Religious views on pornography
Encyclopedia
Religious views on pornography often discourage people of various religions from viewing pornography, and cause support for legislation restricting its publication. These positions derive from broader religious views about sexuality. However, different religious groups do not always agree about what is pornographic, and some religious groups believe that freedom of expression should be favored over censorship.
' life as it is today. Many Christians are generally against pornography based an interpretation of Matthew 5:27,28 (part of the Expounding of the Law
).
Jesus is speaking of adultery, saying that lust towards a woman other than one's wife is adultery in one's mind. Most Christians interpret this to mean that since the purpose of pornography is lust, it is sinful. This interpretation regarding pornography as lust, and lust as adultery, is universal within Christianity.
, which states:
teaches that pornography is "about violence, degradation, exploitation, and coercion" and "deplore[s] all forms of commercialization, abuse, and exploitation of sex, and defines pornography as "sexually explicit material that portrays violence, abuse, coercion, domination, humiliation, or degradation for the purpose of arousal. In addition, any sexually explicit material that depicts children is pornographic"." The Sexual Ethics Task Force of The United Methodist Church states that "Research shows it [pornography] is not an 'innocent activity.' It is harmful and is generally addictive. Persons who are addicted to pornography are physiologically altered, as is their perspective, relationships with parishioners and family, and their perceptions of girls and women."
, former president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was well known within the faith for expounding his organization's sentiments against pornography.
The LDS Church teaches that "Pornography is any material depicting or describing the human body or sexual conduct in a way that arouses sexual feelings. It is as harmful to the spirit as tobacco, alcohol, and drugs are to the body. Members of the Church should avoid pornography in any form and should oppose its production, distribution, and use."
has criticized pornography, saying sex is reserved for heterosexual married couples, to be used only in accordance with God's will
, and asserts that use of pornography involves indulgence in lust
(which in Christianity
is a sin
) and leads to an overall increase in sexually immoral behavior.
(Jewish written law) has a great many prohibitions regarding sexual behaviors, pornography is not specifically mentioned. However, traditional Jewish laws of modesty (tzniut
) require Jewish women to be modestly dressed (thereby forbidding pornographic modeling or pornographic acting for women). The halakhah states that sexually arousing images are to be avoided.
That opposition between this "porn-use" attitude with the "fitra
" (reverence instinct toward Allah, that all humans have, whether they are aware of it or not), creates a state of tension that lead to the destruction of the soul, leading to sadness and depression, and loss of self-esteem. That is why, in Islam, porn is seen as a fundamentally destructive force to eradicate from one's life and from society.
The Qur'an 24:31 states "And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and keep covered their private parts, and that they should not show-off their beauty except what is apparent, and let them cast their shawls over their cleavage. And let them not show off their beauty except to their husbands... "
The Qur'an says what means "They are your garments and you are their garments." (2:187) "The sexual unison between husband and wife is more than seeking a relief from the urge of desire. Indeed the prophet taught that it is one of the charities in Islam. He said to his companions, enumerating examples of charitable deeds :
'And when the one of you makes love (has sex) it is a rewardable charity.' "
Bible
There is no direct prohibition of pornographic media in the Bible. Pornography was neither as prevalent or as well developed during JesusJesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
' life as it is today. Many Christians are generally against pornography based an interpretation of Matthew 5:27,28 (part of the Expounding of the Law
Expounding of the Law
The Expounding of the Law is a highly structured part of the Sermon on the Mount in the New Testament...
).
You have heard that it was said, 'Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart
Jesus is speaking of adultery, saying that lust towards a woman other than one's wife is adultery in one's mind. Most Christians interpret this to mean that since the purpose of pornography is lust, it is sinful. This interpretation regarding pornography as lust, and lust as adultery, is universal within Christianity.
Roman Catholic Church
Many are opposed to pornography because of religious convictions and morals, as exemplified by the Catechism of the Catholic ChurchCatechism of the Catholic Church
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is the official text of the teachings of the Catholic Church. A provisional, "reference text" was issued by Pope John Paul II on October 11, 1992 — "the thirtieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council" — with his apostolic...
