Is looking at pornography on the same level as fornication as a sin?

[mes5464]

27 Behold, it is written by them of old time, that thou shalt not commit adultery;

28 But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman, to lust after her, hath committed adultery already in his heart.

[Fiannan]

27 Behold, it is written by them of old time, that thou shalt not commit adultery;

28 But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman, to lust after her, hath committed adultery already in his heart.

Not the way Jews look at it and the idea of "lust" to them is that you are coveting; in other words making plans.

I have met so many people (male and female) who have confided that they felt unworthy because of thinking that thinking about sex is just as bad as engaging in it extra-maritally. And please do not quote Alma unless you quote the entire section about "sin worse than murder." It does not say what a lot of people think it says.

Not saying one should just let their thoughts go wild, but we are losing a lot of young people needlessly.

[Juliet]

Sins can be unequal but still have the same root cause. The real question is why are you tempted either way? Not that no one gets tempted, but there is a certain peace that comes from choosing the right that I can only say is a type of safety. Why does the sin bring more comfort than righteousness, since you can lie and say that sinning is helping you feel better. But I don't think either way you get closer to the answers by searching in the dark. There is a level of conversion where you no longer desire to sin. Because the fruit of righteousness os sweeter than the indulgence of the sin. Answers are better found in praying to Jesus for strength to overcome and be delivered, and quickly repenting when you fall.

[Juliet]

To me growing up in the church it seemed that looking at pornography had the same stigma as actually having sex before marriage. I'm not condoning sin, but if your hormones and libido are running extremely high wouldn't it be a better alternative to look at porn and get the sexual tension out of your system, rather than going ahead and committing fornication with someone? I repeat, I know both are sins, but why are they lumped together as EQUALLY bad when one sin can save you from committing another worse sin.

They are not equally bad since one sin has greater consequences physically. Now spiritually, I don't known if it makes much difference. The spiritual consequences, the loss of light or failure to find true light are probably similar.

[yjacket]

To me growing up in the church it seemed that looking at pornography had the same stigma as actually having sex before marriage. I'm not condoning sin, but if your hormones and libido are running extremely high wouldn't it be a better alternative to look at porn and get the sexual tension out of your system, rather than going ahead and committing fornication with someone? I repeat, I know both are sins, but why are they lumped together as EQUALLY bad when one sin can save you from committing another worse sin.

Obviously if we are comparing, sex before marriage is worse.
But no, if your hormones and libido are running high, the better alternative is to learn self-control (something the modern world is severely lacking)-why is that not a viable alternative?

And you are making false equivalencies, you are looking at is as "looking at porn serves will prevent someone from fornicating?" I don't know about you, but that seems to be a really twisted way of looking at things and an excuse for sin, as in committing the lessor sin will prevent someone from committing the greater sin.

When in actuality it works in the reverse, committing the lessor sin makes someone more likely to commit the greater sin. I mean really, if you are watching people have sex all day or seeing naked women all day, you're going to be less likely to fornicate with your date? That's a really messed up way of looking at the world.

If you are thinking about sex and naked people all day long then when you go on a date with a pretty girl, what will you be thinking about? I don't think it's going to be rainbows and unicorns.

And pornography is very destructive and evil b/c it warps the mind. You see things that are unnatural, that are in most cases simply just a fantasy that has nothing to do with reality and you'll end up thinking or wishing oh if only my date/fiancee/spouse were more physically like xyz. Your thoughts patterns will change, your emotions will change, who you are will change. It is very, very destructive

[yjacket]

27 Behold, it is written by them of old time, that thou shalt not commit adultery;

28 But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman, to lust after her, hath committed adultery already in his heart.

Not the way Jews look at it and the idea of "lust" to them is that you are coveting; in other words making plans.

I'm genuinely interested in where you get this view . . .b/c I've never heard of it before. To me it sounds like an excuse think sexual thoughts about someone you're not married to.

