Some Thoughts On Pornography
Pornography, porn, dirty pictures, “art”, nasty movies, “eroticism”, freedom of expression… what is it all about? What is, after all, this thing called “pornography”?
The word “pornography” is derived from the greek language. The etymology is as follows:
- Greek pornographos, adjective, writing about prostitutes, from porné - prostitute + graphein – to write
But, what does that mean for us today? And why am I writing about this topic? Today the term “pornography” relates not just to “writing about prostitutes” but also to pictures and videos of women who’ve no more morals than a prostitute. And this “industry” is having a negative influence on our society.
Many will be quick to yell “Freedom of expression!” and claim that it is supported by the US Constitution which is a higher authority than even God’s revealed word in the Bible (for some). But a careful perusal of the First Amendment does not mention “freedom of expression” at all. The First Amendment states simply:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
Hmmm…. so no law will be made by Congress to establish a religion, nor shall they prohibit folks from freely excercising their religion, nor shall they abridge free speech or free press nor shall they prohibit folks from assembling peaceably in order to petition the government for a requitence of wrongs done to them. But the whole idea of “freedom to do anything you want and claim it’s protected ‘expression’” is NOT there. The founding fathers would be astounded that people today defend the publication of sexually explicit pictures – saying that the founding fathers would approve. The whole idea is absurd. But why? What’s wrong with pornography?
Pornography dehumanizes women (and men). It portrays them as simple two dimensional figures for the “viewing pleasure” of those who purchase or otherwise procure such images. The truth is that women are far more than two dimensional. Each and every human being is three dimensional by nature. Not just in the physical sense that the body is three dimensional, but in the sense that each and every person is comprised of soul, body and spirit. From a christian viewpoint we understand that a person’s soul (eternal spark) comes to being at conception. As their body develops within the womb their soul is already fully formed. Even the spirit makes an early appearance as the baby’s personality begins to develop even prior to birth. But pornography removes the soul and spirit dimensions, leaving just a dehumanized body portrayed in simple two dimensions.
So what? What’s the big deal? The problem is, that those who view pornography do not learn to relate to the whole person. They build an imaginary world around a dehumanized body, molding that “person” into the person they want her to be. The viewer of pornography has no idea if that woman is a sweet natured person or a real harpy of a woman. But she can be anyone he wants her to be – in his fantasies and dreams and imagination. This makes it hard (difficult, impossible) for him to develop a real relationship with a real woman. Because that woman is not just a dehumanized body that he can program as he wishes – she has her soul and spirit intact. And so conflict is inevitable and the tendency is to flee to the shelter and comfort of the picture women who will be the epitome of his fantasies with no conflict nor difficulties in communication.
Lately we’ve come across some very disturbing examples of how pornography can destroy people and relationships. Two cases in particular are very disturbing. In both cases the men had pretty/beautiful young wives. In both cases the wife was basically abandoned so that the husband could live out his fantasies with magazines and computer screens. Pornography also tends to be progressive. Each step leads to the next in a downward spiral. One of the two men we’ve mentioned had reached the lower rungs as he delved into degradation and torture as part of his “viewing pleasure” – even to the point of making videos of himself participating in acting out some of his fantasies. And in both cases the familial relationship was broken down as these men turned from reality to fantasy.
Sex is truly a gift from God. He created us as sexual beings. The Bible clearly states “male and female created He them”. And also, He commanded us to “be fruitful and multiply” – indicating a need for sexual activity in order to fulfill His command. In the New Testament we are told to not abstain from sexual intimacy within marriage as this provides a barrier to temptation as we find fulfillment with our spouse. And we are told that the marriage bed is honorable and holy. BUT satan himself does his best to destroy that beautiful gift by twisting and sullying it. Christ told us to be careful of where and how we look – that if we look upon someone to lust after them that it is the same as though we had actually had sexual contact with them. In some places there are laws in place about “alienation of affection” in which a person who’s spouse has become involved with someone else can sue the other person for alienating the affections of their spouse. This shows that even our legal system recognizes the impact of the intrusion of a third party on a marital relationship. But what if that “third party” is not just one but dozens or hundreds or multiplied thousands of “parties” – all in neat, dehumanized, ready for the mental programming (via fantasy) two dimensional packages? Those who sink into the miry sink hole of pornography do so at the risk of alienating those who should be their closest allies in this world.
So, what to do? What response from Christians? The Bible teaches us to “be not conformed to this world, but be transformed through the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2) And that is where the battle ground is – within our mind, in how we think. As I was typing this article I also was chatting with a young man who asked if I’d seen a certain “comedy” series on TV. I told him “Yes. Why?” “Because it’s funny” he stated. So I asked him, “But IS it funny?” The basic premise of the series is that hatred of one’s mother is normal and funny, that promiscuity is to be desired and pursued. Humor is used to desensitize us to sin, to mold our thoughts to those of the person who makes us laugh – thereby accepting their premise that sin is amusing. But it isn’t. Pardon the expression, but sin is as funny as hell. And hell, eternal separation from God and all that is good, is nothing to laugh at. Hell is no laughing matter and therefore neither is sin a laughing matter.
As christians we must learn to set barriers for ourselves. Not as a matter of setting laws to govern other persons but rather as a matter of setting barriers against sin in our own lives. We need to steer a course that is far away from danger, sailing in the safe water near God our Creator and away from the rocks that will sink our spiritual ship. We need to train our minds to think on that which is good and clean and pure rather than conforming our minds to the smut and corruption of the world around us.
I actually started writing this nearly two years ago. It was saved in draft form and left “in the archives” waiting for me to have the time to re-read and eventually publish it. Well, since that first time of writing things have continued to develop. I came across a book called “Every Man’s Battle” about winning the war for our minds. This book was passed on to one of the young men mentioned above and he has read it through once and started over. It has helped him change his way of thinking and of acting. I highly recommend this book to any Christian who is struggling against addiction to pornography.
Romans 12:1-2 says “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” As Christians we are called to offer up our bodies as living sacrifices and to not conform to the ways of the world. Jesus said “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28 These two scriptures cut to the heart of the pornography problem. God wants us to transform our way of thinking. It is not just actions that count but the thoughts deep in our hearts.
Isn’t it time we transformed our way of thinking? Isn’t it time we renewed our minds? Guys (and gals) – if you have a “problem” with pornography, find a mature person who can hold you accountable. Don’t let it destroy your life and the life of those around you. Learn to live with what is real, not with the falsehoods that satan substitutes for the blessings God has given us.
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