When I write something I feel will be controversial I do not post it for a couple of days. I do this so that I have time to think about what I am writing and the possible consequences of my words. My "cool down period" is a result of my age. I no longer mount my horse and immediately joust with windmills as I might have done as a younger man. The windmills always win. Of course it took a long time to learn this lesson. I have reached the end of my self imposed mandatory waiting period and have given a lot of thought about the ramifications of this post. And I have grabbed my lance. I feel I have to take on this windmill.
It all started simple enough with this reply to a post by kennisondan.
My post above was just me being me. If you have been around here any length of time you know that I am quick to tease my fellow forum members. And I do it not out of malice. I do it with affection. I am also lighthearted and never take myself very seriously, awshucks makes sure of that. And I am prone to tip toe on the line of what is acceptable and what is not. I avoid any postings involving religion or politics; I know where that usually leads. And yes, I use sexual innuendo at times but always try to do so in a manner that will not offend. I have targeted Vix often with this innuendo arrow, and I know she takes no offense via PM's we have shared. I would never intentionally offend her or any other member of this forum. And even though I tip toe on that line of moral and social acceptability, I never knowingly cross it.Mike P wrote:Missionary.kennisondan wrote:Re: what position will cause you to pass the shot .. ?
Many forum members here are most open regarding their religious beliefs. That is their choice. And I believe it is also their right. The vast majority are Christians. Why we even count amongst our members a Roman Catholic priest. To say that I am sensitive to this fact every time I hit the submit button here at the forum would be an understatement. When I submitted that one word response I was quite certain that no one would find it offensive. One of the most cherished and openly Christian members of our forum is saxman. And he had this to say about my one word post.
saxman wrote:I don't care who you are,that's funny
Well, saxman didn't count on taureau noir. He took offense at my one word and posted the following.
I was flabbergasted when I read the above. A forum member not only thought my small attempt at humor was vulgar, in some manner he was saying that I was swearing at his God. The Calvary was quick to arrive in the form of mikej. He posted the following:taureau noir wrote:
An other thing i do not like on the forum, is Sex joke and vulgarity.Like that one"Re: what position will cause you to pass the shot .. ?
Missionary."
I'm a christian like many here and I don't like that my God be swear at .
For the other comment ,I would give a8/10 on the articles on this forum.
Taureau noir
This brought the following response from taureau noir.mikej wrote:
where is God swore at in that statement
taureau noir wrote:God swear is not in that statement but sex&vulgarity is.
Taureau noir
Whew, I was off the hook for swearing at taureau noir's god but I was still guilty of sex & vulgarity. And I just didn't get it.
I watched a couple of television shows with the Swede the evening after the post by taureau noir. We watched two reruns, one was Boston Legal and the other was Two and a Half Men. In both of those shows the subject of sex was used in comedic fashion time and time again. And each use was far beyond the scope of my little one word reply. Both of these shows were wildly successful here in the United States. They passed rigorous screening from network censors. And both were shown in prime time and available to younger viewers. Yet my little one word line was termed "sex & vulgarity." I still didn't get it.
The next morning I checked the forum and saw some further discussions about the stance (I could have used position but I didn't want to be vulgar) taken by taureau noir. His last follow up post is below:
taureau noir wrote:I admit that a sense of humour has it place, Sorry if I offended
somebody.
It's just that it start with a pebble in the lake and most of the time it finish with a rock.Taureau noir
It is here where I whole heartedly agree with Taureau noir. It usually does start with a pebble in the lake and end up with rocks. And although I agree with his statement, I am one hundred and eighty degrees opposed to his interpretation. First and foremost, I do not equate sex with vulgarity. Sure, many "sex jokes" are vulgar. But my use of the word "missionary" in context with the question posed by kennisondan was hardly vulgar. It was simply a description of a position used by humans to have sex. And if anyone finds that vulgar they need a reality check. And the fact that "swearing at God" was even brought up in my opinion speaks volumes despite the eventual retraction. I think it pretty much sums up where taureau noir places his stake in the sand. And it is not on a beach were the majority of us dwell regardless of our Christian beliefs.
Yes Taureau noir it does begin with a pebble and end up with a rock. But if history has shown us anything the usual hurler of that rock is doing so in the name of one religion or another.
And I submit to you Taureau noir that you, and not I, cast the first stone. And further religious boulders flung into our forum pond are just as bad as the sexual vulgarities and "God swear" that you so much oppose.
Crazyfarmer suggested in the same thread that he wanted to see young, attractive and scantily clad girls holding crossbows in the magazine. And somehow I take the arrow for "missionary." Go figure.
Oh and guys, some of those avatars with young well endowed females are next in line with the new norms of acceptability here.
I think it is time to lighten up a bit.