by COGWriter
Is pornography harmless fun or is it an ever present evil in modern society? Does the Bible teach anything about it? What are the views of some involved with it? Does it have spiritual ramifications beyond the seventh commandment?
Those questions and more will be addressed here. (There is also a related sermon titled Pornography, False Comfort, and False Religion.)
In its early days, the United States of America had many opponents to pornography as most in the USA claimed to believe in many aspects of biblical morality.
But as the Bible became less important to leaders, things changed.
In the 1960s, its Supreme Court started to become more supportive of pornography:
Jacobellis v. Ohio, 378 U.S. 184 (1964), was a United States Supreme Court decision handed down in 1964 involving whether the state of Ohio could, consistent with the First Amendment, ban the showing of the Louis Malle film The Lovers (Les Amants), which the state had deemed obscene. Nico Jacobellis, manager of the Heights Art Theatre in the Coventry Village neighborhood of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, was convicted and fined $2,500 by a judge of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas for exhibiting the film, and his conviction was upheld by the Supreme Court of Ohio. The U.S. Supreme Court reversed the conviction, ruling that the film was not obscene and hence constitutionally protected. (Wikipedia, accessed 07/08/15)
That decision started a trend. Yet, 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, culturally, 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 heard reports of, 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 and more.
Pornography appears to be increasing and the Bible has instructions to help deal with it.
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)
Here is some of what BBC Radio has reported about it:
Credible-seeming statistics suggest that about one in seven web searches is for pornography. This is not trivial - 5 June 2019 https://www.bbc.com/news/business-48283409
Pornography fueled the early rise of the internet. Even today, the amount of pornography searches seems astronomical. And wrong for people to do.
BBC online reported the following:
Easy access to online porn is 'damaging' men's health, says NHS therapist
August 15, 2016
Angela Gregory says more and more men in their late teens and early 20s are suffering from erectile dysfunction.
She puts the blame on people becoming addicted to watching online porn.
There are no official figures but she says a lot of the time it is via smartphones and laptops.
"What I've seen over the last 16 years, particularly the last five years, is an increase in the amount of younger men being referred," she said.
"Our experience is that historically men that were referred to our clinic with problems with erectile dysfunction were older men whose issues were related to diabetes, MS, cardio vascular disease.
"These younger men do not have organic disease, they've already been tested by their GP and everything is fine.
"So one of the first assessment questions I'd always ask now is about pornography and masturbatory habit because that can be the cause of their issues about maintaining an erection with a partner." http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/37058019/easy-access-to-online-porn-is-damaging-mens-health-says-nhs-therapist
This is just another problem with pornography. Pornography, online or otherwise, damages men and women, physically, emotionally, sexually, and spiritually.
The Bible warns:
10 My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. (Proverbs 1:10)
The pornography industry is a sin-filled one that is always trying to entice people to sin!
The Bible also speaks against being "secretly enticed" (Job 31:27) and speaks of this essentially through sexual lust (cf. Job 31:1,9)--do not think that you can secretly view pornography and that all is fine: "be sure your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23)!
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)
Adultery is prohibited by the seventh commandment (see also What Did Jesus Teach About the Ten Commandments?).
Jesus and the Apostle Paul warned against attempting to provoke, stir up, or mentally succumb to sexual lust. Thus, they are also condemning pornography, including dressing inappropriately (see also 1 Timothy 2:8-9).
Notice something from the Apostle James:
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (James 1:12-15)
James warned about being enticed and that this type of sin brings death!
When one flees sexual immorality, one resists temptation. Notice also something else from James:
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:7-8)
Do not be 'double-minded,'--keep away from pornography. Satan wants you to accept the falsehoods associated with pornography.
The Old Testament also had prohibitions related to pornography and seductive behaviors:
15 He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly,
He who despises the gain of oppressions,
Who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes,
Who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed,
And shuts his eyes from seeing evil:
16 He will dwell on high;
His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks;
Bread will be given him,
His water will be sure. (Isaiah 33:15-16)1 I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman? (Job 31:1).
20 For why should you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral woman, And be embraced in the arms of a seductress? (Proverbs 5:20)
23 For the commandment is a lamp,
And the law a light;
Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
24 To keep you from the evil woman,
From the flattering tongue of a seductress.
25 Do not lust after her beauty in your heart,
Nor let her allure you with her eyelids.
26 For by means of a harlot
A man is reduced to a crust of bread;
And an adulteress will prey upon his precious life.
27 Can a man take fire to his bosom,
And his clothes not be burned?
28 Can one walk on hot coals,
And his feet not be seared? (Proverbs 6:23-28)20 This is the way of an adulterous woman:
She eats and wipes her mouth,
And says, “I have done no wickedness.” (Proverbs 30:20)27 For a harlot is a deep pit,
And a seductress is a narrow well.
28 She also lies in wait as for a victim,
And increases the unfaithful among men. (Proverbs 23:27-28)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)15 "Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor,
Pressing him to your bottle,
Even to make him drunk,
That you may look on his nakedness!
16 You are filled with shame instead of glory.
You also — drink!
And be exposed as uncircumcised!
The cup of the Lord's right hand will be turned against you,
And utter shame will be on your glory. (Habakkuk 2:15-16)
How porn-purveyors view pornography sounds a lot like "lustful neighings." The righteous turn their eyes away from pornography. Many people are not ashamed and will not blush when they are overly-exposing themselves. No one is clearly to trick someone into seeing their nakedness, including using intoxicating substances to do that. Seductresses and adulterers are denounced by scripture.
Let me add here that Leviticus 18:6-19 has 14 verses against uncovering nakedness of relatives (plus other verses in other chapters). Thus, this would also seem to outlaw printed or electronic pornography. In Ezekiel 16:35-39, God tells of publicly uncovering nakedness as a significant negative. When Jesus told the Laodicean Christians they were naked, He also mentioned that they were miserable and needed to repent (Revelation 3:14-22).
Overall, the Anglo-descended nations do not care what Jesus nor 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 in the old Plain Truth magazine:
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?" {Proverbs 6:27}
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 is 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...
