How do you biblically explain to someone that watching pornography is a sin?

[ND_Mike]

They claim if you watch it without lusting it is not a sin to watch others sin.

 

[Trelow]

Just roll up your pants, then ask them if its ok to stand by and watch someone get raped.

 

[1ke]

Anyone who would try to use an excuse as lame and dishonest as that one probably would not be convinced if you produced 1000 bible verses including one that said “Stop Watching Porn… it’s a Sin”.

www.dads.org has a lot of info on pornography, maybe you can find something there.

The bible is full of verses on keeping your mind and body pure, about lust in the heart, etc. Honestly though, this person doesn’t want to be convinced. They can always come back with the reply that they are not lusting when they watch it. Give me a break!

 

[TheBlackGhost]

Watch porn without lusting? Then it wouldn’t be considered porn would it? Just a really graphic sex-ed tape?

 

[Melissa]

Well, even if we gave them the starting point that it was possible to watch porn w/o committing the sin of lust (not that I’d buy that for even the length of time that it took me to type–and I’m a 100wpm typist…), let’s consider just one tiny snippet from Scripture…

For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever modest, whatsoever just, whatsoever holy, whatsoever lovely, whatsoever of good fame, if there be any virtue, if any praise of discipline, think on these things.

Now, ask such people into which category ‘watching others sin’ would fall. (Oh, and if you’re looking for the passage, it’s toward the end of Philippians.)

 

[carol_marie]

Melissa:

For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever modest, whatsoever just, whatsoever holy, whatsoever lovely, whatsoever of good fame, if there be any virtue, if any praise of discipline, think on these things.

This is the same scripture that popped into my mind.

Ask them why in the world they’d even WANT to watch fornicators having sex? Not that it’s right… but the whole lust thing I can understand… but if they are saying they aren’t watching it because it turns them on… what’s the point? The award winning story lines? PULEEEEZ !!

 

[Katie1723]

carol marie:

… The award winning story lines? PULEEEEZ !!

The very same reason they read Playboy…for the “interesting articles”
~ Kathy~

 

[sweetchuck]

I believe this comes from the big guy himself…
It’s not possible to look on pornography without lusting. It’s the natural human reaction to seeing something like that.

Mt. 5:27-28
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Pornography is lust,
Lust is adultery.

Therefore, basic logical principles dictate:
Pornography is adultery.

Pornography is slavery. The truth frees. That freedom is true happiness, especially in this case. And by the grace of God, I can vouch for that.

 

[ND_Mike]

sweetchuck:

I believe this comes from the big guy himself…
It’s not possible to look on pornography without lusting. It’s the natural human reaction to seeing something like that.

Mt. 5:27-28
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Pornography is lust,
Lust is adultery.

Therefore, basic logical principles dictate:
Pornography is adultery.

Pornography is slavery. The truth frees. That freedom is true happiness, especially in this case. And by the grace of God, I can vouch for that.

What about people who are offended by seeing porn. The person is arguing that is proof one can look at porn without lusting. I disagree, but that is there argument. Also they use the example of detectives watching rape porn to better understand this crime.

 

[Flopfoot]

Tell him to read the book of proverbs, I’m pretty sure that there’s stuff in there about avoiding the women who tempt you because they look good but they are leading you into a trap of death. It might not relate directly to porn, I’m not sure… but at least then you got him to read the book of proverbs (-:

6th and 9th commandments? Don’t commit adultery and don’t covet your neighbour’s wife? Surely that should do. Is he a Catholic? You can look up the CCC where it explains these 2 commandments, I’m sure porn is mentioned in there somewhere.

Anyway, also you don’t have to just stick with a biblical discussion. So he gives examples of detectives watching rape porn. Well ask him, is he a detective? Also, ask him, is he offended by porn? Because if they’re the only 2 cases of non-lusting porn he can give, and he doesn’t fit in one of those cases, then he must be lusting.

You don’t have to win this argument in a conceptual way. I’m not sure, maybe there is a way of watching porn without lusting (although I doubt it. I should read up on it in my CCC). The point here is that you know he is lusting, and he knows he is lusting, so he shouldn’t be watching it. If you stop him from watching it (or at least get him to admit that him watching it is wrong), then you’ve won this particular case which is all you need.

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1ke:

Anyone who would try to use an excuse as lame and dishonest as that one probably would not be convinced if you produced 1000 bible verses including one that said “Stop Watching Porn… it’s a Sin”.

LOL

Why didn’t the Holy Spirit think of putting that in when He was writing the bible? Would save us a lot of trouble right now. A lot of my friends would probably benefit from seeing such a verse too.

 

[deb1]

ND Mike:

What about people who are offended by seeing porn. The person is arguing that is proof one can look at porn without lusting. I disagree, but that is there argument. Also they use the example of detectives watching rape porn to better understand this crime.

Is he simply debating with you or is he trying to come up with excuses to watch porn? First, why would a person who finds porn offensive watch it? Second the detectives are probably not watching graphic rape tapes to get excited, so there is no sin. Is your friend a detective, if not why is he coming up with such odd rationals.

 

[cynic]

it’s weird how people say porn is wrong cause it’s about lust. As if it’s somehow connected to normal every-day attractions. Porn is wrong becuse it’s disgusting and degrading, certainly not very ascetically pleasing either, from what I know. You’d have to have mental problems to enjoy watching it.

 

[JimG]

I’m trying to imagine how St. Paul would answer this one. I don’t think I would even want to be within hearing distance. Too much fire and brimstone in sermons scares me.

 

[ND_Mike]

deb1:

Is he simply debating with you or is he trying to come up with excuses to watch porn? First, why would a person who finds porn offensive watch it? Second the detectives are probably not watching graphic rape tapes to get excited, so there is no sin. Is your friend a detective, if not why is he coming up with such odd rationals.

This is actually coming from a she and I thought she was coming up with excuses but she’s claims she isn’t. She’s not a detective either. I find her reasoning very strange and she can’t understand why.

 

[Siena]

Does she have self esteem issues? Or problems with relationships with boyfriends?

If I remember correctly , most of the “plots” in those movies are extremly debasing to women (well- men too…).

Is she looking for reinforcement to an idea that all men want is to get layed? That women are worthless when not on their backs? That you are only “happy” when engaging in illicet sex?

 

[ND_Mike]

Actually her argument is that watching porn is not worse than watching tv commercials since they promote coveting. She really doesn’t understand the moral difference. While the world is too materialistic wanting some material goods isn’t a sin. When materialism overruns your life and leads to greed then it is a sin. She argues that watching porn isn’t a sin if you aren’t lusting because it’s not a sin to watch others sin, ie fornication in porn.