Pornography as an Ethical Dilemma: Christian vs. Atheist Views

Introduction: The Ethical Dilemma of Pornography

Biblically, God requires Christians to please Him in everything they do. Whether in secret or overtly, in thought or in behaviour, Christians have a duty to portray Christ-like conduct every moment of their lives (Hiles & Smith, n.d.). Nonetheless, compliance with biblical teachings is not always as straightforward as the Bible presents. In the course of their Christian walk, believers often encounter situations of genuine dilemma — circumstances in which it is not entirely clear whether a particular act is right or wrong. Such situations especially arise when the Bible does not offer a direct solution, or when the act in question appears to harm no one. Pornography is one such issue.

Does the Bible allow pornography? Is engaging with pornography morally permissible given that it appears not to harm others? This essay discusses the ethical dilemmas presented by pornography. Following a description of the dilemma, it analyses the issue from a Christian perspective and compares that worldview with the atheistic worldview.

TJ enjoys watching pornography. Pornography, along with masturbation, gives him a great deal of sexual gratification. Nonetheless, TJ is in a dilemma. He recently came across startling statistics indicating that pornography is harmful to society because it contributes to human trafficking. He is also aware of the possible consequences of pornography consumption on himself — addiction. He now somewhat feels that his freedom to watch pornography is under threat. TJ, however, strongly believes that his act, which he always performs behind closed doors, has no effect on others.

TJ's dilemma can be examined through two perspectives: the Christian worldview and the atheistic worldview. These two perspectives offer conflicting solutions. On one hand, the Christian perspective prohibits pornography. On the other hand, the atheistic perspective — emphasising individual autonomy — views pornography consumption as a personal choice, largely because it does not appear to harm others directly.

The Christian Worldview on Pornography

The Bible implicitly forbids the consumption of pornography. Though God created human beings as sexual beings, He warns against the misuse of sex (Romans 1:24–25). According to the Bible, sexual activity is only permissible within marriage (1 Corinthians 7:2–3). Furthermore, the Bible prohibits a range of sexual practices, including sexual exposure (Genesis 9:21), adultery (Leviticus 18:23), prostitution (Deuteronomy 23:17–18), homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22), bestiality (Leviticus 18:23), and incest (Leviticus 18:6–18).

Pornography, without question, violates God's design for sexual pleasure. It typically involves individuals who are not married to one another, paid actors (a form of prostitution), same-sex activity, and in some cases sexual acts between human beings and animals. Accordingly, from a biblical standpoint, pornography constitutes sin before God.

Biblical Warnings Against Lust and Sinful Consumption

Christians are further warned to stay away from deeds that corrupt the mind (1 Corinthians 15:33). Pornography corrupts the human mind profoundly. When a person becomes immersed in pornography, their thoughts become lustful; they dwell on sexual activity constantly, creating an unrelenting drive to fulfil sexual desires. The Bible identifies lust as sin. According to Matthew 5:28, anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery in his heart. The Bible also cautions against fulfilling the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16; Romans 8:6).

A common justification for pornography consumption is that the viewer is not personally involved in the sinful act — they are merely a consumer. However, the Bible is clear about how Christians should conduct themselves in both thought and behaviour. It teaches that one who takes pleasure in others' sinful behaviour is as guilty as the one committing the sin. If a Christian helps a thief by concealing stolen goods, for example, both the Christian and the thief are equally culpable. Similarly, an individual who watches pornography shares in the guilt of the actors.

One of the central mandates of Christians is to help sinners depart from sinful ways. Accordingly, Christians should actively discourage pornography consumption rather than enable it. They should follow the example of Jesus (Hiles & Smith, n.d.) — Jesus would not watch pornography. Believers are called to pursue righteousness and to avoid the deeds that tempt them to fulfil the desires of the flesh (2 Timothy 2:22).

Conclusion

Overall, the consumption of pornography presents a genuine ethical dilemma. The dilemma is especially pronounced because of the widespread belief that consuming pornography does not harm others, and that individuals are therefore free to consume it as they wish. This is the foundation of the atheistic perspective, which emphasises liberalism and personal freedom. Nonetheless, pornography is sinful according to the Christian worldview. More importantly, research has suggested that pornography yields negative consequences for society, making it harmful in ways that extend beyond the individual consumer.

Choosing between these two perspectives can be a challenging undertaking, particularly for someone genuinely convinced that their viewing of pornography harms no one. Because different individuals hold different beliefs about social issues, there may be no universally satisfying answer to the dilemma. The resolution depends largely on one's belief system: Christianity prohibits sexual sin, while atheism does not recognise such a category. Nevertheless, regardless of the diversity in belief systems, it is imperative for everyone to carefully consider the possible negative consequences their choices may have on society as a whole.