Porn in the church
Re: Porn in the church
All I hear is compromise. Misleading original post in that light. We'll see what Christ says on judgment day.
Re: Porn in the church
Didn't mean to be misleading. The specific focus of my original post was meant to center around a certain type of movie. Not include every movie which might contain a portrayal of immorality.
Re: Porn in the church
Sorry if I took the original intent in a different direction.
Both issues are probably worth talking about.
Both issues are probably worth talking about.
Re: Porn in the church
No worries, I really had no intent for which way the post would go, I was simply interested in any dialogue and consideration the post would raise.
Re: Porn in the church
Living in Portland, there is much nudity that is encountered. From naked bike rides, to street festivals, and various other occasions that the city allows. The events in Portland take place on the open streets, and can be stumbled upon at various times. It is on me as to how I discipline my mind in regards to the nudity.dizerner wrote:All I hear is compromise. Misleading original post in that light. We'll see what Christ says on judgment day.
It seems the same would go for missionaries reaching a remote tribe which does not wear clothing, or a Christian doctor who in the course of his job sees nude same and opposite sex patients in a medical capacity. The observation by the missionary or doctor of nudity is not sinful, it seems what they choose to do with it is where sin can enter.
Thus, nudity seems a generally neutral issue relative to the situation.
As this thread seems to show and Matt said, the line of where exposure to nudity crosses into sinfulness is one that is not as easily defined as when being gay moves into sin.
I don't know as I can say all exposure to nudity in a movie or TV show is a sin, nor that even exposure to sensuality is always a sin.
My offense is often higher when I watch a TV sitcom with no nudity that makes light of adultery or homosexuality, than my offense at seeing nudity or sensuality portrayed absent such attitudes.
I do not make it a practice to go observe nudity or sensuality in real life or on a screen, but that has not prevented me from running across it. The line in my mind so far seems to be between the running across it vs. actively participating in activities that I know will bring it into my life.
Also, I feel there is a line between the attitudes in how it is presented. I have seen PG-13 movies which throw much more sexuality in the viewer's face than a R movie that has a scene of nudity.
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Re: Porn in the church
I wish the Church did provide doctrine (in the Biblical sense, i.e., instruction/teaching regarding behavior) regarding these sorts of things. It seems to me that this is largely what the Church elders/leaders are for, since the authors of the Bible couldn't imagine our modern world.
There are at least three things to consider when consuming entertainment (in no particular order):
There are at least three things to consider when consuming entertainment (in no particular order):
- Temptation- Does what your reading/watching tempt you to actively sin or does it negatively influence your thoughts? People have different temptations and some people are more impressionable than others, so it's hard to know where to draw the line for others. But a person should be able to know for himself or herself.
- Time - Would God be pleased by the amount of time you spend consuming entertainment (no matter how benign)?
- Money - How much money are you spending on entertainment? We're spending God's money. Arguably, nothing is more important to God than how we use our money/resources.
... that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. John 5:23