Crossed

A Local Pastor and a Local Atheist Debate Porn – Public Health Crisis or Harmless Activity?

July 29, 2016

Rev. Dr. William C. Myers

Senior Pastor at Presbyterian Church of Traverse City

No harm, no foul! I understand the saying. I played ball. At 6’4" and 240 lbs., a finesse player I’m not. Incidental contact should be ignored. Let them play! But I question this as a philosophy for life when it comes to sexual trafficking.

When it comes to sex, there is no such thing as "incidental contact." Every human relationship bears layer upon layer of meaning. Even the most passing moment can have social, emotional, economic, psychological, cultural, political, and spiritual consequences.

If I lived in Gary’s world and ignored the presence of God, perhaps I could conceive of a situation outside of a committed, monogamous relationship where two consenting adults could be involved in inconsequential sex. But I don’t live in Gary’s world.

While I bend a little from tradition, I still believe a sexual relationship should be between two committed, consenting, monogamous adults and, in the best circumstances, consummated in marriage. Not because I am naïve, judgmental, or a prude, but because I hold a high view of human sexuality and its consequences.

We live in a world where there is an imbalance of power between women and men. In this world, women are objectified from the day they are born. Many cultures around the world still practice female infanticide. Women are paid less than men for the same work. Too many women grow up filled with self-hatred and shame, thinking their purpose in life is to serve or satisfy men.

Even if we ignore the obvious victims of sexual trafficking through "gentlemens clubs, internet porn, "adult" media, or prostitution, we’re chasing unicorns if we believe there is no harm or foul in sexual trafficking.

GARY’S RESPONSE

Bill would obviously reject pre-marital sex as somehow counter-productive to the outcome of the relationship. In my book, that ship has sailed. As I have always believed, the problem with relying upon religious beliefs to dictate behavior is that today’s cultures have little in common with those of 2,000 years ago. Fortunately, most progressives have evolved beyond stoning female (only, of course) adulterers and branding gays as perverts.

We all could benefit from counseling on sexual relationships. It’s time we got past the taboos about even discussing a behavior shared by all life forms, which is just as fundamental to our human existence as is eating and sleeping. We certainly agree that any form of sexual trafficking that results in force or manipulation is abhorrent.

Gary Singer

Gary helps businesses with their Internet marketing. He was raised a Catholic.

When Bill and I agreed to take up this topic, I imagined I would be writing about how innocuous pornography is and that -- like other personal activities -- there should be no restrictions on its use for adults. I have always felt that porn can be detrimental to children’s emotional development and that parents must control its access (which is simple to enact).

However, after delving into recent research, it appears my assumptions are false. Much of what I have read indicates that prolonged use of porn can be quite harmful on levels not previously understood. One well-designed study indicates that prolonged use of pornography can lead to a decrease in brain function and size.

On the other hand, the same can be said of alcohol consumption or a rotten diet and I don’t see the Republican Party platform – designating porn a public health crisis – addressing either of those issues. Porn occupies its own niche in our collective psyches.

There are elements of pornography that seem to really grate upon religious supporters in a way that is missing from other personal health issues.

It comes down to an issue of morality, a term which is so loosely defined as to be rendered useless. My morals will be perceived as loose when defined by a staunch religious conservative. Conversely, I would describe that same conservative’s morals as loose if they condone open carry or discriminate against the LGBT community.

My position then is: Learn as much as possible about the effects of porn as you would any other activity with dubious outcomes. But establishing laws to restrict its dissemination will be no more effective than those directed toward eliminating illegal drugs.

BILL’S RESPONSE

In high school, I made a pretty good living wagering on harness racing. It was illegal. I was underage. That didn’t keep me from picking up the racing form in the morning and picking my horses that night. What did stop me was the word of a Presbyterian minister, and my mentor. He said, "Forget you are supporting organized crime with every dollar you bet.

Somebody has to lose for you to win. What about those kids going without because dad squandered his check at the track?" I haven’t gambled since.

I don’t agree, but I understand Gary’s argument. My question is, "Forget the harm porn has on the consumer; what about those being filmed or photographed, whose lives are being destroyed in the process?"

Bill and Gary agree that sexual trafficking is an issue that deserves further attention and that sex education in our schools could be improved an in-depth discussion of these issues.