Pornography

Our fellowship's considerations and stance on homosexuality.

Definition

Pornography is defined as material “that is predominantly sexually explicit and intended primarily for the purpose of sexual arousal.” Hard core pornography is “sexually explicit in the extreme and is devoid of any other apparent content or purpose.”[1] The legal definition of obscenity is important. Three conditions must all be met for material to be considered obscene:

1. “The average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the material, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interests.
2. “The work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by applicable state (or federal) law, and...
3. “The work taken as a whole, lacks serious, artistic, political or scientific value.”[2]

Biblical Position

God created human beings as sexual creatures (Genesis 1:26-27; Matthew 19:4). God created men and women in his image, but that image was and is marred because of sin (Genesis 3:1-24; Romans 3:23). Sin has caused sex to be abused and misused (Romans 1:24-25). Scripture clearly teaches that sex is a gift from God which should be shared only within the framework of marriage (1 Corinthians 7:2-3). With few exceptions, Scripture takes a modest approach to both male and female sexual organs by using euphemisms for them. Scripture specifically condemns the practices pictured in pornography: sexual exposure (Genesis 9:21-23; Habakkuk 2:15), adultery (Leviticus 18:20[3]), bestiality (Leviticus 18:23), homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13), incest and pedophilia (Leviticus 18:6-18), and both male and female prostitution (Deuteronomy 23:17-18). It is sin to even dwell on Scripturally prohibited sex (Matthew 5:27, 28; Proverbs 23:26-28). God has specifically promised to punish sexual sin (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8). We are to think about things that are pure (Philippians 4:8). We are to abstain from “sinful desires (KJV fleshly lusts) which war against the soul ...” (1 Peter 2:11).

Societal Considerations
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Pornography is one more indication of the breakdown of the moral standards of our time. Greater access to pornography is now possible because of the development of cable TV, the computer and the internet. Studies show that the rapid growth of cyberporn and its use have contributed to an increase in many current social problems. Studies show that males who view cyberporn are significantly more aggressive toward women and are less responsive to the pain and suffering of rape victims. This leads to increased coercion and violence in rape with a corresponding lack of sensitivity to sexual violence and rape.[4] Massive exposure to pornography encourages a desire for greater deviance in sexual practice.[5] States with high circulation rates of pornographic materials also had a high rate of rapes. The opposite was also true. A twenty-three year study of 38,000 sexual assault cases in Michigan showed pornographic materials were viewed immediately before or during the crime in 41 percent of the cases.[6] The use of pornography also contributes to the breakdown of marriage, leads to child abuse, murder and other social problems.[7]

Fellowship Conclusions         

We believe God created humanity as sexual beings and pronounced his created beings as very good. As originally created, Adam and Eve were made for each other, and they found complete satisfaction in each other. Any desire, whether mental or spoken, for an individual other than one’s spouse is sin—just as the physical act of sex with anyone other than one’s spouse is sin. Based on the clear teaching of Scripture, we condemn the use of any and all forms of pornography by believers.

Individual and Corporate Responsibility   

1. Parents and churches should teach children the biblical view that sex, used within the boundaries God has set, is wholesome and good, a gift from God
   
2. Each of us is encouraged to set personal boundaries which minimize our own exposure to sexually explicit media, magazines, television programs, and music. Job set an example by making a covenant with his eyes not to look lustfully at a girl (Job 31:1-3). Parents can strengthen their children morally by discussing with them why stories, programs and songs are morally wholesome or unwholesome.
   
3. Parents should seriously consider the dangers of internet access and monitor their child’s access to the internet. Families may want to use screening software to block access to cyberporn. Another strategy is to locate computers in family areas so that parents can easily see what is being viewed.
   
4. Churches are encouraged to teach their congregations the biblical view of human sexuality as well as the dangers of pornography. All members need to be encouraged to flee sin and pursue a life of purity based on biblical principles.
   
5. Christians may choose to participate in local decency groups organized to fight pornography. They can also choose to not patronize businesses producing and selling pornographic materials.
   
6. In light of God’s purpose for human government to punish evildoers (Romans 13:4), it is appropriate to express our concerns to local officials about adult book stores and movie theaters in the community. State or provincial and federal officials need to hear our opinions on pornography issues.
   
7. Any pornographic materials received by mail should be reported to the proper authorities.
   
8. We must recognize that the solution to pornography and other sexual sin is not government intervention, but salvation through Jesus Christ. “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:5-7). Thus our primary energy and prayer should be for the salvation of those who create and distribute pornography.

[1] Final Report of the Attorney General’s Task Force on Family Violence, U.S. Dept. of Justice, Washington, D.C. , pp 15-17.
[2] Ibid p.17.
[3] The sexual prohibitions found in Leviticus 18 are universal prohibitions, not only for God’s people. This is evident from God’s condemnation of these practices in Egypt and Canaan (Lev. 18:1-3) and the fact that God punished the nations of Canaan for doing these things (Lev. 18:24-28). This explains why there is little discussion of these things in the New Testament: the principles of purity were already well known from Leviticus and other OT passages.
[4] Edward Donnerstein, “Pornography and Violence Against Women,” Annals of the New York Academy of Science, 347 (1980) 277-88.
[5] Dolf Zillman and Jennings Bryant, “Pornography, Sexual Callousness, and the Trivialization of Rape.” Journal of Communication, 32 (1982): 10-21.
[6] David Alexander Scott, “How Pornography Changes Attitudes” in Pornography:  The Human Tragedy, ed. Tom Minnery (Wheaton, IL, Tyndale House Publishers).
[7] The Final Report, ed. McManus, XVI-XVII.