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The Song of Songs that is of "Pornography"

The Philippine Senate is delibrating on an anti-obscenity and pornography bill. But before I go further, these are the words in literature that really turns me on!

"Your lips drip honey, my bride,sweetmeats and milk are under your tongue; And the fragrance of your garments is the fragrance of Lebanon. "

and this one

"Your very figure is like a palm tree,your breasts are like clusters.
I said: I will climb the palm tree,I will take hold of its branches.Now let your breasts be like clusters of the vineand the fragrance of your breath like apples,
And your mouth like an excellent wine that flows smoothly for my lover,spreading over the lips and the teeth."


These words are the apex of sensual literature. No work since it was penned, has equalled the eroticism of these words.

BTW the work also counsels something about foreplay that you and I may have forgotten.

"Do not arouse, do not stir up love before its own time." If done properly then your myrrr will fragrance the bedchamber!

The nice thing is that these words can be read in Church!

They belong to the Canon of the Old Testament. The book where I got these verses are in the Holy Bible common to Catholics, Protestants and the Orthodox. (the version quoted here is the Catholic New American Bible). It is the Song of Songs. It is not called for that for nothing for it is the greatest of songs.

If the proposed bill comes to pass, these words would be labelled obscene. The bill has for its provisions

From Section 3, Definition of Terms:

(a) “Obscene” refers to anything that is indecent or offensive or contrary to good customs or religious beliefs, principles or doctrines, or tends to corrupt or deprave the human mind, or is calculated to excite impure thoughts or arouse prurient interest, or violates the proprieties of language and human behavior, regardless of the motive of the producer, printer, publisher, writer, importer,seller, distributor or exhibitor such as, but not limited to:

(1) showing, depicting or describing sexual acts; (2) showing, depicting or describing human sexual organs or the female breasts; (3) showing, depicting or describing completely nude human bodies (4) describing erotic reactions, feelings or experiences on sexual acts or; (5) performing live sexual acts of whatever form.

(b) “Pornographic or pornography” refers to objects or subjects of film, television shows, photography, illustrations, music, games, paintings, drawings, illustrations, advertisements, writings, literature or narratives, contained in any format, whether audio or visual, still or moving pictures, in all forms of film, print, electronic, outdoor or broadcast mass media, or whatever future technologies to be developed, which are calculated to excite, stimulate or arouse impure thoughts and prurient interest, regardless of the motive of the author thereof.

(c) “Mass media” refers to film, print, broadcast, electronic and outdoor media including, but not limited to, internet, newspapers, tabloids, magazines, newsletters, books, comic books, billboards, calendars, posters, optical discs, magnetic media, future technologies, and the like.

(d) “Materials” refers to all movies, films, television shows, photographs, music, games, paintings, drawings, illustrations, advertisements, writings, literature or narratives, whether produced in the Philippines or abroad.

The poor Holy Bible and its Song of Songs will be a victim of this silly bill. Let me list some reasons

1. Is The Songs of Songs really meant to "excite impure thoughts" or at least "prurient interest"?
2. This book may be contrary to "religion"
3. The book really and was intended to "describe erotic reactions, feelings or experiences on sexual acts"
4. Worse it describes female breasts and even the male sexual response given sufficient foreplay and arousal!
5. It has been made into films, works of visual art or a play or two. It is one of the best known books of the Old Testament.
6. The Bible is the world's first example of Mass Media. It still is the number one best seller!

If the bill is passed into law, the Philippine publisher of the Holy Bible, The Philippine Bible Society will be guilty of a crime. Its directors, composed of leading churchmen and women, Catholics and Protestants, will go to jail.

Also the importation of Bibles will be illegal.

As for the immortal Songs, it is a common Old Testament reading at weddings (naturlich!). But usually the raciest parts are almost never read.

On my wedding day, I want the best parts read. And I will follow its advice into the long night!

The Church has had a wider understanding of the Songs. It's message can be extended to Christ's fidelity to the Church. But in essence it celebrates sex in its proper context.

That's why it is in the Bible. No wonder it is almost in the middle of the Holy Book.

My advice to the Senators. Read your Bible.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I like your way of throwing it back at the prudes! Thank you and keep up the fight!

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