Really Wrong ... Or Just Kind Of? [Archive]

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zakur

11th June 2003, 11:32 AM

From the latest issue of American Demographics:

Really Wrong ... Or Just Kind Of?

Americans says that looking at pornography is the most morally depraved vice and that drinking alcohol is the least depraved.

"Rank, from 1 to 7, the following vices in order of moral depravity, with 1 as the most morally depraved vice and 7 as the least morally depraved."

1. Looking at pornography or strippers
2. Lying
3. Gambling
4. Gossiping
5. Swearing or cussing*
5. Smoking cigars, cigarettes or pipes*
7. Drinking alcohol

*There was a tie between swearing and smoking for the fifth-most deplorable vice. Source: American Demographics/SynovateWell, at least I don't gamble, gossip or smoke. :D

chillzero

11th June 2003, 11:36 AM

Were these the only options?

Girl 6

11th June 2003, 11:36 AM

Sheesh... Do we need more evidence about how conservative and puritanical America is? ;)

G6

renata

11th June 2003, 11:38 AM

Originally posted by zakur
From the latest issue of American Demographics:

Well, at least I don't gamble, gossip or smoke. :D

I do not smoke.

I guess I am going to hell. I wonder what these people think of Vegas?:)

That seriously surprises me. I do wonder whether they mean excessive alcohol drinking, or social, a glass of wine with dinner drinking. I will assume they mean excessive. If I had to rank them, based on my own personal preference, it would be as follows. Of course, I do not consider most of these "vices" in the first place, so the rank is largely arbitrary.

1. Lying
2. Drinking alcohol (excessive)
3. Gambling (excessive)
4. Gossiping
5. Smoking cigars, cigarettes or pipes*
6. Looking at pornography or strippers
7. Swearing or cussing*

Skeptical Greg

11th June 2003, 11:47 AM

I always like to quote my friend Jesus when it comes to pornography..

" If your eye offends you, pluck it out.. "

Paul C. Anagnostopoulos

11th June 2003, 11:52 AM

Bogus poll. They forgot to list watching Crassing Over.

~~ Paul

Mercutio

11th June 2003, 11:56 AM

Seems a rather lame methodology to me...a rank-ordering by "moral depravity"? It's just a rank-ordering of what you are given, the first 7 finishers in a 7-person race. Was the final time fast or slow? I can rank these seven, even if I think they are all perfectly acceptable (and that "praying" was a worse vice than any of them). I can rank them even if I think that even doing any one of them ever even once sends you to hell forever...

Frankly, the only ones I have a problem with morally are gossiping and lying. Alcohol, tobacco and gambling I have a problem with from a practical, but not a moral, standpoint. Swearing and strippers? Just so long as you don't wake the children or scare the pets...

rustypouch

11th June 2003, 11:57 AM

Out of that list, the only one I have moral objections to is lying, and possibly gossiping, depending on the context.

Of the rest, I try to keep swearing down to a minimum, because I find it crude and inelegant; not because of any moral qualms. But I do partake in the other 'vices,' some more than others.

Melissa Johnson

11th June 2003, 11:58 AM

Originally posted by Mercutio
Just so long as you don't wake the children or scare the pets...

:D

I like it. I want it for a sig. May I steal? :D

HarryKeogh

11th June 2003, 11:58 AM

lying and gossiping seem like the only morally depraved acts on the list to me.

i'd much rather have my neighbor look at pornography then talk about me behind my back.

oh i forgot, boobs are evil.

bignickel

11th June 2003, 01:09 PM

What has never been explained to me what, if anything, sex has to do with morality.

I'm waiting for a fundie Xtian to explain that one to me especially, since Gid didn't see fit to list the word 'sex' anywhere in the 10 commandments.

Maybe it was on the third tablet?

Mercutio

11th June 2003, 01:14 PM

Originally posted by Melissa Johnson

I like it. I want it for a sig. May I steal? :D

Steal away...I have no doubt I stole it from somebody else...:p

c0rbin

11th June 2003, 01:16 PM

Well, is it as bad to watch someone doing all of the above?

If that is the case, then I guess I shouldn't wait for the Sapranos 4th season to come out on DVD.

:o

Genghis Pwn

11th June 2003, 01:25 PM

Lol @ that stupid list. It was compiled by major hypocrites, no doubt.

glee

11th June 2003, 01:26 PM

Originally posted by Melissa Johnson
Mercutio:
"Just so long as you don't wake the children or scare the pets..."
:D

I like it. I want it for a sig. May I steal? :D

Here in England, I have heard the equivalent:

"As long as you don't do it in the street and frighten the horses..."

Segnosaur

11th June 2003, 01:29 PM

The problem is, too many of these 'vices' depend on context....

Lying is probably the one I'd characterize as the 'worst'; however, there are times when it can be beneficial (like a lie to not hurt someone's feelings.)

Drinking is bad, but only when done to excess, or when it interferes with other people's activities (drunk driving, for example).

Swearing is OK with me, in the right environment. I would say that going to the edge of a school yard with a megaphone and yelling out every possible swear word is probably a "bad idea".

RSLancastr

11th June 2003, 01:33 PM

Originally posted by renata
I wonder what these people think of Vegas?:)How did I get to Vegas? And why am I in this handbasket???

RSLancastr

11th June 2003, 01:39 PM

Originally posted by rustypouch
Out of that list, the only one I have moral objections to is lying, and possibly gossiping, depending on the context.I can't think of a situation where Gossiping is a good thing, but there are obvious ones where Lying is. The classic example: you are in Nazi Germany, and have hidden some Jews in your basement. When soldiers come knocking at your door and ask if there are any Jews in your house, would you lie or tell the truth?

As for the "vice list", I can only hope that by "vice", they mean frequently-repeated lying (stealing, smoking, whatever).

shemp

11th June 2003, 01:39 PM

I've already done all of these today. Got any more?

uneasy

11th June 2003, 02:28 PM

For me lying, then gossipping, then things that directly hurt people, then indirectly. So porn might go at the end.

Might as well rate these horrible sins while you're at it.
1. Running inside the house
2. Slouching
3. Killing thousands of microbes with mouth wash
4. Staying up too late
5. Looking at a member of the opposite sex
6. Looking at a member of the same sex
7. Failing to keep correct time on wristwatch

Melissa Johnson

11th June 2003, 02:42 PM

Originally posted by HarryKeogh
lying and gossiping seem like the only morally depraved acts on the list to me.

i'd much rather have my neighbor look at pornography then talk about me behind my back.

oh i forgot, boobs are evil.

*sigh* As I've said before (and am contemplating having printed in black block letters on a tight white T shirt):

They're just BOOBS. Get over it! :D

uneasy

11th June 2003, 02:45 PM

Originally posted by Melissa Johnson

*sigh* As I've said before (and am contemplating having printed in black block letters on a tight white T shirt):

They're just BOOBS. Get over it! :D

I sense a new avatar coming on! :D

Jim_MDP

11th June 2003, 04:40 PM