Q: How do you define pornography?
A: Pornography comes from the Greek words "porno"
and "graphia" meaning "depictions of the activities of
whores". Any material, text, photo, electronic or otherwise, which is sexually
explicit and intended primarily for the purpose of sexual arousal is pornography.
Q: What's wrong with pornography?
A: After counselling and studying the behaviour of
300 sex addicts psychologist Dr Victor Cline says pornography affects adults in 4 ways:
1. ADDICTION: Porn users get hooked even in the early stages because of the exciting
and powerful imagery which is frequently called to mind and fantasized about. When "the
wave" hits them, porn addicts are consumed by their appetites, regardless of the
costs or consequences. Their addiction virtually rules their lives.
2. ESCALATION: As time goes by the addict needs rougher, more explicit, more deviant,
and "kinky" kinds of materials to get their "highs" and
"sexual turn-ons". Their behaviour reminds one of drug addicts.
3. DESENSITISATION: Materials which were originally perceived as shocking,
taboo-breaking, repulsive and immoral become acceptable and commonplace.
4. ACTING OUT: There is an increasing tendency to act out sexually the behaviour viewed
in the pornographic materials. This may result in molestation, rape or other sex-crimes.
Dr Cline says the consequences of porn-addiction is not just the possibility of
committing a serious sex crime but rather its "disturbance of the fragile bands of
intimate family and marital relationships".
Children are harmed by viewing pornography. Various researchers have shown that the
biggest users of pornography are boys form 12 to 17 years of age.
Q: That may all be true for 'hard-porn' but what about
non-violent, 'soft-porn'?
A: The following studies are amongst many others
which show the harmful effects of non-violent soft-core pornography: James Weaver,
University of Kentucky communications professor, shows that men who viewed such materials
developed a loss of respect for women and believed women to be more sexually permissive or
promiscuous than they had imagined before the viewings. Prof Zillman and Prof Jennings
Bryant of the University of Houston found evidence that shows that an exposure to
non-violent pornography leads to an increased interest in violent porn.
Q: Is there any proof that the availability of pornography
leads to more rapes?
A: Researchers Murray Straus and Larry Baron report
that Alaska and Nevada lead all other states in the USA in readership of pornography per
capita - they also have the highest rape rates. They state in their study, "The
fact that... sex magazine readership.. is strongly and consistently correlated with rape
supports the theory which holds that pornography endorses attitudes that increase the
likelihood of rape."
A 5 year study of Oklahoma County showed that as the number of pornography outlets
were closed the number of rapes went down.
According to the Attorney General's Commission on Pornography, Cincinnati police found an
83% decrease in major crimes such as rape, larceny and robbery from 1974 to 1979 on a
particular city block after a massage parlour, an X-rated bookstore and a "soft-core"
movie theatre were shut down. Assault rape in Denmark increased by 300% since they
legalised pornography in 1967. A study conducted between 1964 and 1974 reveals that
countriies where regulations on pornography have relaxed show dramatic increase in rape -
Australia 160%, USA 139%, New Zealand 107%, England 94%.
Q: What about human rights - freedom of speech and freedom of
the press?
A: Neither English common law nor the framers of
the US Constitution intended to protect obscene materials that exploit and degrade women
and children. Repeated court rulings, including the US Supreme Court in 'Miller v.
California' 1973, as well as R v Butler 1992 (Canada), showed that obscenity and certain
categories of porn, are not within the ambit of freedom of speech.
All freedoms have limitations. Freedom of speech does not protect libel, slander, false
advertising, perjury and conspiracy.
The rights of women (especially the "right to dignity") and children,
also protected in the South African Constitution, can be weighed against the right of
freedom of expression when it comes to pornography.
Q: Does the Bible have anything to say about pornography?
A: There are constant references to sexual purity
in the Bible. Jesus indicated that a lustful thought was the same as a deed. Some helpful
verses: "For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life"
(I Thess.4:7);
"Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to the person through
whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied
around his neck than to cause one of these little ones to sin" (Luke 17:1&2);
"Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished,
brings forth death" (James 1:15);
"I will set before my eyes no vile thing" (Psalm 101:3);
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy - think about such things" (Phil.4:8);
"You shall not commit adultery... You shall not covet your neighbour's wife...."
(Exodus 20:14,17);
"Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in
his heart..." (Matt.5:28);
"...due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have
given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a
continual lust for more" (Eph.4:18&19);
"Do not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters nor
adulterers...will inherit the Kingdom of God" (ICor.6:9).
Q: What can I do about it?
A: If you are not free from all influences of
pornography confess your sin so that you can enjoy a relationship with the Lord Jesus
Christ. Inform your fellow Christians in your local church about the dangers of
pornography. If you need more information ask an organisation involved in fighting porn
(like CFT, Africa Christian Action, etc) to address a meeting. Prayerfully and carefully
research the extent of porn in your local area. Start by pleasant requests to shopkeepers
to remove porn from their shelves. If there is no response increase the pressure by
informing the owner of the local store (or chain of stores) that you and your friends will
not buy from their shop until they get rid of porn. Write to legislative bodies and the
press to complain about porn.
Seek God for revival. Only this will quench the growing appetite for pornography. Refer
further to the article on, "Questions
Answered On: Revival".