The Real Motives
What are the real motives of the intellectual pornophiles? They appear to be mixed. Some no doubt genuinely believe it should be available "by right" as a "harmless" ingredient of a free society. But there is little doubt that others are defending it as a tool to ultimately help destroy the free society that spawns it, and thus destroy the truly worthwhile values of that society. If they can use pornography to help erode and sap the strength of a society whose present structure they wish to see swept away, well and good. As we have attempted to show, it is a powerful incentive to crime and increased immorality, as well as a nauseating means of attacking and damaging the marriage institution . It is an ideal weapon to use to weaken Western civilization, to undermine the foundations of our society , and thus to pave the way for a new - presumably Marxist - society...
It should be no surprise to us that The Little Red Schoolbook should try to tell schoolchildren that pornography is "harmless" and recommend to them to "try" anything that "looked interesting." This publication has communist authors and expounds a Marxist philosophy. As one of the authors later admitted, it was a calculated exercise in anarchy. Are we surprised that the original Danish version was subsidized by Maoist funds? Yet Article 228 of the Soviet criminal code, chapter 10 , makes publishers and distributors of pornography liable to fines and imprisonment. As the Longford report points out, this chapter deals with "crimes against public security, public order, and the health of the population." Soviet authorities clearly seem to know more about the health of society at least in this respect - than their Western counterparts. 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)
While the Marxist threat is not the same as when the article in 1976 was produced, it is true that pornography is negative to society and many who are opposed to biblical morality are supporters of it in the USA and elsewhere.
Notice also the following:
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).
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.
Notice a research summary about pornography from the National Center on Sexual Exploitation website:
Pornography is a social toxin that destroys relationships, steals innocence, erodes compassion, breeds violence, and kills love. The issue of pornography is ground zero for all those concerned for the sexual health and wellbeing of our loved ones, communities, and society as a whole. As the following points illustrate, the breadth and depth of pornography’s influence on popular culture has created an intolerable situation that impinges on the freedoms and wellbeing of countless individuals.
▪Young Age of First Exposure: A study of university students found that 93% of boys and 62% of girls had seen Internet pornography during adolescence. The researchers reported that the degree of exposure to paraphilic and deviant sexual activity before age 18 was of “particular concern.”1Another sample has shown that among college males, nearly 49% first encountered pornography before age 13.2
▪Pervasive Use:A nationally representative survey found that 64% of young people, ages 13–24, actively seek out pornography weekly or more often.3A popular tube site reports that in 2016, people watched 4.6 billion hours of pornography on its site alone;461% of visits occurred via smartphone.5Eleven pornography sites are among the world’s top 300 most popular Internet sites. The most popular such site, at number 18, outranks the likes of eBay, MSN, and Netflix.6
▪Infringement on Individual Rights:The pornification of culture (i.e. softcore,hypersexualized imagery) is widespread and evident everywhere, from the grocery store checkout lane to advertising, popular entertainment, unsolicited email, and beyond. It’s becoming increasingly difficult—if not impossible—to live a porn-free life.
▪Both Genders: While hardcore pornography users are typically male, use among younger females use is increasing. Teenage girls and young women are significantly more likely to actively seek out porn than women 25 years old and above.7
▪Unmanageable at the Individual Level: The pervasive depictions of softcore and hardcore pornography in popular culture, and their easy accessibility via streaming and mobile devices, produce problems and significant risks outside the ability of individuals and families to manage on their own.
▪Private Behavior with Public Consequences/Porn Users Shape Culture: The large-scale private use of hardcore pornography by millions of people has public ramifications. The attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors shaped by pornography use havea profound impact on not only users’ private relationships, but also their professional and social relationships. Pornography use, to varying degrees, shapes the lens by which users view, interact, and construct the world.
▪Pornography is Prostitution for Mass Consumption: The medium by which the prostitution is conveyed—photographs, magazines, books, videos, and the Internet—allows for masses of individuals to derive sexual stimulation and gratification from the acts of prostitution that they portray.Drawing from recent, peer-reviewed, research literature, as well as the latest reports and surveys, the research summary below presents evidence supporting the view that pornography constitutes a public health crisis. While independently these studies do not prove that pornography causes harm, taken in totality, the converging evidence overwhelming suggests that pornography is correlated with a broad array of harms that adversely impact the public health of the nation. These include higher incidence of STIs, 3August 2, 2017EndSexualExploitation.org/public health increased verbal and physical sexual aggression, acceptance of rape myths, risky sexual behaviors among adolescents, reduced impulse control and reckless decision making, increased sexual dysfunction, and more. https://endsexualexploitation.org/wp-content/uploads/NCOSE_Pornography-PublicHealth_ResearchSummary_8-2_17_FINAL-with-logo.pdf accessed 04/14/20
Notice something that Time reported:
After 40 years of peer-reviewed research, scholars can say with confidence that porn is an industrial product that shapes how we think about gender, sexuality, relationships, intimacy, sexual violence and gender equality – for the worse. By taking a health-focused view of porn and recognizing its radiating impact not only on consumers but also on society at large, Utah’s resolution simply reflects the latest research. (Porn and the threat to virility. Time, April 11, 2016)
Shortly after that came out, the Governor of State of Utah declared pornography a public health hazard:
April 20, 2016
Utah has become the first U.S. state to declare pornography a “public health hazard.”
