Lately, at our boards, I have been seeing the concept used as something which reflects a set of ideals which is fixed. In other words, to reflect 'rights" and 'wrongs" in absolutist terms or sense, when in fact, by its very defintion, "morality" is mutable and entirely subjective, changing from person to person and culture to culture.

I think its important to realize that if any one of us states someone or something is not operating morally, or we judge someones morals to be of a high or low standard, that we are essentially in error, because morality is not an arbitrary set of ethics, so all we truly can say is that according to our OWN ethics or morality (which others may or may not share), someone is operating at a certain level. Too, it's worth bearing in mind simply when thinking about this, that it is fallacious to say at any time that a majority of people in the world are acting "immorally" simply because that stands counter to what morality does actually mean: typical behaviour or ethics.

And that, my friends, is a moral value judgement. And it is not something that we endorse at Scarleteen, nor that I feel is productive or conducive to a sound discussion and a nurturing environment.

So, be sure in discussions like in this area to remember "I" statements, and to remember that it's certainly fine to state that something is or is not right for you, or that you personally do or do not agree with or support something in particular. Remember too that we ARE a very diverse group, from many different cultures, experiences, traidtions, genders and generations.

That is really the only way to intellectually debate something, and to discuss things in such a way that others are not judged or your personal "moral" grounds. This simply is not the place for that sort of thing, and insiting that that sort of approach is not brought here is one of the things that keeps Scarleteen a place where a very diverse group of people can be comfortable and can feel accepted and able to discuss things which may be very personal to them or sensitive.

Just something to think about and bear in mind.

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Heather Corinna
Editor and Founder, Scarleteen

"If you're a bird, be an early early bird --
But if you're a worm, sleep late." - Shel Silverstein

I certainly hope I have been doing that. If I haven't been, Kitten you have my permission to use your goddess powers and zap me with a lightning bolt.

I shall make sure the lightening bolts are ready, just in case.

~KittenGoddess

I still love the irony of people using Greek or Roman words like ethics or morality...to deride homosexuality or pre-marital sex. I'm still trying to work out which of those cultures was more forward in promoting homosexuality! ;p

: onder ponder:: I'm sure that's not quite what the "Moral Majority" has in mind...

Can you imagine if I posted something like the following:

"Well, not having sex with anyone who wants it is just WRONG. It's selfish, and if you don't have sex whenever you want to, you obviously aren't respecting your body and its needs. Besides, it's stingy not to have sex all the time. Obviously people who choose not to have sex are really choosing to be disrespectful and immoral. I bet it even makes for more rapes. and sex crimes, and as a victim, you are therefore affecting me."

Or this:

"Well, the world is overpopulated, and kids are starving to death, not getting the education they need, and we can't get enough social services for them all. Therefore, having any children now is morally wrong, and it's basically child torture."

Really, I could go on, and no, I (as should be obvious) don't think those things, however even if I DID, this is not the place for them, and sentiments like those (and their inverse) are not appropriate in a group discussion board whose sole purpose is to offer *support* for all of our users, and to help them make the best choices for THEM.

Think about it, and please bear it in mind. It is getting to the point at times where I am uncomfortable at my own boards, and that just isn't okay.

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Heather Corinna
Editor and Founder, Scarleteen

"If you're a bird, be an early early bird --
But if you're a worm, sleep late." - Shel Silverstein

Hmm ... I agree w/ you, Miz S. While everyone is entitled to their own opinion, it's not fair to push your opinion onto other people ... or make them feel poopy for doing what they feel is right.