The Numbers Behind Pornography

[rizz_loves_jesus]

[quote name='Didacus' date='24 April 2010 - 08:22 PM' timestamp='1272154972' post='2099440']
You may be out of votes... But I wasn't!

[/quote]

Yaaaaaay!!

[Didacus]

[quote name='Sacred Music Man' date='24 April 2010 - 08:34 PM' timestamp='1272155649' post='2099444']
Win. High five.
[/quote]

*slap*

[Ephrem Augustine]

[quote name='XIX' date='24 April 2010 - 05:19 PM' timestamp='1272147584' post='2099387']
Aside from sexual morality, the porn industry is a horrendous, ongoing violation of human rights. Men and women are made to perform grotesquely violent acts that are completely unrealistic in a real world situation.

Women end up in porn because they are looking for a window into a glamorous world. They end up trapped in a cycle of emotional and physical pain that they attempt to medicate with all sorts of drugs. They then continue making "movies" to pay for their addictions. Finally, they often tragically and falsely believe there is no hope for them. Many porn stars have nobody to tell them that [i]it doesn't have to be this way.[/i] Anecdotally, Patrice Roldan (aka "Nadia Styles") contracted an STD during her first film. Throughout her career, she would contract other STDs, have an abortion, and become addicted to the following: painkillers, ecstacy, cocaine, muscle relaxants, vicodin, and alcohol. She has been severely abused.

Men suffer too. They are asked to suspend any sense of conscience, as they must push any thoughts of their own mothers, sisters, girlfriends, etc out of their minds. This numbing process is the only way their consciences will allow them to treat these women like beaten-up, worthless toys.

Most consumers of porn are 12-17 year old males, meaning that their first encounters with many sexual acts are completely unrealistic in every possible way. Since no male has the anatomy of a "porn star," many teens are left to feel insecure about themselves. They pass this insecurity on to their girlfriends, wives, and other sexual partners who feel pressured to live up to these pornographic films. A lot of women don't think they can every compete with "Nadia Styles." This of course is total nonsense. The reality is that porn can never compete with any sort of true intimacy, whether it be a loving romantic intimacy, friendship, or intimacy with our Lord.

There's no end to the level of damage caused by the pornography industry. I can't even begin to scratch the surface on the tip of that iceberg. It's a human tragedy.

What is even sadder is that some secular folk may read this entire post and laugh at it.
[/quote]

Well said

[XIX]

[quote name='King's Rook's Pawn' date='24 April 2010 - 08:27 PM' timestamp='1272151650' post='2099404']
I think you have to be careful with focusing on arguments like this because I think it makes it seem like that the reason the Church condemns pornography is because of drug abuse or STDs in the industry or because erotic actors feel unfulfilled or some other factor. In reality, it wouldn't matter even if all porn actors were happy, healthy, and fulfilled in their jobs, because the Church opposes all non-procreative sexual activity and all sexual activity outside monogamous wedlock between a man and a woman. Those are far more rigorous standards than just opposing drug-fueled promiscuity. It's like the argument that widespread condom-use doesn't prevent the spread of AIDS in Africa. I don't really like that argument because the truth is that even [i]if[/i] widespread condom-use prevented the spread of AIDS in Africa, the Church would condemn it anyway. Even though it sometimes sounds more extreme, I think we go straight to the root of the issue: [i]all[/i] sexual acts are forbidden unless within monogamous, opposite-sex wedlock and open to procreation, regardless of any other factor.


I don't mean to come across as picky or critical in regards to your post. It's just a tactical issue I've considered before.
[/quote]
Good post. I have no doubt that my evangelical approach has tactical flaws. Superior tactics are why EagleEye usually beats me at chess.

I guess I was tackling the problem it from a purely practical point of view, driving across the point that the Church's teachings are very practical even to one who isn't religious. Countering the idea that Catholics are anti-porn due to some blind faith in an invisible God and no other tangible factors. That doesn't mean my method is any better.

I just find it odd that porn that seems so innocuous yet ends up being a severe violation of basic human rights. If sitting in your room and watching movies can cause this much damage, then think about what can happen when you are with an actual person? (answer: you run a grave risk of putting her on abortive birth control pills and then you have some serious blood on your hands).

I've often struggled with the best way of promoting the message of chastity.

[God Conquers]

[quote name='XIX' date='26 April 2010 - 05:10 PM' timestamp='1272316248' post='2100578']
Good post. I have no doubt that my evangelical approach has tactical flaws. Superior tactics are why EagleEye usually beats me at chess.

I guess I was tackling the problem it from a purely practical point of view, driving across the point that the Church's teachings are very practical even to one who isn't religious. Countering the idea that Catholics are anti-porn due to some blind faith in an invisible God and no other tangible factors. That doesn't mean my method is any better.

I just find it odd that porn that seems so innocuous yet ends up being a severe violation of basic human rights. If sitting in your room and watching movies can cause this much damage, then think about what can happen when you are with an actual person? (answer: you run a grave risk of putting her on abortive birth control pills and then you have some serious blood on your hands).

I've often struggled with the best way of promoting the message of chastity.
[/quote]


I like to take a both/and approach.

Reason #1 is God's condemnation and the teachings of our faith. We don't want to contravene God's laws mostly because doing so places us against Him, but also because

Reason #2 - all those practical and common sense repurcussions you previously eloquently stated.

