GCU Forum - Risque material on GCU

Kathy_131728

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Risque material on GCU
Dec 19^th, 2007, 7:31am

I want to start out by saying that I love GCU and I admire many of the artists on this website. However, I saw something this morning on GCU that disturbed me. I was looking at the new cards this morning and saw a photograph of a woman who was not wearing clothing on top and was wearing only a small amount on the bottom. I have seen somewhat risque illustrations before, but those seem different than a photograph, so I am not talking about those.

I am concerned about this type of material being on GCU.
I know there is always the argument that we don't want to sensor art, but GCU is a business above anything else. I do not think having art this risky is good for business and here are my thoughts:

* Can't young people belong to the reminder services? My daughter was sitting next to me this morning and I did not realize I had to sensor the new cards until now.
* Isn't GCU afraid that buyers will be offended by something this risky? GCU markets religious cards. Won't risque material send these buyers away. Most Americans are conservative. I shared my GCU site with some friends and family recently, and I know these people would find this type of material offensive.
*Lastly, I read a posting yesterday that sometimes our names get associated with other people's cards. I wasn't really concerned about this yesterday, but I would be really annoyed if my name showed up associated with this card.

I normally don't feel so strongly about things, but this touched a nerve, probably because my daughter was next to me when I saw it . I respectfully ask that GCU reconsider their position on accepting art which is so very explicit.

Thanks for listening.

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_132335

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Re: Risque material on GCU
Reply #1 - Dec 19^th, 2007, 7:49am

Kathy I went looking at what you were writing about.
I am lost for words.
I am not an American nor conservaty but I certainly do not wish my name to be asociated with pictures like that either.
The mentioned picture, I would say, would belong to a pornographuc page/site, and that's not what I have seen this as before.

If I were a customer, searching for a card, and I ran into a site displaying that type of pictures I would close the window and find another place to look, I look for nice and quality made cards there can be seen by everyone, and that particular one is not in that category.

I don't seem myself as a prude, but this is too much, what will be next then.
So I agree with what Kathy writes.

Big Huggs
/Inge

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Liz_131570

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Re: Risque material on GCU
Reply #2 - Dec 19^th, 2007, 9:16am

Quote from _132335 on Dec 19^th, 2007, 7:49am:

Kathy I went looking at what you were writing about.
I am lost for words.
I am not an American nor conservaty but I certainly do not wish my name to be asociated with pictures like that either.
The mentioned picture, I would say, would belong to a pornographuc page/site, and that's not what I have seen this as before.

If I were a customer, searching for a card, and I ran into a site displaying that type of pictures I would close the window and find another place to look, I look for nice and quality made cards there can be seen by everyone, and that particular one is not in that category.

I don't seem myself as a prude, but this is too much, what will be next then.
So I agree with what Kathy writes.

Big Huggs
/Inge

Woah, I agree! Liz

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Audrey_132599 Senior Member artist Posts: 429	Re: Risque material on GCU Reply #3 - Dec 19^th, 2007, 9:53am I totally agree. I had been under the impression that GCU didn't accept this type of art. ~Audrey
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DENISE_132110

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Re: Risque material on GCU
Reply #4 - Dec 19^th, 2007, 9:53am

i too was taken aback and surprised, i wasn't completly sure adult content ( as in photos) was allowed. being a submitter to 7 stock agencies i have faced this on a daily basis and know people submit and sell images that more adult in nature, i have also had my child beside me at the time i viewed them, accidently.

while some nudes are artistic, i am not comfortable, especially due to childrens presence, with having them open on my screen without my control and would like to see a content filter if we are to have more adult content. there is a decided difference between risque text and images.

i too have friends who would not feel it is appropriate, and though it is not the type of artwork i would submit, i do not believe it is expressly forbidden in the TOS, they passed review, so therefore it appears it is indeed something GCU is comfortable with offering.

i would respectfully ask that a content filter be implemented if we do have nude photos on the cards.

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_131847

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Re: Risque material on GCU
Reply #5 - Dec 19^th, 2007, 9:56am

Well I think that is a really very sensitive subject. Would not be Lesbian - Gay also offensive for some?

I had painted Nudity as art myself and I don't find it offensive - as long is presented with artistic display and taste.

May be GCU can see in the future to have a sign in portal for mature viewing???... I agreed that is not pleasant when it takes you by surprise specially if you have a minor present.

I don't know.. just my point of view. lips sealed

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Linda_132742

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Re: Risque material on GCU
Reply #6 - Dec 19^th, 2007, 10:09am

I would like to see explicit cards offered in "Private Galleries only", that way they wouldn't be mixed with all the others. I can see the "sellability" of the card, I'm certain that there is a viable audience (just consider OUR clicks), but there should be a category for "Adult Eyes Only" and the card should not have be grouped with the "Newest Cards" for all to see.

That's MY story and I'm stickin' to it!

