Hi Guys,
I just had a thought: I realised that Copts in the Diaspora, even in australia, are quite educated and smart people.
Given taht we are living in "Free" countries, don't you think we should be lobbying our governments to put a stop to pornography being allowed to be exposed publicly??
I can go on and discuss the harmful effects, but - i think its obvious.
Are there any lawyers in here that would know what is the best action to take. I worked with some organisations with respect to content - filtering etc... but i think the best way to tackle this issue with policies .
Im NOT trying at all to prohibit porn. NOT AT ALL!! I just don't think that people's values (OR LACK OF!) should be imposed on us - such that we also don't impose our values on anyone.
This is something we should be doing I think. Small efforts in curbing pornography opnely displayed in public places would have large effects on what other policies governements find acceptable.
For example, in Paris, its now "normal" to have homosexual images in metro stations. In Australia, there is now a cartoon series with a homosexual couple in there (this is for kids by the way!!).
This is NOT an aim to tackle porn or any other immorality. This is just an effort to make sure that such immorality isnt given a green light to be displayed publicly.
What does everyone think??
Comments
Given taht we are living in "Free" countries, don't you think we should be lobbying our governments to put a stop to pornography being allowed to be exposed publicly??
lobbying wont always work and neither will petitions
parliament members are the best get plus there are some large advocacy organistions i shall endeavour to research them for you and inform you ASAP
[quote author=vassilios link=board=10;threadid=4615;start=0#msg63001 date=1163078574]
Im NOT trying at all to prohibit porn. NOT AT ALL!! I
i personally wouldnt blame you if you did, its disgusting, horrifying and unacceptable
btw i think Agnostic is a lawyer not 100% sure though, it wouldnt hurt to ask her though
cya
any time you accidentally type something on google disgusting images are displayed
i want porn removed FULL STOP, it shouldnt even be sold in newsagents or any store for that matter
every time a drive past one of these ugly adult stores i feel like burning it down
this is a serious issue, and the church should have some form of public representation within the media (spokesperson)
what makes you think nothing is being done about it? its a difficult one to target
I know there was a movement in America to make it illegal, but the Supreme Court ruled against it based on freedom of the press.
In the UK, legislation is easier to get through, since you don't have the same system of separation of powers.
However, considering the fact that Rupert Murdoch owns just about every newspaper (including ones such as The Sun, which feature pornographic images) and channel, and is a big supporter of Tony Blair, I doubt you'll see this at any point in the future.
can i ask why you disagree with evangelisation in the street vas?
yes your right their will always be homeless and poor people on the streets but if you can change one persons life then its worth it, and the more people advocating the more lives will be changed and u'll be assisting them in providing them with a better quality life
Have you heard of Father Chris Riley, well he roams the streets rescuing people and now look at him he's loaded with dozens of dollars he gets so much publicity its not funni
i dont think you need to be a lawyer, although legal advice would help but i believe passion is more important, thats what drives you to excel and achieve social change
and you made a valid suggestion vas in regards to "Prohibiting pornographic material from the public", as that chick from the simpsons says 'think of the children', its corrupting their minds
practice what we preach is more important, i guess my point wasnt to got out and preach to people but to become role models within our own cummunity. what i was talking about was more working with the community and those who are disadvantaged
i mentioned before about approaching our local members (MP's), and i think that is the best approach, one needs to start from the bottom and work up
it may not fall down to whether it is corrupting our minds or not, but is a significant outcome of such disgusting material
all people are affected by porn to some extent, im not denying that, it is clear indeed
you may think it is not normal, but it has become a norm and it is absolutley unaccpetable, im not sure what services are thinking when they promote such images but its all about the $$$$$$ for them
btw Agnostic is a SHE, Nadine would be insulted if she knew that you were implying she is a HE, i would question the smart person aspect but lets leave it there
avoir!!
this is a serious issue, and the church should have some form of public representation within the media (spokesperson)
this is a good idea but do you think it will ever happen?
catch me if you can and vassilios you both sound quite passionate about this topic which is excellent to see
As for what you can do.. I dont know about how the government in France works but here in Australia you can make petitions or letters and send them to the government. You can also start protests or rallies and make your voice heard! this has worked to change many things in history. The key is people, if you get the people up against the people they cant say no. And ofcourse if anyone does decide to take drastic action like this [i know a few people who would :) ] you've got my prayers ! :D
+God Bless
Here's my suggestion:
Let's all send an email to Bishop Angelos. He is the Bishop of Youth. Let's also put Anba Moussa in copy.
