Could inappropriate content be considered as adultery?

Could inappropriate content be considered as adultery?

  • Yes

    Votes: 29 78.4%
  • No

    Votes: 5 13.5%
  • I'm not sure

    Votes: 3 8.1%

  • Total voters
    37

Sabertooth

Repartee Animal: Quipping the Saints!
Supporter
Jul 25, 2005
10,491
7,061
62
Wisconsin
Visit site
✟952,659.00
Country
United States
Faith
Charismatic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
Having sexual thoughts or fantasies is so endemic to the human psyche that God has every good reason to condemn each and every human.
Now, you are just accusing God...

"So God created man in His own image;
in the image of God He created him;
male and female He created them.​
Then God blessed them, and God said to them,
'Be fruitful and multiply;
fill the earth and subdue it;...
' " Genesis 1:27-28 NKJV​
 
Upvote 0

Reluctant Theologian

אַבְרָהָם
Jul 13, 2021
273
151
53
ZH
✟68,436.00
Country
Netherlands
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
That is a good point and one which I attempted to make, albeit in a different way, in my previous post. inappropriate contentography has been recorded in virtually all cultures in all areas of the earth for millennia. Thus, it should come as no surprise that the Song of Songs is erotic, if not inappropriate contentographic. It assuredly is graphic in its sexuality. Having sexual thoughts or fantasies is so endemic to the human psyche that God has every good reason to condemn each and every human.

I'm inclined to take a practical view: any action, word, thought, read, view that is a pre-cursor to a sinful act as defined by the Law of Moses (when it comes to the area of 'sexual morality') I would avoid; as that is the angle of approach Jesus uses in Matthew 5:27-28.

If I'm looking with desire at my neighbour's wife that is a precursor to actual adultery, or even murder (e.g. David - Bathsheba), so even the precursor is sinful. If a man notices the beauty of an attractive single woman who he might be able marry (which is not sinful), than that precursor also is not sinful IMHO.

The intriguing bit is that in Song of Songs the couple is erotically fantasizing about each other BEFORE their actual wedding (but possibly they were betrothed already); so can we take from that that that is not sinful perse? Maybe ...
 
Upvote 0

bbbbbbb

Well-Known Member
Jun 9, 2015
27,812
13,119
72
✟362,418.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Now, you are just accusing God...

"So God created man in His own image;
in the image of God He created him;
male and female He created them.​
Then God blessed them, and God said to them,
'Be fruitful and multiply;
fill the earth and subdue it;...
' " Genesis 1:27-28 NKJV​

I fail to understand your reasoning. The fact that God finds all of humanity sin-filled is no reflection on God. Because of Adam's fall from Eden God cursed both men and women. Adam and Eve willfully disobeyed God's direct commandment and mankind has been cursed by God as a result.

This is a simple biblical fact. If you want to read into a theology then that is your decision.
 
Upvote 0

bbbbbbb

Well-Known Member
Jun 9, 2015
27,812
13,119
72
✟362,418.00
Faith
Non-Denom
I'm inclined to take a practical view: any action, word, thought, read, view that is a pre-cursor to a sinful act as defined by the Law of Moses (when it comes to the area of 'sexual morality') I would avoid; as that is the angle of approach Jesus uses in Matthew 5:27-28.

If I'm looking with desire at my neighbour's wife that is a precursor to actual adultery, or even murder (e.g. David - Bathsheba), so even the precursor is sinful. If a man notices the beauty of an attractive single woman who he might be able marry (which is not sinful), than that precursor also is not sinful IMHO.

The intriguing bit is that in Song of Songs the couple is erotically fantasizing about each other BEFORE their actual wedding (but possibly they were betrothed already); so can we take from that that that is not sinful perse? Maybe ...

Maybe . . .
 
Upvote 0

Sabertooth

Repartee Animal: Quipping the Saints!
Supporter
Jul 25, 2005
10,491
7,061
62
Wisconsin
Visit site
✟952,659.00
Country
United States
Faith
Charismatic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
I fail to understand your reasoning. The fact that God finds all of humanity sin-filled is no reflection on God.
You equated sexual attraction to sexual sin.
Having sexual thoughts or fantasies is so endemic to the human psyche that God has every good reason to condemn each and every human.
That is likening the act of eating your own food
to eating somebody else's food.

The issue isn't about your God-given appetite.
It is about where you would go to satisfy it.
 
Upvote 0

bbbbbbb

Well-Known Member
Jun 9, 2015
27,812
13,119
72
✟362,418.00
Faith
Non-Denom
You equated sexual attraction to sexual sin.