Governor Gary Herbert on Tuesday signed into law a resolution and a bill related to porn, stating that it could lead to “a broad spectrum of individual and public health impacts and societal harms.” The resolution, S.C.R. 9, which was introduced in January, says porn “perpetuates a sexually toxic environment” and contributes to the “hypersexualization of teens, and even prepubescent children, in our society.” http://www.newsweek.com/utah-porn-public-health-hazard-450223
Here is much of the resolution:
Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
24 WHEREAS, pornography is creating a public health crisis;
25 WHEREAS, pornography perpetuates a sexually toxic environment;
26 WHEREAS, efforts to prevent pornography exposure and addiction, to educate
27 individuals and families concerning its harms, and to develop recovery programs must be
28 addressed systemically in ways that hold broader influences accountable;
29 WHEREAS, pornography is contributing to the hypersexualization of teens, and even
30 prepubescent children, in our society;
31 WHEREAS, due to advances in technology and the universal availability of the
32 Internet, young children are exposed to what used to be referred to as hard core, but is now
33 considered mainstream, pornography at an alarming rate;
34 WHEREAS, the average age of exposure to pornography is now 11 to 12 years of age;
35 WHEREAS, this early exposure is leading to low self-esteem and body image
36 disorders, an increase in problematic sexual activity at younger ages, and an increased desire
37 among adolescents to engage in risky sexual behavior;
38 WHEREAS, exposure to pornography often serves as childrens' and youths' sex
39 education and shapes their sexual templates;
40 WHEREAS, because pornography treats women as objects and commodities for the
41 viewer's use, it teaches girls they are to be used and teaches boys to be users;
42 WHEREAS, pornography normalizes violence and abuse of women and children;
43 WHEREAS, pornography treats women and children as objects and often depicts rape
44 and abuse as if they are harmless;
45 WHEREAS, pornography equates violence towards women and children with sex and
46 pain with pleasure, which increases the demand for sex trafficking, prostitution, child sexual
47 abuse images, and child pornography;
48 WHEREAS, potential detrimental effects on pornography's users can impact brain
49 development and functioning, contribute to emotional and medical illnesses, shape deviant
50 sexual arousal, and lead to difficulty in forming or maintaining intimate relationships, as well
51 as problematic or harmful sexual behaviors and addiction;
52 WHEREAS, recent research indicates that pornography is potentially biologically
53 addictive, which means the user requires more novelty, often in the form of more shocking
54 material, in order to be satisfied;
55 WHEREAS, this biological addiction leads to increasing themes of risky sexual
56 behaviors, extreme degradation, violence, and child sexual abuse images and child
57 pornography;
58 WHEREAS, pornography use is linked to lessening desire in young men to marry,
59 dissatisfaction in marriage, and infidelity;
60 WHEREAS, this link demonstrates that pornography has a detrimental effect on the
61 family unit; and
62 WHEREAS, overcoming pornography's harms is beyond the capability of the afflicted
63 individual to address alone:
64 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
65 Governor concurring therein, recognizes that pornography is a public health hazard leading to a
66 broad spectrum of individual and public health impacts and societal harms.http://le.utah.gov/~2016/bills/static/SCR009.html accessed 04/20/16
March 2021
On March 24th, Utah’s governor signed a bill aimed at making mobile devices automatically filter pornography. ...
The ACLU of Utah, which opposed the rule, tweeted that it “infringes upon the general public’s First Amendment rights to freely access the internet.” The Supreme Court famously struck down the Communications Decency Act, which banned making indecent materials available to minors, in 1997. Child protection filters can easily catch innocuous materials, and requiring devices block large swathes of content may not fly in court, even if those filters can be turned off.
Moreover, the rule includes a huge loophole: it doesn’t take effect until five other states pass equivalent laws. If none pass before 2031, the law will automatically sunset. And so far, Utah is the only place that’s even got one on the table. “We don’t know of any other states who are working on any plans right now,” says Electronic Frontier Foundation media relations director Rebecca Jeschke. https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/21/22335928/utah-phone-tablet-anti-porn-filter-law-passes-first-amendment
Pornography is a problem, and at least some are recognizing that it is.
Pornography existed in ancient times.
The children of Israel themselves had various issues with pornography. But one king rose up and dealt his grandmother had done:
9 In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa became king over Judah. 10 And he reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem. His grandmother's name was Maachah the granddaughter of Abishalom. 11 Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did his father David. 12 And he banished the perverted persons from the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. 13 Also he removed Maachah his grandmother from being queen mother, because she had made an obscene image of Asherah. (1 Kings 15:9-13)
Here is something from one commentary:
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(13) An idol in a grove.—The original word for “idol”—peculiar to this passage and its parallel (2 Chronicles 15:16)—appears to signify a “horrible abomination” of some monstrous kind; and instead of “in a grove,” we should read “for an asherah,” the wooden emblem of the Canaanitish deity (on which see 1Kings 14:22). There seems little doubt that some obscene emblem is meant, of the kind so often connected with worship of the productive powers of nature in ancient religions, substituted as a still greater abomination for the ordinary asherah. Clearly the act of Maachah was one of so flagrant a kind, that Asa took the unusual step, on which the historian here lays great stress, of degrading her in her old age from her high dignity, besides hewing down her idol, and burning it publicly under the walls of Jerusalem.
Asherah statues tended to be of nude female figures. It is possible that the one Asa eliminated focused on an sexual region or something.
Anyway, Asa eliminated it.
But pornography continued.
When my wife and I once visited the ancient city of Pompeii in Italy, I was surprised to see remnants of ancient pornography remaining. Although I had known that Pompeii was destroyed in 79 A.D. after the volcano in Mount Vesuvius erupted, I had not realized until we visited that Pompeii was a major brothel region.
Consider something that the Bible teaches:
7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. (Jude 7)
6…the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly (2 Peter 2:6)
It was my view when I visited Pompeii that it may have been destroyed because of its pornography and sexual immorality. And I do not believe that type of destruction was limited to societies in ancient times.
Ancient, as well as modern, so-called 'art' has promoted pornography. I do not consider that pornography is 'art,' I consider that pornography called art is profane/defiled.
Consider also the following:
Literally, pornography means "writing of harlots." Its purpose was to cause the reader sexual excitement, as the jocular sex stories of the Middle Ages did.
Until the demise of the prudish Victorian era — when women's legs, arms and elbows were regarded obscene if visible — sex was often thought to be nasty and shameful — even in marriage.
Then in 1904 Sigmund Freud, founder of psychoanalysis, made a startling discovery. Sexual repression and ignorance plus the attitudes of shame and guilt did cause neuroses and other mental disorders.
Moral standards crumbled as Freud and his followers toppled legal barriers banning sex information. The moral revolution was off and running, winning victory after victory over traditional decorum, conscience and ethic. In the late 1960s, Denmark became the first country to legalize all kinds of pornography. (Zhorne J. PORNOGRAPHY THE POLLUTING OF HUMAN SEXUALITY! Plain Truth magazine, February 1983)
But it did the 'acceptance' did not stop with Denmark.
