The fact that this student does not want to challenge their own views and world view is sad. It's college, experience something new, something that bothers you, something that you disagree with, something that absolutely disgusts you.

 

Living in your own world and never looking around or trying to expand it is an awful and dangerous way to be a member of society.

"Relax, it's just sex"

So then when does it stop? When does t go to far? Bringing Dick Steele and Jenna Jamison in to perform a live sex act for the sex ed class? Or is that acceptable (and some would argue that it is acceptable I'm sure). There has to be a limit somewhere. Having a graphic comic book sex novel I think pretty much crosses that line for many, possibly most, when considering acceptable literature in this context.

 

 

Even though Habib posted a review that reveals the artistic merit of the book along with showing the book isn't just a graphic adult comic book about sex? There seems to be way more to the book than just sex even though it is obvious some people will only see the sex and be appalled. And I get it, I get appalled when I read books about conservatism. They should take those off of recommended reading lists also.

So then when does it stop? When does t go to far? Bringing Dick Steele and Jenna Jamison in to perform a live sex act for the sex ed class? Or is that acceptable (and some would argue that it is acceptable I'm sure). There has to be a limit somewhere. Having a graphic comic book sex novel I think pretty much crosses that line for many, possibly most, when considering acceptable literature in this context.

 

You're a compendium of trivia these days.:thumb: I wouldn't have had a clue.

You're a compendium of trivia these days.:thumb: I wouldn't have had a clue.

 

Hey, I didn't say I wouldn't watch em. Just for the story line and great acting, of course.:whistling:

I was required to read "Philosophy in the Bedroom" when I was in college.

 

I'd bet that's worse.

Is nothing too vile that it shouldn't be used in the classroom?

 

Hotsnakes and others, Did you read the article or listen to the interview? The student hasn't isolated himself and he hasn't insulated himself from all kinds of ideas including talking about or reading about homosexuality. He is willing to discuss issues and learn about views that would challenge his own. He, in fact, wants to. It is one reason that he hasn't denied people interviews. He is willing to be questioned and challenged. He isn't willing to read this graphic novel because its depictions are too graphic and gratuitous. He has a moral issue with it. He has that right.

 

So, he should not seek to get a degree in pornographic literature or film making because that would force him to view it. Agreed. But he shouldn't be forced to view pornography for a class when there are many other ways to present issues and get to the themes the professor wishes to expose his/her students to.

 

The young man simply said, "This is against my convictions and I won't do it." He should be commended yet all I've seen is people criticizing him and supporting the professor's right to promote pornography. Viewing pornography is different than reading about, say, racism. Viewing pornography involves a person in the illicit nature of pornography while reading about racism does not involve the reader acting in racist ways. He is merely reading about how someone else did so.

 

He could also read in a book that two women had sex without reading about its details. That would be different than viewing pictures of them actually doing it.

The fact that this student does not want to challenge their own views and world view is sad. It's college, experience something new, something that bothers you, something that you disagree with, something that absolutely disgusts you.

 

Living in your own world and never looking around or trying to expand it is an awful and dangerous way to be a member of society.

 

This does not represent what the kid said or did at all. Living in your own world and not actually bothering to get the facts, yet proceeding to pronounce judgment without knowledge isn't a very good way to live either.

So...where does everyone stand on censorship? This wasn't required reading, only recommended. There should be no compulsion to remove it as a recommendation. I would not read a comic book. I would not read a book depicting graphic sex. I would question WHY it was recommended. But I would never dream it should be banned or restricted. The student is free to read it or not. I don't get why this is a big deal.

Habib, that is not what the young man did. Saying so begs the question. He is objecting to the pornographic images that he does not want to see. The content of the book could be conveyed without graphically depicting oral sex or any sex, for that matter. Sex may be referred to without being graphic. This is the issue the young man had.

 

Many objectionable things have been dubbed artistically worthy objects but that does not make them so. Usually there is a political agenda involved and this garners the leftist elite's approval. So awards do not mean it is not also pornographic.

 

Any scholar worth his salt should be able to find another way to expose his/her students to ideas without resorting to pornography.

 

He isn't being forced to see anything he doesn't want to see. All he has to do is not read it.

My last points:

 

We have vastly different definitions of pornography. I don't believe depictions of sex or nudity are de facto pornographic. But, that's semantics.

 

I don't have any issue with the student criticizing the book or speaking his mind. Good for him.

 

I do have a concern over what I perceive to be a trend in colleges and universities (and the citizens they produce) where censorship is considered the accepted response to things we don't like. This book doesn't jive with my beliefs and expectations? I won't read it, it shouldn't be assigned, and a book for people like me should replace it. This speaker has opinions I don't like? I will complain until the university disinvites them and replaces them with someone I'm comfortable with.

So...where does everyone stand on censorship? This wasn't required reading, only recommended. There should be no compulsion to remove it as a recommendation. I would not read a comic book. I would not read a book depicting graphic sex. I would question WHY it was recommended. But I would never dream it should be banned or restricted. The student is free to read it or not. I don't get why this is a big deal.

 

He didn't try to get it banned. Apparently, he simply mentioned this situation on social media and it took on a life of its own. The only reason you and I have heard about it or anyone else beyond that young man's acquaintances and FaceBook friends is because the media thought it had a story to run with. "Christian student refuses to consider homosexual perspective. Once again a Christian is guilty of bigotry against homosexuals, etc., etc." That is the only reason it is news.

 

Unfortunately, when the media bothered to talk to the student they found out he was engaged in discussions with a diverse group of people and is quite willing to hear about other perspectives. He only objected to the pornographic depictions of sex that were included in the graphic novel. He has scruples and he isn't willing to chuck them to satisfy others. That's his right. There really is no story as far as i am concerned. He refused and the professor provided an alternative. End of story.

 

So why villify the kid?

He didn't try to get it banned. Apparently, he simply mentioned this situation on social media and it took on a life of its own. The only reason you and I have heard about it or anyone else beyond that young man's acquaintances and FaceBook friends is because the media thought it had a story to run with. "Christian student refuses to consider homosexual perspective. Once again a Christian is guilty of bigotry against homosexuals, etc., etc." That is the only reason it is news.

 

Unfortunately, when the media bothered to talk to the student they found out he was engaged in discussions with a diverse group of people and is quite willing to hear about other perspectives. He only objected to the pornographic depictions of sex that were included in the graphic novel. He has scruples and he isn't willing to chuck them to satisfy others. That's his right. There really is no story as far as i am concerned. He refused and the professor provided an alternative. End of story.

 

So why villify the kid?

 

Because he made it a story when he went to the Facebook page of the Duke Class of 2019 to express his outrage and show off his moral compass. He made it a story when he did that.

seems like he was starting a discussion with his classmates. Isn't this what everybody on here has been saying he should do?

 

Just kidding.

I agree with Habib. Your idea and my idea of pornography are probably vastly different!

 

Anybody remember the Mapplethorpe exhibits that came through Cincinnati years ago? It's just different strokes for different folks.