Spitzer Symptomatic of Culture's Affliction
The Question: What does the Eliot Spitzer scandal say about our public and private morality? Should he have resigned?
While the public’s outrage at Spitzer’s sex scandal is more than justifiable, it is also misplaced. With a number of politicians falling from grace in the past few years for infidelity and illicit sexual activities, this latest scandal should compel our society to do more than just balk and shake our heads. Spitzer’s recent behavior is reflective of a greater societal affliction, the root problems of which need to be identified and treated. Spitzer’s problem was only a symptom of this affliction; if we searched for its cause, we’d realize that many others are implicated.
It didn’t take Spitzer’s fall to reinforce the fact that our society is undergoing a moral crisis and it’s time we pay attention to it. Whether walking through the mall or watching television, I am constantly bombarded by an invasive level of ‘soft porn’ that is widely accepted as ‘advertisement.’ The greatest culprit, the marketing industry, caters to men as their primary consumers, appealing to their scopophilic desires (obtaining sexual pleasure by looking at nude or erotic images) and projecting women’s bodies as commodities. The sexually provocative images used to sell nearly everything – from a pair of jeans to a chocolate bar – depict women in a way that subconsciously leads to their degradation and objectification.
Our society’s glorification of sex through the media, music and film industries has come to haunt us. Young girls as young as 11 and 12 years old are growing up in America believing that their value as human beings is based on their sexual appeal. Dressing beyond their age, young girls engage in hyper consumerism of skimpy clothing and cosmetics – not for their own gratification – but for the gratification of men. Young boys in middle school are growing up to believe that women were created for their own sexual pleasure.
As a Muslim feminist, I have a serious problem with our society’s denial of this epidemic. If we’re going to pay so much attention to one man’s illicit sexual behavior, let’s look at our own society’s encouragement of deviant practices through the ways in which women’s bodies are exploited, commodified and objectified in film, music and – the worst culprit of them all – the marketing industry.
I am not, by any means, absolving Splitzer of responsibility for his outrageous behavior. At the same time, I find it hypocritical not to turn a critical eye inward and address our own responsibility – as a collective – for engendering the type of attitude and atmosphere where women’s bodies are treated as commodities for sale.
By
Hadia Mubarak
|
March 14, 2008; 8:20 AM ET
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Posted by: Georgiason | July 7, 2008 6:22 AM
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It's interesting that people seem to have rejected Mubarak's ideas simply because they don't like how she's dressed in her picture or her personal faith. How about actually considering the ideas she puts forward and thinking about them critically, instead of letting your personal prejudices get in the way?
A spade is a spade, no matter who calls it.
Sure, there are problems in the Muslim world especially in relation to women, but that's not the point of the article.
Also, who are you to say that because Ms. Mubarak wear the hijab she is objectified or oppressed, and therefore conclude that she has no right to contribute to this debate? Perhaps she wears it, like many Muslim women do, as a statement that she wishes to be judged by her character, intellect and personality and not by her physical appearance. If that is the case, she has every right to be critical of a trend in society that seems to focus on a woman's appearance as the measure of her value, as opposed to her principles or character. Any woman who chooses to reject that idea for herself has the right to be critical of it.
I also just have to say that whoever said that Ms. Mubarak 'doing this kind of thing in an Islamic nation could get her killed' is ignorant. She couldn't say so in Egypt? How about Malaysia? There are many different Muslim countries in the world and the freedoms they allow their citizens vary greatly. I would suggest that such a person learn about the world from say, actual books, or perhaps even actually talking to people from other parts of the world, and not Fox News or right wing talk-radio hosts.
peace
Posted by: Shazia A. | April 1, 2008 4:31 AM
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observer- you seem to be unanaware that the first university in the world was founded by muslims. as was the very concept of scientific method, without which science as we know it would not exist.
sans- just as you feel encroached upon by (what you believe) to be someone oher than yourself defining what is morality to you-
you feel comfortable imposing your opinion upon muslim women.
you are wrong.
speak for yourself only.
i am a muslim woman.
i am a feminist, as were my mother and grandmother (generations before the term even existed)
i wear hijab, and am not "enslaved" by my CHOICE
i am free
it is not your place, right, or business to judge what another person is or isn't.
Posted by: VICTORIA | March 21, 2008 2:10 PM
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MO:
You say "science and technology and common human morality and understanding is a gift and mercey from the creator god to mankind not the inspiaration nor the affect of jeudochristianity"
Well if you are right that science and technology are a gift handed down by the Creator as opposed to humans using their God given brains, then why Allah had denied your cult any of that gift? Have you ever asked yourself that? The reason your cult has contributed zilch to science and technology is because your so- called “Scholars” are involved in heated discussions on how many nymphs the Believers will have in Paradise and how many wings does the Archangel Gabriel has, as the rest of humanity passed you by. Their minds are unlike yours'; not trapped in a box. A liberated mind is innovative and creative, but that is something beyond you and your cult’ s comprehension.
You of all people talking about rationality. What is rational about kissing pebbles plastered on a cubical structure and revolving around that structure in the Hejaz desert? What is rational about facing a black stone five times a day? Are you surprised why such a mentality could not invent a mop or manufacture a needle? A mentality that does not know how to build but adept at destroying.
Posted by: Observer | March 18, 2008 7:52 PM
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There is no such thing as a "Muslim feminist". So long as you wear that hijab, your enslaving yourself to cultural/religious ideas - you're not free and not a feminist.
Our society's not undergoing a "moral crisis" either. I agree, marketing in many societies can become tacky and tasteless and our society allows that, but just because the vast majority of this society doesn't follow *your* definition of morals doesn't mean that there's a crisis.
Posted by: sans | March 18, 2008 1:42 PM
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Shell Script, Shell Script, Shell Script
Repeating yourself with a computer is trivial.
Repeating yourself with a computer is trivial.
Repeating yourself with a computer is trivial.
Your posts are boring.
Your posts are boring.
Your posts are boring.
So cut the cut-and-paste.
So cut the cut-and-paste.
So cut the cut-and-paste.
It is a new day, so say a new thing.
It is a new day, so say a new thing.
It is a new day, so say a new thing.
Posted by: Pseudo | March 17, 2008 9:08 PM
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Pseudo, Pseudo, Pseudo,
Unfortunately the facts demand repetition. Learn from them. Thumping the bible is out by the way. Thumping the facts is in!!!! Live with it.
Posted by: Concerned The Christian Now Liberated | March 17, 2008 1:24 PM
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Shell Script, Shell Script, Shell Script
Repeating yourself with a computer is trivial.
Repeating yourself with a computer is trivial.
Repeating yourself with a computer is trivial.
Your posts are boring.
Your posts are boring.
Your posts are boring.
So cut the cut-and-paste.
So cut the cut-and-paste.
So cut the cut-and-paste.
It is a new day, so say a new thing.
It is a new day, so say a new thing.
It is a new day, so say a new thing.
Posted by: Pseudo | March 17, 2008 9:29 AM
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Genuine FREEDOM OF THOUGHT IS HERE!
The RELIGION OF EVERYTHING IS HERE!
Huggs n Kisses to ALL!
J
O
Z
E
V
Z
.
U
S
J
O
Z
E
V
Z
.