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)
Some have tried to take some steps against some of it, but the general direction is to allow much of it.
Even what is billed as "family entertainment" can often be filled with it. Provocatively under-dressed females are featured frequently.
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 has been appearing in the USA as well as Europe this century 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.
Those doing for as part of entertainment or simply going around that way in public are not ashamed. They think they are clever, and like adulteresses, act like they did nothing wrong.
20 This is the way of an adulterous woman:
She eats and wipes her mouth,
And says, "I have done no wickedness. (Proverbs 30:20)
But inciting lust is wicked!
Pornography needs to be denounced. It is a sin of the house of Israel.
1 "Cry aloud, spare not;
Lift up your voice like a trumpet;
Tell My people their transgression,
And the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1)
You might think, well this is not a subject that has any impact on you. Consider also that the Bible teaches:
3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things — 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. (Titus 2:3-5)
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)
Christian women need to encourage younger women to dress appropriately. Christian men need to realize that their daughters and wives should be dressed appropriately. And all Christians should be dressed appropriately.
Sadly, 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 what often seems to be a more than weekly basis, tends 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. 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 a popular television program in the USA since it debuted in 2005.
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 lust-invoking 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.
Singers like Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Beyoncé, and Jennifer Lopez, intentionally wear sexually provocative outfits and often promote an anti-biblical morality message (Matthew 5:27-28). And Lady Gaga and others like her should not do that (cf. Luke 17:1-2).
Speaking of Beyoncé, in 2012, then U.S. President Barack Obama made what I considered to be a startling statement:
20 September 2012
Barack Obama has revealed the extent to which he is a fan of Beyoncé, claiming she is the perfect “role model” for his daughters…
“To J and B, thank you so much for your friendship. Beyoncé could not be a better role model for my girls,” he said, according to US Weekly. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/sep/20/barack-obama-beyonce-role-model?newsfeed=true
May 8, 2016
While delivering a commencement speech at Howard University on Saturday, President Obama had high praises to sing for Beyoncé...
"When I was graduating, the main black hero on TV was Mr. T. Rap and hip-hop were counterculture, underground," he told graduates of the historically black school in Washington, D.C. "Now Shonda Rhimes owns Thursday night and Beyoncé runs the world." http://www.people.com/article/obama-says-beyonce-runs-the-world-commencement-speech-howard-university
Beyoncé is a female American singer.
Having seen Beyoncé a few times (and only a very few times, I try to avoid seeing her and others like her at all) dressed inappropriately, I find this outrageous.
If I had any daughters (we have three sons), I would teach them not to dress nor act like Beyoncé.
The moral decline of the United States will lead to its destruction--and other nations will be affected as well. Here are a few scriptures to consider (and which are quoted in my book Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States):
43 The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower (Deuteronomy 28:43).
12…O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, And destroy the way of your paths (Isaiah 3:12).
16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err, And those who are led by them are destroyed (Isaiah 9:16).
Encouraging under-clothed females (Matthew 5:28; cf. 1 Timothy 2:8-9), homosexual marriage (cf. Romans 1:18-32), and abortions (Proverbs 6:16-19; cf. Jeremiah 1:4-5) is not what God would want any “Christian” leader to do.
Why object to pornography?
Pornography contributes to the sins of the house of Jacob (Isaiah 58:1; see also Anglo - America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel).
Women are normally much less involved with viewing pornography. Yet, even women sometimes are lustful in their views:
1 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. 2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. 5 So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field.
6 Thus he left all that he had in Joseph's hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate.
Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.
7 And it came to pass after these things that his master's wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, "Lie with me."
8 But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. 9 There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"
10 So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her.
11 But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, 12 that she caught him by his garment, saying, "Lie with me." But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside. 13 And so it was, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and fled outside, 14 that she called to the men of her house and spoke to them, saying, "See, he has brought in to us a Hebrew to mock us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. 15 And it happened, when he heard that I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me, and fled and went outside."
16 So she kept his garment with her until his master came home. 17 Then she spoke to him with words like these, saying, "The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us came in to me to mock me; 18 so it happened, as I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me and fled outside."
19 So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, "Your servant did to me after this manner," that his anger was aroused. 20 Then Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. (Genesis 39:1-21)
The group Morality in Media has protested against a movie that contains what has been called "mommy porn":
Morality in Media, a group devoted to fighting porn and indecency, blasted out a statement from its executive director, Dawn Hawkins, condemning the newly released trailer for Fifty Shades of Grey. The trailer, she says, “deceives the public with a visually appealing melodramatic love story that romanticizes and normalizes sexual violence.”
This argument came up when the first of the hot trilogy of “mommy porn” books was published in 2011, as the story centers around sexy millionaire Christian Grey, who is into dominant bondage sex with submissive, innocent, college grad Anatasia Steele.
The controversy has been a constant topic for discussion and debate. In August 2013, a study published in the Journal of Women’s Health found that Fifty Shades perpetuates “dangerous abuse patterns,” such as stalking, intimidation, humiliation and isolation. http://entertainthis.usatoday.com/2014/07/24/anti-porn-group-warns-against-watching-fifty-shades-of-grey/
Before I saw the above news item, I had read a little about the movie and the book it is based upon.
