Varying degrees of pornographic manifestation have saturated public outlook through every form of media (e.g., books, magazines, the Internet, movies, music videos, television, live performances). “Nearly 900 theaters show X-rated films and more than 15,000 ‘adult’ bookstores and video stores offer pornographic material, outnumbering McDonald’s restaurants in the U.S. by a margin of at least three to one.”1 One immediate result of the widespread popularity of pornographic expression is that society rapidly becomes jaded by it, susceptible to, and often drawn to even more greatly depraved representations of it. Pornography is psychologically addictive.
In the technologically advanced age of the twenty-first century, the computer via the Internet provides the most pervasive source of pornography. How is computer pornography being used, and by whom? An unlimited trove of pornography on the Internet is readily available to any determined user. Therefore, unattended children — a bumper crop of whom are styled “latchkey children” — may well stumble upon or purposely pursue the most perverse examples of pornography on the planet. Researchers determined that the incidences of the most graphic pornography occur significantly more often on Internet sites over previous and more traditional outlets for pornography. Further, the frequency and ease with which even the most outrageous pornography can be obtained anonymously is greatly enhanced through the Internet. Civil law has been unable or unwilling to interfere to any great extent with Internet pornography, excepting successful prosecution of child pornographers (providers and consumers).
The Internet is not without its redeeming values. The Internet from its conception to the present remains a tremendous research tool. Also, the Internet is proving itself a viable storefront for the world and in many respects a cost-effective, capable replacement for “snail-mail.” In 1993, an estimated 15 million personal computers were connected to the Internet with an additional 25% being added every three months.
The Internet has evolved over the past 25 years from a U.S. Defense Department tool for assisting with scientific research to a commercially-oriented communications network. As a research tool, the Internet helps users to share information with minimal costs. One of the biggest benefits of using this network is that long distance charges do not apply. Until recently, these costs and others were absorbed by the U.S. National Science Foundation in its administration of the central “backbone” of the Internet.2
Among the good uses of the Internet are the Bible correspondence courses, biblical articles and religious journals put thereon by the churches of Christ.3 Therefore, it is both irresponsible to ignore the dangers to the home posed by the Internet, or on the other hand, to completely dismiss the potential benefits that it offers.
Some search engines provide password protected family filters to screen most of the objectionable material from appearing on one’s home computer (e.g., AltaVista). Most Internet search engines provide sufficient definition of search hits to avoid opening pornographic pages. Finally, there are several commercial software packages that are specifically designed to prevent objectionable Internet material from reaching the computer screen.
The Internet itself is neither holy nor sinful, but has the propensity to be used for evil, good or morally indifferent purposes (e.g., gathering information, games, communication, etc.). The Internet is no different from any other aspect of life; Christians must “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness . . .” (2 Timothy 2:22).
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:11-12).
Endnotes
1 Anderson, Kerby and Brown, Perry, “The Peril of Pornography,” (Garland, TX: American Tract Society)
2 [found on the Internet on January 11, 1999 at https://www.queensu.ca/epu/mehta/mehta.htm].
3 https://www.gospelgazette.com
