Re: A New Goden Rule

From: P. Brown (elemtilas_at_yahoo.com)
Date: 10/13/04 

Date: 12 Oct 2004 19:51:47 -0700

fbonsignore@beethoven.com (Fabrizio J. Bonsignore) wrote in message news:<768f7623.0410121324.2c022b50@posting.google.com>...
> "naked_ape" <naked_apes@verizon.net> wrote in message news:<mKg9d.15044$Xk1.8202@trnddc02>...
> > The neo-pagans have a saying, "Do as you will, but harm none." I'd say that
> > covers everything. .. Ape;)
> >
> What about prostitution, masturbation, self-penetration, tattooing,
> self-multilation (piercing), drinking, drugs, coffee, eating spicey,
> self-medication, euthanasia, masochism, extreme sports, gambling,
> bondage, poultry industry, animal breeding, pest control, `no pain no
> gain`, not taking medication, refusing a lover? When people tell you
> `I am doing X and I like it, it is not harming you`, what do you do?

As Mr Kolker said, "Mind your own business". This is an instance of
(while some emotional harm may be done to another) your liberty ends
where that person's begins.

You might be traumatised if your wife came home one day with face
tattoos, multiple piercings and a packet of nine alarm chili and a
bottle of coke for supper; but you'd largely be powerless. You might
rebuke her for doing so many things without consultation, and that
your feelings and level of trust are now damaged by these actions.

Other than an emotional scar, there is no 'real' damage done to anyone
other than the person engaging in the activity in question. Some
exceptions in your list: masturbation - no harm at all, as it is a
normal and healthy activity; gambling - this can indeed cause real
harm to others as losses accrue and Certain Gentlemen start comming
around to collect. A couple others like poultry industry probably
shouldn't be on a list of self-involved activities.

Padraic.

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