U
S
Posted by: Anonymous | March 17, 2008 9:02 AM
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mind liberation and spirit elevation?
worship the creator not the creation.
common sense is a treasure .
the old spice proverb about the ass who carry a book is coined for mankind who is full of knowledge full of science full of technology full of philosophy full of books full of sophistication but all that doesnot lead him/her to know the creator god of this universe?????
jesus never created any thing in this universe,science and technology never created any thing in this universe,human brains ,human philosophy never created any thing in this universe.
the (affect )of jeudochristianity on humanity is the fact that they brought to mankind the myth and idol so called son of god who never existed and if you examine old jeudochristianity or the new jeudochrstianity they all the same all about idolism all about delusionism all about creation worshiping .
science and technology and common human morality and understanding is a gift and mercey from the creator god to mankind not the inspiaration nor the affect of jeudochristianity.
again and again and again,
the truth is one and delusions are many .for those who call themselfs rationalits and scientists and civilizests please let them scrutnizingly examine world delusionism !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Posted by: mo | March 17, 2008 2:04 AM
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Pseudo, Pseudo, Pseudo,
Unfortunately the facts demand repetition. Learn from them. Thumping the bible is out by the way. Thumping the facts is in!!!! Live with it.
Posted by: Concerned The Christian Now Liberated | March 16, 2008 11:43 PM
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Concatenated Shell Script So Repetitive:
"Freedom to speak, repeat and preach!!!!"
Preaching at people is different from preaching to them...
Preaching at people is different from preaching to them...
Preaching at people is different from preaching to them...
Preaching at people is different from preaching to them...
"And I gained this right by protecting it in our War vs. the Terror and Aggression of the USSR. I trust you also served your country in some respect in your life."
For any meritorious service to the Nation I thank you. I do not suggest that you have no right to say what you do, over, and over, and over again. Just that it is repetitive and about as interesting as last week's news paper, which, like you, still says the same thing today as a week ago.
Copy-paste is not communication.
Copy-paste is not communication.
Copy-paste is not communication.
Copy-paste is not communication.
Copy-paste is not communication.
Copy-paste is not communication.
Copy-paste is not communication.
Copy-paste is not communication.
You can do better.
You can do better.
You can do better.
You can do better.
You can do better.
You can do better.
You can do better.
You can do better.
Posted by: Pseudo | March 16, 2008 10:13 PM
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Some of us have been bothered by Duality displayed in Public domain back to the JFK days. There has always been this kind of double standard of private and public morals in my life.
Morality is established very early in age. I attended a strict Southern Baptist Church Bible School and worship services during JFK days. During those sermons the Preacher condemned immorality to include booze, gambling and smoking cigarettes for that matter. In the back of my mind during those sermons, I flashed back to the loud card party that had just occured on Saturday Night previous to that sermon. And I asked myself, "What is wrong with this picture ?" Were not my parents and neighbors good Christians ? I supposed I learned that I could act immorally if in fact, I did not get caught in the act.
I think Catholics of our neighborhood had an advantage in that they could whisper or confess their "sins" to a Priest in private. Therefore some demoninations could relieve conscious while others progressed towards self damnation or becoming "Born Again" for the third or fourth time take your pick.
The worst thing is to be exposed as a hypocrite I guess therefore resignation is expected by public ethics and morality. I have been exposed to private literature of numerous world leaders of the past through modern day discoveries in public domain. There is ample evidence to me that power creates sexual perversion.
On the other side of life, the dog finally cornered a possum that she had been stalking for weeks. She cornered the possum in a wood pile near the garbage. With a "hurry up come here" kind of bark, I broke up a viscious fight. The possum was eliminated by shotgun. The dog was rewarded for doing her job as a natural hunter.
Posted by: Mark W. | March 16, 2008 1:36 PM
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Pseudo,
Again and again and again,
"Freedom to speak, repeat and preach!!!!"
"Freedom to speak, repeat and preach!!!!"
"Freedom to speak, repeat and preach!!!!"
And I gained this right by protecting it in our War vs. the Terror and Aggression of the USSR. I trust you also served your country in some respect in your life.
Posted by: Concerned The Christian Now Liberated | March 16, 2008 3:46 AM
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Concatenated Shell Script So Limited
"NO ONE IS SAFE UNTIL THE KORAN IS DEFLAWED!!!!!"
Your Jesus Seminar Gods need to be deflawed.
"Freedom to speak, repeat and preach!!!!"
No one wants to be preached to by a shell script or a moron that can only repeat itself.
It is trivial to repeat yourself using a computer.
It is trivial to repeat yourself using a computer.
It is trivial to repeat yourself using a computer.
It is trivial to repeat yourself using a computer.
Your tiny brain needs to be deflawed.
Your tiny brain needs to be deflawed.
Your tiny brain needs to be deflawed.
Your tiny brain needs to be deflawed.
Your tiny brain needs to be deflawed.
Get a life.
Get a life.
Get a life.
Posted by: Pseudo | March 15, 2008 11:26 PM
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Spitzer Case Says NOTHING about our Society's Morality
Kate is right. There are prostitutes or equivalent in every society (except maybe the Amish).
A society WITHOUT them is probably more un-natural.
Though it is more complicated, someone who pays for sex is not all that different from someone who pays for a massage.
Unless you think Sex in and of itself is immoral, in which case you are destructive to healthy human society.
Spitzer's problem was both his Hypocrasy and the fact that he broke a couple of specific laws that may or may not be reasonable to have on the books.
If a man or a woman politician in Nevada, where prostitution is legal, goes next door and pays for services, there is no reason why it should disqualify her from public office.
Posted by: Henry James | March 15, 2008 8:55 PM
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What is Ms Mubarak trying to imply by the expression "our society is undergoing a moral crisis" A society, like the US society, that in three days musters enough moral outrage so as to force New York´s Governor to resign is not undergoing such moral crisis. On the contrary, it shows the World, again, the US is capable of doing the right thing quickly and no person, no matter how high his or her position, is spared punishment. While there are inmoral people in the US and I agree with Ms. Mubarak too many people in the US are on the wrong moral track, such as advertisers who use a kind of soft porn to sell, as well as a number of young girls linking their self worth to sex appeal, it is irrational to conclude "society is undergoing a moral crisis". Since she chooses to put forward her condition as Muslim as somehow enabling her to feel offended. If we consider the level of morality prevailing in most of the Islamic World it is hard to see how her condition as Muslim can give her any insight, let alone her condition as feminist. In terms of lack of freedom, lack justice, lack of laws and of equality under the law, subjugation of the poor and of women,deviant behaviours and son, Moslem countries are way behind the society Ms Mubarak considers to be "undergoing a moral crisis". Like many others, she is perturbed by the exceses of some under freedom. This leads her to conclude the whole society is in crisis but her conclusion is wrong. As a religious person and a feminist she could do worse than to reflect on why is it that she is able to proclaim herself a "Muslim feminist" precisely in a non Muslim society in safety and freedom far above anything she could find in any Muslim society. She does not dare saying it but she is obviously implying a Muslim society would not fall in the "moral crisis" she finds so perturbing. She should also wonder why is it that it is in the West that women have initiated their liberation and are starting to achieve it. ¿Would she prefer a Moslem society like the ones I as a mere human I am embarrassed to know?
Posted by: victor | March 15, 2008 8:14 PM
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Any religion that blames women for the lust of men has missed the point. If rape had anything to do with lust 90 year old women wouldn't be even occasional victims.
Posted by: Garyd | March 15, 2008 8:12 PM
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I am sure you will find no disagreement among those who comment to your message and those of various religious and political persuasions. However the bottom line which the ad agencies go by, is what does the pilot group say, will attract their attention.
I will go beyond just the objectification of women and say that it is a product of materialism. And that is caused by an imbalance between the technological and the spiritual progress in our societies. We can pursue the choices and dignity of women but at the same time we have to consider how it is connected with other parts of the society.
The issue is organizing. As individuals we are almost powerless. United, we can achieve something.
Posted by: daitoclass | March 15, 2008 7:02 PM
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Al Taqiyah: Kill non Musloms!:
Please see islamaHolics "IMAMS" talking "SHiat & not Sunni"!
