The admission by one woman of having been involved in group sex with Hefner and others was reported blandly. Not even a hint of surprise. Although Webster's Dictionary describes pornography as material intended to cause sexual excitement, I use it here to include any misuse of human sexuality. TV brings distasteful programs like the Jerry Springer show into our living rooms. We can point to licentious magazines, including Cosmopolitan 's new publication targeting teenage girls, gross lyrics in popular songs, and an endless list of similar assaults on moral behavior.
Pornography permeates our culture.
Pornography is a corruption of the good that is human and the good inherent in God-given sexual energies and procreative actions. It brutalizes women and children. It helps make men shallow and selfish, and inhibits their ability to experience real love in a real adult relationship. The Church, in particular, is seen as maintaining an archaic stance against pornography. But that stance is motivated by an understanding of the utter sacredness of each human person.