Rape : Semantics, Definitions and Culture

[Donatien]

But if we as a culture have a defined crime, should we consider that defined crime to be a crime in another culture or should we consider that crime acceptable when it is in another culture? As a society, we in the west are pretty ambiguous as to what is acceptable in another culture. We invade countries where our economic interests are at stake and we are willing to stand back and watch genocide take place. We are horrified but being horrified enables us to live with our complicity in a crime.
Seneca - 'We are mad, not only individually, but nationally. We check manslaughter and isolated murders; but what of war and the much vaunted crime of slaughtering whole peoples?'

Well hell I don't know how to say shit in any other language but my own either but pretty much if it looks like it and stinks like it I don't need to run it in to be analyzed to recognize it. They may not have it on the law books in other cultures. They may not call it the same thing. Regardless, forcing yourself on someone who doesn't want you is wrong period. And I don't think "we in the west" have cornered the market on common sense and good law enforcement.
For the record ladies I've heard from on the subject state that they lose their sex drive and skip periods while under high stress.

Whilst all of this is a digression from the central line of the thread, I would like to point out that there are some seriously crossed wires here. Two perceptions of the world that are so far apart that they might come from different planets, and whilst they will probably dominate the history of politics and warfare in the 21st century, are not in their broader implications within the remit of this forum.

Before I refocus on the original theme of thread however, may I draw to hunters attention that “ wrong period “ is a moral judgement, completely separate from what is matter of law, save in those countries where religious beliefs effectively are the law.

May I also ask him to reflect on how he would recognize, by his criteria, crucifixion, breaking on the wheel, amputation of limbs , burning at the stake, electrocution,death by hanging,and public flogging, as legal or right punishments; OR bigamy, polyandry,homosexuality, bestiality, sodomy, and S&M practices between consenting adults in private and not involving lasting damage ( aka the spanner trial in the uk), on the legal/illegal, right wrong axis. All of the first group have at one time or place been considered legal, whilst all of the latter illegal. As a final example just think on how we humans, have wavered back and forth as to the youngest age at which sexual intercourse, or marriage can be considered legal.


Hunters last point does bring us back on thread, which Top -rock initiated in order to share with us the conclusions of an article in the May issue of the online magazine Discovery, it can be read for free at this address. n.b. you do have to register as a subscriber and a member ( both free ), but do NOT need to become a Magazine subscriber

http://www.discover.com/issues/may-0...ures/featlove/



and is very interesting. I have been studying it and have some further ideas and points , which are potentially quite relevant to our community, which I will address in another post as a reply to TOP-ROCK's original one

[ edit 1.45pm gmt :and which, after spending over an hour preparing and writing, I have just deleted by pressing the wrong' by our lady' key!!!!FFFFF. i'll start after lunch and a beer; no not the latter i'd go to sleep!]