Pornography is Satan's tool....or...just A tool?
Who would have thought I'd change my view on this one!!!
It started about a year ago, when an elementary school principal told me about an educational conference he'd attended. An interview had been shown, in which some horrible criminal suggested that his inappropriate activity had begun with an addiction to porn.
I thought to myself...surely people realize that plenty of individuals view porn on a regular basis without becoming rapists and murderers? I mean...seriously??? We're going to teach people porn is bad -- because some crazy guy liked it and also did horrible things? As if there's a cause-and-effect relationship? Sounds a little sensational to me.
Not to say that I think pornography is not potentially addictive, or potentially perversive. But so are a lot of things, particularly when they are approached for inappropriate reasons. And colored by guilt. Like overeating!! Yep. Reminds me of the vicious dieting cycle...
I watched a movie once in which a main character suggested that pornography is intended not for entertainment, but "purely for functional reasons." That made me think. Is there a function for pornography?
Conclusion: Yes. I think there is. For now, I think pornography can help people to deal with sexual needs, without participating in rash behavior. I do worry a little, that pornographic material might cultivate unrealistic expectations? I would be interested in the research (as opposed to the speculation) on this one. I'm sure there is some.
I think much of why pornography is damaging to relationships is because of the values assigned, which may not be accurate values. For example, if a wife interprets her husband's use of porn as a reflection of her own inadequacy - then YEAH, that's going to hurt! But what about a relationship in which there is mutual recognition of porn as functional (sexual desire can't be satisfied by sex ALL the time, right?), rather than as a reflection of a heart's *true* desire?
I don't know! Like I said, I need to think more about this one.
5 comments:
A challenging issue. There's a lot not to like about porn -- I think a lot of it perpetuates a kind of macho stereotyped version of eroticism that's miles away from my sense of eroticism. And I think there's a sadness that hangs over it, as I'm sure that many of the people making it didn't intend to be doing this with their lives and would rather be doing something else.
But the kind of hysteria about porn that we see from the Church is way overblown. (Sorry.) On one blog, they're saying it's like a drug. (Metaphor error! Why not like a food?) And everyone is agreeing reflexively, even though I'd put money on half of the commenters being into porn and feeling guilty about it. Maybe they've heard 'porn is bad' so often that it's no longer challenged.
I think porn can be a useful diagnostic tool. (Sorry.) If you're in a relationship, and you're using porn secretly, then what is the porn doing for you that you're not getting out of your relationship? Is it a safe kind of sexual experience that you can control? And as you say, porn could be an opportunity to see what you're into. Maybe you've got a slightly freaky side that you'd like to explore in the context of a mature, healthy relationship. It could lead to some satisfying experiences.
Which is why authoritarian churches can't stand it. All those satisfied people, not channeling all that energy into building the Kingdom? Intolerable! The sexual urge must always be subverted in the service of The Organisation.
Great thoughts. I especially like your idea of porn as a diagnostic tool. Very insightful. And applicable to more than just porn use. (?)
Anyway, it just makes me so sad that churches promote *good* by making people feel like crap.
I've thought some more about this. As I read Daniel's statement that porn perpetuates a "macho stereotyped version of eroticism" I was reminded that I know very little about pornography.
As a feminist, I'd be opposed to porn that objectifies women (whatever that means) or promotes physical violence.
But am I oppposed to all sexually explicit material? No, I'm not. Like I said, I think some can serve a purpose.
I maintain that obsession is unhealthy, and shame/guilt feed into that.
And as stated above, I love Daniel's idea of porn as a "diagnostic tool." Interesting.
Porn, like sex, can be a lot of things. It can be addicting, repulsive and over the top, enjoyable from time to time, instructional, used to temporarily satiate a need, and so on and so on. I don't think that there is anything inherently wrong with it- it is all about moderation and making sure that it it produced and used in a healthy way.
The most telling situation I've known about time and time again is the typical Mormon male, who struggles with porn their entire life and the guilt that goes along with it. Once out of the church a short period follows where the guy will watch a lot of porn. Then, the desire dissappears. Porn is no longer taboo and the cycle of guilt is no longer there. So, watching porn loses much of its appeal and the guy may even stop watching it altogether, though certainly less than he did while as a member. There is a reason that Utah has the highest number of porn subscribers in the U.S.
-Anthony
Something interesting to note is that religion can be like spiritual porn. Always wanting something you'll never have, creating spiritual addictions that are never satisfied. Although in moderation it can be useful. But when is religion really used in moderation? It seems to me it's only when your outside of the organized religion that this balance can be found.
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