Pornography and the untimely death of our children.
- Geoff Waggett

When previously respectable national newspapers succumb to the publication of half naked females something undoubtedly has changed within our society.

For years, decades and indeed centuries the titillation and excitement gleaned from the portrayal of nudity was seen for the most part by society in general as nothing more than a temporary aberration of the moral standing of the individual and essentially part of growing up. Forty years ago the furtive glances of teenagers through “Health and Efficiency” (the magazine of nudist societies) in W.H. Smith’s newsagents, did little but cause shyness and the occasional act of sexual bravado The gradual progression to ‘top row” magazines containing explicitly sexual photography has been so furtive that few would have guessed its outcome and effect across the whole of 21st   century United Kingdom society today.

The decision, by at first one national broadsheet to become a tabloid with an infamous page three pin-up, is surely one of the poisonous roots of today’s pornographic culture and where one paper goes, others, regrettably follow. Again a process so gradual and furtive that we take for granted a media machine that on one page criticises sexual abuse of children, on another publishes pictures of naked females and on yet another advertises sexually explicit chat lines. “Talk through your wildest fantasies” encourages the story line, whilst the editor rails against the latest sex scandal in his comment column.

A Sunday newspaper can use acres of news space examining the most intimate details of a film star or politician’s life and not see the connection with the moral, sexual and emotional degradation that is occurring within the nation today. News media seem less interested in reporting than examining, commenting upon and directing than ever before.   We have to ask the question as to whether they are giving news rather than controlling, manipulating and leading society down the path of sexual corruption and despair.

Why do ordinary women allow such sexual exploitation into their homes?   Why do we pore over explicit material which is simply appealing to our baser instincts?  How does such pornography feed the minds of people to such an extent that gradually they are no longer immoral but amoral? How far is the media responsible for the sexual corruption, exploitation and abuse that they themselves so earnestly criticise?

The self-righteous attitudes of newspaper editors is sickening beyond belief. The Scriptures warn us on numerous occasions of the end result of such activity. Direct reference is not easy when news media as we know it today (press. television, radio and internet)   did not  exist in biblical times.    However, press moguls, despite their innocent protestations will one day be answerable to God.  “Better a millstone be hung around their necks and they be cast into the midst of the sea than they lead one of these little ones astray”.

Return to magazine 29