Al Taqiya ( Islamic Zionism). Al Taqiya (Islamic Zionism) Al Taqiyah=World Conquest, not Jewish Conquest!
Too bad there is no such thing as Islamic Zionism, as you put it, although I can't see how there would be, since Zionism is specific to Judaism.
On the other hand, what you do have is Islamism, plain and simple, regardless of what sect you belong to.
Islam and Islamism are the same. It means murdering women for the crime of having been raped, making brothers their murdererers, denying women fundamental human rights, and conquering and killing your own and other people wherever you can. Like Kurds, as a minor instance, or Jews, or Christians.
If you had the Islamic equivalent of Zionism, you would stay on your own land and do what you could to improve it, instead of cultivating racism, hatred, torture, exploitation, and murder.
And while we're at it, why not keep your Islamism to yourself?
Read Torah to begin with, and then move on. May the Lord give you guidance and help you to contribute to perfecting, instead of destroying the world.
Posted by: Farnaz | March 15, 2008 6:44 PM
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Terrils,
I think if you read the rest of my post again, you will see that I agree with you. We all can and should be thought of in more than sexual terms.
Paganplace has it right, repression only increases the efficacy of sexual advertising. Scarcity, real or artificial, always increases demand.
Single, we're not all 'sexual pigs,' but it will be easy for you to see us that way if you hang on to your outrage.
Posted by: Thor's Child | March 15, 2008 5:51 PM
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Sometimes you need to think differently. Take it out, kick it around, just for the academic exerciseof it. Now we call it "thinking outside of the box."
Sweden criminally penalizes the John, not the prostitute:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-Sweden-Prostitution.html
Apparently, it's working. It may be the world's oldest profession but it's not inevitable.
Posted by: faithfulservant3 | March 15, 2008 5:17 PM
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Dear fellow humans, start practicing a reckless and strict egotism by doing whatever you like without endangering the following morning. We are here, believing in which god ever, to use and enjoy life so that the world may say: "Thank You"
But if we risk 80 pieces of gold to win 100 pieces and have to pay 50 of such pieces just to enter the market, we are not very clever. You see: the moment I perform something bad in order to gain something I think to be good, any time I start showing the good I achieved I am reminded of the bad I paid for that so calles good. It is so stupid, in the first place for people who think they had commercial experience. Truly Yours, Andreas von der Decken, Mannheim Germany
Posted by: Andreas Decken, born 1962 Germ | March 15, 2008 5:02 PM
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A muslim woman, pictured wearing a headscarf, is complaining to me about the objectification of American women.
Hm.
Doing this kind of thing in an Islamic nation can get you killed. And apparently, despite being a "Muslim feminist", she doesn't realize the irony.
Thanks, but I'll pass on the whole Phelpsian claptrap, especially coming from a Muslim.
Posted by: AtheistArchon | March 15, 2008 4:56 PM
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When natural sexuality isn't repressed and denied and shamed pushed to the subconscious, it's of limited utility in selling people endless consumer goods as a substitute: the human body is *not* degrading or degraded unless we make it so.
Likewise, the very act of trying to repress other people's sexuality is often a surrogate for the sexuality of the repressor, as we see time and again when moralists are caught engaging in the very things they seek to punish others for.
More repression isn't the answer: that only gives the sex-as-advertising *more* power.
The way past that is a mature, healthy, and unconflicted attitude toward sex, not, I'm afraid, throwing fabric over women and *still* sending the message that men are entitled to whatever they manage to see.
Posted by: Paganplace | March 15, 2008 3:32 PM
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Haida,
I found your article most thought-provoking. While I agree with some aspects of your article such as women's bodies are used too much in advertising I strongly disagree with other points such as young women dressing for the sole purpose for the pleasure of males. I found this to be quite untrue in the Middle East where I was an instructor for a women's university. As a female instructor in the classroom, some female students would remove their 'hijab' or veil and sometimes their black robes in order to feel more comfortable in the classroom. Many students had beautiful makeup on and sometimes very form-fitting and scanty clothing. Clearly they were not dressing for the pleasure of men (as they covered up again when they exited the classroom) but perhaps for a very human drive to adorn the body and perhaps as a way to compete with other women. While undoubtedly some women in the West dress to perhaps attract male attention, other women do not have this objective in mind, as they put on makeup and clothes to please themselves as many women in the Middle East do.
Also another point is that women do not have to dress provoctively to attract male attention. In fact, I noticed that in the Middle East that the local males would be more turned on when they strained to see a glimpse of what was underneath the veil and through the black abaya (robes). When going to a mall with my female students, we would often we followed by local males attempting to have contact with the women by trying to drop off their phone numbers in the female students' shopping bags. So the point is that this is a part of a male initiative to seek contact with women. It's part of a very human response.
So while some of your argument may be true in some circumstance it is not necessarily true in all situations.
Best wishes,
Helen
Posted by: Helen | March 15, 2008 2:30 PM
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Haida,
I found your article most thought-provoking. While I agree with some aspects of your article such as women's bodies are used too much in advertising I strongly disagree with other points such as young women dressing for the sole purpose for the pleasure of males. I found this to be quite untrue in the Middle East where I was an instructor for a women's university. As a female instructor in the classroom, some female students would remove their 'hijab' or veil and sometimes their black robes in order to feel more comfortable in the classroom. Many students had beautiful makeup on and sometimes very form-fitting and scanty clothing. Clearly they were not dressing for the pleasure of men (as they covered up again when they exited the classroom) but perhaps for a very human drive to adorn the body and perhaps as a way to compete with other women. While undoubtedly some women in the West dress to perhaps attract male attention, other women do not have this objective in mind, as they put on makeup and clothes to please themselves as many women in the Middle East do.
Also another point is that women do not have to dress provoctively to attract male attention. In fact, I noticed that in the Middle East that the local males would be more turned on when they strained to see a glimpse of what was underneath the veil and through the black abaya (robes). When going to a mall with my female students, we would often we followed by local males attempting to have contact with the women by trying to drop off their phone numbers in the female students' shopping bags. So the point is that this is a part of a male initiative to seek contact with women. It's part of a very human response.
So while some of your argument may be true in some circumstance it is not necessarily true in all situations.
Best wishes,
Helen
Posted by: Helen | March 15, 2008 2:28 PM
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DZ:
It Can't Be All That Bad:
I will choose to express myself in such way as fits my belief and principles. It is none of your business. It seems that you aren't all that committed to freedom either. Anyone who advocates laws/rules to cover such issues as clothing is a fascist twit and will be called on it. Res ipsa loquitur
~~~~~~~~~~
Be my guest. I never said I supported anything in this article. I was tactfully referencing your "bad mood,." which is really rudeness.
But hey, there are plenty of others for me to talk too.
Posted by: It Can't Be All That Bad | March 15, 2008 12:43 PM
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What else was in Mr. Spitzer's hotel room??? The stench and ghosts of JFK, Bill Clinton, Rudy Giuliani, Newt Gingrich, Gary Hart, Jesse Jackson, Kobe Bryant, Bill Cosby and every Muslim polygamist!!!!!!
Posted by: Concerned The Christian Now Liberated | March 15, 2008 11:34 AM
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It Can't Be All That Bad:
I will choose to express myself in such way as fits my belief and principles. It is none of your business. It seems that you aren't all that committed to freedom either. Anyone who advocates laws/rules to cover such issues as clothing is a fascist twit and will be called on it. Res ipsa loquitur.
Posted by: DZ | March 15, 2008 11:14 AM
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Posted on March 15, 2008 01:03
Afshan Kahn:
Excellent Hadia.
"I totally agree that scantily dressed women are a constant source of excitement to men and it would be a good idea to have rules about what is permitted in a decent respectable society.
