Teaching Seminar on Pornography at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Royal Generation Parish on 18 May 2014

2. What is “Pornography ”
Pornography has can be abbreviated 'porn' or 'porno'. In Greek, it is
called porneia which means fornication.
Pornography is the explicit representation of sexual activity in print or
on film to stimulate erotic rather than aesthetic or emotional feelings.
It is the explicit portrayal of a sexual subject matter for the purpose of
sexual arousal.
Porn is a problem. It's a personal problem for many and a cultural
problem for all. The staggering size of the pornography industry, its
influence upon the media and the acceleration of technology, paired
with the accessibility, anonymity, and affordability of porn all
contribute to its increasing impact upon the culture today.

3.  It can be displayed through the following means;
books, magazines, internet, postcards, novels,
animations, sound recording, photos, sculptures,
drawings, printing, films, videos, video games etc.
 The term applies to the depiction of the act
rather than the act itself. Pornographic addiction
is a behavioural addiction characterised by
compulsive, repeated use of pornographic
material until it results to a negative consequence
to one's physical, mental, social and or financial
well-being.
Means by which “Pornography ” can be displayed

4.  Pornography is a sin: Pornography is sin because it is the lust of
the eyes. One can easily get lost through what one sees. The
eye is one of the sensitive organ in our body and through it
many sins have been conceived. The eye is one of the windows
to the heart and watching pornography is very dangerous to the
heart. The bible condemns it, because it’s of the world. 1 John
2:16.
 It can lead to fornication: It can lead to fornication because it will
make one to have the urge to put it into practice after watching.
The eye is a channel through which good and bad things can be
conceived. One cannot exhibit a good attitude or bad attitude
without seeing it with ones eyes and nurturing it with ones mind.
Your mind will always give you back what you feed it with - James
1v15.
Why is “Pornography ”bad?

5.  It defiles the spirit man: One of the fastest ways that you can bring
your spirit down is through what you see. As a child of God we
should not watch things that can make us to sin. The bible says
that we should abstain from every appearance of evil 1Thess 5:22.
David saw a woman having her bath and instead of him to go back
to his house, he stood there watching the woman and his spirit
man was defiled, what happened next? 2Samuel 11.
 It can lead to addiction: The person will find himself/herself
wanting to see more of it, never satisfied, always looking forward
to seeing more. This will ultimately lead to idolatry. Whatever we
place above GOD almighty in our life is an idol. Exodus 20:4-5
Why is “Pornography ”bad contd.?

6.  Watching pornography can lead to rape, domestic violence, sexual
dysfunction, difficulties with sexual relationship with spouse, and
child sexual abuse. Viewers of novel and extreme pornographic
images may become tolerant of such images.
 Pornography, especially internet pornography, delivers
increasingly novel and exciting sexual images. This may cause the
user to become intolerant to less exciting images and to seek even
more novel and extreme images. This may also translate to sexual
experience in general, leading to erectile dysfunction as users of
extreme pornography are not aroused by normal sexual
experiences. Pornography users may need to fantasize about or
mimic pornographic scenes in order to be aroused during sexual
intercourse with their spouse.
Why is “Pornography ” bad contd.?

7.  The values expressed in pornography clash so obviously with
the family concept, and they potentially undermine the
traditional values that favour marriage, family, and children.
Pornographic scripts dwell on sexual engagements of parties
who have just met, who are in no way attached or committed
to each other, and who will part shortly, never to meet again
(one night stands).
 A Hypothesis, R.J. McGuire found that the viewing of
pornography can serve as a source of a paraphilic "vivid sexual
fantasy" which, when contemplated during masturbation, may
condition men and women into perversion.
Why is “Pornography ” bad contd.?

8.  It contributes to the social and psychological problems with men:
Anti-pornography activist, Gail Dines, notes that young men who
become addicted to porn, “neglect their schoolwork, spend huge
amounts of money they don’t have, become isolated from others,
and often suffer depression.”
 Porn rewires the male brain: Naomi Wolf writes in her article,
“The Porn myth,” After all, pornography works in the most basic
of ways on the brain: It is Pavlovian. An orgasm is one of the
biggest reinforcers imaginable. If you associate orgasm with your
wife, a kiss, a scent, a body, that is what, over time, will turn you
on; if you open your focus to an endless stream of ever-more-
transgressive images of cybersex slaves, that is what it will take to
turn you on. The ubiquity of sexual images does not free eros but
dilutes it.
Negative effects of “Pornography”

9.  Porn demeans and objectifies women: Pamela Paul, in her
book Pornified, writes, ‘Soft-core pornography has a very
negative effect on men as well. The problem with soft-core
pornography is that it’s voyeurism teaches men to view women
as objects rather than to be in relationships with women as
human beings.’
 Porn has a numbing effect on reality: Pornography leaves men
desensitized to both outrage and to excitement, leading to an
overall diminishment of feeling and eventually to dissatisfaction
with the emotional tugs of everyday life…Eventually they are left
with a confusing mix of supersized expectations about sex and
numbed emotions about women…When a man gets bored with
pornography, both his fantasy and real worlds become imbued
with indifference. The real world often gets really boring.
Negative effects of “Pornography” contd.

10.  Porn turns sex into masturbation: Sex becomes self-serving. It
becomes about your pleasure and not the self-giving, mutually
reciprocating intimacy that it was designed for in marriage.
 Porn lies about what it means to be male and female: In the
story of porn, women are “one-dimensional”–they never say
no, never get pregnant, and can’t wait to have sex with any
man and please them in whatever way imaginable (or even
unimaginable). On the other hand, the story porn tells about
men is that they are “soulless, unfeeling, amoral life-support
systems for erect penises who are entitled to use women in
any way they want. These men demonstrated zero empathy,
respect, or love for the women they have sex with.
Negative effects of “Pornography” contd.

11. What the bible says about “Pornography”
 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has
already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:28
 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the
body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not
know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have
from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify
God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.
Psalm 119:37
 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes
and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John
2:16

12.  No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is
faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the
temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to
endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is
just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there
is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these
things. Philippians 4:8
 Let marriage be held in honour among all, and let the marriage bed be
undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Hebrews
13:4
What the bible says about “Pornography” contd.

13.  Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside
the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 1
Corinthians 6:18
 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your
word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your
commandments. Psalm 119:9-10
 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of
God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor
adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality. 1 Corinthians 6:9
 “I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?
Job 31:1
What the bible says about “Pornography” contd.

14. In Conclusion pornography destroys! The bible says we are the
temple of GOD and the Holy Spirit dwells in us. Whoever defiles
the temple of GOD, GOD would destroy! 1Corinthians 3:16-17
Evil company corrupts good manners 1Corinthians15:33. Let us
stay away from friends that can influence us negatively.
May GOD help us in JESUS name. Amen!!

15. Question and Answer session