Prevalence and problems of pornography
How prevalent is pornography? And what harm does it do?
Notice a brief report on its prevalence:
Prevalence of Pornography Use
In a day where sexually explicit images are easy to access through home computers, cable stations, 900 numbers, the near-by gas station, or the next door neighbor, it is naive to assume a friend or loved one has never had experience with, or been tempted by, some kind of pornography. Dr. Laaser (2000), executive director of the Christian Alliance for Sexual Recovery, reported during a U.S. Congressional hearing that the average age a person in the U.S. is first exposed to pornography is approximately five years old.
Zogby International and Focus on the Family conducted a nationwide survey of 1,031 adults and found that “…20 percent of American adults – as many as 40 million – click on sexually oriented websites. Eighteen percent of respondents who are married visit such sites. Almost the same percentage who called themselves born-again Christians told Zogby they indulge in online pornography” (Walker, 2002, ¶ 3). (Use and Harms of Pornography. http://foreverfamilies.byu.edu/Article.aspx?a=140 viewed 08/25/13)
However, that is just a reference to what is considered to be ‘hard-core’ pornography. What was considered immoral dress in the mid-20th century is now more modest dress than many young females wear. So, the problem is much bigger than 40 million Americans per day.
Pornography affect the mind and damages the spirit:
Pornography and the Mind
That pornography can be a dangerous influence on large numbers of psychosexually disturbed adults and teen-agers is clear. It has the effect of so arousing a volatile sexual appetite that social and moral restraints are totally ignored in the search for sensual satisfaction.
But more balanced individuals can equally be hooked by this psychological drug. The route from the normal to the perverse is progressive. And the effects that pornography can have on normal married life and normal sexual relations have been largely overlooked.
Pornography totally depersonalizes sex and detaches copulation from its necessary environment of love and a natural experience. Now a man can drool over one glossy picture of erotic seductivity after another. And pornography is no longer just a man ‘s world. If the woman wants it, she can have at it too. Curiosity in pornography can turn into indulgence, and in time, indulgence gives way to obsession. The female and male torsos pictured throughout the pages of sex magazines become no more than objects of lust, and the porno-addict is able to indulge in multiple mind-damaging acts of vicarious adultery. The result? Boredom with the real thing ~ sexual boredom between husband and wife who no longer find pleasure in a normal healthy sexual relationship. Sensual images begin to take the place of the wife ~ or husband.
A situation involving a police officer can be cited as an example of this reaction to pornography. The man was not dabbling in pornography for his own pleasure. He had been assigned to a pornography investigation case, but after a while he had to ask to be taken off the case. He claimed that the exposure to a constant stream of pornography was killing his interest in normal sexual relations with his wife.
It is difficult to believe that you can “wallow in filth and not get dirty.” As Solomon said, “Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?”
Pornography belongs to the world of fantasy. It is designed to appeal to those who prefer to seek their gratification through deviate sexual diversions and to trap the “uninitiated” into a fascination with perversity. It is an education in self-gratification, denying all care and concern for others. Professor Robert Stoller in the symposium “The Case Against Pornography” described it as “a kind of visual rape ~ a taking from others of what they would not give voluntarily.” And yet, in the final analysis the pornography addict is left empty and miserable, devoid of the happiness which a natural , healthy sexual relationship could bring, desiring fulfillment of his perverse mental machinations. In effect, pornography is anti-sex. Those who oppose pornography are sometimes accused of being anti-sex, but they are really anti “counterfeit” sex. If someone is anti counterfeit bank notes , is he accused of being anti money? No, he very much wants to preserve the real thing…
It i s now much harder, perhaps even impossible, for parents to protect their children against the lowest form of literature and pictorial journalism. Children and teen-agers are now exposed to the rawest displays of nudity at many bookstores and newsstands. The dangers cannot be under-estimated. Pornography is like any other addiction: It is possible to develop a taste for it. Although lip service is paid to the protection of children and minors, more and more young people are being exposed to a way of thinking and a way of life which could destroy their future happiness. It should be no surprise that specialists today are having to deal with cases of 12 and 13 year olds who indulge in regular intercourse. To them it is not a relationship, but only an act…A quote from Professor Irving Kristal in the Wall Steel Journal pinpoint s the contrasting legal priorities of our twisted “liberals”: ” In the United States today the law insists that an 18 year old girl has the right to public fornication in a pornographic movie – but only if she is paid the minimum wage.” Pornography is a big business. The profiteers are not concerned with the well-being of others. Their values are defined in terms of “box office,” “circulation,” and “sales.”…
Pornography is a ruthless commercial con job. More and more people, especially young people, are being lured by its siren song. But it often brings only progressive frustration and despair. This cruel deception offers broken families, broken lives and disease. And it can lead the weak to crime. (Muir G. A Case Against Pornography. Plain Truth, April-May 1976, pp. 15-18)
How is Pornography Harmful?
