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Panopticon

Discussion in 'Political Debate & Discussion' started by Don, May 28, 2007.

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  1. Don

    Don Well-Known Member
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    The Panopticon is a type of prison building designed by English philosopher Jeremy Bentham in the late eighteenth century. The concept of the design is to allow an observer to observe (-opticon) all (pan-) prisoners without the prisoners being able to tell if they are being observed or not, thus conveying a "sentiment of an invisible omniscience." In his own words, Bentham described the Panopticon as "a new mode of obtaining power of mind over mind, in a quantity hitherto without example." (courtesy of Wikipedia)

    London has cameras on street corners, and is about to employ radio-controlled flying cameras, to watch for law-breakers and anti-social behavior. Executive orders in the United States require postal workers to report suspect people on carrier routes and suspicious mail. Canada is persecuting pastors who preach against homosexuality under their hate crimes legislation.

    In this electronic age, has Bentham's panopticon become reality?
     
    #1 Don, May 28, 2007
  2. poncho

    poncho Well-Known Member

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    Yes, and more so everyday.
     
    #2 poncho, May 28, 2007
  3. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

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    It seems to me that the word persecution is tossed around way too casually. I would not call that persecution.
     
    #3 Magnetic Poles, May 28, 2007
  4. James_Newman

    James_Newman New Member

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    Going to prison for preaching from the Bible is certainly persecution.
     
    #4 James_Newman, May 28, 2007
  5. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

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    Do you have any actual instances of that happening, or is it just anecdotal? Also, one can preach the gospel without preaching hatred.
     
    #5 Magnetic Poles, May 28, 2007
  6. James_Newman

    James_Newman New Member

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    It was just three years ago in Phillidelphia that four men were on trial for preaching at a gay parade and if convicted were facing up to 47 years in prison. That is persecution. How do you preach the gospel without convicting sinners of their sins? That is what the homosexuals call hate, telling them that they are sinners and that God is going to judge them for their sin.
     
    #6 James_Newman, May 28, 2007
  7. Don

    Don Well-Known Member
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    Dude, how could you NOT know about religious persecution in Canada?

    In 2001, Hugh Owen was convicted, sentenced, and fined $4,500 for purchasing a newspaper ad citing scriptures condemning homosexuality.

    The mayor of London, Ontario, was hauled before the Ontario Human Rights Commission and fined for declining to declare "Gay Pride Weekend."

    The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council has warned Dr. Laura Schlessinger and Dr. James Dobson not to discuss homosexuality, or the radio stations that carry their shows will lose their licenses.

    Just a few "anectdotal" examples. And that's just homosexuality; you should see what they're doing about people speaking against Islam (one individual was sentenced to community service, in an Islamic mosque, where his "supervisor" has forced him to read Islamic indoctrination pamphlets).
     
    #7 Don, May 28, 2007
  8. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

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    Telling a sinner the truth is not hate.. it is the ultimate love...

    I love the homosexuals so much that i don't want them to go to Hell, therefore I reveal to them that they are lost and need a savior.
    And that God will forgive them of their sins..

    Yes, homosexuality is a sin... and we must proclaim this...
    But it can be done without being hateful.

    I don't do it out of hate.. but out of love.
     
    #8 tinytim, May 28, 2007
  9. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

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    Remember the song in the 80s, "Somebody's watching me." hmmmm....

    I'm not paranoid....really, I am not.....
     
    #9 tinytim, May 28, 2007
  10. Don

    Don Well-Known Member
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    Is it paranoia if they really are watching you?
     
    #10 Don, May 28, 2007
  11. JFox1

    JFox1 New Member

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    The Indianapolis Police Department is putting up more and more security cameras in Indianapolis, supposedly to fight crime. Very few people complain about it. Ten years ago, people would have been outraged. It is amazing how people are so willing to give up their privacy for so-called security. :tear:
     
    #11 JFox1, May 28, 2007
  12. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

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    If we should see, then how about some links?

    I didn't find anything about the last two points, but in the Owen case, Wikipedia reports the verdict was overturned by the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal:

     
    #12 Magnetic Poles, May 28, 2007
  13. Don

    Don Well-Known Member
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    The stories can be found, if you punch the key words into a search.

    The point of this thread is not anti-homosexuality; if you'd like to hijack, please copy the comments and start a new thread. The point here is how society around the world is enabling and utilizing an electronic virtual panopticon, using just about any subject or topic to justify further expansion of the panopticon, and whether we realize what's going on--or are simply walking through life, enabling the growth of the vast machine by our simple acceptance of it.
     
    #13 Don, May 28, 2007
  14. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

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    Don,

    I find your accusation of hijacking misdirected. I didn't start of on the gay issue at all. Read your own thread. I merely was responding to you.Plus, you will find no anti-homosexual comment by me.,
     
    #14 Magnetic Poles, May 28, 2007
  15. hillclimber1

    hillclimber1 Active Member
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    I agree 100%, but the proponents of homosexuality always spin it back to, "Christians hating the individual homo's."
     
    #15 hillclimber1, May 28, 2007
  16. hillclimber1

    hillclimber1 Active Member
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    I post on a local secular site that continually chastises me for my views on homosexuality, and it always degenerates to, I hate the sinner, which is of course wrong. Many on there go so far as to say their children and grand's SHOULD be taught tolerance and acceptance of that lifestyle and then they can make informed choices as to their own sexuality. Sure a sad state of affairs.
     
    #16 hillclimber1, May 28, 2007
  17. hillclimber1

    hillclimber1 Active Member
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    How about "Anti-homosexuality" viewpoints? Are you pro or anti homosexuality, or are you "undecided"?
     
    #17 hillclimber1, May 28, 2007
  18. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

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    I believe the mods have mandated that discussion of human sexuality be done in the private fora. Although I disagree with that as it eliminates dialog of interest to both genders, I agreed to abide by the rules when I registered.
     
    #18 Magnetic Poles, May 28, 2007
  19. Don

    Don Well-Known Member
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    You're being disingenuous, sir. Yes, I made mention of pastors and homosexuality in my original post; that was not the point of the message, but was the one piece of the message you decided to focus on.

    I accuse you of no anti-homosexual comments; rather, a conclusion could be drawn, based on your responses thus far, that you were indicating that my point was anti-homosexual.

    In other words, you've nearly hijacked the thread by focusing on a puzzle piece, instead of commenting about the puzzle itself.

    If this analysis is in error, please point out the errors. Otherwise, please feel free to add to some of the other observations about things going on around us.
     
    #19 Don, May 28, 2007
  20. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

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    No, I commented on the persecution comment. You responded with supposed examples that included homosexuality. I am not being disingenuous at all, and your saying so is certainly either meant to be insulting or, hopefully, you just have misunderstood.

    Incorrect again. I neer believed that was your point. I understood your OP clearly. However, you digressed. I responded to your digression.

    Again, my response was to your supposed examples of persecution. YOU have missed MY point, not I yours. It was never my intention to focus on homosexuality in any manner. My point was the persecution complex many Christians perceive. The word is used way to often. A persecution complex is not helpful to furthering the gospel message. So you may now stop with the accusations of hijacking. I didn't bring the subject up. Yet you ignore people like hillclimber who continue on the path of hijacking. So I must ask, what is your agenda here?
    As I have pointed out, your analysis is indeed erroneous. Now let's move on.
     
    #20 Magnetic Poles, May 28, 2007
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