Linda

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Patricia_131413

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Re: Risque material on GCU
Reply #7 - Dec 19^th, 2007, 10:44am

I have actually done some photographs of women - and I thought what could be so bad - but I have to agree that really does not belong in an open forum without at least some way of letting people know - I think it will offend alot of BIG DATES, and GCU Customers -

It should be relocated to an Adults or Private gallery -
I am sure it will sell it is a lovely card - and will have a market - but not everyone will want to view it.

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Brandi_131489

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Re: Risque material on GCU
Reply #8 - Dec 19^th, 2007, 1:12pm

Looks like I'll be the devil's advocate.

I just don't see any simple nude of any kind as being "pornographic" or harmful to children in the least. What's harmful to them is the reacting parent who gives them the idea that there is something wrong with the human body, that it is frightening or innately harmful unless certain select portions are "tastefully" covered up.

"Taste" is an individual thing of course, and deciding that is an incredibly tricky matter for censors, corporate or otherwise.

I want to ask parents who are concerned a rhetorical question ... have you considered the possibility that you are far more upset or challenged by the sight of a bare breast than your children are? Have you considered the possibility that the only reason they react negatively is because you do? Do you want that for them? Especially your daughters? I don't have children, by choice ... but if I did, I'd want them to feel comfortable in their own skin, and I'd want to show them that a picture is just a picture. I wouldn't want to make such easy victims of them that they could be traumatized by a wardobe malfunction.

When you come across such material (as inevitably you will do, here or elsewhere on the web), that is an opportunity to discuss your own morality and your own values with your children, and that could only be a GOOD thing.

I have no objection to an adult filter of some kind, though that probably won't work in every case. I do object to banning such material outright, or to balkanizing it into "private-only" sections, even though it's unlikely I would ever post anything like what has been described myself.

I have no worries or concerns that maybe one out of 100,000 visitors might happen across something like this and associate it with my site. If they are that confused how this works (and no doubt some are), they are also likely confused about how the shopping cart works in any case.

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_132335

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Re: Risque material on GCU
Reply #9 - Dec 19^th, 2007, 2:10pm

Hi Brandi,
And I'll be the one to write this for you sweetie

I don't care for bare breasts, what I care for in my judgement is the way the model is displayed and posing, she don't belong in a place where it's supposed to be non-erotic and the way she is posing is not a sweet and innocent way, the text which go along with the picture suggest more than I like to understand the displaying.

Only a person without children will write what you do, believe me, I would write the same thing before I had children of my own. It seems that when you give birth a hidden package inside you are released with so much knowledge, patience and wisdom are unpacked the minute you give birth, those with children know what I am talking about, all this knowledge I suddenly got I did not understood before and thought all mothers was just hysterical, how wrong I shamely was then.

You do NOT discuss things like that nor show children any types of pictures, if any child under the age went to kindergarden or school and talked about certain pictures etc. childcare would be on your doorstep immediately.

A childs mind is not the same as an adult, it doesn't work like that, they feel, see, hear, react and imagine in a total different way as an adult.

A child don't understand the word morale, you can mention the word and you can explain it to them, but they don't understand what it is is and mean because they do not have enough life experience to cope with that.

I have a good name and reputation and am known for my sites there are 100% childsafe, and I certainly do not wish to be discriminated nor excluded from that community because of one person who can not see what is right and suitable.

Noone is trying to make their children feel uncomfortable in their own skin, but it will happen if they are watching adult things which are NOT appropriate for children, and places there seemed to be child friendly shouldn't suddenly just turn round and do this.

I have been wondering what GCU's argument for approving this type of picture and content, I would excuse it with the one either slept through it, was blinfolded or eyes filled with tears Grin

No I am serious, I would like to hear from GCU to why they think it's appropriate and us being too prude, I am sure others too would like to hear an explanation ?

I am sorry Brandi if I have upset you but with your post I could just not sit tight and say nothing, I respect your opinion because I know I would have had the same one before I got children, but I have my stars and am not the same any more

Big Huggs
/Inge

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Patricia_131634

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Re: Risque material on GCU
Reply #10 - Dec 19^th, 2007, 3:36pm

And my two cents:

There are artistic nudes and there are provocative nudes. Great painters and sculptors have depicted the human form in wonderful and varied ways down through the ages. I can't imagine objecting.

But I feel that this is a provocative nude, and I was startled to find it accepted on GCU. There is no subtlety here-just overt sexual inuendo.

There are some great ideas suggested here as ways to handle this issue. I look forward to GCU's response.

Pat
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Brandi_131489

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Re: Risque material on GCU
Reply #11 - Dec 19^th, 2007, 3:53pm

Honest and respectful disagreement doesn't upset me any more than bare breasts do. It's merely a rhetorical/ethical argument for me, I have no dog in the hunt. I have no adult material, nor do I plan any. I just disagree with the reasoning so far, and I wanted GCU to understand that the feelings on this topic aren't unanimous. I suspect there are plenty who feel the same as I do, but don't dare risk saying what they feel without fear of being flamed or having their words twisted ... Such as ... I never suggested it was a good idea to go about deliberately showing "erotica" to children. That's NOT what we're discussing here. That WOULD be abusive.

