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Old 09-02-2002, 12:56 PM   #1
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Post Secular Humanism and Sexual Exploitation

In the "Is Child Pornography Really Bad?" thread, it was suggested that some secular humanist groups advocate child sexploitation. As some mentioned in that same thread, it's easy for any group to claim that they are 'secular humanist' or 'christian' or whatever. While the Humanist Manifestoes aren't dogma or law, they are viewed as being generally accurate portrayals of humanistic ideals.

On that note, I offer this paragraph from Humanist Manifesto II (emphasis mine):

Quote:
SIXTH: In the area of sexuality, we believe that intolerant attitudes, often cultivated by orthodox religions and puritanical cultures, unduly repress sexual conduct. The right to birth control, abortion, and divorce should be recognized. While we do not approve of exploitive, denigrating forms of sexual expression, neither do we wish to prohibit, by law or social sanction, sexual behavior between consenting adults. The many varieties of sexual exploration should not in themselves be considered "evil." Without countenancing mindless permissiveness or unbridled promiscuity, a civilized society should be a tolerant one. Short of harming others or compelling them to do likewise, individuals should be permitted to express their sexual proclivities and pursue their life-styles as they desire. We wish to cultivate the development of a responsible attitude toward sexuality, in which humans are not exploited as sexual objects, and in which intimacy, sensitivity, respect, and honesty in interpersonal relations are encouraged. Moral education for children and adults is an important way of developing awareness and sexual maturity.
While sex education for minors and adults is viewed as necessary to promote responsibility, the freedom to legally engage in sexual activity is granted solely to consenting adults. Sexual activity with and between minors is (as it should be) restricted by both law and social sanction. All forms of exploitation and abuse are disapproved of.

Unlike atheism or agnosticism (which are fairly broad categories of thought), secular humanism is a defined philosophy. It has it's variations, but for the most part, there is an overall standard. Any group or individual claiming "secular humanism" should at least have some resemblance to the established norm. Abusing and exploiting people -- physically, sexually, or emotionally -- runs counter to humanistic ideals.
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