without permission." If both of you agree to an open relationship or want to go to a key party, who am I to say that's wrong? You're not hurting anyone by having sex with a person other than your spouse if your spouse is supportive and enthusiastic about it.

[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.

[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."

[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.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

The Bible also talks about stoning disobedient women, so I err on the side of using a critical lens.

And I never said it's not possible that people continue to masturbate despite believing its a sin. In fact, I conceded that a significant number of people probably do. But I also qualified it by saying it's a shame that they're jeopardizing their mental health with such a contradiction between their actions and "morals," especially when I think, in the end, there's nothing particularly corrupt about fondling your junk. The only reason it's wrong is because a bunch of puritans wrote it in scripture thousands of years ago and people still use "rigid obedience" as a criterion for superiority.

And you know, you talk about "feeling better about oneself" like it's some superficial thing, but I think a positive image of (and relationship with) "self" is extremely important. I'm not saying you must masturbate to feel good about yourself; I'm saying that willfully denying yourself pleasure and ignoring the things that make you feel good do not equal righteousness. And if they do, it's not a righteousness I want any part of. I want to be happy. If that means jacking off every night and falling in love with a man, so be it.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

I came across the Relationships in America Survey and was curious how Atlas would compare to America at large (and various subsets). Please vote whether you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.

1) Viewing pornographic material is ok.

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.

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

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

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

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

7) I support abortion rights.

And my answers

1) Disagree
2) Disagree
3) Disagree
4) Agree
5) Disagree
6) Disagree
7) Disagree

Same here.

The only one of these questions that had SOME wiggle room with me was #4.  Adultery is Biblical grounds for divorce, so I can't fault someone who makes that choice.  But, yes, I agree that two parents shouldn't divorce just because they've fallen out of love, or however they put it.

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