Notice also the following, which I later read:
The mommy porn that shook the world had its trailer debut on the “Today” show Thursday, as “50 Shades of Grey” stars Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson introduced scenes from the film, which opens Valentine’s Day. http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/fifty-shades-grey-trailer-hits-spots-article-1.1878932
“Fifty Shades of Grey” glamorizes violence against women…Kathryn Casey, a crime writer. “What I find unsettling is that in Christian Grey I see the attributes of so many of the men I’ve written about over the years, the ones who abuse and sometimes even end up murdering their intimate partners. Experts have said for decades that rape is more about control than sex. What I’ve seen over and over again is that a man who needs to dominate, humiliate and physically abuse a woman isn’t a hero. He’s not doing it out of love. That guy isn’t the man of any woman’s dreams. He’s a mistake, one she won’t end up rehabilitating but fleeing.” http://www.latimes.com/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-fifty-shades-of-grey-movie-trailer-beyonce-crazy-in-love-20140724-story.html
“It just really seems kind of excessive,” PTC director of grassroots education and advocacy Melissa Henson tells The Hollywood Reporter of Today‘s promotion of the first trailer for the highly anticipated erotic film. “We’re talking about basically the equivalent of a dime-store trashy romance novel. Essentially, what Today‘s doing is they’re promoting what people refer to as ‘mommy porn.’ That’s what it boils down to. Today is helping to promote mommy porn. That’s a pretty poor judgment on their part in terms of their attitude toward their audience.” http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ptc-fifty-shades-trailer-today-720985
Many are calling this ‘mommy porn.’ Pornography is not appropriate for men or women.
This movie should have been boycotted as it encourages violence, including sexual violence, against women.
Yet, it was a highly popular movie amongst women. This is sad.
Pornography promotes the unreal and messes with the mind. It is not the light of truth but deception and darkness.
Jesus taught:
19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God. (John 3:19-21)
Adulterers and pornography purveyors do not want their deeds exposed and they love darkness and not the light of truth. Notice the following which would seemingly apply to purveyors of pornography:
2 You lust and do not have. (James 4:2)
16 For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world. (1 John 2:16)
The Bible recognizes that adulterers hope to operate secretly:
15 The eye of the adulterer waits for the twilight, saying, ‘No eye will see me’; and he disguises his face (Job 24:15).
Jesus said:
31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. (Luke 6:31)
Women should not incite men to sin as men should not incite women to sin. And men should NOT attempt to view matters that incite lust.
The Bible says punishment will come:
7 Yet they say, “The Lord does not see,
Nor does the God of Jacob understand.”23 He has brought on them their own iniquity,
And shall cut them off in their own wickedness;
The Lord our God shall cut them off. (Psalm 94:7,23)23… your sin will find you out (Numbers 32:23).
32 Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; He who does so destroys his own soul. (Proverbs 6:32)
13 ... They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, 14 having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. 15 They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; (2 Peter 2:13-15)
10… For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (Romans 14:11)
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, (Galatians 6:7-8).
No one should participate in sexual immorality or promote it. The Bible teaches that there are consequences. “Your sin will find you out.”
It probably should be mentioned that since the USA became more accepting of pornography, it also began to see stagnation in wages and a change to being a debtor nation (see CBS on main problem with USA economy; COGwriter provides missing biblical points). There are also other personal and societal costs.
The Barna Group released a study confirming that pornography is becoming a major issue:
January 29, 2016
The “pornification” of popular culture means younger generations are coming of age in a hypersexualized cultural ecosystem, a news survey carried out by the Barna Group for the Josh McDowell Ministry has found.
It notes, smartphones, tablets and laptops have revolutionized the way Americans encounter images.
“Pictures and videos are easily accessible with one swipe or click; it takes very little effort to encounter sexually explicit content on apps like Snapchat and Instagram.
“Even mainstream media is infused with sexualized images and ideas—one needs only to see an Axe commercial, a primetime Miley Cyrus performance or a ‘reality’ show like The Bachelor for confirmation.”
“They, in turn, tend to be more open to sexual experimentation and self-expression—leading to further social acceptance of sexually explicit content. One cannot help but wonder where this self-perpetuating feedback loop will end.”
Roxanne Stone, editor in chief at Barna Group and one of the lead designers and analysts on the study says new realities are fueling “more cavalier attitudes and high rates of porn usage among the younger generations.”
CONCERN AT TREND
This is a concern, says Stone because studies have shown that seeing a vast amount of pornography long before becoming sexually active can have damaging effects due to the amount of sexual conditioning that occurs in adolescence.
“Ill-timed exposure to explicit material could cause lifelong problems with relationships and personal sexual health, and create unrealistic beliefs about sex and sexuality,” she says. …
WHAT THE RESEARCH MEANS
“There appears to be a momentous generational shift underway in how pornography is perceived, morally speaking, within our culture,” says Roxanne Stone, editor in chief at Barna Group and one of the lead designers and analysts on the study.
“This shift is particularly notable when it comes to personal choice regarding pornography use. But these attitudes and preferences toward porn among the younger generations need to take into account the broader social and cultural context that American young people inhabit.
“For one, they are coming of age in a culture that has given preference to personal experience and personal morality,” notes Stone. …
“We’ve seen cultural icons such as Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton and Miley Cyrus generously rewarded for their public displays of private moments. And now, with broadcast tools at their fingertips, young people have the ability to produce their own personal pornography – via Instagram, Snapchat or just plain ‘sexting.’
“Such personal, interactive porn is something we are calling ‘Porn 2.0′ and we will be releasing more of our research on that in the coming months.” http://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/study-finds-adult-concern-at-us-teens-and-young-adults-use-of-porn-barna-finds/37867.htm
Some of what is called ‘family entertainment,’ would have been illegal even in the old burlesque houses a century or so ago.
As I warned when I first posted this specific article in the early Summer of 2013, things are getting worse.
During the Fall of 2013, there were several disturbing reports about celebrity appearance. On November 19, 2013, I read about two female celebrities wearing see-through dresses. The media was trying to determine which one looked best. Shortly thereafter (on the same day), I read (did not see) a headline about some other female celebrity who wore a see-through dress and did so without wearing any underwear.
That same day I read that some other female celebrity decided to do be on some singer's video topless. (Note: I was not looking for any of these type of stories--all I was doing was my normal news review to look for what news to comment on.)
Earlier in November 2013, I read that more and more are looking into spray on clothes. Essentially, some type of body paint that some will consider to be clothing. Painted nudity.
And later, I read about a female singer who decided to perform all or part of her concert totally nude. And on national television, a female singer wearing a short skirt, bent over in front of a male singer and pretended to imitate sexual intercourse--this did not ruin her career, it made her more famous, which is a big part about why others are imitating her in their own ways.
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.
Over time, public displays of what historically would have been considered as pornography have gotten worse. 2016 is even worse than 2013 was.
