1. I am well-aware that I will likely get attacked for posting.
2. I'm well-aware that I'll probably be gossiped about for posting on a certain other thread in a less well-trafficked area of the forum.
3. Those who choose to attack me state more about their own character than about mine.
4. I will not be responding to anyone who chooses to attack me.
5. I will report anyone who attacks me.
Now that those little disclaimers are out of the way, I'll address the topic at hand.
My understanding is that the forums here on CDFF are not monitored by admin. When a thread is closed, it is because it has been reported, not because the admin. read all of the threads and picked up on it themselves. So, if you see something in the Biblical Discussions section that violates the forum rules (as outlined in the Terms of Service and in the red print at the top of the forum pages), then you should report it.
Now, as far as why the thread just below this one was closed, by guess would be that it's because I reported it. Since it would appear to not be obvious why such a thread would be reported, I'll explain: It violates the forum rules. Part 17 of the TOS states: "You represent and warrant that you shall not use the Website or Services to upload, post, transmit, display, perform or distribute any content, information or materials that: (a) are libelous, defamatory, abusive, or threatening, excessively violent, harassing, obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, or pornographic; (b) constitute child pornography..." Additionally, the red "warning" at the top of the forum pages states: "Obscenity, Inappropriate Language or Insults WILL NOT BE TOLERATED HERE."
Let's get specific about how exactly the OP violates these rules:
1. The question as to where one could buy a sex slave is suggestive of violence. Contrary to what many people in the US believe, the sex trade is often not entered into willingly. Girls and women are abducted... beaten... raped. When someone asks where they could buy a sex slave, they are, essentially, asking that someone recruit a sex slave into the business for them to buy. Do you know why minors (and older women) are forced into the sex trade? Because they're aren't enough of-age (willing) prostitutes to meet the demand. The answer to the problem is not to increase demand by renting yourself a sex slave.
2. Suggesting that you would like to buy a sex slave is obscene, lewd, etc. Sex slavery is not glamorous, and the prostitute really isn't going to care if it's a non-Christian or Christian that she's being forced to have sex with. Either way, assuming that was sold as a slave (as was stated in the scenario) v. willingly entering the trade, she is being forced to have sex. Forced sex is otherwise referred to as rape. While I know that some are okay with a culture of rape, as Christians, my hope would be that we could take a stand against it.
3. Pornography is nearly always associated with sex trafficking. Many victims are also forced into posting for pictures and films, and these pictures and films are sometimes sold right along with the girls/women.
4. This post insults victims of sex trafficking, by belittling the pain that they have experienced. When someone takes the worst experience of your life and makes a joke out of it, it's simply not funny. It's insulting. The OP was informed that his post came across that way and had ample opportunity to retract his statements, but he choose not to. Additionally, he stated that he would publicly apologize to any victims who told him that they were offended by the post. Yet, when a victim contacted him, he challenged her view of the post as offensive and did not post the promised public apology. And he was online posting on other threads during this time, so he did have ample opportunity to post the apology. While I can't claim to know anyone's heart (not always even my own), this does suggest to me that his motive was not to help sex trafficking victims. In my opinion, if he wanted to help, at the moment it was pointed out to him that his post could be construed otherwise, he would have retracted his statements and apologized. We all slip up and can be inappropriate with our jokes without realizing it sometimes. But, when it's pointed out to us, then we can't claim ignorance any longer. At that point, we know it's offensive and we have a choice to either continue in the offence or retract and apologize. Helping and hurting are opposites. If he wanted to help, but was made aware that he was actually hurting, then how he continues from that point makes a statement as to intentions and motive. The fact that another member on the thread posted the ROFL emoticon illustrates that it wasn't just me who thought that it was a joke v. an actual statement of trying to help. The fact that someone was at it is also insulting, and another reason why I reported the thread.
5. Prostitutes are often not of age, and it's therefore illegal to rent/buy them.
I am all for people wanting to help sex trafficking victims. In fact, I'm currently helping to campaign for a rather large grant for a local, Christian non-profit that helps rescue and restore sex trafficking victims and end the demand for the sex trade. There are many ways to help out, and had the OP approached this from a standpoint of wanting to help, then I'd be on board with it. I'm glad to discuss the issue of sex trafficking at length (although anytime I've pro-actively brought it up here, I've gotten attacked; come to think of it, you've been one of the ones to be not-so-nice to me when I've brought up some difficult subjects) as long as the discussion is focused on helping rather than joking or hurting. Perhaps the OP would like to start a new thread on the topic that's directed properly. If someone genuinely wants to help, then a good way to start is simply by asking how they can help. If anyone reading this wants information on how to help, they can also just message me. We're not supposed post links out here on the forum, so I won't, but there are some great opportunities out there that I could help get people plugged into who genuinely want to help.
As someone who was victimized by domestic minor sex trafficking (under coercion) for many years, I feel like I can say with at least a little bit of authority that the thread below this one is hurtful to me and that it's likely that it would be hurtful to other victims. The bottom line here is that we should care for each other on here as brothers and sisters in Christ. There's absolutely no place in that for anyone to be poking fun at someone else's trauma.
