The church has been silent about the distortion of God’s gift of sex for too long. It is time to speak against pornography.
Synod 2012 has adopted the overture from Classis Eastern Canada to confront pornography use within our congregations. Consider the following stats:
- Porn is the largest entertainment industry in the world, grossing more than all of Hollywood’s major TV networks and all of the major sports networks combined.
- Every second, $3,075.64 is spent on pornography.
- Every second, 12,258 Internet users are viewing pornography.
- Every 39 minutes, a new pornographic video is being created in the United States.
These statistics are staggering, and the numbers have been growing rapidly since the 2006 survey they are based on. The survey goes on to say that pornography revenues exceed the combined revenues of ABC, CBS, and NBC, totaling more than $97 billion.
How can we as a denomination combat such a huge monster in our world? I believe we need to start by admitting that this evil has crept into our churches and homes. The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light” (Eph. 5:11-13).
Synod has agreed to expose this evil and to “develop and implement a plan to assist churches in confronting pornography use within their congregations, in understanding the factors that lead to its use and the damage it causes, and in supportive healing for those who are affected by its use.”
A song that we used to sing as children says it so well: “O, be careful little eyes what you see, for the Father up above is looking down in love.”
Our Father is grieving at how this evil has crept into our homes and churches. And he is looking at us in love. His plan for our sexuality is so much greater than the distortion offered by porn.
In the summer of 2014, a motorcycle trip across North America is being planned to create awareness of pornography and to call for action in our churches. “Shore 2 Shore With A Roar” will address the devastating effects pornography has on God’s people. Please pray for wisdom and insight for the planning and implementing of this effort.
Help us as a church bring this to the light.
Additional reading:
The Christian Reformed Church’s position statement on pornography
About the Author
Jim Terpstra is a member of Charlottetown Christian Reformed Church in Prince Edward Island.
