Q & A, Volume 1

Question 1
Why are you so against pornography?

Answer:
Okay, this question came to me from an anonymous poster who also included a few assumptions, including one that I'm a prude who needs a little porn in my life. Ahem.

As Christians, we believe the Bible to be true and we strive to follow God's teachings. The Bible is clear about lust. Matthew 5:27-28 says "You have heard that is 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." 

I realize not everyone believes the Bible and especially in this culture, many people think anything that feels good is okay. So consider this segment I pulled from an article by freelance writer and human trafficking activist Lara Janson on The Huffington Post.

"Before working in the anti-trafficking movement, I held somewhat conventional liberal beliefs about porn -- it represented free speech, liberatory sexuality, and "free choice," made by consumers and performers alike. Like many people, I was unaware that trafficked women and youth are frequently used in porn films; one of the easiest ways for pimps to make more money is to film the victims they traffic in action. I have interacted with survivors who said they were not only trained for sexual exploitation by being forced to watch porn and imitate it, but they were also made to participate in porn that would be watched later by countless men without the victims' consent.


"Consumers of pornography usually do not see the off-camera exploitation and pain these women endure. Instead, as the content of porn has become more aggressive, more overtly sexist and racist, they see the unrealistic image of women who seemingly enjoy their exploitation and objectification. Furthermore, although our society has become more aware of racist stereotypes in the mass media, porn has not reflected the same changes. The images in mainstream porn of African American men and women and Asian women are incredibly racist, and the porn industry exploits other ethnic minority groups, as well. Although pornography is diverse, the 'smut peddling' industry perpetuates the idea that women are objects to be used by and for men."

Really, there is no way to know the difference between a woman who is forced to participate and a woman who does so willingly.

And still, I have more personal reasons. I've never met a woman who has viewed porn with her husband or found porn in their home who has felt better about herself after the experience. Even if it was used for mutual enjoyment, most women I've talked to have felt some level of insecurity, confusion about their husbands' true feelings, disrespected and less confident in their own sexual ability and desirability. And you can say to me "Don't knock it until you try it" because we've been there, done that, and had nothing to show for it except a whole lot of tears and disappointment.

Add to that the disturbing possibility of our children accidentally stumbling upon porn on the computer or in the house (and they would, they find everything), and you've got my reasons for my staunch belief that porn has no business in your marriage bed.

And I'm also out of space for this week.  More next week.