Anorexia and Freedom of Speech
In the comment section of one of my posts, a gentleman, gently chided me for my kudos given to the Brazilian TV station that removed an offensive YouTube, citing issues with freedom of speech. I concur with my reader that protecting these freedoms are crucial. Is there a limit, though? What about this story where Spain has closed down a website that was directed to anorexic girls and that encouraged them not to eat. Was the government of Spain within its rights to take this action? Is that limiting our freedom of speech? Where do we draw the line? I want to learn of your views in this regard.
Spain takes lead in closing down the websites that tell girls it’s good to be anorexic
Thomas Catan in Madrid and Rosemary Bennett, Social Affairs Correspondent
Teens get points for eating nothing
Doctors say that advice could kill
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Health authorities in Madrid have acted to close a pro-anorexia website, accusing it of endangering the lives of teenage girls.Four months after the city led the world in the Size 0 debate by banning ultra-skinny models from its catwalks, health officials are shining the spotlight on the growing number of “pro-ana” websites that glorify starvation diets.
Their first strike is against The Great Ana Competition, a website that awards a diploma to the girl who eats the fewest calories in a two-week period. They have filed a suit against the competition, which uses a scoring system that doctors said “would cause malnutrition in normal women”.
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Read the remainder of this article here.
Categories: Children · Food · Internet · Medical/Technical · Science & Technology · Social · The World
15 responses so far ↓
Jana Allard // January 8, 2007 at 1:18 pm
My personal opinion would be to delete all filth and corruption, yet we do have to bear in mind our freedoms. I believe a government should have the right to close any site that is detrimental to life. Anorexia is a serious condition that threatens life and should not be encouraged through frivolous websites. Similarly, pornography that exploits children, women, and men adversely affects the pysche of the exploited. I also believe that pornography is one of the greatest contributing factors to the decline and demise of family institutions.
Shirley // January 8, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Hi Jana!
I agree with you that once a site is producing information that can actually cause death, that site should be banned. Pornography is such an issue on the internet—even among parishioners in many of our churches, I am told.
Thank you for your insight.
Maria Toth // January 8, 2007 at 11:22 pm
I saw that story yesterday in the papers in the UK… tis an interesting thing going on in Spain!
God bless
Maria in the UK
http://www.inhishands.co.uk
Pastor Ed Cantu // January 13, 2007 at 11:32 am
Perhaps the question really is this: How do we balance our love for constitutional freedom with our belief in biblically-based values? I believe our Founding Fathers understood the issue and said in certain terms that you truly couldn’t separate freedom from Christian values.
When behavior is responsible and choices are healthy, there appears to be no conflict. But when actions, in this case the creation of a Web site that entangles the vulnerable and promotes death, are clearly destructive in nature and the individual refuses to assume responsibility for his or her antisocial behavior, then the appropriate governing body must step in and restore order.
On a high level, my impression is that Americans no longer understand the basic concepts of freedom nor can they distinguish them from liberty. Freedom is only one side of the coin; personal responsibility will always be found on the reverse side.
Shirley // January 14, 2007 at 1:14 pm
Hello, Pastor Cantu!
A couple of weeks ago, there was quite a conversation in the WordPress forums concerning what should be allowed here on these sites, and what should not. Many people take issue with raw pornography; others, citing freedom of speech issues, think there should be no restraints.
Your first sentence raises a stimulating question. While you know I personally strive to adhere to Christian principles, and certainly think our country was established in that way, I do believe persons who do not share my faith should be able to speak of theirs. The crucial and difficult question is: how much of a person’s beliefs is fair game on a public forum?
I’m certainly of the opinion that anything dangerous, unhealthy and lewd to a vile degree should be disallowed. Then, though, comes the question: who decides what is lewd and vile.
I fear the problem at its core is the almost non-existence of rightousnesss, coupled with the growing trend toward humanism. We need wise god-fearing men as leaders of our country.
Thanks for being here and for commenting. Hope that continues.
Kora // February 3, 2007 at 10:25 am
I don’t understand how sick some people are to say it’s good to be anorexic. I am a size 0, but that is by metabolism. I would never stop eating or throwup. I get called anorexic and bulimic all the time, and it hurts to be judged for something I’m not.
I think it’s time for us all to take a stand against the media, and make this world a better place. I know so many teenage girls who call themselves fat at a size 5. And it makes me sad. No body thinks their beautiful anymore.
I don’t think seeing ribs, or airbrushed makeup is pretty. If you go to http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com , theres actually a video about how they change everything after a photoshoot.
The media has made out lives terrible by showing skinny people all the time. I can’t relate to it, but I’m getting judged for something I’m not.
I hope we can all make the media more realistic.
Shirley // February 4, 2007 at 12:13 am
Kora, thank you for coming by and for the link. You are absolutely right: the media has romanticized skinniness until young girls have an impossible view of what true beauty is.
God bless you. Hope you return often.
Kristiane age 12 // May 12, 2008 at 5:46 am
yess of coarse i my self am doing a project on anorexic teens i think it is crazy i belive people should be happy with themselves but not if it means harming your self
Kristiane age 12 // May 12, 2008 at 5:55 am
I KNOW ITS IS absoultly CRAZY
Nicole // May 12, 2008 at 5:56 am
Well. It’s just absolutely stupid, isn’t it? Depriving yourself of food so you can be skinny? People! Come on! That’s what weight watchers is for! I’ve read one girls story, and she wouldn’t even drink a glass of milk, Because it had too many “calories”
Screw the calories, Girl! You were told you were going to die if you didn’t gain weight! And what did you do? NOTHING. That’s right, nothing.
.. I’m done.
Shirley // May 12, 2008 at 7:07 am
Hi Kristiane and Nicole–
Thank you for visiting my site. Hope you’re here often. Keep up the logical thinking.
Be well–
Nicole // May 12, 2008 at 11:07 am
I did believe that this site was from last year. When I read the dates of the last post, I thought, “Oh Crap. No one goes here often anymore.” And yes, I will. I’ve even taken the time to bookmark it. =D
Kristiane and I are both very interested in the way girls act when influenced by certain things. The Media, other girls, Boys. Have you ever read any of the Chicken Soup for The Soul books? They have many a stories about anorexic people, and what they go through. What got me about the girl and the milk, Was that, she was only 11! 11! Good Lord, what has this world come to? I’m only 13 myself. And I have friends who are constantly saying they’re fat, when they most certainly are NOT. It bothers me so much. Who cares if you’re fat? Or not even that! It’s better then being a stick!
I’ll be back later.
Shirley // May 12, 2008 at 11:12 am
Hi, Nicole–
I’m glad you bookmarked my site, and that you plan to be back here. Yes, I’ve read some of the Chicken Soup Soul books.
You have a good head on your shoulder. Keep using it, and don’t forget God. He’s the best friend you will ever have.
Cheers!
Nicole // May 12, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Haha. Thanks. A lot of people say that. I’m more intelligent in grammar, and spelling, then most.
I’ve been doing more reading up on anorexia, and it seems that about 62% cases are caused by grief, and depression. Oh Mercy me.
Shirley // May 12, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Nicole, you’re very young, but you have bumped up against a crucial problem in our world. Too many people are sorrowful and depressed.
You know what, Nicole. I will be 70 years old in July, and I’m looking for young women who love righteousness, and who are sensible, who will take my place in this world, (after I move to Heaven, of course,) and who will speak up for what’s right.
I think I can count on you.
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