WIP, thank you so much for noticing the part where I said I was playing Devil's advocate. Clearly TheLords missed that or doesn't understand what that cliché means, especially when she stated:
where she seems to assume that I could only have been around the filming of porn before I knew Christ! She fails to imagine a bigger picture in which I was actually around it as part of my job. And no, for those who are going to jump to judgment, my job is not a professional pornographer or related to the porn industry in any way (nor was I around it often), and yes, I was a Christian at the time, and had been for many years.
Even though I have clearly been condemned and ridiculed for my questions here, I thank those of you who have taken the time to quote scripture to support your viewpoint. When I first joined this forum I was told there are "thinking" people here, and I have always appreciated that! The questions and statements I made in my post reflect actual concepts people have discussed with me over the years. If some people find this hard to believe, well, all I can say is that there are a lot more viewpoints in this world than any of us realize. Just because someone hasn't run across a particular viewpoint doesn't mean it is made up or even particularly irrational.
The people who discussed these things with me were quite serious and rational, not drooling sex addicts lurking around some dark alley. Some may have been Christians trying to justify sin, but not all. In fact, if it were not hidden by fear, you may find some respected people in your very own churches that hold to some of these viewpoints but just won't talk about them. Let's face it, how many of us have been surprised when some respected Christian was discovered to be involved in something shocking that no one expected?
I was interested in seeing what the responses would be to these situations, especially responses backed up by solid, properly understood scripture. Once again, thank you to those who have tried to do this. Also thank you to anyone who attempts to provide any more verses or input, although it seems the tone of this thread has changed for the worse and is not very conducive to that now. For those of you who are upset because you didn't understand the concept of "Devil's advocate", I apologize. I would hope anyone finding themselves in a counseling situation will show respect to the viewpoints of the person seeking counseling even when you don't personally agree with them. Otherwise it is near impossible to expect them to respect your viewpoints no matter how right you think you are.
Again, playing the role of the martyr, eh? I'm not impressed. There are hundreds of victims of the porn industry and my sympathy lies with them and the brutal pain they have received because of it. Read Shelley Lubben's book:
The Truth Behind the Fantasy of Porn. She was an ex-porn star who found Christ. I did not condemn your "on the set of porn production" activities, did I? It's funny that you purposely left out the part where I said, "
You've established your character as a man of God on this board, so I am going to continue to view you in this light." I simply cannot fathom why any Christian would be on set for such a production. In fact, in Shelley's book she goes on to state that during one of her "scenes" in a time when the Lord was calling to her, He showed up on set. He called to her, "Please leave, please don't do this"
that was His reason for being there. Sadly, Shelley told Him "You don't pay my bills!" and then went on to endure one of the most savage and brutal "scenes" of her "career." If porn is so "okay" why is Christ calling porn stars out of the business? Why is He working so tirelessly to save these poor women and men. Did you know that 90% of the women in the porn industry have a past history of sexual assault (molestation and/or rape) and come from broken homes and lives. The only way these women can "perform" is to be constantly drugged up and/or drunk? Shelley stated that most of the times "girls cry during the filming, and scream in pain" and the "director" refuses to stop filming, and if they don't stop crying they will get physically hit.
I think you are failing to see the bigger picture, where porn is destroying the souls of those within it and those viewing it. How can anyone who views porn not be sure that those girls are not under 18? Not victims of sex-trafficking crimes?
Does porn lead unto life or does it lead unto death? It's interesting that you couldn't? (wouldn't?) answer any of the questions I brought up. I have no sympathy on one who decides to play "
devil's advocate" on an issue that is
destroying so many lives. My sympathy will forever lie with these dear broken men and women. God willing, one day I will be able to share in God's work of bringing healing to their poor souls. You can go ahead and continue to play the "poor, judged, condemned" one here, but if were to see and understand the utter sadistic brutality these women (and men) experience within the porn industry maybe you will see
my viewpoint. BTW: I'm simply playing Christ's Advocate here.