Part 2: The Thinking Man's Sex

It seems to me that western society is filled with hypocrisy when it comes to human rights (human value) and sexuality. On the one hand we believe that humanity has intrinsic dignity and is worthy of certain freedoms and protections, but on the other hand we use freedom to devalue the dignity that entitles us to our protection and freedoms.

For example: Pornography. Regardless of your belief about the rights of the pornographic supplier, model, or consumer, it seems difficult to make the case that pornography affirms the dignity of anyone. The supplier might argue that he/she is not forcing anyone to take their clothes off and to pose in provocative poses; the individual is well paid for their indiscretions. The model may argue that they are not ashamed of their body, “I am displaying the beauty of the human anatomy.” The consumer may argue that (they only read the articles) we are just admiring the beauty of the human anatomy, It’s only natural.

The problem with all of these excuses, valid or not, is they fail to address the real issue concerning pornography: The value of being human. The individuals who sell women and men’s bodies in magazines, t.v., movies, and the internet are not participating in displaying human worth and dignity; they are devaluing human dignity and worth. They offer up for consumption an inseperable part of what makes us human, our bodies. You might say it is kind of a sensual, virtual cannibalism. Bodies are exploited for nothing but self gratification by all participants. The pornographer is gratified with money, the model is gratified by the attention, and the consumer is gratified by the consuming.

There is nothing inhuman or undignified about being gratified, but gratification at the expense of anyone’s self-worth devalues everyone. The intent of pornography is not the satisfaction of artistic endeavor although a pornographer may use art to package their product; pornography has one purpose; to elicit intense sexual arousal.

Here is my question: Does a woman violate her own dignity when she offers her body for virtual consumption by anyone who can afford the magazine or video, and if more and more women offer their bodies so freely for anyone to mentally devour over and over and over again, how will society begin to interpret the purpose of the female anatomy?

TOTT

Job's Defender

I have this horrible habbit of really getting into a particular book of the Bible because of a certain subject, then getting excitedly distracted to another book of the Bible because of another important subject. I get around the bible quite a bit, but I would like to be a bit more of a slow and steady type of bible student.

I began to study Jude, and even purchased a commentary edited by Bill Witherington. I am enjoying Jude, but in the process I started thinking about suffering and had to start reading Job. Job is an amazing book of the Bible, and it is impossible to read without being deeply moved emotionally and provked to thinkning about the cuase of human suffering.

To make sure I actually make it through Job, I have been reading it to my sons before bedtime. I know its a bit strange for a bedtime story, but they seem to be enjoying the story, and asking questions about God and satan. While going over the first chapter of Job, I was struck by something I had never considered before concerning God's testing of Job: I have come to the opinion that God is not merely testing Job, but God is also defending Job against Satan.

Satan, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia is the, "greek word (from diaballein, "to traduce") means a slanderer, or accuser". In the first chapter of Job, satan slanders Job's integrity before God. He accuses Job of a superficial love for the almighty:

Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nothing? 'Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. "But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face."

God is not wagering Job's soul with the devil (all souls are the Almighty's), God is defending Job's honor before the accuser. God has already told satan what kind of man Job is:

"There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil."

God and Job are each being slandered by the accuser; Job's integrity before God, and God's judgement concerning Job have been visciously attacked. I am sure this has been obvious to many who have read Job, but before we are even through the first chapter we learn something important about slander, honor, and integrity;through the rest of the book we see what happens when the truth about ourselves and God's word are tested. In the end both God and Job are vindicated, but the cost of being slandered is sure a high one.

TOTT

Quote on Love

"How important really is the physical component, even in a good marriage? Well, many counselors today in our sex saturated culture will tell you its incredibly important especially if you want people to remain faithful. I wonder where grace comes into this sort of counseling? What of couples who very much love each other, but cannot, due to physical impairment or other reasons, share in that way any more? Have they become lovelorn? Are they in danger simply because they cannot express physical desire in one particular fashion? It would appear to me that the answer to this query is often no. Because you see, the real deep dimension of love involves something spiritual, it involves a decision of the will, it involves a conscious effort at deeds of loving self-sacrifice. This is love in motion, rather than love as emotion." -Ben Witherington- TOTT