"Pornography: A Christian crisis or overblown issue?"

[Revoltingest]

I purchased a pornographic movie 12 years ago. So far, I've seen the first eight minutes.

Aye, "Esmeralda Does Edmonton" is a real snoozefest.
Don't even bother with the reboot, "Esmeralda Does Fort McMurray".

 

[HonestJoe]

I’d suggest many of those people who decry porn as some greatest ever threat to society (or the church) are projecting their own struggles and predilections that they’re unwilling or unable to admit (even to themselves) are reflective of their own character rather than some corruption of everything around them. I also think it’s somewhat ironic that a lot of the negatives attributed to porn could also be levelled at religion.

Personally I think porn is like any other vice (gambling, drinking, smoking etc.) in that a little isn’t going to be the end of the world but in excess can become a major problem (and indeed by symptomatic of a major problem).

 

[Mycroft]

Those artists hated the church, thus did the opposite.

They hated the Church, yes. But were still catholic, and still had faith.

 

[Mycroft]

Aye, "Esmeralda Does Edmonton" is a real snoozefest.
Don't even bother with the reboot, "Esmeralda Does Fort McMurray".

What about Esmerelda does Notre Dame?

 

[columbus]

I purchased a pornographic movie 12 years ago. So far, I've seen the first eight minutes.

Most guys last longer than that. Poor Wirey.
Poor Mrs Wirey.
How many times have you seen those eight minutes? Maybe the rest of the movie is "effective" too?
Tom

 

[Wirey]

Most guys last longer than that. Poor Wirey.
Poor Mrs Wirey.
How many times have you seen those eight minutes? Maybe the rest of the movie is "effective" too?
Tom

Just once. In 6 second bursts.

 

[GoodbyeDave]

Or do you think "conservative Christianity has become sex-obsessed, placing a disproportionate amount of influence on topics like abstinence, sexual orientation, and pornography."

All Christianity is obsessed with and hostile to sex (it got contaminated with Gnosticism) but some more than most. If I had a car I'd make a bumper sticker "Pagans have more fun!"

 

[Mycroft]

I tried to watch my mum's homemade video once, but I couldn't because my glasses kept coming off from masturbating too hard.

 

[Skwim]

Yet Christianity needs that to be their main hang up, as where as porn is illegal, murdering God's angels, making a covenant with death, and washing in their blood is fine.

My sympathies to those of you in England who find some of your porn now banned.

 

[Thanda]

Lots of interesting points....Find the only problem with what you're saying, is how could you counter that some religions (Christianity, Islam, etc), have made sex into something dirty, that should be covered up, kept in a marriage, etc.

How is keeping marriage for sex making it dirty? Is only having children in marriage also making children dirty?

 

[Skwim]

Personally I think porn is like any other vice (gambling, drinking, smoking etc.) in that a little isn’t going to be the end of the world but in excess can become a major problem (and indeed by symptomatic of a major problem).

Why do you consider porn to be a vice?

 

[Thanda]

I’d suggest many of those people who decry porn as some greatest ever threat to society (or the church) are projecting their own struggles and predilections that they’re unwilling or unable to admit (even to themselves) are reflective of their own character rather than some corruption of everything around them. I also think it’s somewhat ironic that a lot of the negatives attributed to porn could also be levelled at religion.

Personally I think porn is like any other vice (gambling, drinking, smoking etc.) in that a little isn’t going to be the end of the world but in excess can become a major problem (and indeed by symptomatic of a major problem).

Is this the new defense for sin? "So and so is only against this because deep down this is actually what he wants to do"? I see it being used by advocates of gay sex and marriage. Do people actually find this argument at all convincing?

 

[Sunstone]

"Josh McDowell, prominent apologist, [minister], and author of bestselling books such as ffvidence That Demands a Verdict, says, “Porn is probably the greatest threat to the church in its existence.” He is so alarmed about pornography’s pervasive influence that he commissioned Barna Group to conduct a sweeping, comprehensive survey on pornography in America. [To be released April, 2016]

Religion’s critics charge that conservative Christianity has become sex-obsessed, placing a disproportionate amount of influence on topics like abstinence, sexual orientation, and pornography. These judgments are not altogether invalid. Conservative Christians' responses to the sexual revolution of the 1960s and 70s have often bordered on paranoia. And yet, the pornography industry undeniably contributes to many social ills, including the objectification of women and the exploitation of children and teenagers.