That is likening the act of eating your own food
to eating somebody else's food.

The issue isn't about your God-given appetite.
It is about where you would go to satisfy it.

Gotcha! Therefore, inappropriate content is not inherently sinful in your estimation.
 
Upvote 0

Sabertooth

Repartee Animal: Quipping the Saints!
Supporter
Jul 25, 2005
10,491
7,061
62
Wisconsin
Visit site
✟952,659.00
Country
United States
Faith
Charismatic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
Therefore, inappropriate content is not inherently sinful in your estimation.
Since "inappropriate content" means [virtual] prostitution, I think it is clearly a case of
"satisfying your appetite with somebody else's food" (not your own).

Methinks that you have selective hearing.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: RDKirk
Upvote 0

zoidar

loves Jesus the Christ! ✝️
Supporter
Sep 18, 2010
7,164
2,606
✟877,432.00
Country
Sweden
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
That is a good point and one which I attempted to make, albeit in a different way, in my previous post. inappropriate contentography has been recorded in virtually all cultures in all areas of the earth for millennia. Thus, it should come as no surprise that the Song of Songs is erotic, if not inappropriate contentographic. It assuredly is graphic in its sexuality. Having sexual thoughts or fantasies is so endemic to the human psyche that God has every good reason to condemn each and every human.

Maybe people will disagree here, but I see a huge difference from fantasizing in the head than watching movies or looking at picturers. Movies and pictures involves an industry of adultery, fornication, sinfulness and sometimes criminality. By looking we support and actually enjoy sinful behaviour of others. If we think a bit further, inappropriate content is like inviting prostitutes home and look at them having sex. In a sense that is what we do, we just have our camera at their place instead. Not saying that it's easy for many people to resist inappropriate content, but it's still an awful sin. Masturbation and fantasizing I believe is a different category, that has to be discussed separatly.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

bbbbbbb

Well-Known Member
Jun 9, 2015
27,812
13,119
72
✟362,418.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Maybe people will disagree here, but I see a huge difference from fantasizing in the head than watching movies or looking at picturers. Movies and pictures involves an industry of adultery, fornication, sinfulness and sometimes criminality. By looking we support and actually enjoy sinful behaviour of others. If we think a bit further, inappropriate content is like inviting prostitutes home and look at them having sex. In a sense that is what we do, we just have our camera at their place instead. Not saying that it's easy for many people to resist inappropriate content, but it's still an awful sin. Masturbation and fantasizing I believe is a different category, that has to be discussed separatly.

One of the difficulties we face in our culture is that we naturally define inappropriate content as visual stimulation. In fact, it entails far more than the visual aspect. There are multitudes of inappropriate contentographic forms of literature which do not have a single illustration. Some is soft inappropriate content such as the pulp romances and other can be quite hard core - completely without illustrations. The Song of Solomon is somewhere in between IMO.

My question is whether or not we wish to limit inappropriate content to the visual aspect only. Even then there are multitudes of forms of soft inappropriate content. Hollywood has been churning it out for over a century now. Rudolf Valentino is a lovely example of acceptable soft inappropriate content in which women fantasized about having a romantic relationship with him or someone of his caliber.
 
Upvote 0

BNR32FAN

He’s a Way of life
Supporter
Aug 11, 2017
22,133
7,245
Dallas
✟874,316.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
I have started to think that inappropriate content might be that serious. If we think it's wrong, yet don't take it for the seriousness as it is, we may not do our best to avoid it. Thoughts?

I think it can be considered adultery if a person is married. If they’re not married then I would say it could be considered as sexual immorality.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Will Joseph
Upvote 0

bbbbbbb

Well-Known Member
Jun 9, 2015
27,812
13,119
72
✟362,418.00
Faith
Non-Denom
I think it can be considered adultery if a person is married. If they’re not married then I would say it could be considered as sexual immorality.

At what point do you define inappropriate content? Is it the hardcore magazines and other media, or does it include softcore things such as I discussed in my previous post?
 
Upvote 0

Psalm 27

Well-Known Member
Aug 21, 2020
1,072
512
Uk
✟114,965.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Christian Seeker
Marital Status
Private
I think it is absolutely... As Jesus said even looking at another with lust in your heart is adultery.

However, I dont get the draw of inappropriate content myself. It's nothing that even interests me as a human being, and I don't, can't in fact, understand anyone's struggle with it as a serious temptation so while I can call it sin all day long I don't understand why any Christian might be drawn to it in the first place. It confuses me truly.
a small percentage of females seem to be as affected by inappropriate content, but we do battle other addictions, such as gluttony, vanity and gossip. I’ve know men who have been virtually consumed by it. I had a personal struggle with it. The internet made it an even bigger problem than before...Just Thank The Lord you’re not Male.