[Old_Joe]

Anyone else think there should be an online ministry that infiltrates "adult" forums and challenges the members to rethink their views and viewing on pornography?

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='Old_Joe' date='26 April 2010 - 10:46 PM' timestamp='1272339988' post='2100781']
Anyone else think there should be an online ministry that infiltrates "adult" forums and challenges the members to rethink their views and viewing on pornography?
[/quote]
It's a great idea in theory, but I wouldn't get involved due to the risk of getting farther into it than I ever want to be.

[Old_Joe]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' date='26 April 2010 - 11:47 PM' timestamp='1272340078' post='2100782']
It's a great idea in theory, but I wouldn't get involved due to the risk of getting farther into it than I ever want to be.
[/quote]

True, but there is always great risk when you are battling evil no matter what the battleground.

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='Old_Joe' date='26 April 2010 - 10:54 PM' timestamp='1272340445' post='2100791']
True, but there is always great risk when you are battling evil no matter what the battleground.
[/quote]
That is correct.
I'd be worried on a practical level, in the case above though. Accidentally click link XYZ and who knows what you're looking at. The danger is in putting yourself in a near occasion of sin. What might happen a few times by accident then happens a few more times by "accident", and then one day you realize that it's not an accident anymore.

[Old_Joe]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' date='26 April 2010 - 11:57 PM' timestamp='1272340663' post='2100794']
That is correct.
I'd be worried on a practical level, in the case above though. Accidentally click link XYZ and who knows what you're looking at. The danger is in putting yourself in a near occasion of sin. What might happen a few times by accident then happens a few more times by "accident", and then one day you realize that it's not an accident anymore.
[/quote]

True. A member of this ministry would have to be ever vigilant of their online activities. They would have to be accountable to God, themselves, and the other members of the ministry.

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='Old_Joe' date='26 April 2010 - 11:16 PM' timestamp='1272341760' post='2100810']
True. A member of this ministry would have to be ever vigilant of their online activities. They would have to be accountable to God, themselves, and the other members of the ministry.
[/quote]
I think it would be more prudent to trick people into visiting a website that mimics a porn site, but is instead filled with anti-pornography pro moral material. You'd want to bombard real porn sites and forums and the rest with links and advertisements, then have the site set up so as to seem pornography-oriented to someone visiting it.
The problem with that idea that would need to be avoided is causing scandal. You'd need to take precautions to make sure Catholics aren't tricked into thinking that you and your comrades are actually running a porn site. That wouldn't be too difficult, probably, but it would definitely have to be kept in mind.

[Old_Joe]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' date='27 April 2010 - 12:21 AM' timestamp='1272342099' post='2100812']
I think it would be more prudent to trick people into visiting a website that mimics a porn site, but is instead filled with anti-pornography pro moral material. You'd want to bombard real porn sites and forums and the rest with links and advertisements, then have the site set up so as to seem pornography-oriented to someone visiting it.
The problem with that idea that would need to be avoided is causing scandal. You'd need to take precautions to make sure Catholics aren't tricked into thinking that you and your comrades are actually running a porn site. That wouldn't be too difficult, probably, but it would definitely have to be kept in mind.
[/quote]

The problem I have with that is you are intentionally deceiving people. I think most people who follow the link would immediately leave once they realize they're not going to view pornography. I would rather meet them where they are and try to change their mind. Think of it this way: You could protest Planned Parenthood and try to save the lives of unborn children without being in front of their "clinic", but like any ministry it's best to encounter people where they are and as they are.

To put it another way: could you run a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter in the richest part of town?

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='Old_Joe' date='26 April 2010 - 11:43 PM' timestamp='1272343409' post='2100821']
The problem I have with that is you are intentionally deceiving people. I think most people who follow the link would immediately leave once they realize they're not going to view pornography. I would rather meet them where they are and try to change their mind. Think of it this way: You could protest Planned Parenthood and try to save the lives of unborn children without being in front of their "clinic", but like any ministry it's best to encounter people where they are and as they are.

To put it another way: could you run a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter in the richest part of town?
[/quote]
You're right, that approach would have its downsides. I'm just loathe to put anyone in such a near occasion of sin as to actually visit pornography sites to attempt to talk to the people there.

[mommas_boy]

[quote name='Old_Joe' date='26 April 2010 - 11:46 PM' timestamp='1272339988' post='2100781']
Anyone else think there should be an online ministry that infiltrates "adult" forums and challenges the members to rethink their views and viewing on pornography?
[/quote]

I know that XXXchurch.com (through their subsidiary, StripChurch.com) ministers at porn conventions, strip clubs, brothels, and on the Las Vegas Strip. They have a very good outlook: they're there to "just meet people where they're at". From their website: "We don’t ask them to quit their jobs. We don’t point our fingers or condemn what they do. We cook a meal, find out what their needs are, and figure out a way to meet them".

Really cool.

[Jesus_lol]

[quote name='mommas_boy' date='26 April 2010 - 10:14 PM' timestamp='1272345264' post='2100833']
I know that XXXchurch.com (through their subsidiary, StripChurch.com) ministers at porn conventions, strip clubs, brothels, and on the Las Vegas Strip. They have a very good outlook: they're there to "just meet people where they're at". From their website: "We don't ask them to quit their jobs. We don't point our fingers or condemn what they do. We cook a meal, find out what their needs are, and figure out a way to meet them".

Really cool.
[/quote]

jesus didnt really spend much time with the pious or wealthy. this is a good example i think