Long skirts or long pants should be required on all females over 13, and ideally only black clothes should be permitted. Very baggy ones.
Womens' faces and heads should be covered totally as in decent middle eastern countries. It is the only way to prevent men's bizarre preoccupation with seeing women always as sex objects. It is disgusting and quite puzzling.
Why western men are such disgusting beasts I can only understand as being caused or exacerbated by the immoral western permissive society where people go around half naked.
I am proud to say that my husband would never let me out of the house dressed like that."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sweetie, I hate to break the bad news to you but scantly dressed women are not the problem, it is that men are sexual pigs and will say and do anything to get you in the bedroom.
Once they have had sex with you they will leave so quickly and not even take the time to put on their sox back on but shove them in their pocket on the way out the door. Now that is what I call a sexually driven pig.
BTW, if I ever get married again, which is highly unlikely, no man is going to dictate how I dress, period.
Posted by: Single and loving it for good reasons | March 15, 2008 10:52 AM
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DZ:
Afshan Kahn:
"What disgusting fascist garbage. We will not have rules about clothing in a free country. Do you not understand the concept of freedom? You do not get to decide for other people. We decide for ourselves and it's none of your business. If you don't want to live in a free country then please get out of this one."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
What is wrong? Did you wake in a bad mood?
Your are being just plain nasty.
Please, tone it down a bit.
Posted by: It can't be all that bad | March 15, 2008 10:42 AM
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Afshan Kahn:
What disgusting fascist garbage. We will not have rules about clothing in a free country. Do you not understand the concept of freedom? You do not get to decide for other people. We decide for ourselves and it's none of your business. If you don't want to live in a free country then please get out of this one.
Posted by: DZ | March 15, 2008 9:40 AM
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MO, aka Moody
You say:
‘for those who call themselfs rationalsts and scientists and reasonsts let them examine the creed and the back ground of jeudochristianity and let them examine the effect and affliction of jeudochristianty on those who born and breast fed in jeudochristianty .’
I tell you the “ affect” that Christianity had on humanity. It elevated the spirits and liberated the mind of those who adopted it that now they are at the top of every human endeavor. Name it; science, technology, industry governance, liberties, human rights, academia, philosophy theology , exploration, etc. They added to their continent four more just in the past half millennium in addition to the moon. They are in the process of claiming the planets of our solar system and eventually the whole Universe. Can you claim any of this to your cult? While the rest of the world is moving forward those of the Black Stone cult are moving backward. Any wonder?
Posted by: Observer | March 15, 2008 7:57 AM
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Muslim-Christian understanding: The attempt to persuade Christians of the "superiority" of one outdated brand of superstition over another outdated brand of superstition. Hadia has no choice but to parrot what her men told her - and she honestly believes them. Superstition goes very well together with honesty, with passion, with love, with hatred, with murder - but not with reason.
Sexuality is the basis for life. It is the religions' fault to have perverted it into sin. "Immaculate conception", a hilarious example of this perversion. And Mohamed having the permission of "Allah" to sleep with children and innumerable women - another hilarious attempt of legitimizing sexual incontinence - and millions worship him. Incredible. Thousands are killed and maimed in Iraq, but all people care about is Spitzer's sex - nobody was even injured. Hadia herself suffers from this. It is not the objectification of women, it is the religious perverted infatuation with the "sin" of sex that damages the minds, including her's.
The real dignity of the human race starts with the gradual abolition of religions.
Spitzer's "sin" is the fraud he committed, the hypocrisy, not the sex he had with whomsoever.
Posted by: fred | March 15, 2008 5:09 AM
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Pseudo,
Freedom to speak, repeat and preach!!!!
Freedom to speak, repeat and preach!!!!
Freedom to speak, repeat and preach!!!!
"NO ONE IS SAFE UNTIL THE KORAN IS DEFLAWED!!!!!
Posted by: Concerned The Christian Now Liberated | March 15, 2008 2:36 AM
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the culture affliction of jeudochristianity.
moses came to the sons of isreal carrying a great book full of light and guidance (tora)but yet among the sons of isreal who chose to worship the golden calf ??????????????.
jesus son of marry came to mankind carrying the ingeeel a divine book full of light and guidance ,but yet among people in his era who chose to worship jesus himself instead of the creator god who sent jesus and before he sent moses .
mankind in 21century worship his/her brain the allmighty brain became an idol bow and prostrate to around the clock,instead of worshiping the creator of all the brains .
the brain idol is no more no less than the golden calf no more no less than the son idol.
for those who call themselfs rationalsts and scientists and reasonsts let them examine the creed and the back ground of jeudochristianity and let them examine the effect and affliction of jeudochristianty on those who born and breast fed in jeudochristianty .
Posted by: mo | March 15, 2008 2:28 AM
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Excellent Hadia.
I totally agree that scantily dressed women are a constant source of excitement to men and it would be a good idea to have rules about what is permitted in a decent respectable society.
Long skirts or long pants should be required on all females over 13, and ideally only black clothes should be permitted. Very baggy ones.
Womens' faces and heads should be covered totally as in decent middle eastern countries. It is the only way to prevent men's bizarre preoccupation with seeing women always as sex objects. It is disgusting and quite puzzling.
Why western men are such disgusting beasts I can only understand as being caused or exacerbated by the immoral western permissive society where people go around half naked.
I am proud to say that my husband would never let me out of the house dressed like that.
Posted by: Afshan Kahn | March 15, 2008 12:31 AM
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Concerned Moron Totally Repetitive:
In case you missed this:
Nobody has missed your stupidity.
Nobody has missed your stupidity.
Nobody has missed your stupidity.
Nobody has missed your stupidity.
Nobody has missed your stupidity.
Nobody has missed your stupidity.
Nobody has missed your stupidity.
Nobody has missed your stupidity.
Hmmm, what was you biggest mistake?
Hmmm, what was you biggest mistake?
Hmmm, what was you biggest mistake?
Hmmm, what was you biggest mistake?
Self righteousness?
Self superiority?
Hate speech? Boorishness?
Mindless repetition?
Do the readers of On Faith a service. Quit the cut-and-paste. Are you a shell script or a moron?
Cross posting with repetitions from other blogs is an insult to the readers here.
Cross posting with repetitions from other blogs is an insult to the readers here.
Cross posting with repetitions from other blogs is an insult to the readers here.
Cross posting with repetitions from other blogs is an insult to the readers here.
Cross posting with repetitions from other blogs is an insult to the readers here.
Get a life.
Get a life.
Get a life.
Posted by: Pseudo | March 14, 2008 11:51 PM
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Neira:
You fault me for “lowering the level” of your prophet. I did not make up that story, but copied it from the Muslim literature and the Quran, and did that because it fits in with our topic. If the story demeans the prophet he must have brought it out on himself. The number of wives was not the point of the post. The point is that his house was full of wives and yet he saw fit to sleep with a mistress on a night allotted to Hafsa, one of his younger wives and the daughter of his friend and successor Umar ibn el Khattab.
I do appreciate your friendly wishes. Ibrahim
Posted by: Ibrahim Mahfouz | March 14, 2008 11:20 PM
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In case you missed this:
Hmmm, what was Mr. Spitzer's biggest mistake??
He did not become a Muslim. Had he, he could have declared his call girls his other wives and been above the law at least in the Islamic world.
Posted by: Concerned The Christian Now Liberated | March 14, 2008 11:11 PM
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Yeah right wew have done such a wonderful job that we no have antibiotic strains of syphilis, gonorrhea, and several diseases for which there is no known cure all in an attempt to allow us to behave as selfishly and with as little remorse for those we have harmed as possible. And with as little concern for consequences.
