Pornography has been an integral part of human history since ancient times. It is widely believed that humans have always had a fascination for erotica and sensual pleasure, but it was only during the last century when it became commercialized through cinema, television, and the internet. This has led to a rise in its consumption worldwide with varying degrees of legal sanctions depending upon countries and cultures. Pornography laws vary significantly from one state to another due to their religious beliefs and cultural traditions. While some states consider pornography as obscene and prohibit its production, distribution, and viewing, others treat it as an art form that should be freely available to adults. This paper aims to compare and contrast pornography laws in secular versus theocratic states while exploring the lessons learned from them.
One major difference between these two types of states lies in their understanding of sex and sexuality. Secular states believe that sex is a natural phenomenon that should be enjoyed responsibly without social restrictions or taboos. They argue that sexual freedom is essential for the development of an individual's personality and can help boost creativity, productivity, and innovation. On the other hand, theocratic states regard sex as a private matter that must remain within marriage and should not be flaunted publicly. They believe that indulging in any kind of sexual activity outside the confines of marriage leads to moral corruption and vice.
Another significant distinction between secular and theocratic states relates to censorship policies. While secular states do not censor pornographic content, theocratic ones heavily regulate it by banning it outright or imposing strict age limits on access.
In Saudi Arabia, all forms of pornography are illegal even for married couples while Singapore enforces strict guidelines against pornography consumption and distribution. In Iran, pornography is considered a threat to national security and punishable by death.
Secular states have also been more progressive when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights compared to theocratic ones. They recognize the right of individuals to express themselves sexually and form relationships regardless of gender identity or orientation.
This does not mean that they condone pornography involving children or animals. Some countries like Germany, France, and Denmark allow minors over 16 years old to watch pornography with parental consent.
Pornography laws in theocratic states focus primarily on religious beliefs and cultural values. They aim to preserve traditional morals and norms by restricting access to pornographic material. This has led to widespread censorship and oppression of personal freedom, leading many people to consume pirated porn from abroad through VPNs or proxy servers.
Some theocratic states like Turkey have recently liberalized their porn laws, allowing adults above 18 years old to view porn without any restrictions.
Both types of states have unique views on pornography, but one thing remains constant - the need to protect minors from accessing obscene content. Secular states have adopted a hands-off approach towards adult entertainment while theocratic ones have imposed stringent regulations. The lesson learned from these contrasting approaches is that no single solution fits all, and each state should determine its own policies based on local traditions and norms.
What lessons can be learned from contrasting pornography laws in secular versus theocratic states?
Pornography laws vary greatly between secular and theocratic states. Secular nations tend to have more lenient laws regarding pornography, while theocratic countries generally prohibit it entirely. The reason for this is that theocracy seeks to protect citizens from the negative influences of pornography, which includes both physical and mental health issues associated with excessive consumption of such material.