They should, on behalf of the youth in the diaspora, present our petition to The Mayor of London. A letter for H,G Angelos supported by our petitions would be better than any of us writing. Isnt that what they are there for ?? To present us??
Do you think he'd disagree??? He knows so many big-wigs actually... and if this issue gets sorted out, and we make a difference, it could propoagate throughout Europe.
Let's all tell them that its a statement of our faith that we respecfully request that:
No store or PUBLIC premise (EXCLUDING NIGHT CLUBS or bars) ... ie. anywhere where children can be exposed to display any form of pornography whether audio . visual or literal.
It has to be made clear that we are not interested AT ALL in stopping porn; just prohibiting displaying it from public places. Just like smoking.
If i give you Anba ANgelos' email address, would you all send an email??
another thing is if you think about it realistically, even if this does work and the government bands porn in public places.. do you think that it will really happen ? do you think that cops are going to go through all the streets of europe and get rid of porn ? it seems pretty widespread so i dont think it'll be that easy. I think this is gonna need alot of patience and prayer.
Yes. I feel a journey of 1000 miles begins with one step. Also, instead of cursing at the darkness saying "its dark! its dark! I cant' see, light a candle".
How i envisage this working is:
Anba Angelos receives 1000's of requests from youth complaining of the same problem: Porn in public places in the sight of children.
He then speaks to the MPs he knows and to the Mayor of London.
This gives visibility to the Coptic Church. Everyone would know that there is a Christian Orthodox Community that has asked respectfully for a change in policy to protect children from porn. Isnt that evangelisation?? Are we not therefore testifying our faith and our convictions in doing so? In fact, its done without mentioning God. That's great... its kind of subliminal. Then if someone wishes to know more about the Orthodox Church, great... then it started because we respectuflly and calmly asked for something through our Bishop.
Anba Angelos is OUR bishop. I know him pretty well... i don't think he'd mind, but mind you, he would be influenced by the number of people requesting for something.
Its not a criticism in ANY way; its just using what we have wisely. Anba Angelos is a respectable bishop. If he presents our concerns to an MP it would be better than us writing in.
But for him to do it, he also has to be influenced by us.
Anyway I think Its great what you're doing, keep it up !
YOU're SOO JUDGEMENTAL!! (hahah just kidding!)
LOL
It is evangelisation Hizz... do we HAVE to talk about God to evangelise, or can we be quiete and through our actions introduce others to God??
Also, doing something through Anba Angelos is wise because he is respected, and this would give visibility to our Church and subsequently our faith.
Do you know how politics in Europe work? The mayor of paris and the Mayor of London are always trying to compete. What one does, is just copied by another.
Look - If you feel strongly also about this issue.. would you send an email to Anba Angelos??
Here's his address:
[email protected]
Alternatively, during your youth meetings - why not raise this as an activity we can all do? Its so easy, and costs nothing. Just email ANba Angelos.. he can then build a list of emails as a petition and present this. Being in England, I can address the youth here and anba angelos directly... but i don't wanna do this alone. I mean... if ALL the youth are interested, then He WILL do something.
Look how much visibility Anba Angelos has just for opening a new CHurch:
http://www.copticcentre.com/contactus.html
Just look at who he invited to this inauguration of the Church???!! Even H.H Prince Charles sent his apology for not being able to attend.
Why would he say no if we all approach him??
Send him a private email from your side, and at the same time, I'll present this idea to the youth in London.
All that Anba angelos has to do is present our petition to the Mayor of London. That's it. Simple. We don't wanna change all of England, just london, and then that will propagate. Im sure.
Protection of Children against Pornography.
I'm sending :)
I just wanna say ONE thing:
IT WAS MY IDEA FIRST!!!
I guess that doesnt matter so long as we do it; but im proud of u Hizz. Well done!!
you are ABSOLUTELY right.
Let's NOT bombard Anba Angelos with emails.. let's just collect the names of those interested in putting their names down for this petition:
I'll send Anba Angelos a letter with ALL the names of those interested.
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Tell me what u think ?? Please feel free to correct it. Or change the english if u want... my english isnt that good
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Dear Anba Angelos,
Hope you are doing OK.
There is an issue I'd like to raise to your attention, and seeking your guidance and support:
We are concerned that porn (in all its forms) are being exposed to children (and others) against their will in public places either by shop keepers playing sexually explicit music, or material or in phone booths covered with prostitution calling cards.