But you go ahead and tell yourself that your pleasure is more important than anything else in life. But in the end you will merely grow old and jaded and find you have to go further and further to get the same level of pleasure that simple sex once did for you. Pleasure in the end is more addictive than cocaine and a far worse master.
Posted by: garyd | March 14, 2008 9:35 PM
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Drcha writes, TOTALLY IRRELEVENTLY
"I applaud your article. In a society where parental guidance is limited and media impact abounds."
Eliot Spitzer had MANIACAL parental guidance, and probably was not allowed to watch tv. He went to the finest schools and got a great education with the highest values attached.
You totally misdiagnose the reasons for his behavior because it suits your own unexamined prejudices of how the world works.
You simplistic explanations may comfort you, but they have nothing to do with reality.
Posted by: Henry James | March 14, 2008 8:30 PM
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To Mr. ,
Ibrahim Mahfouz:
may Allah almighty, open your heart for the right path, may god shower you with mercy and barka,
please, do not lower prophet Mohamed (peace and blessing be upon him) to this level, he married 9 waifs and each one for different reason not for intimacy
may god open you basera ( inner vision) the only guide is from the almighty god, God have the power over you, your email is so offences , why your respond that bad because she maddest in her look?? if she has different name and different look
and said “let’s look at our society’s “ would you respond in the same way ???? i do not think so
may god shower you with mercy and show you the right path, and give you knowledge and wisdom
wish you the best
Posted by: Neira | March 14, 2008 7:05 PM
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Dear sister,
I applaud your article. In a society where parental guidance is limited and media impact abounds. The values portrayed by the media seep into young hears and are hard to get rid of. One can make some hair splitting. However, in general your observation is correct. Most of the stone throwers deserve to be stoned ahead of Spitzer.
Posted by: DrCha | March 14, 2008 5:46 PM
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Mo:
It is mind boggling that somebody belonging to your cult; the “Black Stone” worship cult, would speak about reason and rationality. Every page of your religion book is a an assault on human reason and rationality. Explain to the “infidels” how does rotating around a rock would wipe out a lifelong worth of sins?
Posted by: Observer | March 14, 2008 5:25 PM
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Hadia Mubarak,
it is so simple: we have FREEDOM OF SPEECH in here
and this includes freedon of printing certain photos or showing certain movies; this is more important that anything else.
Give me freedom or give me dead.
Posted by: thishowiseeit | March 14, 2008 5:01 PM
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Hadia Mubarak,
it is so simple: we have FREEDOM OF SPEECH in here
and this is more important that anything else.
Give me freedom or give me dead.
Posted by: thishowiseeit | March 14, 2008 4:52 PM
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Hadia:
You are the recipient of a unique honor: for the first time I agree with everything an "On Faith" panelist or contributor has written.
The Spitzer situation is definately a sign of the times. As a person of faith I don't believe in coincidences.
I remember seeing a PBS documentary called "The Merchants of Cool" several years ago that struck some of the same chords you wrote about.
In an ever smaller concentrated group, the corporate elite of certain industries, creators of entertainment and advertisers are dictating what our youth sees. It's manipulation, plain and simple, and it's more insidious than anything the world has seen. You could call it "anti-faith."
Our media is addicting and it promotes deviancy by design. I don't even own a television anymore because I refuse to buy into this shallowness.
You hit the nail on the head when you said that our society is in "moral crisis." I no longer have faith that our corrupt system of government has any intention of challenging this situation.
I put my faith in God alone.
Like you I have noticed certain things that indicate that this immorality is getting worse.
I went to the movies for the first time in several years and was shocked by the trailers. I watched three-quarters of "The Mist," even with its anti-Christian message, before walking out.
Even the lingerie ads in the newspaper are often incredibly more revealing than when I was a teenager. What can possibly be the point? The incredibly tight clothing that is in style now is designed to promote a society where hedonism and sexual gratification are worshipped. Even young girls wear shorts with writing on their rear ends as if they had something to look at.
I used to buy into the whole thing. Now, from a different perspective I question the superficiality of a lifestyle that unnaturally elevates the value of the sex act, something so basic and rudimentary that even animals can accomplish it. There's more to life than pleasure.
For more thoughts on Spitzer, see: http://www.carlrollinsblog.com/id31.html
Posted by: faithfulservant3 | March 14, 2008 4:44 PM
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"You wrote "let’s look at our own society’s encouragement of deviant practices through the ways in which women’s bodies are exploited, commodified and objectified." How about we look at our society's encouragement of deviant conservative practices though the ways in which women are pressured to hide their bodies and learn to be ashamed of their bodies. Lets look at how women are led to believe that if they are not hidden and ashamed, then they are automatically the subjects of exploitation, commodification, and objectification."
You're sadly mistaken to believe those are the only two choices. Should the day come when women in America are seen first as human beings, rather than as sexual toys for men, it won't matter whether women wear burqahs or bikinis. They'll cover, or expose, whatever they choose, knowing their worth does not rest on mens' judgment as to their physical charms. Little girls won't be sexualized before their time and women of all ages won't be brainwashed into thinking their value lies overwhelmingly in how many men want to have sex with them, but in areas like how smart, how capable, how hardworking they are. What a concept.
Posted by: Terrils | March 14, 2008 4:41 PM
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As long as you view depictions of sexuality as inherently objectifying and degrading of women, you will never realize the healthy and empowering aspects of human sexuality. Spitzer's use of an expensive prostitute had exactly nothing to do with sex and everything to do with power and the abuse of it. As long as the public is titillated by the "naughty" aspect of it, and indeed as long as we think of it as "naughty" at all, the true root cause can never be recognized, let alone addressed. Sexuality in marketing, while perhaps overused, is totally irrelevent to the topic at hand.
Posted by: Dave | March 14, 2008 4:24 PM
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It is difficult to disagree with the general statement made in this piece. On the other hand, is the objection limited to depicting "women in a way that subconsciously leads to their degradation and objectification", or to depicting in any way or form anything that suggests sexuality? Will the cultural practice become more "acceptable" if commercials devote "equal time" to depicting sexuality of both men and women? Though Hadia Mubarak identifies herself as a "Muslim feminist", I cannot help but wonder if her views are influenced by the fundamentalist attitude on sexuality of her faith, i.e., more Muslim than feminist.
Posted by: Steve Chan, Los Altos Hills | March 14, 2008 4:06 PM
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It is difficult to disagree with the general statement made in this piece. On the other hand, is the objection limited to depicting "women in a way that subconsciously leads to their degradation and objectification", or to depicting in any way or form anything that suggests sexuality? Will the cultural practice become more "acceptable" if commercials devote "equal time" to depicting sexuality of both men and women? Though Hadia Mubarak identifies herself as a "Muslim feminist", I cannot help but wonder if her views are influenced by the fundamentalist attitude on sexuality of her faith, i.e., more Muslim than feminist.
Posted by: Steve Chan, Los Altos Hills | March 14, 2008 4:05 PM
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With due respect, Ms. Mubarak, your article seems to be more of a personal indignation towards western perception of freedom of sexuality and social behavior, rather than an objective view on Mr. Spitzer's behaviour from a political and social standpoint. In my view Mr. Spitzer is guilty on two counts. Firstly, if I understand correctly, it is against the law to accept solicitation for sex, or simply paying for sex. Secondly, being a political representative and campaigning for people's support against anti-social elements, primarily prostitution; he has let down his people. It was a bad judgement on his part and he is paying the price for it. Does it reflect on our eroding public and private morality? I guess that can be debated. It is purely relative. For nudists in Europe, it is an expression of liberation and sense of freedom. Their definition of morality is different and you can find some of the nicest, honest, and peace loving people among that cult. For some African and Amazonian tribes, it is simply the way they are. Are these the signs of a dithering western society? I don't think so. Yes the norms are changing, but they are more extrinsic than intrinsic, in my view.
