Pro-Life series: Porn is not a Victimless Crime

"The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come that they may have abundant life."  (John 10:10)

Porn steals, kills, and destroys on so many levels.  It dishonors, disrespects, devalues, dehumanizes, demeans, and degrades human life. We have reclassed someone who is made in the image of God to being a “virtual pixelized prostitute.”

Porn desensitizes us to the fact that humans are multi-dimensional, complex beings and destroys the lives of those who are affected by it. It is the exact opposite of the intentions of God for His creatures. God breathes life, but porn breeds death. "Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full grown, brings forth death." (James 1:14-15)

God created human beings in His image and we are fearfully and wonderfully made. As believers, we value life. People are precious, priceless, and eternal. Being pro-life should include being anti-pornography.

Maybe you remember seeing at the start of a movie on video or DVD the warning that “piracy is not a victimless crime”. I remember when I saw this about a year ago; it made me realize that pornography too is not a victimless “crime”. One of the most grievous consequences of viewing pornography, even a very limited amount, is that it always objectifies those who are made in the image of God. It dehumanizes and demeans us. Pornography can distort the thinking of its users. People (especially women) become primarily objects for sexual pleasure in the mind of the porn user. People are simply treated as objects for one’s own selfish purposes.  (Much advertising can be just as sexually objectifying and demeaning. The damage caused by pervasive female objectification in our culture over the last 10-20 years is highly toxic for girls and women living in an objectifying society).

Pornography is a huge issue in the Church today. This issue has been humorously referred to by some, as the “elephant in the room”. Porn has been referred to as an epidemic, a cancer, destructively and insidiously bringing death to far too many families. It has been called the Enemy’s number one tool in the Church. It has been called the defining sexual sin of our day. And yet, in my research and discussions regarding this matter I have read and heard again and again that it’s not being addressed at various levels in the Church.

So let’s talk!

Why is porn so spiritually poisonous?

For all: Porn warps people’s identities, both those of the viewer and those filmed or photographed. The focus is on their sexuality, just one aspect of who they are, instead of their true identities as image-bearers of God.

For the spouse: It can breed insecurity, loss of trust and respect, a sense of having been “cheated” on, and fear of competing with a “digital” woman. It’s adultery of the heart. Porn is now cited as a major cause in a large number of divorces--some sources such as the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers say it's named as a cause in 50% of divorces.

For the family: In the words of Patrick F. Fagan, Ph.D, psychologist and former Deputy Assistant Health and Human Services Secretary, “Pornography hurts adults, children, couples, families, and society. Among adolescents, pornography hinders the development of a healthy sexuality, and among adults, it distorts sexual attitudes and social realities. In families, pornography use leads to marital dissatisfaction, infidelity, separation, and divorce.” Even in 2002, before many children and teens had mobile phones, 90% of kids between 8 and 16 had been exposed to porn.

For the porn stars and anyone in the sex trade: Pornography is not what God intended for their lives, as persons of great worth to Him. Porn is a justice issue.

In each of these spheres, God has given great potential for an abundant spiritual life, rich in Him. But when we view porn, or even simply dismiss it as no big deal and think that there is nothing wrong with it, we are allowing the Enemy to do his work.

All the fruit of porn is poisonous. Even secular porn viewers are recognizing the horrible abuses and consequences for women involved in porn and altering their porn preferences accordingly to ease their guilty consciences.

This is our watch, Church, and exposing this issue is our God-given responsibility. So far we are falling far short and have abdicated much of our God-given calling to do justice. When we are obedient, walking in holiness, He will bring healing in this area and we will experience His abundant life. ("If my people, who are called by My name will humble themselves, pray, seek My face and TURN from their wicked ways…" 2 Chron. 7:14)

Take this as a call to holiness, a call to fast and pray over this issue and to repent, a call to raise your awareness and understanding and not be silent, a call to act as the Holy Spirit leads you. Pray that porn will be exposed and brought into the light, and dealt with in a godly manner. Pray that the Church will be holy and pure, without wrinkle or blemish, with no hint of sexual immorality in the Church, as God commands us in His word. Pray that those struggling with porn will find help and grace in the Church. Then we can be the salt and light that He intended us to be in this world. 

This song by Audio Adrenaline speaks beautifully about the possibilities God intended for every child. How can we, the Church, love the least of these? Many people struggle with porn, including people in our own congregations. How can we help people, compassionately and graciously, to recover from this addiction? 

(If you are looking for further information, one of the ways you can increase your awareness is through the Covenant Eyes blog, where you can find a wealth of resources.)

This is the 13th post in our "What Being Pro-Life Means to Me" series! What does being pro-life mean to you? Over this fall, we'll hear various writers respond to that question. Learn more and subscribe for weekly email updates. 

 [Image: Flickr user Montecruz Foto]