Well, in the usual fashion to get to my blog, I entered the name of my blog on Netscape. Out of curiosity, I looked at the search results to see where all my blog was popping up. As it turned out, another blogger had referenced my blog in one of his recent posts. He had this to say:
“What's that you say? That last one [Afterthoughts on a Whirlwind Journey] isn't a sex blog? No. It's not, but it's still a porn blog. Reading the private, inner thoughts of a closeted Christian struggling with his attraction to men (Whose love will he pick Jesus or another man's? Will he realize that it's not an either/or decision?) is totally pornographic. Totally.”
I have to admit, the idea of my blog being a “porn blog” is sort of bewildering to me. I’ve never thought of my blog being anything that could be described as erotic. I have tried to avoid being blatantly graphic in descriptions of my thoughts/past, and, to the best of my knowledge, I have yet to post any inappropriate images or videos. So I am confused by someone finding my blog to have an erotic appeal to it. I am intrigued, though, because I wonder now what it is about my blog that might come across as pornographic or overtly erotic. Perhaps the nature of my blog, the fact that I am a “closeted (for the most part) Christian struggling with his attraction to men” and that I have shared some “private, inner thoughts”, does appeal to the erotic fantasies or stimuli of some people. Whatever the reason, if my blog does come across that way, this “totally” throws me for a loop. The intentions of my blog has never been to provide material for anyone’s sexual pleasure, but merely to be a place where people, like myself, who have struggled with their sexuality, can read about and learn from my own experiences and gain comfort in knowing that they are not alone in their own struggles. But, whereas I do not see the erotic appeal, far be it from me to suggest that nobody else does/can.
I guess the question I should ask now is does my blog have a pornographic, sexual, or otherwise inappropriate feel, perception, or appeal to it? If you think it does, I’d honestly like to know why. If you think it doesn’t, give me your viewpoint as well. I’m just trying to figure this thing out.
Moving onto another topic… how many of you think Conan O’Brien should stay the host of the Tonight Show? This has sort of been in the news a bunch lately. But just so that everyone knows where I stand on the issue, I think Leno should move on, Conan should stay, and NBC should wholeheartedly support the new guy (who’s just as good if not better than his predecessor). Just because Leno’s new show hasn’t panned out doesn’t mean the entire late night schedule and the lives and careers of all those involved should be messed around with. I just prefer Conan O’Brien to Jay Leno. There. I said it. Sue me.
8 comments:
Hi Brandon,
Interesting. I guess if people see your sharing here as their chance to become voyeurs, then that could be a link, as well as the power struggle that some might see going on here in your choices. Sin is sexy. Always has been. The idea of us being enticed to renounce the love of the Lord Jesus - what is this but the darkest of our sins? As Eve demonstrated in her desire for the one fruit denied her, what is forbidden becomes attractive.
We desire darkness rather than light, because sin deceives us. Don't worry - no one will think your blog is porn if Jesus wins this battle in you.
Onward, and let them say what they like. :)
That's fascinating. I'm willing to bet that my blog would be considered "porn" by this guy as well. Strange.
I'm working my way through Thomas Watson's book on Repentance...so if you like old dead Puritan guys like I do...check it out. I'm working on my 5th post which should post sometime this weekend.
Happy Friday!
I think you're getting hung up on the idea of pornography being about sex. Not everyone uses the word solely in that context. To some people, pornography is a term that means taking something that is beautiful, precious, and personal, and turning it into a cheap and tawdry show for others. As another example, I've heard that concept invoked in referring to the entire "Left Behind" series as little more than "rapture porn."
I admit that I haven't read anything in your blog, but I personally wouldn't call what I read as "cheap and tawdry." So I'm not agreeing with the commentary you quoted. However, I can certainly understand how they can call something that's not overtly sexual or erotic as "porn," because I've seen the word used in such contexts before.
I dont think your blog is porn. But porn to me is about sex.
Hi, Brandon. Yes, it's me. The guy who said your blog was porn.
Didn't mean to offend, so I'd like to offer a bit of explanation. As Jarred began to say above, I didn't mean pornography in a sexual or erotic sense. I'm speaking purely in terms of excitement and intense emotional reaction.
Your experience of life is so different from mine. I was raised on a farm in Michigan, isolated from a lot of the world and a lot of social mores. I came out at 16, dated a boy like most heterosexuals, moved to New York, and then eventually lost my virginity when I was 18. I never really experienced the struggle that you experience.
So to read your posts where you not only describe an experience I could never imagine, but you also do it with such honesty and, well, intimacy... it's pretty exciting from my point of view. I'm not getting sexually aroused by your life, but I do sometimes experience quite intense emotion.
Sorry for the long comment. Let me know if you'd prefer that I remove the reference. I'm totally one of those bloggers who thinks no one reads his blog, but if you prefer not to be represented in that way, just let me know.
Rey, that's okay. You didn't offend me so much as puzzle me. I was, as Jarred said, thinking of porn singularly from a sexual nature, and so I thought that was what you were talking about. I just wanted to make sure from others that I wasn't moving in an erotic writing style or theme on my blog that I wasn't aware of. I apologize for misunderstanding you. Thanks for responding and clearing that up, and I'm glad you like my blog. :)
Found your blog last week sometime and have really learned alot from reading it! Thanks for being so honest as I too am a Christian and have struggled with same sex attractions for years and its nice to find others who know what its like. Anyways thats all just wanted to tell you I appreciate the honesty that you post with.
Its a long debate whether your blog should be considered as porn or not but I like your writing style. Keep it up!
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