The Dollop with Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds 70 - Obscenity Man Anthony Comstock
Mar 28, 2015
Dive into the life of Anthony Comstock, a fervent moral crusader obsessed with obscenity. The hosts hilariously unravel the ironies of his strict beliefs during the chaos of war. Discover Comstock's battles against the vibrant sex industry of 19th century New York and his confrontations with figures like Victoria Woodhull. The absurdities of censorship are highlighted through tales of Ida Craddock and the fight for women's reproductive rights led by Margaret Sanger. Join the fun discussion on the ongoing clash between morality and creativity!
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Comstock’s Religious Youth and Army Life
- Anthony Comstock believed lust was man's downfall and spent his youth grappling with religious fervor.
- His military service was marked by preaching and rejection by fellow soldiers due to his moral rigidity.
YMCA’s War on Obscenity
- The YMCA created laws to protect soldiers from obscene materials sent through the mail.
- Anthony Comstock used these laws to enforce morality by arresting purveyors of obscene literature.
Comstock’s Bookstore Raids Begin
- Comstock arrested a bookstore owner after buying an obscene book and reporting it to the police.
- This sparked his crusade to buy obscene books and have owners arrested across New York.