[David13]

I can tell you they are in the same category, but not on the same level.
dc

[yjacket]

To me growing up in the church it seemed that looking at pornography had the same stigma as actually having sex before marriage. I'm not condoning sin, but if your hormones and libido are running extremely high wouldn't it be a better alternative to look at porn and get the sexual tension out of your system, rather than going ahead and committing fornication with someone? I repeat, I know both are sins, but why are they lumped together as EQUALLY bad when one sin can save you from committing another worse sin.

Obviously if we are comparing, sex before marriage is worse.
But no, if your hormones and libido are running high, the better alternative is to learn self-control (something the modern world is severely lacking)-why is that not a viable alternative?

And you are making false equivalencies, you are looking at is as "looking at porn serves will prevent someone from fornicating?" I don't know about you, but that seems to be a really twisted way of looking at things and an excuse for sin, as in committing the lessor sin will prevent someone from committing the greater sin.

When in actuality it works in the reverse, committing the lessor sin makes someone more likely to commit the greater sin. I mean really, if you are watching people have sex all day or seeing naked women all day, you're going to be less likely to fornicate with your date? That's a really messed up way of looking at the world.

If you are thinking about sex and naked people all day long then when you go on a date with a pretty girl, what will you be thinking about? I don't think it's going to be rainbows and unicorns.

And pornography is very destructive and evil b/c it warps the mind. You see things that are unnatural, that are in most cases simply just a fantasy that has nothing to do with reality and you'll end up thinking or wishing oh if only my date/fiancee/spouse were more physically like xyz. Your thoughts patterns will change, your emotions will change, who you are will change. It is very, very destructive

You're making it seem like it's equally bad to play a violent video game after a stressful day to relieve that anger versus actually getting a gun and shooting up a school. That's what your argument comes off like.

And you are making it seem that all looking at pornography is "blowing off steam". Only someone who is in the thralls of pornography would present this argument you are making in order to justify their sin.

Your argument is that I play violent video games so that I don't shoot up the school. A very immature argument.

Yes if you are playing a violent video game that drops F bombs all over the place, has graphic crime, and you as the character-yes you will take on some of the characteristics of the game. Are you going to shoot up the school . . .probably not, but to say that it won't affect your mind is incorrect. Why is this so hard? Because you like the sin.

Looking at pornography seriously warps the mind, and I mean seriously. Do want you want to do-it's your life-but you can never develop Christ-like attributes while in the thralls of pornography. The only people who don't think it warps the mind are people who are either completely naive about it or people who want to justify their own sin and their own desire to love that sin.

Looking at pornography is not "blowing off steam" it doesn't help one not commit fornication, really that's an extremely ludicrous argument to make.

And you obviously only see what you want to see; I said at the top
"Obviously if we are comparing, sex before marriage is worse."
Or did you completely ignore that part b/c you love to look at pornography and b/c you love pornography and you don't want to hear the truth about how pornography is evil, wicked and it seriously twists the mind.

[mes5464]

27 Behold, it is written by them of old time, that thou shalt not commit adultery;

28 But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman, to lust after her, hath committed adultery already in his heart.

Not the way Jews look at it and the idea of "lust" to them is that you are coveting; in other words making plans.

I have met so many people (male and female) who have confided that they felt unworthy because of thinking that thinking about sex is just as bad as engaging in it extra-maritally. And please do not quote Alma unless you quote the entire section about "sin worse than murder." It does not say what a lot of people think it says.

Not saying one should just let their thoughts go wild, but we are losing a lot of young people needlessly.

That was 3 Nephi 12 so that is Jesus not Alma.

[I AM]

27 Behold, it is written by them of old time, that thou shalt not commit adultery;

28 But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman, to lust after her, hath committed adultery already in his heart.

This says it all.