Posted by: Naved Haqqi | March 14, 2008 3:42 PM
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judgeing against perfection.
all perfection goes to the creator of heavens and earth.
judgeing mankind against the perfection(the only begotten son who was nailed on the cross for the sin and saftey and perfectness of mankind????????????????????????????????????)is not only a delusion but is contrary to the nature and the reason and the rationality of any mankind .
judgeing mankind is to be against the perfect word the perfect guidance of the creator of mankind to mankind ,where jesus son of marry is mankind son of mankind,peace and blessing be uppon both till the last day.
Posted by: mo | March 14, 2008 3:10 PM
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Ms. Mubarak:
You say “let’s look at our own(US) society’s encouragement of deviant practices through the ways in which women’s bodies are exploited, commodified and objectified in film, music and – the worst culprit of them all – the marketing industry.”
Simply stated you are blaming the dress codes, and other manifestation of the West’s culture for a one man’s infidelity. Men have the tendency to stray away in this or any other culture as related below;
The prophet Mohammad promised his favorite wife, Aisha, to abstain from sleeping with his Egyptian concubine (mistress), Maria. Shortly afterwards, Hafsa, another one of his eleven wives, caught him in bed with Maria during the night allotted to her (Hafsa). Incensed by what she considered was an insult added to injury she informed Aisha, despite his fervent pleadings. This resulted, as would be expected, in an ugly confrontation. The next morning Mohammed showed the betrayed and sulking Aisha and Hafsa a letter from Allah “exonerating the Prophet”, sanctioning him to sleep with “whoever he desires” and threatening his insubordinate wives to be replaced by “young black-eyed virgin nymphs” from Paradise. Allah dictated this message, he claimed, to Archangel Gabriel who delivered it to the Messenger of Allah overnight (Quran 66:1-5). Who is Aisha or Hafsa to argue against Allah’s will? In short he came out of this predicament “smelling like roses”.
No doubt this story have since turned many a man green with envy.Yet the moral
is the following; it is not films, music or marketing industry to be blamed for our indiscretions but ourselves.
Posted by: Ibrahim Mahfouz | March 14, 2008 2:43 PM
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If it weren't for this country's persistent phobia against dealing with sexuality objectivity, we'd be fighting the spread of sexually transmitted disease in the same manner as we fight any other disease -- by developing vaccines.
We've virtually wiped out smallpox and tetanus. We could nearly wipe out many STDs in like manner -- except for the fact that certain STUPID people are more afraid of "promiscuity" than they are actually concerned about fighting disease.
Posted by: ChurchStateWall | March 14, 2008 2:32 PM
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Yeah yeah yeah lets do everything we can to hide our faces from the fact that promiscuity is and act of selfishness pure and simple. Spreading disease, using others to benefit ourselves, these are such positive benefits to humanity at large.
Posted by: Garyd | March 14, 2008 2:11 PM
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It seems to me that our nation's morality isn't degrading or disintegrating. Instead, it seems to be changing and maturing. I am very disappointed that theists are using this event to rail against the morality of our society. These individuals should realize that the same rants were widely used when slavery was abolished, when women were correctly given the right to vote in this country, when African-Americans were alllowed to integrate into the armed forces, and on and on...
Spitzer's actions are morally wrong because he hurt his wife, children, family, friends, and the thousands of people who regarded him as someone with a moral backbone. That - and that alone - is why his sexual acts are wrong.
It's time to grow up and start leaving the religious house, especially where sex is involved. Unless we, as a race, approach sex maturely, we will continue to be disappointed by the people who engage in it.
Posted by: Holybushman | March 14, 2008 2:02 PM
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From Henry James:
"2. The Unhealthy attitude towards sexuality characteristic of MOSt religions and religious moralizers actually makes this problem worse by Fetishizing sexuality, rather than treating it as a normal, if volatile, part of human nature."
Wow, what an excellent way to phrase it -- Fetishing sexuality. That's a superb and fresh way to present the issue.
"3. Societies that are more sexually repressive (Moral in the columnist's view) have much higher rates of Spousal abuse, homicide, and gender inequality."
With all respect to the author, who I will grudgingly admire for sticking her neck out and writing such a piece, shall we say "societies, such as Muslim countries?"
The countries that are "moral" by such backward standards -- where "moral" is a synonym for "sexually oppressed" -- are among the LEAST woman-friendly parts of the world.
And, to me, the reason is obvious. HUmans are sexual beings. When a society makes such an integral element of human nature difficult to pursue, the effect on human societies is analogous to deliberately making food scarce -- people will resort to treachery, dishonesty, and other destructive and unethical behaviors to pursue their need for food.
The destructive effects on society caused by making sexuality scarce and oppressed, are similar and analogous.
Posted by: ChurchStateWall | March 14, 2008 1:54 PM
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Paul deMarrais:
You claim that images of 'sexy women' lead you to think certain things and buy certain products, yet the nature of your post leads me to believe that you do not, in fact, believe those things and buy all of those products. Which is it? Do you or do you not have control your thoughts and actions when faced with images of 'sexy women'?
Posted by: Thor's Child | March 14, 2008 1:45 PM
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Moralistic Tripe
This column completely misses Truth.in a number of ways.
1. Spitzer's behavior has been prevalent throughout history: powerful men hiring sexual "helpers", whether they be Kings or Potentates or Popes. It is FAR from simply the result of the "soft porn" in shopping malls: what a simplistic explanation.
2. The Unhealthy attitude towards sexuality characteristic of MOSt religions and religious moralizers actually makes this problem worse by Fetishizing sexuality, rather than treating it as a normal, if volatile, part of human nature.
3. Societies that are more sexually repressive (Moral in the columnist's view) have much higher rates of Spousal abuse, homicide, and gender inequality.
We could go on and on.
Posted by: Henry James | March 14, 2008 1:34 PM
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I strongly dispute the implied claim that the USA's slowly improving acceptance of human sexuality amounts to a "moral crisis."
Sexuality has absolutely no moral component in itself. The morality or immorality therein derives from how one's sexual pursuits and interactions affect other people.
This issue actually highlights a bright-line divide within femimism -- it sharply distinguishes between pro-sex feminism and anti-sex feminism.
Pro-sex feminism (the kind that I endorse) *accepts* the human sexual nature as something to be enjoyed. It DOES NOT treat the male sexual nature as inherently evil or "predatory." It just is -- and is a component of something that both genders can enjoy together.
While prostitution, in most of its guises, is indeed degrading to women (and ultimately, degrading to the men who shell out money for sex), teh article misses the problem and instead seems to continue the unwinnable "war on sex."
It is a war that I will protest against, tooth and nail.
Posted by: ChurchStateWall | March 14, 2008 1:26 PM
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Uh no in the Jewish tradition both were stoned as Leviticus makes clear. God doesn't do a double standard only people do that.
In the case of the woman Brought before Jesus for committing adultery. What Jesus likely scribbled in the dirt was where is the man? To have stoned the woman and not the man would have been under Levitical law an act of gross injustice. That's why no one threw that first stone. They legally couldn't and knew it.
Posted by: garyd | March 14, 2008 12:28 PM
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Hmmm, what was Mr. Spitzer's biggest mistake??
He did not become a Muslim. Had he, he could have declared his call girls his other wives and been above the law at least in the Islamic world.
Posted by: Concerned The Christian Now Liberated | March 14, 2008 12:18 PM
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Hadia Mubarak,
You have trotted out the standard feminist line quite well; A:Womens clothing choices are about sex, B:sex is about men's pleasure and dominance, and C:consumerism feeds off the tension right along with it driving the tension. This line of thinking debases everyone.
