Is porn a spiritual epidemic?

[Soma-Sight]

Is porn a spiritual epidemic regardless of belief system?

Is it an epidemic in the Christian comunity?

 

[Khristeeanos]

Porn is a terrible thing that is in the eyes and minds of our youth via the internet.

We need to find a better way to protect our children so they don't become exposed and addicted to it.

I was exposed (in 3rd grade) and became addicted to it (for over 20 years).



But THANK YOU JESUS!!! I am saved from this bondage.

 

[ThinkerMan]

Epidemic means something new and spreading rapidly (as we usually use it). Erotica is nothing new.

Almost without exception ancient cultures have many examples of it. Just do a google image search on ancient erotica (I gave it a try, though I won't post the pictures here).

Technology gave society the means for it to be widespread. While I don't deny taking a peek or two or three myself, the internet has certainly opened up a whole new world. As has the alcohol industry. Everything in moderation, they say.

It's interesting to note that one of the first, if not the first, movies ever made two centuries ago as "The Kiss" which raised a lot of eyebrows. Porn followed very, very quickly after the inventions of photography and movies.

Erotica has been around for thousands of years, but certainly not in the expanse and ease of access and privacy it is now. Many claim the reason why we even have VCRs (and DVDs) today is because of porn. They were the harbingers of a larger cultural change.

Personally, I see it more as a sign of the times of technology than any moral degredation.

 

[Featherbop]

In the U.S., more and more people are desiring quick, cheap, physical gratification, because marriage, sex in marriage, and relationships are failing rapidly. It must be a somewhat close substitute for these failures.

 

[KnarfKS]

It must be a somewhat close substitute for these failures.

It is a substitute, and probably close when considering the condition of many marriages, but of course not all. :-D

As for a definition of epidemic, I'm just guessing but this may be the closest to what Soma was thinking, or at least what I was thinking

An outbreak or unusually high occurrence of a disease or illness in a population or area.

It is a fact that when male Christian conventions come into town the use of pay per view pornography in hotels sky rockets. Satan is using pornography to attack men and women of the faith. It does affect relationships. From personal experience this is by far the most difficult addiction I have ever beaten(through the grace of God of course).

 

[Shellfish]

I voted that it was an epidemic however, I believe it is more of a scourge of our society that is exploited by advertising execs and the so called "entertainment " industry.

I have to admit that since men are visually stimulated [/b certain businesses exploit this. We are exhorted to guard our hearts and minds for good reason. We must stop the thought process before it takes root.

Women are taught from a young age how to get a man's attention or how to get noticed. It's up to the man to notice them for the right reasons.

 

[GA_Teg]

It is not an epidemic, it is a sickness, a disease. In todays society we are taught to always want something more, something better and do what it takes to get it. That is the mindset of most people, including christians, and what they seek. Porn offers glimpses into things that most will never have but are curious about or it piques their imagination.

The internet has made pictures, videos, webchat accessible for many who would not have indulged in the first place because they would have to be in the public eye to do so. The internet offers annonimity to be able to indulge yourself and nobody is the wiser. That is just like the pay-per-view that was mentioned above, why, because they can rent it in the comfort of their hotel room and nobody will know it was them.

The flesh is weak and can control us if we let it, God is the strength that we must call on in these situations to keep us from going down that path. Once you start it is just like any other addiction, it is hard to stop but not impossible and should be treated like any other addiction.

 

[antitox]

Epidemic means something new and spreading rapidly (as we usually use it). Erotica is nothing new.

Of course it's not new. And evil has been around since the earth began too.

Technology gave society the means for it to be widespread. While I don't deny taking a peek or two or three myself, the internet has certainly opened up a whole new world. As has the alcohol industry. Everything in moderation, they say.

How do you justify in "moderation" when people get addicted to it? All they have to do is try it and they're hooked.

It's interesting to note that one of the first, if not the first, movies ever made two centuries ago as "The Kiss" which raised a lot of eyebrows. Porn followed very, very quickly after the inventions of photography and movies.

Erotica has been around for thousands of years, but certainly not in the expanse and ease of access and privacy it is now. Many claim the reason why we even have VCRs (and DVDs) today is because of porn. They were the harbingers of a larger cultural change.

Personally, I see it more as a sign of the times of technology than any moral degredation.

Of course, because atheists reason away morals and anything associated with absolutes. :-?

 

[ThinkerMan]

Epidemic means something new and spreading rapidly (as we usually use it). Erotica is nothing new.

Of course it's not new. And evil has been around since the earth began too.

Agreed.

Technology gave society the means for it to be widespread. While I don't deny taking a peek or two or three myself, the internet has certainly opened up a whole new world. As has the alcohol industry. Everything in moderation, they say.

How do you justify in "moderation" when people get addicted to it? All they have to do is try it and they're hooked.

I was being glib, and I apologize for the inference. No doubt that pornography can be addicting and potentially harmful. However, I do find it analogous to alcohol in its effects.

