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Originally Posted by Textcritic
First off, I just wanted to formally thank all the participants in this thread for what has been a fascinating and thoroughly engaging discussion. Well done, CP!
This gets close to the heart of why I broached this topic in the first place. I am becoming increasingly uncomfortable with growing emphases on targeting thought crime in Evangelical churches, and the increasing access to sexually explicit material in our culture has provided a prime target. I have personally seen people's lives utterly ruined—not because of internet pornography, but because of their inability to cope with the guilt, a viciously circular cycle of self-loathing, and public shame that they also must deal with.
Invectives directed toward thought crimes are demoralising and destructive.
In a contemporary context I think Jesus's teaching might be redeemed on the condition that it is an effective hyperbole. The lesson being that all actions are rooted in ideas. Ideas are not benign, as they have the potential to produce tangible fruit. It's a thoughtful observation, but too easily pushed to an extreme: Thoughts and ideas ought not be discouraged, and distasteful behaviour cannot be eliminated by way of their repression.
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That's interesting. I never considered it to be hyperbole. Obviously, in that case, adultery in that period was as destabilizing to society as l believe it to be today. Basically it acts to destroy the element of trust in marriages, which is one of the prime elements to a successful marriage.
In my mind Jesus's words mean if viewing something causes lustful thoughts that leads to adultery or behavior that is harmful to others or oneself, then one may have to pay the price. As for targeting the lustful thoughts, I believe they are natural and somewhat involuntary...the importance being how you act on them.
As far as viewing pornography, I believe it's a matter of personal choice, and the Church has no business condemning, or instilling guilt in someone who chooses to use it for whatever purpose. Some of the practical purposes I can think of are to alleviate long term resistant impotence, to enhance the sexual experience between married couples, or to increase the rate of production if operating a sperm bank.
Again, I believe most hard core pornography is an affront to human diginty, and may be a contributing factor to marriage difficulties. Besides it's the most boring thing to witness, as the number of ways you can do it are quite limited.