This is a perfect example of how the modern world is run by a few seeking control through the use of buzz words. These people are most often women and the men they have seduced into their thinking.
In this case the post was perverted by a few who felt threatened by it. ManofGod and Pixy behind the scenes made serious accusations to which I respondeded by asking if there was any victims of the sex trade offended by my post and I would publicly apologize.
So what do they do???
Have the post closed before the truth can come out
Two, I typically agree with you for the most part, but not this time. I think that you were out-of-line with your topic. No, I didn't report it, and I didn't even read it until this morning when I saw THIS topic.
There are some subjects, and sex slavery is one of them, that should never be laughed at, poked fun at, or even mentioned in jest. The hurt runs too deep and too far, and is too permanent. The person who is hurt might not even be someone who was a sex slave herself. It could be a man whose daughter disappeared a few years ago and is suspected to have been forced into slavery. It can be the new Christian who took paid for sex slave services in the past.
Yes, I know that someone might be offended by anything we post on a public forum. We can't just not post because of that. But aren't some things just obviously "risky" topics? It is one thing to have a mature, adult discussion about a topic like that, and quite another to joke about it.
After all the sexually explicit posts you have posted on this forum, pixel, that have made women and men both un- comfortable, you have the audacity to report someone? Oh I get it! There are a chosen few who can discuss whatever they like but if they don't like what someone else is saying they have it closed down.
As i said in the other post it was not a wise thing to post. You should not do this thing two. It is not worth the trouble tp pursue. I new you were heading for trouble.
As I said in your new post that there are women here that have been raped. They may not even have posted, they are not cowards but victems that have to heal.
It was very disrespectfull to start a new post. You should have just banked that one as a bad move.
Pixy has been in error about writing such post too. take it as a lesson and move on.
This is a very dangerous topic that should have not been posted.We all have made that error two. i am speaking to myself here. i knew you were going to get it. Your caring brother in the lord,Dennis
PS. I am one of those who disagree with you my friend. But I would never turn you or chevy in for such a stupid post. I will just let you both know that it should be dropped.
The cowards are those who had the post closed before their accusations could be proved one way or another after I stepped up and called them on it.....Cowards!
I have little or no respect for those who attack, villainize and hide behind political correctness while they employ a double standard for themselves.
These are a enemies of the truth who sacrifice it for good feelings. Some and it is already here it will be the same mindset that will attack the Bible for hate speech because of its position on homosexuality
....the question then becomes Dennis;
What side are you going to support? Will you sacrifice truth for unity?
Well, I may be about to step barefoot into a warm cowpie with this one but I think everyone posting in this topic needs to step back and take a breather. Go read James 3 and then Matthew 18:15-20.
Two, I was not offended by your comment. I could tell you were joking and gave you the benefit of the doubt. However, I can see how others may have taken offense. You need to understand that when you make a joke about a sensitive topic, it is wise to accept criticism of the joke with humility rather than dismissing the concern of a brother or sister in Christ who may have taken issue with it.
Now to everyone else who piled on Two, why do you feel the need to do so? If you took offense to his comment, try keeping a level head and maybe just try sending him a private comment instead. There is no reason to publicly pile on a guy for a flippant comment that is clearly in jest. When you do things like that, you alienate a brother. Are we not, as Christians, suppose to be loving and open with each other? Piling on one another does not strike me as that.
Pixy and Two (and Chevy to some extent), I've seen several topics now where you have disagreed vehemently with each other and I see a lot of either traded barbs or things where one person basically does the online equivalent of crossing your arms and stonewalling the other. I'm not saying you have to like each other or agree on everything but as Christians, you should at least attempt to deal with each other in humility even if previous attempts to do so have not been met with success.
That is all I have to say for now. Sorry if I have offended anyone.
To answer several things, I was so shocked by the first post chevy a laughed in disbelief in what I was reading. I was to shocked to believe that I was reading it.
I am on nobody's side ok.This is not what it is about.
A year and half before I got married a woman knocked on my door. She had me call the police, i knew her, two men raped her. They were never caught. i had to give her some clothing to wear. After, i got over my disbelief in what I read, i voiced my opposition to it.
My youngest brother was assualted at the age of 3 by a baby sitter. He is still messed up to this day.
I knew that those post would be closed by a moderator. i just knew it. that kind of behavior is not put up With here.
Yes, it did catch me off guard. i needed a day to think it over. i just could not believe what I had read. i still am in shock.
You have lost some respect here by some of the women who called you friends. Not all women are like attention getters.
This really does concern me. No I will not send any messages in private. And nobody is to tell me their own rape story like when Pixy confessed her's. that is an issue that needs to be counciled in private. Some one told me they had been raped and left a year ago after PIxy posted her story.
Nothing good comes of this kind of thing. So, do not mail me in private people to gain sympathy.
at it is also insulting, and another reason why I reported the thread.