Sunday, May 9, 2010

Evils in Pornography

Since the arrival of the Internet and the continuing media development there is no doubt that pornography (the depiction of bold images) has infiltrated the minds of people, both young and old. What is unfortunate is its exploitation for lucrative purposes without any regard for the good of society or possible scandal to the young. Besides having an addicting effect on people’s minds, it’s such a waste of time when the concerned individual loses control of self. At the bottom line what is being violated is what St. Paul wrote to Timothy: “The love of money is the root of all evils” (1 Tim. 6:10). This principle is also being violated in many categories of social life when people lack the consideration for the common good of the human person, just because they want to make money. This shows a lack of trust in God’s ever faithful providence which always cares, so long we do our duties to God and the fellow men and women.

In the face of this invasion of pornographic images, here and there, open to the public gaze, we have only to rely on God and His grace amid the tempting circumstances of our day, in the worsening of public morals. Let us remember what St. Paul advices in this same first letter to Timothy. He wants us to rely on prayer and God’s word. You must have heard the saying – “Prayer will make us leave off sinning or sinning will make us leave off prayer.” It’s true as God’s creation, reality is good, nature is good. It is man who perverts God’s designs, since in us still remain the vestiges or weaknesses of original sin, the sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve. But God’s redeeming grace comes to us in our Savior, Jesus Christ. We may apply here the advice of St. Paul to Timothy: “Everything God created is good, and no food is to be rejected, provided grace is said for it: the word of God and the prayer make it holy” (1 Tim.: 4:4). We must do away with the debased uses of the pornography of our day to corrupt the young, the pedophilia, the traffic of women and minors, the desire to exploit human weakness and the natural curiosity and attraction between male and female, and the natural beauty of the human body.

1 comment:

  1. Bro. Jub AlabastroMay 14, 2010 at 7:54 PM

    Greetings Your Eminence!

    My name is Jub Alabastro, a member of the Catholic Faith Defenders of Davao, the organization you help established almost 3 decades ago. I've read your articles in the previous CFD Journals. I just want to express my admiration in your constant citations of scriptural passages in your writings which rarely being practiced by priests and even Bishops. Your good practice is worth imitating and what I consider a true sign of a Catholic Faith Defender! Si Bishop Alo dili Kapitulo Dila, Bersikulo Baba, naa gyuy sitas na mabasa!

    God bless you your Eminence! We will always pray for you.

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