“Obscenity isn’t protected by the First Amendment, but hazy and unenforceable legal definitions have allowed extreme pornography to saturate American society and reach countless children.” ~Mike Lee

U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) recently introduced S.1671, The Interstate Obscenity Definition Act which seeks to clarify the definition of obscenity, which has been, so far, subjective and vague:

• Defines “obscenity” within the Communications Act of 1934 as content that:
  • taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion,
  • depicts, describes or represents actual or simulated sexual acts with the objective intent to arouse, titillate, or gratify the sexual desires of a person, and,
  • taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.
• Strengthens the existing general prohibition on obscenity in the Communications Act (47 U.S.C 223(a)) by removing the “intent” requirement that only prohibits the transmission of obscenity for the purposes abusing, threatening, or harassing a person.

Unsurprisingly, opponents of this bill are screaming for “sexual freedom” and “free speech.”

Yet, the reality of what pornography has done to America, specifically our children, should cause everyone to support this bill.

Our children are being raised in a highly sexualized and perverse society. Before the age of 18, 93% of boys and 63% of girls report being exposed to pornography. In addition to this, the average age of first exposure is only 12 years old.

The side effects of this exposure has been well-documented: behavior problems, depression, anxiety, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, sexual promiscuity, sexual activity at a young age, difficulty connecting in romantic relationships, less commitment to families, sexual risk, body dissatisfaction, negative views of women’s bodies, sexual harassment, an increase in sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies, and so much more.

Pornography is a disease and an evil that must be eradicated.

Lila Rose of Live Action commented,

“Porn addiction is a crisis. It’s fueling sex trafficking and child abuse. It’s poisoning our kids. It’s aiding a vicious cycle of abuse. It’s time to enforce obscenity laws against porn.”

Lila Rose is absolutely correct. The availability of pornography has fueled sex trafficking and child abuse.

According to Unbound Now, an organization dedicated to ending human trafficking and exploitation, there are  some shocking, stomach-churning facts regarding the link that pornography has to sex trafficking:

“A 2010 research study analyzing 50 popular porn films found that, out of 304 scenes, 88% depicted physical violence and 49% depicted verbal aggression. Pornography is in such high demand because viewers, including sex traffickers, wish to act out what they observe in scenes. Traffickers gather ideas from porn and force victims to watch so they know what is expected of them. Scenes depicting physical and verbal aggression lead to worse abuse towards victims.

Pornography blurs the line between consensual and non-consensual acts, and viewers often cannot distinguish between the two. We may not often consider whether actors have given fair and complete consent to the terms, and whether or not they were told specifically what they were expected to do. Consent gained by manipulation is not consent.

Another problem that arises is the continued exploitation of victims online even after they leave the industry. If they were trafficked, the exploitation continues to make a profit through repeated views.”

U.S. Representative Mary Miller (R-IL) voiced her support for the passage of this bill:

“The Interstate Obscenity Definition Act equips law enforcement with the tools they need to target and remove obscene material from the internet, which is alarmingly destructive and far outside the bounds of protected free speech under the Constitution. I’m proud to lead this effort in the House with Senator Lee to safeguard American families and ensure this dangerous material is kept out of our homes and off our screens.”

Any society that either supports or allows the degrading objectification of human beings– people made in the Image of God– is a society that cannot stand.

A moral society is the essential pre-requisite to a good and just society.

If we as Christians want to live in a good and just America, we not only have a duty but we have a God-given responsibility to support the banning of pornography.

Take ACTION: Click HERE to email your U.S. Senators, urging them to vote in favor of S.1671, The Interstate Obscenity Definition Act.