Steve, define "exploiting" in the context of the third to last sentence.

I'm talking about forced prostitution. Don't think even MacDonalds does that. But as I say I don't think mainstream pornography involves exploitation, just the dodgy fringes.

Steve, define "exploiting" in the context of the third to last sentence. Are we talking about ways of treating hired workers which would be considered unethical or illegal in other industries?

On sex and violence in the Bible. Sex is not something shameful in the Bible; it is something good that has been perverted and debased in society. Sex in the Bible is not described in such a way as to evoke erotic feelings as pornography does. Violence also is not described in a gratuitous way - in a way to evoke excitement or pleasure. Violence is repulsive in the Bible, not something you enjoy reading about, and I would argue that is the intent.

I mean, think about it: the participants in porn seem to get religion all the time. Does anyone in those films ever yell out "Oh My Flying Spaghetti Monster!!!!" at the....ahem....appropriate time? It's all a conspiracy to steer us all to religion, I tell ya.....:^)

I've long held that the worst thing about being an atheist is that there's no one to talk to during an orgasm.

I'm still holding onto a sliver of hope that someone who argues that pornography is "exploitive" will actually explain the reasoning behind this claim.

Actually Alex I would agree with you that most mainstream porn is not exploiting the participants. I do know some people involved in the U.K porn industry and they are more than happy doing what they do thank you very much. However they also tell me there is a darker side to the industry at the extremes, especially some of the hardcore web porn which often exploits illegal immigrants and other disadvantaged groups. Are these conservatives and religious hypocrites subscribing to this kind of porn? Don't know, but I would guess they're not just content with Playboy content.

The same goes for many of the "Islam is a religion of peace" crowd, who will say that even while they are advocating for violence against non-muslims.

That's interesting! if the statistics on "religious" states are correct the very people who condemn consensual non-exploititive sexual conduct in homo / trans-gendered individuals are the very people funding the sexual exploitation of individuals via porn.

I'm still holding onto a sliver of hope that someone who argues that pornography is "exploitive" will actually explain the reasoning behind this claim. Also, the implicit contrast between appearing in pornographic depictions, and behavior that is identified as "consensual," is intellectually dishonest.

Additionally, Adam, I think it's worth noting in the post that, contary to the religious right's position, sex or depictions thereof is not categorically or inherently "immoral," at least as a tangential aside.

Again, this is merely anecdotal. But still interesting.