My husband and I drove my granddaughter to her mother in Missouri recently. When we passed through St. Louis, 253 miles from Kansas City, we began to see the big billboards for strippers and adult bookstores before every exit. We couldn't believe that there were no other businesses advertised -- just the "adult entertainment" businesses.
We weren't sure we could leave our precious cargo in Missouri. Once we got off the freeway, it wasn't as bad, and the city she was in had none. It was a clean university town so we were relieved, and as we met the neighbors our fears were put to ease. They blasted the adult entertainment business. And the people that supported them? Neighbors had interesting names for them. ...
Some would say that Augusta's attempt to limit the adult entertainment here is un-American, but I see it as hypocrisy to do any less. How can we allow our 18-year-olds to go play in adult entertainment stores, then call people who visit those stores perverts, losers or the scum of the earth?
Is opening the X-Mart within the neighborhood of one of Augusta's biggest concentration of sexual offenders a choice for a brighter future? I just wonder how long there will be people to fight against this, or if my granddaughter will one day come with her child to visit us and say, "What's with all those signs on Bobby Jones Expressway? What ever happened to the Bible Belt?"
But then, why should we get off the couch, sacrifice a little time and effort and do something for the future? Isn't that what our government is for?
Connie Solomon
Hephzibah
Comments
I agree that billboards for adult entertainment should be banned, but so one should have the right to have something they find offensive or immoral banned. The problem with this is, who defines morality or offensiveness. What you see as immoral is not by others and things you love may be seen as offensive by others. If enough people in a community are offended by a business, it will go away.
I agree we sould ban the billboards. I also agree we should allow free enterprise to determine the types of businesses, not censorship. I just don't understand how we ban all things Christmas or must remove the Tem Commandments from court rooms. Obama will fix this and Bush caused this.
Connie, if I understand your point, 1+1=11, right?
I tell you what people who frequent these stores and strip clubs are called......americans. Once again we have someone who thinks their beliefs should be everyones beliefs. I wonder how these same people would feel if their beliefs were in the minority. We may soon find out seeing how islam is the world's fastest growing religion.
There is something more important than "OUR RIGHTS". The morality that I speak of is more than just opinion. God, Himself, as revealed in the Bible calls these displays and strips clubs "Sexual Immorality" and that we are to refrain from them. America will be like all other nations one day-- it will fade into the distance as Jesus comes and sets up His Millennium reign. Till then, if we are to enjoy the blessings of God we had better obey the commandments of God or we will experience more discipline of God! With the freedom we have comes great responsibility.
The law is the law. Why do a few have the right to dictate morality? I see they aren't pushing "the gateway to augusta", as much as was first used. Another lawsuit being paid by the augusta taxpayers. How many is that now?
There is nothing more important than "OUR RIGHTS". Without those you don't get to practice your religious beliefs. What you don't seem to get is the constitution doesn't guarantee just your rights. It is guaranteeing the rights of "ALL MEN". You can't have it both ways. Churches enjoy tax free status while all the time trying to implement their beliefs and practices on "ALL" the people. Sorry that is not the way things work. Like I have said before be careful of how you implement freedoms while you are the majority cause you might have to live with those decisions when you are the minority.
Good post wylds
I will tell you what the government is for, to uphold all of the laws. Not to selectively enforce the ones they like, or to change them on the fly in the name of supposed morality. If the tag "bible belt" disapeared it would be a good thing. Augusta = that town in the movie footloose.
Connie, get over it. Makes me want to advertise x-mart on my billboard on Walton way. Maybe you should move to China where they kill you if you don't conform to thier government policys.
Not Good Mr. Wyldsfam4---- You don't get a vote with God. He is always the majority. So there!
Plus, I could care less about my church's tax free status. I personally think that the church should pay taxes and then feel the freedom to say whatever it wants from the pulpit. Go ahead and we will let you have the last word! God bless, I am just trying to promote good discussion. Our God is love and he wishes for all to follow Him because they want to not because they have to. I hope you come to know Him!
I have been a vocal supporter of Xmart since the beginning but no billboards should not be in plan view using questionable marketing. Savannah has a wonderful way of handling that. There should not be "moral" laws. No government has the right to tell me what I can buy or where I can buy it. Especially not in my bedroom! I disagree also with the seatbelt law. Yes they save lives, yes anyone under the age of 18 by law should have to wear one. But after that, I am an adult. My choice!
Wait a second there brim. If you are the religious one you say you're painting me with a big judgemental brush by implying that I do not know God. Churches get tax free status and still get to say anything they want. I don't know where you think they don't. I didn't say I would frequent any of those establishments. I am just pointing out the fact that you don't get your freedoms and get to tell everyone else what they can and can't do. It is God's job to judge not yours. That's why he instituted a little thing called freewill. It's up to each individual to make good or bad choices. If they make bad ones they can ask for forgiveness, because the God I know is all forgiving. It is not, however, the governments job to legislate morality. I also get to say what I want so don't condemn me for exercising my right to free speech.
According to the Chronicle Daily Poll last week those that are against the Xmart being licenced are the minority. Also Christian polls find that people that believe in the enerrancy of the Bible are also a minority in this world. Try defending what it says about Jesus being the only way or homosexuality you will quickly find you are in the minority.
wylds, I will let you have the last word. God Bless!
I wish everyone had the wisdom of Solomon.
Brimis, when your God talks to me I will listen. So far I have seen nor heard proof of him anymore than the Easter Bunny or Tooth Fairy. At least when I put my baby teeth under my pillow money appeared in their place.
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