Remove nudity from iTunes

There is a music video on iTunes, available for everyone to watch, that shows topless women. iTunes, historically, has held the line with nudity. In the past, Apple, who owns iTunes, has been a strong advocate against nudity and pornography. With this new video, ironically titled "Blurred Lines", Apple has lost its distinction of dignity.  

Apple may have bought into these lyrics, but we don't. We like lines and their attendant security. Lines create safety. There are enough places in the world that peddle indecency. Individuals and institutions that promote strength by HOLDING THE LINES, not blurring them, are our favorites.  

Let Apple hear your displeasure!  The first step across a forbidden line is the easiest to undo. By doing nothing, we send Apple the message that we are okay with this trend, and can expect more.  

iTunes is necessary for iphone syncing.  So, iphone users who are avoiding pornorgraphy and its triggers are confronted with a challenge each time they sync their phone. 

In 2 seconds, you can encourage virtue. If you don't know exactly what to say, feel free to copy any of these comments below. Then, click the hyperlink above, paste and submit.

"Apple, you held a distinction of dignity among media outlets for your position on nudity. Now, you're nothing special. Please remove Robin Thicke's music video, "Blurred Lines", and reclaim your decency."

"Apple, poo-poo on your decision to make nudity available to all users. We don't want nudity available to our kids who use iTunes. Holding lines is strong. Blurring lines is weak."

"Apple, Steve Jobs would be upset that you are now following the moral lead of a 36 year-old pop-music playboy. Great leaders hold the line. Making clips of Robin Thicke's music video "Blurred Lines" available to all of your users is your worst moment to-date."

Ceilings of Disbelief

There is a ceiling and we must break through it.  It is woven with individual strands of disbelief.  The world groans under its oppression 1. 

Every time I say, "I don't believe it," it can not be possible for me.  Anytime I say, about the idea or faith of another person, "You are wrong," whatever may be right about it, can not be added to what's right about me.  This disbelief is the ceiling blocking my individual growth.  This disbelief is the wall preventing people from getting together to fight the common good.  

If I were expounding a principle taught by every major religion and humanist philosophy to people from every major religion and humanist philosophy, and quoted The Lord of the Rings to illustrate a point, everyone would consider its application, stroking their beards in a manner resembling Gandalf.  A minute later, if I were to quote the Book of Mormon to illustrate a point, many would not consider its application.  The illumination offered by this application would be denied them.  And, they would say, "But, the Book of Mormon isn't true!"  




THE LORD OF THE RINGS ISN'T TRUE!!!



Many of the same would, in like manner, decline truth if it were offered from the Koran or the Sanskrit.  Many who believe in the Book of Mormon would also say, "no thanks" to a piece of truth pie offered through 'unapproved' channels; even though their leader, Brigham Young said, "All truth is for the [benefit and learning] of the children of men.  Be willing to receive the truth, let it come from whom it may; no difference; not a particle." 2 

Many religious and spiritual leaders teach a similar principle.  How slow we are to accept it.  Even though it's in our best interests!  Only I lose when I refuse to partake of light.

The trick is to remember that it isn't all black and white.  There is a place that's all black and a place that's all white, but we don't live in either of those places.  We are on the road to one or the other.  Our ability to accept light (truth) hastens our arrival to the place that's all white.  Our inability to accept light hastens our arrival to the place that's all dark.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, a truly enlightened soul,  said, "Every man is in some way my superior; and in that, I can learn of him." 3 

In that.  Think percentages.  I'm the best, sure! But, every one I encounter, by virtue of the fact that they are not living in either that place of all white or all dark, has some light in them.  I need that light.  Disbelieving that it exists - refusing it when it's offered - is self-damnation.  If we want to raise the roof, we have to believe!

When we think our understanding is comprehensive, or our trough the extent of cuisine, we block ourselves from the sun.  But, when we take each particle of light, build a tower with them and stand on it, we will succeed where Babel failed.  We will reach heaven.  It will be in us individually, and find us collectively. It's just on the other side of that ceiling. 

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1 'The whole world groaneth under darkness' D&C 84:53
2 Teachings of the Prophet Brigham Young, chp. 2 “The Gospel Defined”, pg. 14-20
3 Think, Vol. 4-5 (1938), p. 32