, which states:
- "Pornography consists in removing real or simulated sexual acts from the intimacy of the partners, in order to display them deliberately to third parties. It offends against chastity because it perverts the conjugal act, the intimate giving of spouses to each other. It does grave injury to the dignity of its participants (actors, vendors, the public), since each one becomes an object of base pleasure and illicit profit for others. It immerses all who are involved in the illusion of a fantasy world. It is a grave offense. Civil authorities should prevent the production and distribution of pornographic materials." Section 2354
United Methodist Church
The United Methodist ChurchUnited Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
teaches that pornography is "about violence, degradation, exploitation, and coercion" and "deplore[s] all forms of commercialization, abuse, and exploitation of sex, and defines pornography as "sexually explicit material that portrays violence, abuse, coercion, domination, humiliation, or degradation for the purpose of arousal. In addition, any sexually explicit material that depicts children is pornographic"." The Sexual Ethics Task Force of The United Methodist Church states that "Research shows it [pornography] is not an 'innocent activity.' It is harmful and is generally addictive. Persons who are addicted to pornography are physiologically altered, as is their perspective, relationships with parishioners and family, and their perceptions of girls and women."
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Gordon B. HinckleyGordon B. Hinckley
Gordon Bitner Hinckley was an American religious leader and author who served as the 15th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from March 12, 1995 until his death...
, former president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was well known within the faith for expounding his organization's sentiments against pornography.
The LDS Church teaches that "Pornography is any material depicting or describing the human body or sexual conduct in a way that arouses sexual feelings. It is as harmful to the spirit as tobacco, alcohol, and drugs are to the body. Members of the Church should avoid pornography in any form and should oppose its production, distribution, and use."
Other Christian views
Jerry FalwellJerry Falwell
Jerry Lamon Falwell, Sr. was an evangelical fundamentalist Southern Baptist pastor, televangelist, and a conservative commentator from the United States. He was the founding pastor of the Thomas Road Baptist Church, a megachurch in Lynchburg, Virginia...
has criticized pornography, saying sex is reserved for heterosexual married couples, to be used only in accordance with God's will
Will of God
The will of God or divine will refers to the concept of God as having a plan for humanity, and as such desires to see such a plan fulfilled...
, and asserts that use of pornography involves indulgence in lust
Lust
Lust is an emotional force that is directly associated with the thinking or fantasizing about one's desire, usually in a sexual way.-Etymology:The word lust is phonetically similar to the ancient Roman lustrum, which literally meant "purification"...
(which in Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
is a sin
Sin
In religion, sin is the violation or deviation of an eternal divine law or standard. The term sin may also refer to the state of having committed such a violation. Christians believe the moral code of conduct is decreed by God In religion, sin (also called peccancy) is the violation or deviation...
) and leads to an overall increase in sexually immoral behavior.
Judaism
Though the TorahTorah
Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
(Jewish written law) has a great many prohibitions regarding sexual behaviors, pornography is not specifically mentioned. However, traditional Jewish laws of modesty (tzniut
Tzniut
Tzniut is a term used within Judaism and has its greatest influence as a concept within Orthodox Judaism...
) require Jewish women to be modestly dressed (thereby forbidding pornographic modeling or pornographic acting for women). The halakhah states that sexually arousing images are to be avoided.
Islam
Pornography is in direct opposition with the very heart of Islamic teachings, which is focused on how to gain a better self-control in order to increase spiritual awareness and prepare the soul to accept Allah (God). Typically, this is the spiritual aim of practices like Ramadan (the fasting one month a year) or night prayers (which are not compulsory, as only the five daily prayers are) or "zikr" in state of concentration. One of the aims of such practices (but its not the only one) is to learn self-control at a level that allows us to be less centered on our own needs, and hence, be more open to the needs of others. It kills selfishness and teaches mercy and forgiveness, preparing our soul to pray for the mercy and love of Allah. Now, when a Muslim falls in the trap of porn, he basically fails to control himself, so he becomes the prisoner of his own physical needs at the lowest level. It increases selfishness and locks his heart to mercy toward other people. It directly contradicts the spirit of Islam.That opposition between this "porn-use" attitude with the "fitra
Fitra
Fitra, or fitrah , is an Arabic word meaning ‘disposition’, ‘nature’, ‘constitution’, or ‘instinct’. In a mystical context, it can connote intuition or insight...
" (reverence instinct toward Allah, that all humans have, whether they are aware of it or not), creates a state of tension that lead to the destruction of the soul, leading to sadness and depression, and loss of self-esteem. That is why, in Islam, porn is seen as a fundamentally destructive force to eradicate from one's life and from society.
The Qur'an 24:31 states "And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and keep covered their private parts, and that they should not show-off their beauty except what is apparent, and let them cast their shawls over their cleavage. And let them not show off their beauty except to their husbands... "
The Qur'an says what means "They are your garments and you are their garments." (2:187) "The sexual unison between husband and wife is more than seeking a relief from the urge of desire. Indeed the prophet taught that it is one of the charities in Islam. He said to his companions, enumerating examples of charitable deeds :
'And when the one of you makes love (has sex) it is a rewardable charity.' "