Originally posted by 1littlewolf
This thread in general stinks of being just another thinly veiled attempt to start bashing Christians. The real issues here are what are acceptable
societal norms.
For the 100th time...NO ONE IS "BASHING" CHRISTIANS!! I agree 100% that it's about societal norms. Now...in general...which demographic group in the
United States has BOTH historically AND currently had an ENORMOUS problems with teaching and providing contraception in sex ed classes, acknowledging
the reality of teenage sexual behavior, and accepting that the Federal Government simply does not have the Constitutional authority to regulate human
reproduction? (i.e. They cannot PREVENT you from having an abortion any more than they can REQUIRE you to have one.) Is it:
A) The Atheists, Agnostics, and Secular Humanists.
B) The Jews.
C) Traditional Liberals
D) Traditional Conservatives
E) Hardcore, Right-Wing, Science-Denying, Christian Fundamentalists Who Think The Bible Is Best Interpreted Literally.
(Hint: Only one correct answer when talking about the demographics as whole...not necessarily an exception to the rule here and there).
Yes they often have quite an overlap with the religious belief systems which predominate in the country in question, but usually in a much more
indirect way (At least in 1st world countries). In Europe yes they do have overall a much more liberal view of sex, drugs and alcohol. And yet they
are abused far less than in the States which overall tends to be much more religious.
^^^ Exactly. That's the whole point of the thread.
The key here is if you want someone to be responsible, you cannot treat them as some overgrown child. It is not uncommon for teens in Europe to have a
class of wine with their meals and yet alcohol is far less of a problem over there. Childhood used to end at 12 or 13, now its been extended to 21.
I again WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree. We wonder why the kids in our nation don't move out of the basement until their mid-20's...yet simultaneously keep them
sheltered in a hermetically sealed bubble until they are 21 years old. You can't have it both ways....if you want kids to act like even YOUNG adults
at the age of 18...you just have to start TREATING THEM that way a little sooner.
Besides...what could POSSIBLY be WORSE PARENTING than not allowing your child to fulfill, learn about, or experience their sexual, emotional, and
psychological NEEDS at home...and then dropping them off at college when they are 18 yrs old in a dorm FILLED with sex, drugs, booze, and rock and
roll?? Isn't it better that they are permitted to engage in normal human behavior at home first WITHOUT having to be ashamed, embarrassed, or sneak
around??
I think so....and the statistics would seem to indicate that I'm largely correct. Irrespective of one's personal opinion or religious
tradition...data are suggesting raising kids in a "fire and brimstone"/Abstinence/Prohibition sort of environment about sexuality is simply
irresponsible.
One must also consider poverty and education levels which is a much greater influencing factor than religion (in 1st world nations). The US of A is
probably the worst in these two areas than anywhere else in the developed world...
I AGREE 100%!!!!!!
That's why I made certain to point out in the OP SOME OF THE
OTHER sociological factors which makes the Netherlands much, much, different from
Mississippi besides JUST a lack of the religious extremism which we see taking root in much of the Deep South.
For example poverty and/or FEAR of poverty is CLEARLY one of the driving forces in women determining to abort. To say it isn't is to simply deny
reality. However...the Netherlands is not only very liberal about such things as sex and drugs...they are ALSO have around 27% of the country who are
Atheists (tied for Belgium for #3 in the world. #1 being France at 33% and #2 being the Czech republic at 30%) AND having the good sense to have a
lot of robust social programs whilst still maintaing a thriving free market system.
To ignore the fact that mothers-to-be in the Netherlands don't have to fear financial ruin NEARLY to the extent that American mothers-to-be do is
simply poor critical thinking. After all...the infant mortality rate in the US is nearly TWICE as high as it is in the Netherlands due to the vastly
superior socialized medical care that ALL women receive.
However...don't ALL of these points indicate that the wisest, best, and most responsible path forward is to in a GENERAL sense strive for policy that
more closely mirrors the Netherlands rather than those of Mississippi??
...at least if you are "against" abortion and teen pregnancy that is.
Right??
edit on 9-12-2012 by milominderbinder because: formatting
