I didn't read the whole thread either, but I caught a couple of posts, and I just want to say a few things before adding my own opinions:

The actual definition of pornography is offensive sexually explicit and obscene material. Obviously, everyone has a different opinion of what constitutes obscene. We often use "porn" to define almost all sexually explicit material, but that's not its actual definition, unless all sexually explicit material offends you.

Someone said men in porn couldn't possibly have penises as big as they appear, but they do. One source says the largest penis was 13.5 inches long and 6.25 inches around (documented in the early 1900's by Dr. Robert L. Dickinson). There are some very large men out there, but obviously, they aren't the norm!

"Soft core" porn is simply porn that is less graphic. It doesn't mean it has romance or love in it, although it may. You generally don't see a woman's vulva in detail (except for the triangle) or the man's penis. Additionally, the actors are generally faking the sex, just like in mainstream Hollywood movies. Mind you, I'm not saying that's always the case. You do not see semen when the man comes. In "hard core" porn, you see everything! The penis going in and out whatever it's going in and out of, the whole vulva, vagina, clitoral area, etc. You do see semen when the man comes.

I don't think there's anything wrong with enjoying sexually explicit material, and while some people cite studies that show it to to cause rape and sexual crimes, other studies show just the opposite.

This doesn't mean I think all sexual material is equal. I've seen women (and men) doing vile things in porn. Many do it for the money. Sadly (in terms of careers, if you will), female porn stars have about two years of "stardom," whereas men have many more years.

Many men and boys don't understand that many women are doing this for money and to please men. I've heard teenage boys on talk shows speak about girls who do those "rainbow parties" and "chicken parties" as if the girls are freely choosing to do them without low self-esteem. The boys say the girls want to do it, but I've heard many girls admit they do it to keep a guy or to get one's attention. The same is true of porn...many men think women in the industry enjoy sex in however they portray it. Most women fake it.

I worked in the sex industry for a brief time, as a peep show girl. I had some very nice guys come to my booth, but there were also sleazeballs. I remember one guy who came to my door, which had a window, and stuck his tongue out in a sleazy manner, as if that would turn me on. Please! But guys like that think you're all about skipping foreplay, jumping into bed and you're "ready for action" all the time.

Many people don't know it, but a lot of "big business" companies that put out products and services having nothing to do with porn, actually own other companies that put out porn.

Some relationships come apart because of porn, some find more intimacy. A lot has to do with partners' attitudes and respect of the other. If a man spends all his time with porn and never gives his wife attention, or expects her to do things the porn actress probably isn't even into in her "real" life, that will harm the relationship. But if a couple watch together and mutually agree to explore and also agree not to go farther than the other wants, it can be very helpful.

I am obviously against child porn, but also bestiality, because, like children, animals can't consent, and I consider it abusive.

There are women for whom working in the sex industry is a positive thing, but from what I've seen, far more find it a negative thing. Still, I believe, in a country of freedom, we have to be free to make choices, even if they are wrong for us and stem from a bad past.

heyjoe, I'm glad you spoke up. I saw the ladies on The View yesterday talking about cheating, and except for Elisabeth (who it amazes me that I agree with her often), they felt the woman is more culpable than the man...yet in watching State of Mind, one character said the man is more culpable. It really pisses me off, because, I don't care if the female was very young and naive, and the man is letting his "little head" make decisions for him, I believe both are equally responsible. Joy Behar said men "are idiots" and thinks they should be let off responsibility for cheating (or have less) because of that. First, men are not idiots (any more than women), and they are just as culpable as women when they cheat. I'm not man-bashing, but saying men and women are equal. Not all men treat women like crap, not all men view porn (and not all who do are bad), and it's sad that so many women have such a negative view of men (and vice versa, for that matter).

One person's experience is not another's.

I also agree with Jeremiah, that porn doesn't make someone do something. People are responsible for their own actions. There are people that have done heinous things because of The Bible. Anything can be an influence, for better or for worse.

I believe that much of the varying kinks and oddities in porn are caused by sexual repression and oppression, much of that caused by religion.

heyjoe mentioned how some parents let their young daughters dress. I agree, it's crazy. I mean, little girls want to buy these really tiny skirts and flimsy tops, and some parents will go ahead and buy them! In some cases, it's not the parents...I've heard of girls getting clothes from friends as well. Some girls even have their own money and buy them. If it were me, once I found out my kid was wearing such clothes, I'd be examining her room and keeping an eye on her friends as much as possible, and if I found those clothes in her possession, I'd take them, shred them and toss them out. If she wants to buy those clothes and lose all that money, fine!

On a side note...I have a problem with terms like "slutty," because men don't get those terms thrown at them, or if they do, they wear them proudly, and aren't treated the way girls are with that label. I don't think there's anything wrong with enjoying sex, but if you're going to call a girl slutty, there should be an equally insulting term for men who do it, and they should be treated just as badly. Promiscuous women are shunned, but promiscuous men, even if criticized, are still welcome to hang out with friends.

A note on tattoos, since it's been mentioned...tattooing has been done for millenia. Men and women. I forget the name of it, but there's a culture where women have their entire face tattooed in a very painful manner, and this is considered quite beautiful.

I've seen many different kinds of porn, and I'm quite informed on the adult industry. I've never raped or committed a sexual or other assault. I've never even been in a physical fight. There is no reason I shouldn't be able to continue enjoying adult content.

As for, what if the woman I may be viewing has been a victim of sexual abuse or is doing it to raise money to care for her child, it's not my place to research every actor in a film to see if they're doing it for an "acceptable" reason or not. If they're doing it to care for their child, then my buying it gives them the money they made the film or whatever for. What if a person is doing dangerous stunt work to make money to care for a sick relative, but doesn't really want to do it? Should I not go see a Hollywood movie that involves stunts? What if someone's got a crappy job they hate to pay their college tuition? Should I not use their services or buy their products?

I don't actually watch porn much at all...I prefer erotic romances and such. I also like looking at hot, sexy, nude men (a la Playgirl and Suite Magazines), sexy men jerking off, and having sex with women (some would consider that porn, but I'm differentiating from what you see geared for men). But I believe people have a right to read and view what they want, as long as everyone involved (including the actors) are consenting adults.

Banning porn will not stop it, so that's a useless tactic, anyway.