noun (pl. taboos or tabus) a social or religious custom placing prohibition or restriction on a particular thing or person.
adjective 1 prohibited or restricted by social custom. 2 designated as sacred and prohibited.
verb (taboos, tabooed or tabus, tabued) place under such prohibition.
ORIGIN from Tongan, 'set apart, forbidden'.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Triad of Taboo Subjects:
Religion. Money. Politics.
These are things we are all taught to 'never discuss in polite company'. Why? Because they are 'taboo'. At least that is what we are supposed to believe. I personally go by the notion that I don't feel like having a verbal fighting match with someone because I believe differently than they do.
Difference. The hidden taboo. Or, as many prefer to call it, 'morality'.
"They do or think different than I do...so they MUST be in the wrong!"
Why is it that so many of us find it hard to accept different religions, different cultures, different sexual orientations, different vocabularies, different attractions...etcetera?
What do you consider to be 'taboo', if anything?
Cross-dressing?
There are thousands of heterosexual men, married or in committed relationships; who routinely dress in women's clothing. It's estimated that at least 1% of the male population "cross-dresses." But even in this new millennium of nipple rings and ringtones, the idea of a heterosexual man wanting to dress in heels is still perceived as weird, even threatening. Cross-dressing is a subject that's been widely misunderstood, and it's just as confusing for the cross-dressers themselves - and the women who love them.
Misconceptions are rampant. For example, most people associate cross-dressing with effeminacy or homosexuality. Not true. Most cross-dressers are VERY heterosexual. Most have wives/girlfriends. They just like to dress up in women's clothing. Hell, I sure feel pretty in a nice outfit...who am I to say that it is WRONG for a man to want that same feeling?
Zoophilia (bestiality)? (no pic here...even I am not stupid enough to google that word. *L*)
This one? I admit I have a problem with it. Just like children, an animal is incapable of giving informed consent. Therefore, in my mind, it is a form of rape.
Swinging?
(and not this kind)
Swinging is where two or more couples agree to get together for the express purpose of engaging in an intimate or sexual relationship with a partner or partners other than their own. This really works for quite a lot of couples. I believe, that first and foremost, you and your partner need to be doing this for the right reasons. Mainly being....enhancing your current sex-life. Both of you should be in total agreement. You can't enjoy something if you were 'pushed' into it to begin with. If you have any restrictions, you should discuss those with your partner. You are able to experiment sexually, and know you have the 'safety' of your partner being involved (both physically and emotionally).
Polygamy (plural marriage)?
Offically, polygamy was jettisoned by the LDS Church 117 years ago. But it definitely alive & well. There is the show 'Big Love' in HBO. You have Tom Green, who has been in prison since 2001 because of his (and his wives') chosen lifestyle. He was scheduled to be released on August 7th of last year. There is an article in the July 3rd edition of the Salt Lake Tribune that focuses on a particular family living this life.
In the early-90's, one of my Aunts co-owned a restaurant with a man named Ken. Ken had (probably still HAS) four wives and 27 children. I was amazed that he was able to find a way to spend 'quality time' with all of them. But he did it. Although this is not a path I would ever take, I can see the advantages of such a lifestyle.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Of course, I have barely scratched the surface on this subject. The above are those that I see (or hear) quite frequently. Or, it is something that has touched my personal life. Go ahead and use your imagination on that one. :)
This blog has been entered in Anthrogeek's Blogger's Bowl. Starting on the 21st, you can click the pic to read other entries & vote! :) Voting will continue through the 26th.
15:00 - It's All About The Music...
Current mood: nostalgic
Category: Music
Conversation Peter & I had last night:
Katrina: "Guess what I did?...and it ain’t good." Peter: "Threw away your whole wallet with all your identification, AGAIN?" Katrina: "No...smart-ass. *RME* I broke a plate." Peter: "We had four, right?" Katrina: "Yup." Peter: "Well, there are two of us, we have no friends...and three plates. I think we’ll be fine."
So! As is the norm for Tuesday nights in our household...we were watching American Idol last night. The contestants had to choose songs released in the year that they were born...
Katrina: "There were some great songs that came out the year I was born." Peter: "You should blog about it."
...Now...if you knew me IRL, you would know that for sure, I cannot sing. BUT...I can do the YouTube thing! :) And I can certainly blog! *L*
1970 was the year (no cracks ’bout my age Zach & Tyra)...and as is evidenced below, my musical tastes are quite eclectic. I think I have just about every genre covered. Enjoy!
My Personal Top Ten Songs of 1970
Let it Be - The Beatles
Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough - Diana Ross
Maybe I’m Amazed - Paul McCartney
I Think I Love You - David Cassidy (The Partridge Family)
(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden - Lynn Anderson
Everything is Beautiful - Ray Stevens
Proud Mary - Ike & Tina Turner
Who’ll Stop the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival
15:00 - Yes, As A Matter Of Fact, I DO Have Too Much Time On My Hands...
Current mood: silly
Category: Religion and Philosophy
I received this joke via bulletin...and being who I am and what I do...I thought it could use some visual accompaniment. *smiles*
A man is driving down a deserted stretch of highway when he notices a sign out of the corner of his eye....It reads:
He thinks this is a figment of his imagination and drives on without second thought....
Soon he sees another sign which reads:
Suddenly he begins to realize that these signs are for real as he drives past a third sign saying:
His curiosity gets the best of him and he pulls into the drive.
On the far side of the parking lot is a stone building with a small sign next to the door reading:
He climbs the steps and rings the bell. The door is answered by a nun in a long black habit who asks, "What may we do for you my son?"
He answers, "I saw your signs along the highway and was interested in possibly doing business...." "Very well my son. Please follow me." He is led through many winding passages and is soon quite disoriented.
The nun stops at a closed door and tells the man, "Please knock on this door." He does so and another nun in a long habit, holding a tin cup answers the door...This nun instructs, "Please place $100 in the cup then go through the large wooden door at the end of the hallway." He puts $100 in the cup, eagerly trots down the hall and slips through the door pulling it shut behind him.
The door locks, and he finds himself back in the parking lot facing another sign:
Serves you right, SINNER!
Song of the Moment:
(I am not of the LDS Faith....but their choir is undoubtedly the best in the world...at least in my opinion)