It's interesting to note that one of the first, if not the first, movies ever made two centuries ago as "The Kiss" which raised a lot of eyebrows. Porn followed very, very quickly after the inventions of photography and movies.

Erotica has been around for thousands of years, but certainly not in the expanse and ease of access and privacy it is now. Many claim the reason why we even have VCRs (and DVDs) today is because of porn. They were the harbingers of a larger cultural change.

Personally, I see it more as a sign of the times of technology than any moral degredation.

Of course, because atheists reason away morals and anything associated with absolutes. :-?

Not at all. However, I believe that not all morality can be defined in as clear gradiations of black and white as you do. I do believe that grey areas exist.

Porn can be harmful, both for the young girls that get trapped into it as well as how it can potentially disrupt someone's life or relationships. However, I don't find it de facto immoral. Many couples enjoy pornography together. For many it allows a fantasy outlet that may stem other urges (i.e. adultery).

I am similarly concerned, however, with its prevalence and the access that young kids have to it. I'm only thirty, and I remember the days when one of my buddies sneaked his dad's Playboy was access. Now it's in popups and innocent google searches. I think THAT is the problem, not the mere existance of pornography in general.

 

[antitox]

Not at all. However, I believe that not all morality can be defined in as clear gradiations of black and white as you do. I do believe that grey areas exist.

I know. But that's man's personal justification, which determines himself where he wants to place the threshhold. No foundation. No consistency. Nothing anyone else can trust to be upheld with absolute integrity. That's man's problem. Relativism; it produces a grey area.

Porn can be harmful, both for the young girls that get trapped into it as well as how it can potentially disrupt someone's life or relationships. However, I don't find it de facto immoral. Many couples enjoy pornography together. For many it allows a fantasy outlet that may stem other urges (i.e. adultery).

For those who are not pro-marriage or pro-monogamy; they allow their "streams run in the street." There is no dividing line between morality and immorality. They are saying, "I'm ok, you're ok," "if it feels good, do it," "Do a little dance, make a little love, get down tonite," "love the one you're with," and so on.....

I am similarly concerned, however, with its prevalence and the access that young kids have to it. I'm only thirty, and I remember the days when one of my buddies sneaked his dad's Playboy was access. Now it's in popups and innocent google searches. I think THAT is the problem, not the mere existance of pornography in general.

No, it's just more of the problem.

 

[Quath]

I think you have to see porn in shades of grey. Muslims may see a naked face as pornography. Some may see a naked statue as porn. Some may see Shakespeare stories as porn.

Is a picture of a naked baby in a bathtub porn? In a family album people would probably say no. On a pedophilia website, people would probably say yes.

Is a woman just wearing a bra and panties pornography? Maybe not if she is in the Sears catalogue.

So without a solid defining line of pornography, it is hard to draw a hard defining line on what to do about it.

Quath

 

[bibleberean]

I know it when I see it...

Pornography is evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

[antitox]

I think you have to see porn in shades of grey. Muslims may see a naked face as pornography. Some may see a naked statue as porn. Some may see Shakespeare stories as porn.

Is a picture of a naked baby in a bathtub porn? In a family album people would probably say no. On a pedophilia website, people would probably say yes.

Is a woman just wearing a bra and panties pornography? Maybe not if she is in the Sears catalogue.

So without a solid defining line of pornography, it is hard to draw a hard defining line on what to do about it.

Quath

Well gee Quath, I guess that means porn just doesn't exist except in our minds, right? You bring relativism to new heights. :-?

 

[Quath]

Well gee Quath, I guess that means porn just doesn't exist except in our minds, right? You bring relativism to new heights. :-?

Do you disagree or agree?

Is a man looking at a naked lady looking at porn? What if she is spread legged and showing everything? Does it matter if it is a college kid at an adult club or a gynocologist doing a pap smear?

Porn to one person is not porn to another. It is like what bibleberean said. He knows what porn is to him, but he can not define it objectively. It is relative.

Quath

 

[bibleberean]

Nothing is wrong in the eyes of a fool.

Satan can slink around any issue...

His minions are like him.

Evil.

I smell something foul... :smt120

Proverbs 9:6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

Proverbs 9:7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.

Proverbs 9:9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Psalms 53:1 To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

 

[antitox]

Do you disagree or agree?

When do we agree?

Is a man looking at a naked lady looking at porn? What if she is spread legged and showing everything? Does it matter if it is a college kid at an adult club or a gynocologist doing a pap smear?

Application Quath. One thing is for the purpose of health, the other is for immoral gratification; something you don't understand -locked into your relative-tweaked mindset.

[quote:3f1b6]Porn to one person is not porn to another. It is like what bibleberean said. He knows what porn is to him, but he can not define it objectively. It is relative.

Quath

[/quote:3f1b6]

Quath, EVERYTHING is relative to you. You don't know how to think on a moral level.