Frank York, former editor in Public Policy for Focus on the Family (a pro-family political and educational organization) as well as writer and researcher on pornography, and Jan LaRue, Chief Counsel, Concerned Women for America, assert, “The most common damage, the one that affects everyone who views porn, is that it warps the person’s perception of people, relationships, and sex” (2002, p. 14). Pornography teaches unrealistic and inappropriate sexual expectations, decreases satisfaction with monogamy and lowers family loyalties, objectifies and degrades women, links sex with violence and children, encourages promiscuity, and increases susceptibility to sexually acting out in ways harmful to others (Cline, 2002).
Gary R. Brooks (1995), psychologist and assistant chief of the psychology service at the Department of Veteran Affairs in Temple, Texas, calls the affect of pornography on people’s perceptions “The Centerfold Syndrome.” In his book, The Centerfold Syndrome, Dr. Brooks (1995) explains that pornography alters people’s perceptions in the following ways:
- Voyeurism. Pornography teaches its users to focus on looking at people instead of forming real relationships.
- Objectification. Men, women, and children are portrayed as sexual objects, whose worth lies in the size and shape of their body parts.
- Validation. After repeatedly seeing people in an idealized form, pornography users begin to judge people’s worth by their physical attractiveness. They feel masculine or feminine only when they are with beautiful people, and are less likely to be committed when their partner goes through life-changes (age, childbearing, etc.) that decrease their youthfulness or good looks.
- Trophyism. Romantic partners are trophies to be displayed and owned, not to be treated as real people.
- Fear of true intimacy. Because people portrayed in pornographic pictures have no demands or expectations beyond sexual-arousal and pleasure, pornography users do not learn how to form real relationships with others. They do not learn how to be selfless, sacrificing, and committed; thus, they come to fear true intimacy that requires them to relate emotionally and spiritually.
The sexual promiscuity encouraged by pornography also increases out-of wedlock pregnancies and the spreading of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Teens are particularly vulnerable to this. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Public Education (2001): “Adolescents have the highest STD rates. Approximately one fourth of sexually active adolescents become infected with an STD each year, accounting for 3 million cases, and people under the age of 25 account for two thirds of all STDs in the United States” (¶ 2). (Use and Harms of Pornography. http://foreverfamilies.byu.edu/Article.aspx?a=140 viewed 08/25/13)
In pornography, those shown in it, often are falsely implying that they will provide sexual love to those who they do not care for at all. Generally speaking (for those not forced into it), they just are in it for the money. They generally have no intention to provide what they pretend.
What is considered to be acceptable dress for public display (mainly for females) continues to the trend to show more skin, more cleavage (and more and more women have decided to have “breast enhancement” apparently for display), and more of their figures. This is not good. And this is not just limited to television or the movies.
The end-time sorrows and troubles in Western society are still in the beginning stages (Matthew 24:5-8), and will get much worse according to the Bible (Matthew 24:21-22; 2 Timothy 3:1-7). I believe that the growing acceptance of pornography (hard and soft) and other forms immorality help weaken the USA, Canada, and their other Anglo-nations (Romans 1:18-32) and likely will also be a factor in them being vulnerable to invasion by the final Beast power that the Bible warns about (Revelation 13; Daniel 11:39; Isaiah 10:5-11). And while the Bible shows that the Beast power will be punished later (cf. Daniel 11:44; Isaiah 10:12), this does not mean that the Anglo-nations should not discourage pornography now.
Female starlets need to be told that encouraging pornography and lust is not true success.
Some articles of possibly related interest may include:
Pornography: A scourge on society Is pornography harmless fun? Does the Bible teach anything about it? What are the views of some involved with it? Here is a link to a YouTube video Pornography: Harmless Fun or a Scourge on Society?
British and American Moral Decay Public nudity is becoming more prevalent in the Anglo-lands. What are some of the consequences?
Love, Marriage, and Sex It is important to get them in the right order.
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2013 or 2014? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What is the “beginning of sorrows”? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?
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