A)Women choose to dress the way they do for a variety of reasons, only one of which is to attract men. Young women especially use clothing as a way to communicate lots of things, from their mood that day to their social standing within their peer group. It has been my observation that women more often dress to impress other women than to impress men. To oversimplify a bit, if you take a cursory look at societies across the globe, I think you'll find a correlation between freedom for women, and the freedom to wear 'sexy' clothing. Conversely, societies which oppress women appear to have more restrictions on womens clothing. Would you claim that in tropical countries where women regularly go topless it is because of a desire to please men, or a desire to remain cool and comfortable? By interpreting clothing choice in such a narrow manner, you do a disservice to women. I'm always disappointed when feminists choose to lash out at other women's clothing choices rather than celebrate a society where those choices are possible.
B)At the same time, your argument assumes that when men see women in revealing clothing, they lose the ability to think. "Young boys in middle school are growing up to believe that women were created for their own sexual pleasure." I have news for you: men too become savvy consumers of the information they receive, and that includes the visual innuendos by which some women try to lead us around. In addition, we grow up to believe that women can be much more than objects of sexual pleasure: they can be friends. Give us a little credit.
C)As to consumerism, it cannot be that simple. Take high heels, for example. I've heard it said many times that the reason women buy high heels is to make their hips sway more and be more attractive for men. If that is the case, why do they then get angry at us for focusing our observation on those same swaying hips? And what about Grandma, who at 80 years old still bought uncomfortable shoes with heels, was she also just focused on attracting men or was there something more to it?
It has always been true that sex sells, and in every era, some have decried the behavior of others as a 'moral crisis.' Well, whose morals are in crisis? Did Elvis wreck the moral fabric of our society? Even Mozart was criticized for writing music that was too sexual in nature, did society fall because of his efforts?
You wrote "let’s look at our own society’s encouragement of deviant practices through the ways in which women’s bodies are exploited, commodified and objectified." How about we look at our society's encouragement of deviant conservative practices though the ways in which women are pressured to hide their bodies and learn to be ashamed of their bodies. Lets look at how women are led to believe that if they are not hidden and ashamed, then they are automatically the subjects of exploitation, commodification, and objectification.
Or, rather than focusing on the negative we could celebrate the variety of self-expression that is in our society and revel in the freedom it represents.
Posted by: Thor's Child | March 14, 2008 12:17 PM
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The only people who consider illicit sex as a deviant practice that commodify, exploit, and objectify women's bodies are: sexually frigid women, men who have been mentally castrated and scarred by the feminist movement, and those people who are just plain terrified of their own sexuality.
Humans are sexually driven animals. It is in our nature. It has to be or we'd have gone extinct long ago. A ditch digger and a prostitute are the same from an economic stand point; both have something of value bearing from their own physicallity. It's just a ditch digger does it with a shovel, and a prostitute does it with a bed. And it doesn't matter what sex either of them is.
The key is to treat people with respect for their skills, and themselves. Beleive you me, I have a lot of respect for the many women I've spent nights with around the world. Some were paid in cash, some were paid in value other than money; but all received equal value for equal value.
Posted by: Micha El | March 14, 2008 12:10 PM
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I totally agree with Ms. Mubarak's views here. As a man I am bombarded with images of 'sexy women'all over town. I am lead to believe that a beautiful woman of this type is the ultimate 'commodity". These images are used to sell me just about anything. These few 'lucky' women who have bodies like this are taught to use them all they can to obtain higher financial standing whether by becoming models or marrying into money. Sleeping with the governor seems like a shrewd career move in this mentality.This young woman figures to become wealthy and sought after for her criminal behavior. Other young girls will certain obtain some bad messages from this story.This sexual marketing soft porn industry undercuts our society in many ways eroding marriages, womens'self esteem and creating men who are addicted to these distorted images of women. There will be more Spitzers that fall into this web of temptation.No man is safe from it.
Posted by: Paul deMarrais | March 14, 2008 12:04 PM
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Kerusso:
Small wonder how easy it is to, "be reconciled to God."
Maybe it's not God? http://www.hoax-buster.org/sellyoursoul Don't you imagine Devil forgives sins without so much as a frown?
How do you suppose crucifying the son of God sounds to Lucifer? We must keep the Devil happy or He's do bad things to us.
Posted by: BGone | March 14, 2008 12:03 PM
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I totally agree with Ms. Mubarak's views here. As a man I am bombarded with images of 'sexy women'all over town. I am lead to believe that a beautiful woman of this type is the ultimate 'commodity". These images are used to sell me just about anything. These few 'lucky' women who have bodies like this are taught to use them all they can to obtain higher financial standing whether by becoming models or marrying into money. Sleeping with the governor seems like a shrewd career move in this mentality.This young woman figures to become wealthy and sought after for her criminal behavior. Other young girls will certain obtain some bad messages from this story.This sexual marketing soft porn industry undercuts our society in many ways eroding marriages, womens'self esteem and creating men who are addicted to these distorted images of women. There will be more Spitzers that fall into this web of temptation.No man is safe from it.
Posted by: Paul deMarrais | March 14, 2008 12:02 PM
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I certainly can't disagree with, "...this latest scandal should compel our society to do more than just balk and shake our heads." Shouldn't the young woman be dragged to the city gates and stoned to death? I'm not confusing Jewish-Christian tradition with Muslim tradition am I?
Don't you think $4,300 is a good fee? Well, maybe as long as beheading isn't the punishment for getting caught. But then that $4,300 will hardly pay the rent in New York City's better neighborhoods. Still extremely difficult for a woman to get ahead no matter. Don't you think?
You're not thinking about the governor, that poor man are you? After all he's just a man. In the Jewish-Christian tradition the adultering woman is stoned while the man is just the witness. Leave it to the government to get things backwards -she will testify against him.
Why do Muslims make women hide their beautiful faces and cover up their stunning figures anyhow? Ever wonder what a little makeup would do for Muslim women? $4,300 seems to be a very reasonable fee but not for haystacks walking on stilts.
Posted by: BGone | March 14, 2008 11:57 AM
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Ms. Mubarak,
Unfortunately, this is one of the prices we pay for Free Speech. Sex sells. We've known this for a long time now. However, it doesn't mean that we're all going to turn into sexual deviants or slaves to our base impulses. I've grown up with the adds you see on TV pretty much all of my life, yet I've never felt the need to hire a prostitute, have an affair, or rape a woman.
Does what we see on TV shape us? Probably. But is our choice to act on what we've seen that makes us who we are. Despite all of the adds exploiting sex that we see on TV, people can ignore them. It's easier than ever nowadays to do this. Just get a TiVO and skip over all of the commercials. Do I think that this would reduce the kind of moral corruption people above are talking about? No. Because these actions are a personal choice, and people make them every day, despite what they've been exposed to.
I went to college in PA, and, while there, saw an article in the paper about a group of Amish men who had been caught with prostitutes there. These are men who don't have TV, so I don't think you can blame the media there. So what is to blame for their actions? Most likely just themselves. Such is it with Spitzer. Despite the influences in his life, other people have had the same influences and have not made that same decision.
Very fortunately, we live in a society that promotes free speech in all its forms. This comes with some negatives, to be sure. But we can't say that we promote free speech, and then say that advertisers shouldn't be availing themselves of it like the rest of us. We all have to make our own choices in this world. And one of those choices can be what we are exposed to. If you think there's too much sex on TV, stop watching, and read a book. If enough people do this, advertisers and writers will stop producing that kind of thing to get people to start watching TV again. You have the right to deny these people what they are after: sales. One voice might not be enough, but if enough people make that decision on their own, it will get listened to.
