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"Puritan"
(lemmygrad.ml)
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this post was submitted on 11 Jan 2026
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Well, that's the point discussion isn't it?
There's an argument to be made that prostitution is rape & exploitation, that BDSM is rape & abuse, and similar arguments despite ostensibly being "safe" and "consensual". Certain people seem incapable of handling the idea that what they think is harmless might not be harmless and rather than engage with an actual discussion and debate on whether or not that is the case would rather blindly label those they disagree with as "prudes" and "puritans" who hate sex, women, and minorities and want to push a radical heteronormative Christian agenda or something equally nonsensical.
Prostitution yes, but I'm...politely, I will say I'm unsure how you could classify bdsm as "rape and abuse." What even is bdsm in this context? If I wear some fuzzy handcuffs, am I being raped and abused? Or is it only for "extreme kinks"
To be clear: I don't hold this specific view on BDSM myself, though I kinda get the logic behind it. I was just using it as an example as I do think there is room for discussion over it rather than flat-out rejection or blind acceptance.
I believe those arguing against specifically address the powerlessness involved in being physically restrained and the broader implications of BDSM as a form of power fantasy but I'd need to brush up on those arguments more.
Alright, well I'll keep this comment short then. Just personally I have it as a hobby and its helped me work through a lot of stuff, and it's something I'll cherish for letting me make people happy. Being powerless or powerful is often the fantasy, and I find that it's actually helped make happier relationships when properly explored.
A better reference point for your argument would probably be pornography. As much as I've worked there, it's insanely disgusting and exploitative in many ways, not to mention obviously objectifying. I do think there maybe should be room for exploring sexuality and it shouldn't be forced to be a taboo, but pornography in general is one of the sharpest point of capitalist decay and "horribleness" for lack of a better word. So that's better to use than BDSM.
Lastly, my general view on the topic is very similar to Dan Olsen's discussion [unfortunately a liberal] in his 50 shades of Grey series.
Edit: although...idk, I'm trying to not be angry here. It's just as someone who went through genuine abuse, having the thing that gave me a lot of comfort in my relationships afterwards be the thing being called "abuse" by anyone kinda incenses me. But I'll try to understand where people are coming from