Taboos

[TheManeki]

So I came across this article today: "Saudi Cops Grab US Woman in Starbucks; Kingdom's Religious Police Take Her to Jail for Sitting with Man in Coffee Shop."

It would be very easy just to say that this incident is just another example of taboos gone horribly wrong and condemn the Saudi society, but instead it got me thinking along more introspective lines.

Instead of solely focusing on the Saudis, we need to also think about our own cultures. What taboos do we have that need to be done away with? What taboos do we have that we need to keep? What taboos do we need to instate? Do we even need taboos?

 

[Vene]

Wow, nothing yet? I find this hard to believe.

As for taboos here, I would say people avoiding topics even remotely related to sex. Such as birth control, homosexuality (bisexuality for that matter), sexual development, menstruation, intersexuality, and why not, transsexuality.

 

[Caitlin.ann]

Instead of solely focusing on the Saudis, we need to also think about our own cultures. What taboos do we have that need to be done away with? What taboos do we have that we need to keep? What taboos do we need to instate? Do we even need taboos?

We need to get rid of the taboos that sexuality, nudity, pleasure, etc. is all shameful. Of course theres a time and a place for all of these things, but none of them are shameful. We also need to get rid of the "my religion is better than yours" mentality which makes other religions taboo. I think the taboos that are good to keep are those involving harm to individuals (i.e. rape and child molestation are taboo which is good).

 

[CSmrw]

So I came across this article today: "Saudi Cops Grab US Woman in Starbucks; Kingdom's Religious Police Take Her to Jail for Sitting with Man in Coffee Shop."

It would be very easy just to say that this incident is just another example of taboos gone horribly wrong and condemn the Saudi society, but instead it got me thinking along more introspective lines.

Instead of solely focusing on the Saudis, we need to also think about our own cultures. What taboos do we have that need to be done away with? What taboos do we have that we need to keep? What taboos do we need to instate? Do we even need taboos?

All vice laws should go. Across the board.

 

[Q2004]

A touch OT; what legitimate reason is there for more powerful countries to not cripple and destroy the Saudi Government and replace it with a puppet? Or do we only do that when we stand to gain monetarily?

 

[Robbie_James_Francis]

I'm not sure I can think of many taboos we need to get rid of...I'm far too close with my friends, and we drink far too much so there's very few taboos in my day-to-day life.

A touch OT; what legitimate reason is there for more powerful countries to not cripple and destroy the Saudi Government and replace it with a puppet? Or do we only do that when we stand to gain monetarily?

Why on earth would we care about human rights violations in a country that gives us its oil freely?!

 

[sbvera13]

Aside from teh assorted sexuality related ones, I'm having a hard time coming up with taboos in our society. I'm sure they are there, of course, but since I have been unconsciously indoctrinated in them since birth, I'm having a hard time picking them out.

Come to think of it political correctness has created an unholy mess of new taboos. My archery coach has to use a wheelchair and jokes about disabilities regularly. If anyone tells him he should think more highly of himself then that, he points out to them that he's an Olympic athlete and tells them to shove it. If he wasn't disabled himself he wouldn't be able to hold that attitude; he takes enough flak for it as it stands anyway.

 

[quatona]

So I came across this article today: "Saudi Cops Grab US Woman in Starbucks; Kingdom's Religious Police Take Her to Jail for Sitting with Man in Coffee Shop."

It would be very easy just to say that this incident is just another example of taboos gone horribly wrong and condemn the Saudi society, but instead it got me thinking along more introspective lines.

Instead of solely focusing on the Saudis, we need to also think about our own cultures. What taboos do we have that need to be done away with? What taboos do we have that we need to keep? What taboos do we need to instate? Do we even need taboos?

It depends a bit on the exact meaning you use "taboo" in. In my terminology a taboo ceases to exist already when it is questioned or when its validity is disputed. Your request to investigate the validity of taboos is thus in itself the rejection of taboos in general, and that would be my position, as well.

 

[TheManeki]

It depends a bit on the exact meaning you use "taboo" in. In my terminology a taboo ceases to exist already when it is questioned or when its validity is disputed. Your request to investigate the validity of taboos is thus in itself the rejection of taboos in general, and that would be my position, as well.

I tend to agree, quatona. We need to be able to talk and investigate things without being subject to a knee-jerk reaction that quashes all discussion. I can't think of any subjects that need this kind of protection.

 

[Vene]

We need to get rid of the taboos that sexuality, nudity, pleasure, etc. is all shameful. Of course theres a time and a place for all of these things, but none of them are shameful. We also need to get rid of the "my religion is better than yours" mentality which makes other religions taboo. I think the taboos that are good to keep are those involving harm to individuals (i.e. rape and child molestation are taboo which is good).

Speaking of rape, the idea that it's somehow the victim's fault ('she was asking for it') needs to go.

 

[cantata]

The taboo about death. We need to talk about death honestly, and we definitely need to stop trying to think of ever more wishy-washy euphemisms for it.

Periods, too, of course.

 

[stan1980]

Periods, too, of course.

Is that a taboo? I used to live with a house full of girls, and that was all they used to talk about! (almost)

 

[Vene]

Periods, too, of course.

Ha! Bet ya to it.

Wow, nothing yet? I find this hard to believe.

As for taboos here, I would say people avoiding topics even remotely related to sex. Such as birth control, homosexuality (bisexuality for that matter), sexual development, menstruation, intersexuality, and why not, transsexuality.

 

[cantata]

Is that a taboo? I used to live with a house full of girls, and that was all they used to talk about! (almost)

Girls talk about it. But men are horrified when they are even mentioned, despite the fact that they disrupt a week of most women's lives and can be painful, stressful and sometimes rather scary.

And yes, Vene, I know you mentioned it before. I did read the thread. I was just seconding, because it's something that particularly bothers me.

 

[Vene]

Girls talk about it. But men are horrified when they are even mentioned, despite the fact that they disrupt a week of most women's lives and can be painful, stressful and sometimes rather scary.

And yes, Vene, I know you mentioned it before. I did read the thread. I was just seconding, because it's something that particularly bothers me.

I see. No hard feelings either way.
*continues enjoying his life*

 

[cantata]

*continues enjoying his life*

Nice work there!

 

[LittleNipper]

We need to get rid of the taboos that sexuality, nudity, pleasure, etc. is all shameful. Of course theres a time and a place for all of these things, but none of them are shameful. We also need to get rid of the "my religion is better than yours" mentality which makes other religions taboo. I think the taboos that are good to keep are those involving harm to individuals (i.e. rape and child molestation are taboo which is good).

Nudity in the great outdoors will get you a sunburned beepie and posion ivy on you bum.

 

[Vene]

Nudity in the great outdoors will get you a sunburned beebie and posion ivy on you bum.

Which is why you need sunscreen and make sure to avoid leaves of three.

 

[Caitlin.ann]

Speaking of rape, the idea that it's somehow the victim's fault ('she was asking for it') needs to go.

I totally agree with that one as well.

 

[Caitlin.ann]

Nudity in the great outdoors will get you a sunburned beebie and posion ivy on you bum.

Not always..way to make another great sweeping generalization.