There are some analogies between pornography and false Christianity that also seem to apply.
The Bible uses the analogy of a good woman to refer to the true Christian church (e.g. 2 John 1-5).
When Christian males see females who are intentionally underclothed, they need to realize that they are not looking a proper Christian females.
The Bible uses the analogy of a great harlot for a particular false church church, and teaches that that its 'daughters,' which it also calls harlots, are involved with it.
Notice:
1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication."
3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. 5 And on her forehead a name was written:
MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. (Revelation 17:1-5)
What does this have to do with pornography?
Remember that the word pornography comes from words meaning depictions of harlots
As we see it becoming more and more acceptable in this world for females to publicly wear less, we are also witnessing a world where the great harlot church is wearing less and less.
Consider that since becoming pontiff, Pope Francis has taught that atheists, without Jesus, can be saved by good works. He also teaches that Jews can be saved without accepting Jesus. This is exposing his spiritual nakedness. This shows that the Church of Rome does NOT have on the whole armor of God:
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (Ephesians 6:14-17).
The truth is one cannot be saved by works:
8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God;
9 Not of works, that no man may glory. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
And while Rome now claims the Apostle Peter as its first pontiff, notice what Peter told the Jews who asked about salvation:
37 Hearing this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, 'What are we to do, brothers?'
38 'You must repent,' Peter answered, 'and every one of you must be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise that was made is for you and your children, and for all those who are far away, for all those whom the Lord our God is calling to himself.' (Acts 2:37-39, New Jerusalem Bible)
Yet, despite Rome displaying more of its nakedness through blatantly unbiblical teachings.
Pope Francis also has brought a woman into salvation--his version of Mary. He and some Greco-Romans also seem to consider that a non-biblical version of ‘Mary’ is a key to the gospel as well as a key to ecumenical and interfaith unity. Sadly, they and others do not understand the importance of Jesus AND the true Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Many are promoting false gospels (watch, for example UN's 'New Universal Agenda' is a False Gospel!).
But just like Westerners are getting more and more comfortable with women wearing less and less, much of the Protestant and Eastern Orthodox world is getting more and more comfortable about being in a tighter ecumenical arrangement with the Church of Rome (see Beware: Protestants Going Towards Ecumenical Destruction! and ). Despite the fact that Pope Francis' positions on Jews, atheists, and others is blatantly anti-biblical (see also Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox?).
Historically, the Eastern Orthodox and the Protestants have had negative views of the Vatican
(1) Martin Luther:… We here are of the conviction that the Papacy is the seat of the true and real antichrist…
(2) John Calvin: I deny him to be the vicar of Christ. … He is an antichrist — I deny him to be the head of the Church (John Calvin Tracts, Volume 1, pages 219, 220). (Standish CD, Standish RR. The Evangelical Dilemma. Hartland Publications, 1996, p. 162)
Samuel Lee (a seventeenth century Rhode Island minister): It is agreed among all main lines of the English Church that the Roman pontiff is the Antichrist (Samuel Lee, The Cutting off of Antichrist, p. 1). (Standish CD, Standish RR. The Antichrist is Here. Hartland Publications, 1988, p. 16)
Instead of fearing the type of Babylonian unity Pope Francis is encouraging, more and more Protestants want to embrace it.
Instead of fleeing sexual immorality and pornography, more and more are tolerating and viewing it.
I perhaps should add that even among the Eastern Orthodox, some see the falsehood of the ecumenical agenda, including tying 'Mary' in with it:
"Mother goddesses" known in the ancient world were not just confined to the Near East and Mediterranean but are universal. The Kogi Indians, among whom we lived in Columbia, worship a spirit called Nabuba, the "Ancient Mother." When Roman Catholics missionaries attempted to evangelize the Kogi int he last century, they used a not-uncommon strategy for drawing pagan peoples into Rome's fold: rather than explaining the differences between the pagan mysthology and Christian truth, they found "equivalences," Christ, under this syncretistic view, corresponds to the Kogi Sejukukui (a trickster god who faked his own death by hiding in a cave), while Nabuba is said to be the Virgin Mary. This confusion has led the Kogis to call their pagan temples "cansamaria," a corruption of "casa de Maria" (house of Mary).
Given these Roman Catholic "evangelistic methods" of more than a century ago, it is it any wonder that contemporary "apparitions" of Mary are invariably accompanied by ecumenistic messages promoting the idea that all religions are equally valid and Orthodox Christianity is but one "path" among many? A recent issue of Orthodox Tradition (1966) contains the account of Matushka (wife of a Russian Orthodox priest) Katherine Swanson's trip to Medjugorje, Croatia, to investigate the most famous of the recent cases of apparitions of Mary in the Roman Catholic world. In it she recounts a telling episode:
Our guide took our group for an audience with the "seers." During this audience, a pilgrim asked one of the children the following questions: "Does the Virgin say that the Catholic Church is the true church?" The response given by the child provides clear evidence of the ecumenical content and religious relativism which, oddly enough, increasingly mark the "revelations" at Medjugorje: "Our Blessed Mother says that all religions are equally pleasing to God."
The Life magazine article, then, is yet another contribution to this line of thought. Given the idea that all paths are equally valid, then all "Marys" are equally valid, too. The author describes several of the Marys of our times: Miearculous Mary (such as at Medjugorje), Mediator Mary (Who, as the author quotes Fr. Andrew Greeley saying, lets people into Heaven through the "back door"), (Editors notes: the Orthodox Church of course never taught about the "back door", and of course one only prays that this is a matter of a figure of speech, but let us not dwell on the "back door", but the gates of Paradise, the Kingdom of our God). Mediator Mary of the feminists, and Mother Mary. This last one, Mother Mary, is the role which the author considers the most appealing to non-Catholics: "The emotional need for her is so irresistible to a troubled world that people without an obvious link to the Virgin are being drawn to her. It is known that Muslins revere Mary as a pure and holy saint...Interdenominational Marian prayer groups are springing up throughout the world. Many Protestants, even some who still reject notions of a supernatural Virgin, miss Mary."