I don't think having children makes anyone's arguments more or less compelling on the merits. I am perfectly capable of observing children's reactions even though I have none of my own (and compared to most parents I know I've spent more time paying attention to such things). The only weight your parenthood lends to the argument is to how emotional you get or don't get on the topic ... and, with respect, that only lends weight to my argument that it is the parental reaction, and not the content itself, that has the power to victimize children or not.

I agree that "A childs mind is not the same as an adult, it doesn't work like that, they feel, see, hear, react and imagine in a total different way as an adult." Indeed. What is "erotic" to you and me is meaningless to a young child, unless they have been taught otherwise.

There is no way to absolutely guarantee that accidental exposure to things you don't approve of will never happen in an online surfing session ... unless you want to pre-screen sites before you go surfing with your kids to ensure there is nothing they can be exposed to that you might have to explain to them or to an over-reactive school official. If you truly believe they are going to be harmed by the sight of a bare breast, then I agree, your reactions will indeed be harmful to them. So then maybe pre-screening is not a bad idea.

While we're at it, what DO you feel about gay content? Is that "next"?

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Brandi_131489

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Re: Risque material on GCU
Reply #12 - Dec 19^th, 2007, 4:05pm

Quote from Patricia_131634 on Dec 19^th, 2007, 3:36pm:

But I feel that this is a provocative nude, and I was startled to find it accepted on GCU. There is no subtlety here-just overt sexual inuendo.

I'm actually a bit surprised there isn't more "provocative" stuff on GCU ... that stuff really sells well at the other PODs. If they have made a principaled stand not to take it based on their own corporate vision, they certainly have that right.

And at the same time, I just think that the underlying reasoning here bears some scrutiny. Are children (of an age young enough that their parents feel oversight is necessary) capable of determining the subtle difference between a subtle nude and a provocative one without parental reaction to guide them? If not, then what possible harm can occasional accidental exposure to a "provocative" nude do them?

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Leta_132779

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Re: Risque material on GCU
Reply #13 - Dec 19^th, 2007, 4:08pm

First let me start by saying we are happy to be new members of GCU. I read the post this morning in reference to the risque material on the site. I realize how some may feel when they come across such images as are being posted some of which are ours.

However I do think we must all realize that men like to receive cards with females in any fashion be it nude or other wise and as much as we all probably hate to say it "sex sells". We have several military members friends and family overseas and actually had other people asking about our doing a support the troops shoot for posters and images for the guys to see. They enjoy viewing the pictures in their off time during such a trying time in life so far away from home. Not only do they come to see risque photos they also love to see happy children and family members.

Well the same fellows over there also enjoy giving and receiving greeting cards therefore I feel someone should take the time to make them for our troops to enjoy as well as other men be it fathers, boyfriends, men and women in general here in the states for birthdays and different events throughout the year. Some portraying love as well as humor.

I do think that the one thing which would be nice is an overall content filter for each member on the site so that when you open your GCU site you have the option of viewing or not having to view such images. There could also possibly be an area for rating each card you post which I think is there already I try to mark these for the 18 and older age group however not sure if this actually filters them for other members or not as I am new to the site.

Sorry to write such a long post however being one of the photographers posting such images just wanted to try and put in words my feelings on the situation. Of course we know it is hard for anyone to put such in words and the text be taken the way it should be however I hope that everyone understands and the situation will be resolved with a filter system so that others on the site not wanting to view these images will not be offended. These images are being posted per a request, therefore I feel sure that the issue will be resolved shortly. Managing a site and adding the html in order to handle such filters will take time.

As I said we are happy to be new members and wish everyone on the site the best of sales for the New Year.

Regards,
Sweetgrass Photography

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Wendy_132812

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Re: Risque material on GCU
Reply #14 - Dec 19^th, 2007, 4:46pm

As another poster of such images I have to say that I am not here to offend anyone I am just trying to sell cards just like everyone else here.

I also know that sex sells be it for love,marraige, or just for fun and humour I am going to post such content and hope not to affend anyone in the process.

I am sorry if I did offend anyone that was not my intention and the reason for these images being posted was just filling a request from the manager of this site
And am sure that they are working on a filter system to enable individual members to Filter out such content from a childs view.

I also agree with Brandi that even thought a child is viewing such images they really dont know that it is sexual content unless they are being subjected to such content already which in my eyes would be a serious situation. And sweetgrass photography in saying that there is a wide variety of viewers of these images being a guy in the military off so far from home for such a long period of time it is a comfort to them and any comfort I can give them I am happy to do it!!!!

Again I am so sorry If I have offended anyone that was not my intention

Thanks
Angel Photo

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