Welcome to Freedom of Expression. This is your lesson of the day: your choices and how you choose to express them can have an impact. Use them well!
Posted by: A. Thorn | March 14, 2008 11:18 AM
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As a Muslim feminist-
You should clean up your own religion-
Muslim Child Bride in 21st Century.
Story of a seven year old girl in a muslim country who was sold to be a bride by her father.Through protest at eleven years old she set herself on fire as a way to be rid of her cruel life.Now at fourteen the scared and prisoned girl tries to tell her story.
Posted by: Anonymous | March 14, 2008 11:14 AM
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**let's look at our society's encouragement of deviant practices by how women's bodies are exploited,commodified and objectified in film,music**
So,lets cover woman's body from the hairs to heel.
-USA is a free society.You may be an US citizen,but are you an *American* ?
Freedom is the blowing about your hairs.
Freedom means to be *equal*.
Freedom means to divorce.
-The Desert Cult permits 9 year-old child girl marriage(I am skeptical if *marriage* is a correct/right word or not).
-Commodity is the sex-slave who has no right to divorce her master.
-*Muslim feminist* is a funny term.Feminism is the *man-woman equality*,not sophistry,not *two equals one*.
I couldnt write much more.Stocks tumbled.
I watching Bear Stearns News from Bloomberg and CNBC.Bear Stearns may default(it is very important)
Posted by: halozcel | March 14, 2008 10:51 AM
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You are ofcourse correct in your observations. The world is disintegrating in moral behaviour and it is blatantly obvious and all around us. We must as good citizens make our viewpoints known to governments and media publishers that the kind of material they publish is not acceptable, that it desecrates women and turns them into playthings. The scriptures are full of such prophesies regarding moral disintegration in the last days, it is our job to remain pure and clean despite the wickedness around us and stand as a light unto others.
Posted by: sb | March 14, 2008 10:44 AM
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Hadia Mubarak,
I loved your comments. Mr. Spitzer's actions were deplorable, espically for someone in a leadership positions such as his. However, as you mentioned, his actions may vary well be influenced by the moralless society that has gripped our culture. Advertising, in all its forms, glorifies women, not for their intelligence, character, or morals, but for their sex appeal. All you have to do is walk through a grocery check-out line to recognize this. Advertising characterized real men as promiscuous - can you say Hue Heffner. I find it rather ironic how our society deplors the thought of polygamy, yet seems to accept promiscuity or multiple sexual partners. Explanation please. I've heard many people state that if Mr. Spitzer's was only having an affair, instead of highering prostitutes, that the situation wouldn't be so wrong. Excuse me. Our (society) recognition of what's write and what's wrong has diminished. We need to start teaching ourselves and our children moral principals - and hopefully, we can live according to these teachings.
Your article is accurate and refreshing. Thank you.
Posted by: Jeromy Humpherys | March 14, 2008 10:20 AM
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Sin is the human condition. Sin is but selfishness.
Mr. Spitzer has resigned and that it as it should be. It would have been better had he not drug his wife on stage for another round of all to public humiliation. And people keep arguing that prostitution is a victimless crime.
Posted by: garyd | March 14, 2008 10:10 AM
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God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, for this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
– Romans 1:25-27
Soon to be Dr. Muburak hit this one on the head. America, the West, and the World, have once again been given over to their sexual desires. It happened in Rome, it happened in Corinth, Paris, Milan, it happened in the first century, it happened in the fourteenth century, it happened in the seventeenth century, it’s happening today.
We shouldn’t be surprised in the least that Spitzer fell, nor that he got caught, nor that he is being publicly stoned. In the United States, we ascribe to haughtiness. Almost every person will proclaim their own goodness. We do this partly by saying,
“I haven’t killed anyone.”
“I’m not Adolf Hitler”
“At least I didn’t misappropriate government funds for a prostitute.”
“I must be a good person because there are plenty of people worse than me.”
Do you fall into one of these categories? Beloved, you won’t be judged against Hitler, Spitzer, or your neighbor, you will be judged against Jesus Christ, against perfection. Your conscience bears witness against you that you have fallen woefully short. Have you ever misappropriated government funds for your own sexual gratification? You know that is wrong, but listen to what Jesus said, he said, “Whosoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has committed adultery already with her in their heart.” Have you ever done that? Did you know that the sexually immoral have no inheritance in the kingdom of God?
Job made a covenant with his eyes, that he shouldn’t look upon a woman that wasn’t his spouse, and he also promised not to lead himself into temptation by coming near to sexual perversion. I highly suggest you do the same, starting today. Your marriage will be better, whether current or future, you will develop a higher understanding of the equality and complimentary roll of women and men, and you will never find yourself in front of television cameras for following your most debase desires.
But even if you were perfect from today, you will have to give an account for your prior transgression. God is perfectly holy and will not by any means clear the guilty. There is no statute of limitations in the kingdom of God. Whether you committed your sin five decades ago or five seconds ago, the past does not heal these wounds, and you will be punished. On the day that every deed done in darkness is brought to the light, every thought is exposed, every idle word requires an account, how will you plead? Will you say you didn’t know or you weren’t warned? This is your warning, and you did know, because your conscience bears witness to the law and records your wrong-doing.
On Judgment Day you will be found guilty, and the eternal fine is Hell. But God doesn’t want you to go to Hell, so much so that he sacrificed his only begotten Son in your place. Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God became your sin on the cross at Calvary and God poured his infinite wrath out upon him, and it please God to do it, because he truly hates sin, and through the suffering death of Jesus Christ, you can be forgiven.
God demands that you repent, whether you are Spit, the eternal Son of God became your sin on the cross at Calvary and God poured his infinite wrath out upon him, and it please God to do it, because he truly hates sin, and through the suffering death of Jesus Christ, you can be forgiven.
God demands that you repent, whether you are Spitzer, or just someone addicted to pornography, or if you’ve ever looked at a beautiful person with anything less than a pure motive, you must repent, or you will perish. Turn from your sin and turn towards the God of Salvation who made a way for you to be forgiven in Jesus Christ.
God accused the church of Corinth of being sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, men who practice homosexuality, thieves, usurpers, drunkards, revilers, swindlers. He said that they should not inherit the kingdom of God. But then, applying the blood of Christ to their sins, he said, “such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit.”
Beloved, I implore you, be reconciled to God.
Posted by: Kerusso | March 14, 2008 9:09 AM
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Before we are subjected to more comments from Muslims giving us their objective opinion that Islam is a touch-feely religion that embodies love and respect for all mankind, please do a few mouse clicks to the NEWS section of the POST and read this article in full:
"Egypt's Coptic Christians Are Choosing Isolation - Violent Clashes With Majority Muslims and an Increase in Separate Institutions Help Sever Centuries-Old Ties
By Ellen Knickmeyer
Washington Post Foreign Service
Monday, July 7, 2008; A08
CAIRO -- Under pressure from fundamentalist forms of Islam and bursts of sectarian violence, the most populous Christian community in the Middle East is seeking safety by turning inward, cutting day-to-day social ties that have bound Muslim to Christian in Egypt for centuries, members of both communities say.
Attacks this summer on monks and shopkeepers belonging to Egypt's Coptic Christian minority, and scattered clashes between Muslims and Christians, have compelled many of Egypt's estimated 6 million to 8 million Copts to isolate themselves in a nation with more than 70 million Muslims..."
I am one of those Americans who has pointed out the monumental hypocrisy at work when Muslims harp on the alleged ignorance of Americans about Islam, while ignoring the fact that Muslim countries refuse to grant Christians in their midst the freedoms enjoyed every day by Muslims in America. I rest my case.