Billy graham said ‘inappropriate content rots the soul’ —

Movie ‘thanks for sharing’
 
Upvote 0

RDKirk

Alien, Pilgrim, and Sojourner
Supporter
Mar 3, 2013
39,140
20,187
US
✟1,441,679.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
One of the difficulties we face in our culture is that we naturally define inappropriate content as visual stimulation. In fact, it entails far more than the visual aspect. There are multitudes of inappropriate contentographic forms of literature which do not have a single illustration. Some is soft inappropriate content such as the pulp romances and other can be quite hard core - completely without illustrations. The Song of Solomon is somewhere in between IMO.

My question is whether or not we wish to limit inappropriate content to the visual aspect only. Even then there are multitudes of forms of soft inappropriate content. Hollywood has been churning it out for over a century now. Rudolf Valentino is a lovely example of acceptable soft inappropriate content in which women fantasized about having a romantic relationship with him or someone of his caliber.

Written inappropriate contentography has always been considered inappropriate contentography, such as James Joyce's "Ulysses."
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

RDKirk

Alien, Pilgrim, and Sojourner
Supporter
Mar 3, 2013
39,140
20,187
US
✟1,441,679.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
At what point do you define inappropriate content?

LOL at that old question.

The phrase "I know it when I see it" is a colloquial expression by which a speaker attempts to categorize an observable fact or event, although the category is subjective or lacks clearly defined parameters. The phrase was used in 1964 by United States Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart to describe his threshold test for obscenity in Jacobellis v. Ohio.[1][2] In explaining why the material at issue in the case was not obscene under the Roth test, and therefore was protected speech that could not be censored, Stewart wrote:

I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced within that shorthand description ["hard-core inappropriate contentography"], and perhaps I could never succeed in intelligibly doing so. But I know it when I see it, and the motion picture involved in this case is not that.[3]

The expression became one of the best-known phrases in the history of the Supreme Court.[4] Though "I know it when I see it" is widely cited as Stewart's test for "obscenity", he never used the word "obscenity" himself in his short concurrence. He only stated that he knows what fits the "shorthand description" of "hard-core inappropriate contentography" when he sees it.

I know it when I see it - Wikipedia

But, frankly, from the perspective of a Spirit-filled Christian, "I know it when I see it" is very reasonable. If the Holy Spirit who abides within you guides you away from anything, then you know it. Or use the Philippian Prescription: If it is not noble, right, pure, lovely, excellent, admirable, or praiseworthy...turn away.
 
Upvote 0

bbbbbbb

Well-Known Member
Jun 9, 2015
27,812
13,119
72
✟362,418.00
Faith
Non-Denom
a small percentage of females seem to be as affected by inappropriate content, but we do battle other addictions, such as gluttony, vanity and gossip. I’ve know men who have been virtually consumed by it. I had a personal struggle with it. The internet made it an even bigger problem than before...Just Thank The Lord you’re not Male.

Billy graham said ‘inappropriate content rots the soul’ —

Movie ‘thanks for sharing’

You are mistaken concerning women and inappropriate content. Granted the women are not the visual creatures that men are. However, women prefer their inappropriate content in a written format which enables them to mentally fantasize. Most women's inappropriate content is in the form of romance novels and can be generally categorized as soft inappropriate content, but some of it is quite explicit, albeit not illustrated, except for the lurid cover illustrations.
 
Upvote 0

bbbbbbb

Well-Known Member
Jun 9, 2015
27,812
13,119
72
✟362,418.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Written inappropriate contentography has always been considered inappropriate contentography, such as James Joyce's "Ulysses."

That is but one example. What do you think concerning the thousands of romance novels which are lustily consumed by a willing public?
 
Upvote 0

RDKirk

Alien, Pilgrim, and Sojourner
Supporter
Mar 3, 2013
39,140
20,187
US
✟1,441,679.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
That is but one example.

What do you think concerning the thousands of romance novels which are lustily consumed by a willing public?[/QUOTE]

They are inappropriate contentography.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

BNR32FAN

He’s a Way of life
Supporter
Aug 11, 2017
22,133
7,245
Dallas
✟874,316.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
At what point do you define inappropriate content? Is it the hardcore magazines and other media, or does it include softcore things such as I discussed in my previous post?

I would define inappropriate content as provocative nude photos.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Will Joseph
Upvote 0