To which Mary are Muslims and Protestants being drawn? The Protestant Reformation rejected the distorted view of Mary which had developed in the West since the Schism of 1054, and which would ultimately result in the Roman Church's proclamation of their dogma of the Immaculate Conception. But Protestantism did not just reject the Western view of Mary; it ignored Her altogether, in effect denying Her role in the Incarnation and, consequently, the part She plays in our salvation. As Rome began to see her more and more as a "goddess," a fourth Hypostasis of the Trinity, as it were, the Protestants reacted by down playing Her position and refusing to honor Her at all, this in spite of the Gospel words:"All Generations Shall Call Me Blessed."
Today, as heterodox Christians become more and more ecumenist and work toward creating a "One World Church," the search has begun for a Mary of universal recognition, one who will appeal not only to those who bear the name Christian, but apparently to Muslims and others as well, just as attempts are likewise being made to identify the "new Christ" with the Muslim concept of their coming Mahdi and with the Messiah still awaited by the Jews. This, of course, will be no Christ at all but the antichrist.
(Jackson P. ORTHODOX LIFE., No. I, 1997., Brotherhood of Saint Job of Pochaev at Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, N.Y. pp. 18-22. http://fr-d-serfes.org/orthodox/theotokos.htm viewed 05/11/09)
I should also add that some of the top Greek Eastern Orthodox bishops have denounced Pope Francis and stated he has no important ecclesiastical authority (see Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox?).
Yet, many of the top Eastern Orthodox leaders have embraced Pope Francis' agenda or at least parts of it.
Pope Francis claims he wants peace, economic prosperity, unity, and a cleaner environment, but he is not promoting the real Kingdom of God (see Laudato Si: Pope's Agenda or Kingdom of God?). Parts of the pontiff's agenda appeals to many. But it is a false gospel, that will not satisfy nor truly bring peace.
Pornography appeals to many who think it will bring them some type of love, yet it brings a non-satisfying lust.
There is a story of a vain emperor who hires con-artists to make him clothes. They end up giving him nothing, and tell him that they gave him the finest clothes ever made and that only those unworthy of their positions in life cannot see them. So, the emperor tries to display these non-existent clothes in a parade. No one wants to say anything because they do not want to be accused of being unworthy of their positions. Suddenly, a little boy cries out, "The emperor, he is naked!" In a few moments, all the crowd begins to laugh as they are then willing to admit that the emperor was naked.
Well, the Church of Rome is naked when it teaches salvation comes from works and is not required to include belief in Jesus, which is the only "name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved' (Acts 4:12, Douay-Rheims). Yet those pushing the ecumenical and interfaith agendas are unwilling to see this nakedness. The Church of Rome will make a deal with the final European Beast power, and the Bible shows that after first supporting her the Beast's supporters will turn on the Church of Rome (Revelation 17:1-9) and expose more of her nakedness to the world (Revelation 17:16).
In the physical realm, harlots attempt to look pretty and alluring. They promise joy, but deliver sin and disease.
Spiritual harlots try to look attractive and alluring as well, but they bring the ways of death, not the way of truth. False religion is accepted by many for comfort. But false religion cannot bring salvation.
Pornography seems to bring a type of comfort to some, but does not lead to love nor building character.
Many in the media have noticed that weather problems seem to be intensifying. Sins, including increased acceptance of pornography, is a contributing cause.
The Bible warns:
7 "I also withheld rain from you,
When there were still three months to the harvest.
I made it rain on one city,
I withheld rain from another city.
One part was rained upon,
And where it did not rain the part withered.
8 So two or three cities wandered to another city to drink water,
But they were not satisfied;
Yet you have not returned to Me,"
Says the Lord.9 "I blasted you with blight and mildew. (Amos 4:7-9)
The Bible also warns that worse will happen without repentance (cf. Amos 4:7-12; Luke 13:2-5).
People have been seduced to believe that there are no consequences for the increased societal acceptance of sins such as soft pornography and fornication. But they are wrong. Notice also the following:
10 "Because, indeed, because they have seduced My people, saying, 'Peace!' when there is no peace — and one builds a wall, and they plaster it with untempered mortar — 11 say to those who plaster it with untempered mortar, that it will fall. There will be flooding rain, and you, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall tear it down. 12 Surely, when the wall has fallen, will it not be said to you, 'Where is the mortar with which you plastered it?'" 13 Therefore thus says the Lord God: "I will cause a stormy wind to break forth in My fury; and there shall be a flooding rain in My anger, and great hailstones in fury to consume it. 14 So I will break down the wall you have plastered with untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be uncovered; it will fall, and you shall be consumed in the midst of it. Then you shall know that I am the Lord. (Ezekiel 13:10-14)
15 "But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: 16 "Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country. 17 "Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. 18 "Cursed shall be the fruit of your body and the produce of your land, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. 19 "Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out. 20 "The Lord will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke in all that you set your hand to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, because of the wickedness of your doings in which you have forsaken Me. 21 The Lord will make the plague cling to you until He has consumed you from the land which you are going to possess. 22 The Lord will strike you with consumption, with fever, with inflammation, with severe burning fever, with the sword, with scorching, and with mildew; they shall pursue you until you perish. 23 And your heavens which are over your head shall be bronze, and the earth which is under you shall be iron. 24 The Lord will change the rain of your land to powder and dust; from the heaven it shall come down on you until you are destroyed. (Deuteronomy 28:15-24)
More on weather can be found in the article Weather Blessings and Sorrows; related item in the Spanish language would be Bendiciones y maldiciones del clima; there is also a YouTube video in English titled Does God Use Weather?
Does pornography contribute to sex crimes? Notice what else Gordon Muir wrote:
The whole principle of advertising is based on the notion that people are motivated to act on visual stimuli. Since the essence of pornography is visual stimuli, it may also cause people to act, and often in very antisocial ways. A normal person probably won't commit some horrible sex crime if he looks at pornography. There are doubtless other individuals who will commit sex crimes regardless of whether they look at pornography or not. (This sort of person, however, is almost always an avid reader of pornography.) But there are others, "marginal individuals," who will commit sex crimes if they are exposed to pornography, but who otherwise wouldn't. There is consequently a strong correlation between sex offenses and pornography: those who commit such crimes are practically always voracious consumers of the stuff...
