Sometimes it’s great when you have an area where you can discuss an issue that not everyone agrees on. Although I do see some discussions as perhaps unacceptable it would be nice to have a few debates regarding various things.

Please don’t just add one line posts such as “I agree”, this topic is for you to discuses subject matter that doesn’t necessary have a right or wrong answer, and because of that it would be good if you could give your say in a informative manner.

If the topic takes off I’ll consider opening up a separate forum, within reason I will allow any issue PROVIDING you explain yourself, your point of view might be a minority or considered politically incorrect, but if you make people think and offer a reasonable explanation for your opinion it will stand.

I’d like to see this place as a think tank rather than a member bashing, if things go overly sour it will be closed.







For those who haven’t heard of the bad taste bear’s craze here is a quick recap. In a nut shell they are simply highly collectable bears that are posed in a way that creates bad taste (especially to certain conservative thinkers #haha# )

Over Easter the makers released Christian, when I saw this bear I smiled and knew I wanted it right awayChristain

When I got to my local store I found to my horror that it had already been banned: eek: , naturally its highly controversial especially for this time of year, but I'd be interested to hear any of your views on the banning of this (I think very clever) bear.

I wouldn't say I'm an atheist, but I'm most certainly not a Christian. So I don't have a problem whit this particular bear. I checked the site and I actually think they are very funny. I will not get into details about which one I like best, but I can tell ya: they kill me. I don't think you can buy those in Holland though. (Hmmmm)
If they were I would probably buy one for my brother. I wouldn't buy one for myself, but that's mostly cuz I don't have a nice place to put it and it would not go nicely with all my elves, angels and goblins #haha#

I have a very conservative grandmother and I'm certain she will be appalled by the sight of that bear. Probably think were all going to hell for even looking at it.

Banning seems like a bit too much to me. I always say: if you don't like it then just don't look at it. There's plenty of people who do like it.

I'm not sure that this is in good taste. This is commercial manipulation of moral standards. A lot of people think it is cool to have bears like this, but it is really that you are just thinking you are hip and happening if you buy one. You are only buying it because it is in style and fashion. (DanCe)

I mean it is not a question of your religious belief. That is another issue entirely. There is taste and there is bad taste. And I have terribly taste myself. I like rude things, but in the case of this bear, if you buy it you are being manipulated. So don't buy it. (woW>

Kevwhit

Personally, I love those bears! I think they are quite amusing, even though a few are just a bit over the top! My friend gave one of those as a present and they loved it! It could also be a personality thing. Personally, about Christian, I just thought: "Heh heh.. Now wouldn't that stir them all up.."

This stuff may not amuse alot of people, but in my family, dad's side are Dutch and Mum's is Australian. I am sure my Oma would think it as blasphemy because she is strictly Cristian and preaches and stuff. The Australian side in me thinks its a great laugh!! #haha# And I don't think there is anything wrong with being a little on the "Far Side" (heh heh) so to speak...

I try not to get sucked into the desire to “but what everyone else wants” but you might have a point, except I really like them, the names are witty, the designs are quality and they clearly make an excellent investment.

Part of the reason I liked Christian is because of its religious stance, at times it just annoys me, I understand that some people on this board will be religious and I mean no disrespect, but the constant negative run in’s I’ve had with it have left me somewhat anti. :Merc:

The website have stopped selling it now, lucky I brought mine the other day. (Winker)

O, well, it was a bit of a laugh. Christianity is a big deal of course, but that's a separate question from bad taste. Christians are not necessarily conservatives (although most are). As for these bears, um, I'd have to see one to be definitive. :o

Kevviewhit #haha#

You should buy one at least...I know your never look back #haha#

I have to disagree with you. I love these bears, i think they're hilarious, and if I had money to spend on such things then I would definitely buy them (I'm already searching E-bay for prices) but it has nothing to do with fashion, I've never cared about what is fashionable or trendy to own/collect/wear. I buy things because I like them, or need them (life's essentials only) and for NO other reason.

I oughta find out more about these bears before I pass comment. But I have to disagree. Of course we buy something because we like them, but surely if these bears are perhaps not always in the best of taste then that may well be a selling point for those, unlike you, who like to buy things because they are fashionable. Now in your case you are simply buying the bear because you like it. But the bears are aimed at a certain group that may be being manipulated. (woW>

kevviewhit

That’s true to a extent, but I think kids are the most likely to fall for peer pressure, the bears aren’t really cheap and are primary designed for collecting, that makes me think they are aimed at adults, especially the theme of some of them. Still adults can get addicted too (Winker) ><() In all they are good for a quick laugh with friends and much better than a dull old painting or a pair of birds. ><()

If they were aimed at kids it would be a diferent matter, but even if they are aimed at adults it could still be dodgy. If something is tasteless, it is tasteless. Now we are free to buy it but it is still dodgy. :o

Also, adults can be manipulated same as kids can be. I stand by my view that this could be market manipulation. We think we are free to choose but really we are being hoodwinked. :)

Kevvo

Now THAT I agree with, people are easy to manipulate, and by banning or withdrawing or retiring items, a lot of adults, young adults especially, will be even more inclined to buy them simply because they aren't readily available. Adults understand the nature of these bears and find them either funny and appealing or disgusting and tasteless. But whatever their opinion many will still buy them as they are a good talking point. It is a con, and it is manipulation on the marketing side, but as long as it isn't harming anyone, then there isn't a problem.