[captainfearnot]

To me growing up in the church it seemed that looking at pornography had the same stigma as actually having sex before marriage. I'm not condoning sin, but if your hormones and libido are running extremely high wouldn't it be a better alternative to look at porn and get the sexual tension out of your system, rather than going ahead and committing fornication with someone? I repeat, I know both are sins, but why are they lumped together as EQUALLY bad when one sin can save you from committing another worse sin.

This does not reflect my own experience growing up in the church at all. Fornication was described as the sin next to murder. Pornography was bad but not really in the same league.

Where are they lumped together as equally bad? Any talks or lesson manuals come to mind?

I guess I could see how someone might get that impression owing to the emphasis on pornography in church teachings week to week. They talk about it constantly because it's seen as a pervasive problem. Fornication probably less so.

Sort of like how you hear a lot more about avoiding alcohol and tobacco than heroin.

[thisisspartaaa]

To me growing up in the church it seemed that looking at pornography had the same stigma as actually having sex before marriage. I'm not condoning sin, but if your hormones and libido are running extremely high wouldn't it be a better alternative to look at porn and get the sexual tension out of your system, rather than going ahead and committing fornication with someone? I repeat, I know both are sins, but why are they lumped together as EQUALLY bad when one sin can save you from committing another worse sin.

There is no hierarchy regarding sin. Sin is sin and will separate the person from God in any form.

Application of the Atonement towards the sin may be different. Christ as the master physician will know how to heal.

But this whole notion that somehow one sin will fare better than another is wrong. No unclean thing can enter into Gods presence. Everyone must be cleansed.

[braingrunt]

I've had problems with porn before. The idea that porn relieves sexual energy, and could prevent more serious sins, is ludicrous.

That said, I think it's not as bad as fornication. But I also think it has a slightly different pathology than fornication, I theorize it does more isolation damage to a person than fornication. Just a theory though.

[thisisspartaaa]

I've had problems with porn before. The idea that porn relieves sexual energy, and could prevent more serious sins, is ludicrous.

That said, I think it's not as bad as fornication. But I also think it has a slightly different pathology than fornication, I theorize it does more isolation damage to a person than fornication. Just a theory though.

It IS just as bad. ANY sin will keep you out of Gods presence.

[braingrunt]

I've had problems with porn before. The idea that porn relieves sexual energy, and could prevent more serious sins, is ludicrous.

That said, I think it's not as bad as fornication. But I also think it has a slightly different pathology than fornication, I theorize it does more isolation damage to a person than fornication. Just a theory though.

It IS just as bad. ANY sin will keep you out of Gods presence.

Sure, in a sense. All sin must be repented of. But don't deny what the scriptures teach about sin. Fornication<Murder<Denying the Holy Ghost. This is not a concept of man but of scripture.

A person has to have varying degrees of darkness in order to succumb to various sins.

When I confessed, I was very lightly disciplined. This would not have been true for fornication. However, it should be kept in mind, that I came forward voluntarily, repentant, never justifying. They said this affected things.

[Seek the Truth]

Some sins are worse than others in the sense that stealing a candy bar as a child has less lasting effect on your behaviour than taking heroin, which can lead to lifelong destructive cravings. You are way better off stealing a candy bar than having taken heroin in that sense.

However both will keep you out of God's presence.

Prono and fornico are both horrible, I suppose you could make arguments which one is worse, but in the end it wouldn't matter that much.

[Elizabeth]

Normal sexual relations with the opposite sex as ordained of God for reproduction, whether in or without marriage, is a natural act, pornography is not.
In my opinion pornography is worse.

[thisisspartaaa]

I've had problems with porn before. The idea that porn relieves sexual energy, and could prevent more serious sins, is ludicrous.

That said, I think it's not as bad as fornication. But I also think it has a slightly different pathology than fornication, I theorize it does more isolation damage to a person than fornication. Just a theory though.

It IS just as bad. ANY sin will keep you out of Gods presence.

Sure, in a sense. All sin must be repented of. But don't deny what the scriptures teach about sin. Fornication<Murder<Denying the Holy Ghost. This is not a concept of man but of scripture.