Case after case can reveal the effect of today's pornography on the minds of at least a segment of society. At a trial in England of a young man who raped two fourteen-year-old girls, the defending Q.C. stressed that the accused had had " his youthful sexuality turned into a very powerful driving force through the effect of pornography." Evidence like this, however, is counted for nothing beside the test-tube theories of the avant-garde...
Well did one police official say - following a major rape conviction - to those who consider that censorship of pornography interferes with the liberty of the individual: "Let [them] reflect upon the victims of the sex crimes and ask themselves if they would express these views if the victims were their own relatives and friends." (Muir G. A Case Against Pornography. Plain Truth, April-May 1976, pp. 15-18)
I would also add that one of the reasons that "kiddie porn" (pornography featuring children) is illegal in many places is to decrease pedophiles from committing their horrific crimes.
The June 2012 edition of CG7-Denver’s Bible Advocate had the following article:
Porn Problems . . .
• Spiritual problem: Porn is like
a cancer to the soul.
• Marriage problem: Porn
erodes true intimacy and
threatens the marriage bond.
• Human problem: Porn debases
people by viewing them as
objects of self-gratification.
• Teenage problem: Porn entraps
youth and young adults
in moral bondage that’s very
difficult to break.
• Artistic problem: Porn turns
natural beauty and wonder
into ashes of lechery and cesspools
of repugnance.
• Kid problem: Porn abuses children
and adolescents, stealing
their innocence and inflicting
irreversible damage.
• Social problem: Considered
from any perspective — criminal,
financial, or personal —porn costs the culture much.
Want to overcome obscenity?
If you can’t get free, get help.
Pornography is a problem.
For heterosexual males, it gets them to have unrealistic expectations when it comes to their wives. As one woman told me once, "Prostitutes are actresses" as are those who pose/participate in pornographic videos. While I have never watched any, from what I have heard, normal women do not act like the ones in these videos.
For heterosexual females, pornography gets them to have fantasy views about males that their husbands will not fulfill--as well as feelings that they will never quite be able to match up.
For both sexes, involvement in pornography is mental adultery and can often lead to physical adultery.
But there are solutions in Christ. Consider:
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)
Flee pornography, draw close to God, resist temptation, and you can break your addiction to pornography if you have one.
Consider also:
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9)
13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. 15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments. (John 14:13-15)
If you will pray and "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33), you can break addiction to pornography. For more information on prayer, check out our free online booklet Prayer: What Does the Bible Teach?
And yes, by the way, pornography is NOT an unforgivable sin if you repent. Whether you participated in it or encouraged it.
For:
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
This includes sins associated with pornography.
Here are ten steps to break the addiction as heard on GrowthtracRadio:
1. First, you must acknowledge the addiction exists. Many who are caught in the trap of addiction will adamantly deny the problem. He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. – Proverbs 28:13
2. You must recognize that what you are doing is wrong. Addicts find a way to justify their problem in their mind. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. – I John 2:16
3. You must not blame others – “If my wife/husband were just more affectionate.” … “If women/men were not so seductive.” Adam blamed Eve and she blamed the serpent. Instead, you must begin to take responsibility for your actions.
4. Make yourself accountable to a spiritual authority, perhaps a pastor or mature believer. Everybody needs a “safe” person to share their struggles with. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. – James 5:16
5. You must recognize that “will power” is not the answer. At a weak moment, your “will” may fail you. By admitting that you are in need of God’s help, you open access to His supernatural intervention in your life. You must yield your will to God’s will. That’s when He can begin a new work in your life.
6. Study the Word of God concerning sexual purity. Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the Word implanted, which is able to save your souls. – James 1:21
7. You must destroy any pornography in your possession. You can’t wean yourself off pornography. Think of the hidden pornography in your home as a ticking time bomb that will ultimately destroy your family and marriage.
8. You must learn to flee temptation. Self-deception may enter when you think you can play with fire without getting burned. Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not proceed in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not pass by it. Turn away from it and pass on. – Proverbs 4:14,15
9. Give yourself time to work through the process of recovery. More often than not, God chooses to take us through a learning and growing process, that can be very painful. Victory over addiction should be viewed as a marathon, not a sprint.
10. It’s cliche, but you must approach your addiction one day at a time. Look for little victories and rejoice in the progress you’re making. Recovery is a cinch by the inch, but a trial by the mile. 10 Steps to Overcoming Pornography Addiction | Growthtrac Marriage http://www.growthtrac.com/overcoming-pornography-addiction/#ixzz3tsHJJmmJ
Understand that pornography is wrong, you should not intentionally view it, you need to not dwell on looking at it, and God can help you overcome all.
In God's kingdom pornographic books and videos will not be tolerated. Early converts to Christ realized that they should destroy books that were opposed to Christianity (Acts 19:18-19), even though books were very expensive back then. They valued their salvation above their material wealth.
By avoiding pornography, you can help keep your spiritual and mental health.
In Western societies, young girls are often given the message that trying to look like a sex object is the way to success and popularity. This not only demeans women as people, it also contributes to males having more "wandering eyes" than they would tend to otherwise have.
The growth of soft and hard-core pornography is one of the reasons that there has been a resurgence of Islam. While there is a certain amount of hypocrisy associated with some in Islam when it comes to pornography, the reality is that Islamic countries discourage and often outlaw pornography.
Though I do not advocate burqas or similar required clothing for females, the reality is that the idea to show as much skin as you can Western immorality is not good. Pornography is destructive to marriage, society, and individual well being.
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).
If you are involved in adultery or pornography and hope to be a Christians, stop sinning. Do not trust in darkness. Consider that the New Testament teaches:
3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:3-6)
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says:
“Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light.” (Ephesians 5:8-14)5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:5-9)
If you have been walking in darkness, do not live in terror, repent.
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.
Here is a link to a related sermon titled Pornography, False Comfort, and False Religion.
Thiel B. Pornography: A scourge on society. COGwriter (c) http://www.cogwriter.com/pornography.htm 2013/2014/2015/2016/2017/2020 /2021 0601