Several years back I was counseling a young Christian man who was struggling with a habit of viewing pornography on-line. During this time, on a Christian site which exposes the horrors of pornography, I saw a short article about a video titled “Somebody’s Daughter.” It seemed like a good resource to discuss with the young man so I ordered it.
The video is essentially testimonies by those who had been trapped in the habit of viewing porn (I will not call it an “addiction” — that is a lie from the pit of hell; it is really just a lack of self-control). I offered it to the young man for viewing but he wasn’t interested, and so it has sat on my counseling shelf since that time.
I’ve been cleaning out unused material and passing it on so as to clear my shelves, and my wife and I sat down to watch “Somebody’s Daughter” to see if it was necessary to keep on the shelf. I’ve decided to not keep it (I gave it to our pastor for his personal counseling library), but there is something from the booklet enclosed with the DVD that I decided to copy out for reference — as well as for sharing with those who follow this blog. It is a list titled, “25 Lies of Pornography.” The list has a link showing the origination, but that link is now dead. However, the organization it came from does still have a list of 10 lies, with explanations. While I think this list is good, I disagree with the psychobabble the site promotes, including the idea of sexual “addiction.”
So what has this to do with Christian apologetics? Well, it has been shown through research that Christians are almost as involved with viewing porn as are non-believers, and some even teach that it is okay!!!! Heretic Word of Faith “pastrix” Paula White and her husband have advocated that married couples should use porn!
Over two years ago Tim Challies wrote an article demonstrating the problems with porn and why Christians need to stop looking at it. Another article worth reading demonstrates how “Churchgoing Christians who support same-sex marriage are more likely to think pornography, cohabitation, hook-ups, adultery, polyamory, and abortion are acceptable. And it’s reasonable to expect continued change in more permissive directions.”
So, again, what has this to do with apologetics? Everything. The Bible in no uncertain terms declares sexual immorality to be a serious sin. Jesus said that even looking at a woman lustfully was committing adultery in one’s heart. Yet we have Christians indulging in than which which leads to sexual lust as it depicts people in every form of sexual immorality. As noted, there are even Christians who deny that it is wrong! So I want to share with you the 25 Lies of Pornography as printed the booklet accompanying “Somebody’s Daughter.” (If you need explanations as to why these are lies, feel free to ask — but I think my readers can figure it out.)
1. Pornography is just another form of entertainment.
2. Pornography is normal.
3. Pornography won’t hurt me.
4. Pornography won’t affect my behavior.
5. Pornography won’t hurt my family.
6. Pornography will satisfy.
7. Pornography won’t lead to more dangerous activities.
8. A little pornography is alright.
9. I can stop whenever I want to (Or — I can’t stop.)
10. I can keep this a secret and no one will know.
11. My small purchase is not supporting the problem.
12. All guys do a little pornography.
13. Women are less than human.
14. Women are a sport (magazine swim suit issues).
15. Women are property.
16. A woman’s value depends on the attractiveness of her body.
17. Women enjoy being physically overpowered and being treated violently during sex (rape).
18. Women should be degraded.
19. Young children enjoy having sex.
20. Illegal sex is fun.
21. Prostitution is glamorous.
22. Sex has no consequences (pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases.)
23. I could never tell anyone about my struggle with pornography.
24. Pornography is an unpardonable sin.
25. God hates those who struggle with pornography.
If you know anyone struggling with the habit of viewing pornography, let them know there is hope in Christ, and that the Holy Spirit can lead them away from it. Do not accept lies from those who say God is okay with pornography in any form!