A person has to have varying degrees of darkness in order to succumb to various sins.

When I confessed, I was very lightly disciplined. This would not have been true for fornication. However, it should be kept in mind, that I came forward voluntarily, repentant, never justifying. They said this affected things.

I disagree. Our prisons are filled with many individuals who have made poor choices in the moment. It’s about choice.

I think God compares sin in the scriptures to illustrate the need for repentance.

[braingrunt]

Normal sexual relations with the opposite sex as ordained of God for reproduction, whether in or without marriage, is a natural act, pornography is not.
In my opinion pornography is worse.

I believe that sex and reproduction without commitment is indescribably harmful. I guess comparing it is not completely within human capability.

[braingrunt]

I disagree. Our prisons are filled with many individuals who have made poor choices in the moment. It’s about choice.

I think God compares sin in the scriptures to illustrate the need for repentance.

I don't follow exactly.
The choice not to repent, even of small sins, is an extremely severe sin.

[thisisspartaaa]

I disagree. Our prisons are filled with many individuals who have made poor choices in the moment. It’s about choice.

I think God compares sin in the scriptures to illustrate the need for repentance.

I don't follow exactly.
The choice not to repent, even of small sins, is an extremely severe sin.

But all sin is severe is my point. It doesn’t matter. Any sin separates one from God.

Gods comparison of sin is to show the severity of what one must go through as part of the repentance process. Stealing candy is going to be less of a process than fornication, for example. But both separate the individual from God and both require the Atonement to heal.

[braingrunt]

I disagree. Our prisons are filled with many individuals who have made poor choices in the moment. It’s about choice.

I think God compares sin in the scriptures to illustrate the need for repentance.

I don't follow exactly.
The choice not to repent, even of small sins, is an extremely severe sin.

But all sin is severe is my point. It doesn’t matter. Any sin separates one from God.

Gods comparison of sin is to show the severity of what one must go through as part of the repentance process. Stealing candy is going to be less of a process than fornication, for example. But both separate the individual from God and both require the Atonement to heal.

True.

So from that perspective, lets talk about the severity of porn like the OP asked. I told him its insane to think of it as a barrier to greater sin. But I also answered what I think is true, that from one perspective it's not as severe.

Although, I admit if the OP is trying to justify, the distinction of severity is probably not helpful.

[thisisspartaaa]

I disagree. Our prisons are filled with many individuals who have made poor choices in the moment. It’s about choice.

I think God compares sin in the scriptures to illustrate the need for repentance.

I don't follow exactly.
The choice not to repent, even of small sins, is an extremely severe sin.

But all sin is severe is my point. It doesn’t matter. Any sin separates one from God.

Gods comparison of sin is to show the severity of what one must go through as part of the repentance process. Stealing candy is going to be less of a process than fornication, for example. But both separate the individual from God and both require the Atonement to heal.

True.

So from that perspective, lets talk about the severity of porn like the OP asked. I told him its insane to think of it as a barrier to greater sin. But I also answered what I think is true, that from one perspective it's not as severe.

Although, I admit if the OP is trying to justify, the distinction of severity is probably not helpful.

I think it’s highly situational but im sure propensity is high for other sexual sins if one is into porn. Satan works by layering as many vices as he can.

[abijah]

the Church doesn't have a very healthy sexual culture. Sex is considered taboo, and often a dirty, sinful thing. It puts wives off later when they get married, and drives men to unhealthy outlets, such as pornography. Sex isn't supposed to be a secret and dirty thing, but sacred and empowering. Pornography is a distortion of this, but is not equated with fornication. Fornication more heavily involves another person, and therefore is more serious.

[Fiannan]

There is no hierarchy regarding sin. Sin is sin and will separate the person from God in any form.

So buying a slurpy at 7-11 after Church is the same as having an abortion?

I would note that in the Bible there was indeed a hierarchy of sin as demonstrated in what sort of animal one had to sacrifice to atone for the sin within the temple.