This is pretty much what is widely accepted to day and is the basic primciple on which governments have been acting in this country for the past forty years.
Then however you could make an argument against this; that who is to say that people are not being harmed by these toys? :(

It is like the acceptance of pornography, that there should be R18 videos/DVDs available to buy in sex shops (I know stronger than these bears), but, first, can we be sure that they are not getting in the right hands; and, second, are they really good for the people who choose to buy them. Are the people who buy them in fact being harmed by the porn they buy/slightly tasteless bears they buy? (woW>

I would say that people are not being harmed by the bears. I think it would be looney/OTT to say that they were; but although I am a complete libertarian on the porn issue (i.e. I would actually like no censorship, I do think that porn is harmful to the viewer; as well as being exploitative to the actors etc. <craze>

Is my thinking contradictory? You betcha. (tudy<


Kev

Christian was waiting for me when I got home tonight, on closer inspection I found this inscribed on the cross:

}C/{


Took me a while and a little help from someone who actually reads the bible, to finally fully grasp the bad taste aspect.

I wasn’t pleased with the delivery and won’t be ordering from the website again, the box was damaged, as any collector will know the box is vita to the selling value. I’ve got lots from Ebay and never had that problem, I’m just shocked that the makers of the bear, who claim to be the best at providing them know so little about basic packing. (Grrr!)

I agree with what you both said, but too tired to comment on it fully tonight.

What I do wonder, sort of on this topic, is that, talking of the health of "bad taste", why is there so much porn available to gay people, judging by what is advertised in gay mags. It seems kind of odd that, with gay liberation, came the freedom to indulge in solo pleasure; while I always thought that gay lib was about getting it on with someone else and even "loving" someone else (or maybe more than one person (woW>

Very odd. :(

Kevvie

I always get the impression that men are thought of as more sexual, I doubt sexuality would get in the way of that. I doubt that’s its actually true but if it’s socially accepted that men are more into sex then it makes sense that more man mags would advertise porn.

Good question I'd be interested to see what other people think too (Hmmmm)

There always has been porn. I can remember us all getting excited at uni because a bloke we knew was appearing in one of them. However, to broaden the debate out a bit, I do not think there has ever been so much soft-core and hard-core stuff available be you straight or be you gay. (woW>

This is supposed to be a sexually-free age (and it is, no question about that) and porno makers have always presented themselves as sexually liberating. But how liberating really is the current large commercial porn industry (and I mean on the web too). (Rolly)

Surely it does not expand possibilities. That can only be explored really in a relationship. Surely it closes them out because it can become addictive and cause one not to seek out relationships. There's all sorts of variables here. Let's have a chat as Knuxs says above. #haha#

Kevin

Haven't been here for a while, but I am grasping the concepts we are all putting forward... About the porn: I dislike it! Its everywhere! You'll be surprised at the amount of it! It's plastered all over the television and in ads everywhere. Take the yoghurt ads for instance: Some beautiful chic who suductively/playfully licks the spoon...I think it is one VERY successful way to grab people's attention.

Sure, porn and the like are aimed at EVERYONE..... it just depends on what you like....

For me the questiion is, though, is porn, be in soft like in advertising or hard core, good for us? :o

I am not saying it should be banned. Not at all. But is that it is everywhere really good for us. Are we really responsible? :(

Kevvie

I dont think I understand you question? :NO:


Sex sells, hetro men like to see women half naked leaning over a car and hetro women like to see hot male flesh.

I dont think many people end up with people from adverts, but I suppose your buying into a fasntasy rather than reality.

What I'm loving is the make up ads aimed at hetro men, they have an identical theme, he does something thats a little "Gay" and then gets a stunning girl because he looks good. :rolleyes: Its that which is scary for me, that adverts can fool you into thinking you need something. Dont get me wrong I adore a man who takes care of himself, it shows that they will take care of you. Although the metrosexuals I've met are just too much. :hee:

Wow I'm late. :o ^_^


If sex wasnt such a big deal then I dont think it would be that bigger issue, porn I mean. There is something naughty about it, gives you a kick to watch others doing it, or having a man (or women) shoving parts of there body at you from the cover of a magazine. No one gets hurt and you get your kicks.

Sex is basically what the world is all about, and people have just cashed in on that.




I have a question, is incest always wrong, is it wrong because soceity thinks it is, or is there another reason?

Thanks to the Canadian TV/theoretical discussion started in another thread, I went to look for this one. I want discussion!

Ooh, and we have a difficult discussion already.
I do think incest is wrong because of the rules of our society. And it has been imprinted in my conscious so much, that I detest the term terribly. But that is not fair. I asociate incest always with child molestation, but incest is much broader: adults (cousins/nephews and nieces is the most common example, I guess) could really love each other, yet if they were having sex it would be called incest. I don't know if that is wrong. I really don't know.

The term is loaded with negative connotations, which would immediatly makes us think that incest is wrong. I do think our society, the norms and values of our ideologies, impose that upon us.