For the sake of protecting children (and others) against being exposed to such material against their will (whether it be audio or visual or even literal), we feel that this issue has to be presented to our policy makers. As our Coptic youth are united in this issue, and are concerned deeply by this; we feel that your assistance and support in presenting our petition to the Mayor of London respectfully asking that no shop or public place (shopping center, street market, stores etc - within the capital) exhibit any form of pornography for the sake of protecting children is paramount.
This is only for public places where such material is exposed against the will of anyone - especially children. Shop keepers should be responsible as to what they display publicly.
Here is a list of those, amongst your children who feel united in this issue:
((( FEEL FREE TO ADD YOUR EMAIL ADDY below)))
- actually, so not as to annoy Iqbal - why not just send me your email addy, and i'll add it to a list. Once i get 100 names, i'll send it to Sayedna
We're protecting children from porn - arent we? Doesnt matter who's children they are ? whether they are british, egyptian, australian?? I think those youth from europe will feel very strong about this because they know how bad it has become. (Even Orthodox11 is very upset about this). Its disgusting. Its not normal.
Really... there's something gravely wrongin our society for us to be silent about this.
but i also see hizz's point if the bishop seen all these names from people around the world would he think its valid and would he question how all these people came to know the situation overseas
thus, i suggest that you include in the letter that this topic was posted on tasbeha and generated much interest. btw the bishop would be aware of tasbeha right? if not state that this website's forum attracts a large number of people from acrsos the globe
In London, phone boxes are covered with prostitution calling cards... showing themselves as sex objects i cant believe this, it is disgusting i am lost for words in describing how horrified i am
of course we are saddened by what is happening overseas, and we are one in christ and therefore should speak as one and advocate in unison to create a stronger force and plus you need to start some where and since vas started this discussion and suggested the idea, id be more than happy to support your british children even if i dont like the queen lol jkz
well count me in !
[email protected] [Sydney, Australia]
speaking of being exposed to bad images :o
but seriously, i agree with this whole bad influence for little kids thing.
It's ironic how in Egypt u see along the road posters with "allaho akbar" while here in our countries u see naked women, how ironic is the world we live in ::)
Anyway, the latest news is this. I actually had a chat with a clinical psychologist. She informed me that kids are not affected by such images of porn IF the parents are a good example themselves, and that someone explains to them the images in a careful way.
that is indeed a joke, once a child sees porn they have seen it, i would like to know how parents explain these images??
are they french? lol jkz
"Everything-is-OK-so-long-as-u-don't-damage-the-environment BRITAIN".
Its a sad country. Honestly. No one says goodmorning to each other.
No wonder they sent all the convicts from here to australia!!
HAHAHAHHA
TOUCHé
but dont forget that "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Romans 5:20).
So did you visit our church then, cause i cannot remember seeing you except that one time in the monastery in Germany ???
I agreee and support this measure in all ways possible....here's my email
[email protected] (Coptic Orthodox/Cairo, Egypt)
Another note....u think that all the "Allah Akbar" posters in Egypt portray a God-loving society....or a pious one? HAAAAA....as we say in Egypt "Kaaan gheeirak ashtar" or "You're tooo naive!!!!" My friends...do NOT judge a book from its cover...judge from its contents...u guys outside Egypt are in a better position...at LEAST those prostitutes who advertise in phone booths do not portray themselves as pious scarf-wearing girls....
I am not criticizing anyone....I have my own huge faults....BUT...this is very visible trend in Egypt.....
Anyways....GOOD LUCK in your initiative people....count me in....
In HIS Name,
Rami
I didnt see any porn when i was in Egypt?
Have u been to London? Its disgusting?? Its clear why middle eastern muslims lose respect for England and then bomb it: They all come from religious countries, and then they immigrate to england to find that it promotes promiscuity etc.. Everything they hate. So they become more attached to their own religion (islam) even more and their own cultures. They don't integrate in England at all.
They all think the brits are backwards, and the brits look at muslims thinking that they're backwards.
But my problem is this Rami: The exposure of porn against my free will in public places. Whether its music/rap etc or images. You don't have that problem in Egypt? Do u??
ok there is this priest who is forced to go thru the m5 (a freeway/ highway) everyday with his son to go to work..
now on the way there , there is a HUGEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE billaboard of this half naked girl...
and so..everytime he passes by the billaboard...he trys to engage his son in conversation for 2 reason...
1. to reduce the likliness of looking up at the photo..
2. if he does happen to see it..conversation will sorta make him forget the image...
so u just have to be smart about it...