Western cultures increased acceptance of public displays of flesh

Whether it is on television or the movies, or a sunny day, there seems to be an increased acceptance in Western societies to display more and more uncovered, and normally female, flesh.

Is pornography harmless fun? Does the Bible teach anything about it? How are Western societies becoming more accepting of it?

It used to be the pornography was considered to be obscene and much of it was illegal.

Until at least some time in the 1970s, full frontal adult female nudity was not even allowed in the USA in what have been called “dirty magazines.” This, for one example, had been considered as obscene.

The USA, and much of the rest of the world, has gone beyond full nudity in pornography. From what I have read, various heterosexual, bisexual, and homosexual acts are now portrayed. And while I have never seen what used to be called a “X-rated” movie, it is my understanding that they show those type of sexual acts.

Here is a definition about the origin of the word pornography:

The Meaning of Pornography

Sexual addictions specialist, Dr. Victor Cline (2002), describes the origin and meaning of the word “pornography”:

The word ‘pornography’ comes from the Greek words ‘porno’ and ‘graphic’ meaning ‘depictions of the activities of whores’…. In common parlance [or, phraseology], it usually means ‘material that is sexually explicit and intended primarily for the purpose of sexual arousal….’ (¶ 4)

Rory Reid, sexual compulsions specialist, extends this meaning: “Pornography is any visual or written medium created with the intent to sexually stimulate. If the work was not intended to stimulate but nevertheless causes sexual arousal in an individual, it constitutes pornography for that person. If you find yourself asking whether a work is pornographic, the question itself suggests the material makes you uncomfortable. That should be enough to tell you to avoid it” (2005, 47). (Use and Harms of Pornography. http://foreverfamilies.byu.edu/Article.aspx?a=140 viewed 08/25/13)

Notice some statements in the Bible from Jesus and the Apostle Paul:

27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:27-28)

18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. (1 Corinthians 6:18)

Jesus and the Apostle Paul are warning against attempting to provoke, stir up, or mentally succumb to sexual lust. They are condemning pornography, including dressing inappropriately (see also 1 Timothy 2:8-9).

Notice some passages from the Old Testament as well:

12 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination?
No! They were not at all ashamed,
Nor did they know how to blush. (Jeremiah 8:12)

26 Therefore I will uncover your skirts over your face,
That your shame may appear.
27 I have seen your adulteries
And your lustful neighings,
The lewdness of your harlotry,
Your abominations on the hills in the fields. (Jeremiah 13:26-27)

How porn-purveyors view pornography sounds a lot like “lustful neighings.”

Overall, the Anglo-descended nations do not care what Jesus (or the rest of the Bible) says about flaunting sexual immorality.

Those in the Anglo-American nations do not have the excuse that we did not have the word of God freely available and discussed for generations.

The Anglo-nations need national repentance. Notice that lack of repentance is listed as a reason that the King of Assyria (the final King of the North) will become Ephraim’s king:

3 I taught Ephraim to walk…5…But the Assyrian shall be his king, Because they refused to repent. 6 And the sword shall slash in his cities, Devour his districts, And consume them, Because of their own counsels. 7 My people are bent on backsliding from Me. Though they call to the Most High, None at all exalt Him. (Hosea 11:3a, 5b-7)

The prophesied shame is starting to come upon the Anglo-American powers. Without repentance, increased pride is occurring, and this will be followed by the prophesied destruction of the Anglo-nations. And yes, other nations have their sins, but they will be punished later.

The Anglo-nations have so much pornography they rarely understand shame anymore.

Notice something that Gordon Muir wrote:

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. (Muir G. A Case Against Pornography. Plain Truth, April-May 1976, pp. 15-18)

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?”

Sadly, pornography is growing in acceptance in the Western world at least.

For a significant amount of time, revenues from pornography are what primarily propelled the initial growth of the internet. And while there are many additional commercial and other purposes for the internet, the pornography is still big business on the internet. The internet tends to reduce the embarrassment and personal shame some have about letting others know that they view pornography.

Mostly, on the internet from what I hear, internet purchasers of pornography go for what is called ‘hard-core pornography’ and viewing a variety of sex acts of a wide and often perverse nature. But it is not just porn websites, “adult’ book stores, and dirty magazines that feature pornography.

Birch (2002), a director of a Christian-based therapeutic and educational agency for families, remarks: “our culture is filled with images of sexuality. Some of these images portray healthy sexuality. Many, however, depict inappropriate, obscene and sometimes perverse perspectives on sexuality, depictions that are commonly regarded as pornography” (p. 18). (Use and Harms of Pornography. http://foreverfamilies.byu.edu/Article.aspx?a=140 viewed 08/25/13)

Furthermore, what was considered immoral dress in the mid-20th century is now more modest dress than many young females wear. Another trend, which is appearing in the USA as well as Europe is the trend for women’s clothing to become more and more sheer. So sheer, that one can often look through the clothing to the skin (slips and other covering items are often missing). This is not a positive trend but is another that I wanted to mention and it is a type of pornography.

Yet, the Bible teaches:

8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation…(1 Timothy 2:8-9)

The Western nations no longer seem to highly prize modesty in female apparel (though female politicians tend to remain modest in their dress). Immodesty in dress is now mainly considered to be acceptable or simply daring, as opposed to being immoral by many.

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.

For one example, America Online (AOL), on a more than weekly basis, seems to have a news item about some female celebrity who has made the news for how sexually-inappropriately she was dressed. AOL seems to feature this to get more page views so that it can generate more advertising revenues.

AOL, of course, is not the only organization to utilize what is probably now considered to be “soft pornography” (now considered nudity or near nudity, as opposed to “hard-core” which apparently has more to do with nudity combined with various sexual acts/positions) to get people’s attention–a highly popular “conservative” news program on Fox that I try to avoid uses sex and semi-pornography as well, as do other organizations. Although I do not personally watch it, popular television shows like Dancing with the Stars seem to promote a type of erotic soft pornography that “respectable people” in the past would have shunned. Yet, Dancing with the Stars has been one of the most popular television programs in the USA.

From what I have been able to determine, because of the inappropriate actions, combined with media success of female singers such as “Lady Gaga,” Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, and Jennifer Lopez, many female celebrities seem to think that they need to resort to taking actions somewhat closer to their levels in order to get media coverage. Instead of this turning the media off, the media often publicizes and promotes such poor immoral behavior.

Although these females (and their promoters) believe that this is harmless entertainment that will help careers, it is not without cost:

15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination?
No! They were not at all ashamed;
Nor did they know how to blush.
Therefore they shall fall among those who fall;
At the time I punish them,
They shall be cast down,” says the Lord. (Jeremiah 6:15)

Not only will those that participate and promote pornography pay a price, society will as well:

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man — and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:18-32)

Pornography is not harmless. Increased acceptance of it will lead to disaster in the future.

Some items 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-Saxon lands. What are some of the consequences?
Can those in the USA/UK see the Handwriting on the Wall? Is everything fine in the USA/UK or is it like the days of Noah? Can we learn from the handwriting that appeared on a wall thousands of years ago?
Love, Marriage, and Sex It is important to get them in the right order.
Women and the New Testament Church What roles did women play in the ministry of Jesus and the apostles? Did Jesus and the Apostle Paul violate Jewish traditions regarding their dealings with women? Do women have any biblical limitations on their role in the Church? Were there female prophets? Do women have any special responsibilities in terms of how they dress? What does the New Testament really teach about women? Here is a related sermon titled: New Testament Women.
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-Saxon 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?