Is pornography just mass prostitution? Is there a difference?

[rayray4elsenor]

I was just watching this video on vimeo and it seemed to equate pornography and prostitution. I had never thought about it that way and it makes sense but I'm wondering if that comparison is an oversimplification of the issue. Here's the link to the video: deleted due to rule 3.3
I'm interested to hear your thoughts on this. From what I've seen I'm guessing the documentary is going to be from a Christian perspective so I'd like to hear more what they have to say about the connection. Obviously both are sinful but is pornography really just prostitution for mass consumption and if so why do we as Christians seem to be more judgmental of people that has been with a prostitute than people who have consumed porn? And why is "mass prostitution" legal but traditional prostitution is not?

[Blueflame]

It's sexual immorality. That is what the Bible says about it, also that its perverted. Wether or not its prostitution really doesn't matter its immoral.

[rayray4elsenor]

You're definitely right, they're both immoral and perverted. But what one of the reasons I'm interested in exploring the comparison is because of the difference in our reaction to the sin. I think the way we show love and try to restore someone caught in sin can really strengthen or damage someone's perception of Christ's love and grace. For example, at least in my experience, if someone has slept with a prostitute, they seem to receive more condemnation than someone who has had a moment of weakness while surfing the internet. The church seems more willing to support a brother or sister in their struggle with porn than in a struggle with sex addiction or prostitution.

Another reason why I think the distinction is interesting to explore is because as Christians we are required to seek justice and usher in the kingdom of God into every area of the world. I praise God for the passions and efforts of many believers to bring an end to sex trafficking and prostitution but there is much less emphasis on bringing an end to the porn industry. If there really is no difference, what is the reason for this discrepancy. It's just things I've been thinking about and I would like to get the opinions of other believers.

[Blueflame]

sin is sin, we are not to seek justice for that is for God we are to forgive each other and love each other.

porn will only get worse as the world becomes more perverted, these things are spoken about in the Bible near end times, it will be like in Noah time, sex in public, already started down that road in new york with women no able to go shirtless, so it will be ok to be naked in public and then sex will be ok just like it was ok thousands of years, we are regressing not moving forward.

Gay marriage seems to be approved soon will the law then require minister to marry gay couples and throw them in jail for hate crimes in they refuse? It's not so hard to see all this play out. It's been well know many gays have sex in restroom and at restops, so really public sex is already here just in the shadows.

[rayray4elsenor]

sin is sin, we are not to seek justice for that is for God we are to forgive each other and love each other.

I think we are to seek justice:

He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?  - Micah 6:8

Learn to do good;
Seek justice,
Reprove the ruthless,
Defend the orphan,
Plead for the widow.  - Isaiah 1:17

Just because the world is messed up doesn't mean we give up on it. We are ambassadors of light to a world of darkness and we need to penetrate the darkness not hide from it. I think this is something the documentary is trying to show because it seems like they're including the testimonies of people that have been redeemed from the porn industry and sex trafficking. It's worth checking out, I at least know the girl they interviewed in the video has a crazy but inspiring story of God's grace and salvation. We think our times are morally bankrupt now but in all honesty I think it was worse in the past. Ancient Rome was much more screwed up than our modern American society and just listen to some of the things that seemed culturally acceptable to societies in the old testament like what is recorded in the books of Judges or Genesis for example.

[johndoo]

To answer the question, "Why isn't something being done about porn" the answer is that 50% of American men view it regularly and enjoy it.  So you're not going to get a big social push for that. 

Prostitution is largely illegal.  So in our brains it isn't so hard to put the illegal activities at the far end of the sin spectrum , when as others have stated, sin is sin. 

One of the most salient points in this discussion, in my opinion, is how this is demeaning to women.