Posted on 01/18/2006 8:08:47 AM PST by Liz
Lots of good posts.
IMHO this is a stunt that the press agent of this particular Baldwin thought up.
It will get him talked about.
The issue is a good one but it is not the reason for his actions.
I have no problem with anyone objecting to adult bookstores in their neighborhood, or adult businesses in general. Personally, I don't want them in my neighborhood. Nor do I have a problem with Baldwin voicing his objection to this business or even standing outside with a picket sign.
I do, however, object to his tactic of photographing and publishing photos of patrons of a legal establishment and holding them out as morally reprehensible people.
Actually, I suspect it is illegal. I'm fairly sure that in order to publicize peoples photos in an advertisement he needs to get signed releases from them.
Prior to his born again revelation.
This is at a USED car lot on a 4 lane highway.. I've lived in places where the residential is 1/4 mile away from these types of places, and NONE of those businesses along the highway impact the subdivisions. Developers INTENTIONALLY develop that way. Its a free standing building on its own lot on a 4 lane highway.
Your quote about darkness fleeing the light is not appropriate, as they are not doing what they are doing in dark alleys or secret. There is no light to be shown, its a business open to the public. These guys are not "exposing" darkness to the light... for this is not being done in the darkness.
What they are doing is Harrassment, and intimidation and has nothing to do with Christian values at all.
The Bible tells us, quite directly. When you see another sin it is your obligation to point out that they are being sinful.. for they may not know that what they do is sinful, if you do not, then their sins will be upon you as well. If however you inform them of their sin, and they continue to sin anyway, they will still die, but you will be saved.
"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. 8 When I say to the wicked, `O wicked man, you will surely die,' and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. 9 But if you do warn the wicked man to turn from his ways and he does not do so, he will die for his sin, but you will have saved yourself. "
It does not say that you should harrass or further shame the wicked man, it does not say that this is your charge or responsibility. To do so is to deny man his birthright of Free Will. God did not make us slaves to his well, nor did he make us enforcers of his word. Grace is not achieved by coercment.
Sin is, and always will be in the world, the belief that you can change that is rediculous. This is NIMBY nonsense. I've seen groups act this way around these sorts of businesses for years everytime one opens up.. and every time they place opens, and operates without any incident or problem.... More problems happen at high schools than at these operations generally.. Bars have far far far more problems associated with them than these. Strip Clubs as well tend to attract issues.. but toy/video stores generally operate quietly and bring with them nothing of the sort of innate moral decay that brings down property values that the activists that harrass them and their patrons claim. Let the sinner sin, sinning to prevent them from doing so, is no less a sin.
Paparazzi target people in the "PUBLIC LIFE"... not just joe schmoe on the street. Legally there is a difference, though the exact legal term escapes me at the moment. What he's doing is simply harrassment.. it won't do anything but make "Christians" look like hypocrites.
I agree. I think with the advent of the net, more people are addicted to porn and have been blinded by their addiction.
Yeah! That's the ticket! Hollywood LOVES Christians. His career is on the move NOW! /sarc
I don't like McDonalds because they make people fat. Fat people die earlier than thin people so McDonalds is killing people. To stop them from killing people, I am going to photograph their patrons, especially the fat ones who are obviously supporting this killing machine, and I am going to publish their photos so everybody will know who these gluttons are.
Its been maintstream since the 70s. Same ole same ole.
Youve got some interesting christian theology there.
Moral citizens should make a moral stand and apply social pressure - not legal pressure. These people are doing the right thing. We don't need larger government - we need moral people to stand up and cry 'shame on you!'
I have no problem with people making a moral stand. Photographing and publishing photos of patrons of a legal business and holding them out as morally reprehensible people crosses the line. Suppose the local electrician goes there to fix a light and then finds his photo published as a "patron?".
Who are you or Baldwin to decide who is moral or immoral?
But Steve Baldwin stands in good company....
..the same was done with many fine folk......and will continue throughout time, or until the 2nd coming. ....
..the same is being done daily to our President.
bah - we could argue hypothetical scenarios all day long - waste of time. In the end I commend him for making a moral stand. I'm all for society reclaiming moral ground that's been given up in the name of sensitivity, tolerance or whatever. It would really be nice to see our culture reclaim its sense of shame.
Who are you or Baldwin to decide who is moral or immoral?
*****************
How does one "make a moral stand" without a decision about what or who is moral?
There are either moral absolutes or there are none.
His face however is all over the press.
"The least-known of the Baldwins..."
I, for one, live for the day when 'The Baldwins' will all but be extinct. ;)
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