As a result, the key findings of Barna’s study deserve serious attention:

Young Americans do not think pornography is a negative thing. Only one in 20 young adults and one in 10 teens say their friends think viewing pornography is a bad thing.

Most teens are “sexting.” Sixty-six percent of teens and young adults have received a sexually explicit image via text and 41 percent have sent one.

Porn is not just a “male matter” anymore.Thirty-three percent of women ages 13 to 24 seek out porn at least once per month.

Americans agree that certain types of porn are negative. Overwhelming majorities of Americans across generations believe that porn depicting children under the age of 12 and depictions of non-consensual sex acts are “always wrong.”

Fewer pastors struggle with porn than you might expect–or so they say. Fourteen percent of pastors and 21 percent of youth pastors say they currently struggle with porn.

Many Christians believe pastors caught viewing porn should be ousted from the church. Forty-one percent of adult Christians think a pastor should be fired or asked to resign if they they are found using porn.

Pastors aren’t convinced porn use is a top problem among their congregants. Thirty-eight percent of pastors call pornography a “major” or “significant” problem in their congregation.
source​

So, what do you think? Do you agree with McDowell that “Porn is probably the greatest threat to the church in its existence.” OR is he just trying to create an issue to rile against?

Or do you think "conservative Christianity has become sex-obsessed, placing a disproportionate amount of influence on topics like abstinence, sexual orientation, and pornography." OR do you think Religion’s critics are trying to down play the evils of pornography?

AND, what is your opinion of porn?

Fundamentalists tend to take on causes that don't bite back. Pornographers, gays, pro-choice people -- none of these are known for murdering preachers. They're safe to condemn, even demonize. However, you don't see a lot of fundies who are willing to protest in front of the local gangsters, condemn their meth labs and sales, or take on armed traffickers in underage girls. They'll **** all over your gay wedding though.

 

[Wirey]

Is this the new defense for sin? "So and so is only against this because deep down this is actually what he wants to do"? I see it being used by advocates of gay sex and marriage. Do people actually find this argument at all convincing?

It's true often enough. How many evangelical pastors and politicians have to get caught balls deep in a guy named 'Tom' before we acknowledge that at least some people decrying any activity are actually denying something in themselves?

 

[Skwim]

Fundamentalists tend to take on causes that don't bite back. Pornographers, gays, pro-choice people -- none of these are known for murdering preachers. They're safe to condemn, even demonize. However, you don't see a lot of fundies who are willing to protest in front of the local gangsters, condemn their meth labs and sales, or take on armed traffickers in underage girls. They'll **** all over your gay wedding though.

Excellent observation!

 

[Thanda]

It's true often enough. How many evangelical pastors and politicians have to get caught balls deep in a guy named 'Tom' before we acknowledge that at least some people decrying any activity are actually denying something in themselves?

"at least some people" and "many of those" (by HonestJoe) are two very different things. When used as "many of those" it is a tactic by those who wish to shut other people up by claiming that the more disgusting they find something the more they actually like it.

 

[wizanda]

How is keeping marriage for sex making it dirty?

Because for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Because anything outside of marriage is dirty according to Christian teachings on fornication.

Whereas a bond is between two beings, and the sex is the marriage; as if a child is born, then clearly they've got to help raise it.

Is only having children in marriage also making children dirty?

Do you understand what a 'b-a-s-t-a-r-d' means?

 

[HonestJoe]

Why do you consider porn to be a vice?

I don't really, I was just reflecting how it is commonly termed to put it in context with other things similarly termed.

 

[HonestJoe]

Is this the new defense for sin? "So and so is only against this because deep down this is actually what he wants to do"? I see it being used by advocates of gay sex and marriage. Do people actually find this argument at all convincing?

I wasn't saying anyone who is against a thing secretly wants to do it. I was only referring to people who describe a specific "sin" as a "singular greatest threat", above and beyond all others, as in this case.

 

[Thanda]

Because anything outside of marriage is dirty according to Christian teachings on fornication.

Very well said, it is dirty outside the marriage, but not in the marriage. Therefore it is not sex that has been made dirty, but fornication.

Do you understand what a 'b-a-s-t-a-r-d' means?

Indeed it was frowned upon to have children outside marriage. Do you suppose children born out of wedlock, even today, have upbringings just as good as those born in it?