Valis,
I have to tell you how much we (bodhibear & I) have been enjoying your response to this particular thread. It's nice to read an ex-jw who can THINK for himself, without the fetters of a jw background or other cultural biases we may have been raised with. And I'm of the "been out 4 years and understand freedom of intellect" class too! (had to borrow that one) Isn't it great?;)
Dutchie,
I agree with Marilyn that you are just expressing your opinion, and that is the point of this forum. However, I disagree with your original post of this topic. You said, "Simply because you are no longer jw's does that mean that you flaunt all moral authority and engage in any perverted pleasure that you have a mind to?" Who, what, when, why, and where "flaunted all moral authority"? And where is the "perverted pleasure"? Somehow I missed that part!
If I recall, the original thread that started this discussion was called "The New Picture Thread--Boobies Welcome". With a title like that, ANYONE who clicked on it would have expected to see boobies. I'm sorry, but that in no way classifies as flaunting authority and perverted pleasures. It's a part of the human body, and there's nothing wrong with admiring all shapes and sizes. I think it's a huge step forward to be able to recognize the human form as the art that it is.
As far as things getting "out of control", as even Simon mentioned, how come it takes him 47 pages of a thread with the words 'boobies welcome' before he closes it, and that ONLY after we (finally!) see some men's naked butts? IMHO, that smacks of sexism, but of course as has been pounded in to us--it is his board. But, he let it go on for 47 pages, for over 2 weeks. Does that sound realistically like it's finally gone "too far"? And while I'm on the subject, have you even read the posts or seen the pics? They were quite tastefully done--my personal faves are PA's beautiful pic, and Valis'--his is self-explanatory.
This does seem to go back to what you view as "moral", compared to others. And that's fine, we are each developing our sense of morality as different from the borg. But let me ask you this, if you had not been raised with jw teachings and our own country's views on healthy sex and the naked body, how would/could you have viewed that whole thread differently?
It seems like YOUR "morals" are easily used to pass judgement on others. This is what you said: "If you believe that the organization has so repressed your sexuality that in order to redeem yourselves you must act out in a COMMON & DEGRADING way, then that of course is your choice." (bold print mine) Who are you calling "common and degrading"? Those of us who chose to post a pic or a comment about naked boobies and butts? Our Oxford Dictionary defines "degrade" as : 1. reduce to a lower rank, esp. as a punishment and 2. bring into dishonor or contempt. I wholeheartedly disagree!!! There is absolutely nothing dishonorable or contemptuous about the body. I truly hope you don't really believe that on the inside--life is much better when we can each think of ourselves in a more positive way.
The pictures that were posted were by no means sexually explicit, and if you or anyone thinks that way, I feel sorry for you the day you see "real" sexually explicit photos. And I just read your most recent post, and you stated that it was the "asses and naked pictures" that disturbed you. Why? Why do you feel like that? Do you mind my asking that? I'm really curious to hear your response, because I too used to feel like you in some ways. FYI, WE ALL WERE repressed sexually--if not by the jw's then by our own puritanical background of the good old USA. We have NEVER been taught healthy views regarding sex, the body, it's functions etc. So yes, it does affect us, but some of us are choosing to accept and live by a totally different viewpoint--our own.
Becky
The thread that started all of this is entitled "the new picture thread, boobies welcome". Nobody could go to that thread and NOT know what it was about.