Search Results: local groups

There, all p*rnography- defined as "pictures, sketches, illustrations, photos, writing, voice, sound, moving pictures, animation, cartoons, conversations, movements of the body, or other forms through a variety of communication media and/or performances in public which contain obscenity or which could arouse sexual desire which violates the moral norms in society"- has been made illegal, and the producing, making, importing, exporting, buying, selling and/or expression of any such "p*rnography" carries a sentence of at least 6 months, and up to 15yrs. Even the mere act of kissing on the lips in public carries a prison sentence of 1-5yrs; possessing or downloading p*rn can land you in jail for 4yrs, and a 'sexually suggestive performance' (such as dancing) can incur a 12yr sentence. Inciting acts of obscenity (encouraging people to have sex) is cited by the Indonesian government as an "act of erotic terrorism", and those who do can face terrorist charges.

The anti-obscenity laws there also state that the public has no role in debating what constitutes p*rnography, or what should be enforced- instead, the public's main role is to conduct ‘socialisation’ of these laws and instruct people about the ‘dangers and consequences’ of p*rnography. Members of the public are obligated to report infringements of the anti-obscenity laws, or be deemed complicit. The law does ask people ‘not to perform acts which take the law into their own hands, acts of violence, raids (sweeping), or other acts which are against the law’, but vigilante groups still routinely mount violent raids on bars, clubs, brothels and even peoples' homes to enforce the anti-obscenity laws themselves, unchecked by local law enforcement, and vocally supported by government officials.

So, what are your opinions of Indonesia's anti-obscenity laws? And if your country were to enact the same anti-obscenity laws and start enforcing them from now on, how would you react to them?

Everyone has seen movies about college fraternities and sororities. They are almost always portrayed as being composed of the spoiled children of affluent families, always involved in morally bankrupt behavior, and generally lack any redeeming merits.

Fraternities and sororities can be quite different from the movies. I am an alumni advisor for a local chapter of my college fraternity. Last semester, this group of about 40 young men raised approximately $100,000 for charitable purposes and they also contributed over 1,000 hours of community service to local charities. These guys have some fun - as almost all people do in college - but they behave responsibly and the college administration is happy to have them on campus.

What do you think about college fraternities and sororities?