Higher Learning?

Sometimes it seems that higher learning is sinking lower and lower.  To my dismay, I recently learned that my alma mater, the University of Southern California, recently hosted a forum with pornography stars and producers.  I can't even remember what the point of the forum was supposed to be, but it's really not important because, in my opinion, regardless of the alleged intent, the event was pointless.

If, in fact, there was a point to the event, it must have been to surreptitiously promote and legitimize something that appeals to the most base level of human emotions.  Pornography has one aim and one aim only--and trust me it's not higher learning.

Colleges and Universities are supposed to be places where young bright minds are strengthened, not distracted by the sometimes dangerous fantasies that pornography can promote.  I mean, let's be realistic.  After watching pornography or witnessing live sex acts (yes, that actually took place at another university) what are all these stimulated single 20-somethings supposed to do with all their charged-up hormones--head to the library for a long night of quiet, introspective study?  Probably not.  If we were talking about hosting the same session at a marriage retreat, that might be a different story--but we're not.

I can't say that I am surprised that there are individuals out there who get a cheap thrill off of using their positions of influence to stir up and exploit young impressionable minds.  After all, the exploitation of young impressionable minds is what fuels the pornography industry.  Most people's first exposure to porn is at a young age, sometimes extremely young. Those early images become etched into the mind and can develop into lifelong obsessions and impressions that can only be fulfilled on screen. 

Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe [to him] through whom they do come!" It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.  Luke 17:1-2

No, I'm not surprised that porn aficionados want to infect bright-eyed young people with their lusty old habits, I am, however, deeply disappointed that those in leadership at USC and other educational institutions have shamelessly abdicated their responsibility to strengthen the intellect and character of the world's future leaders in favor of  supporting an exploitative shock tactic thinly disguised as education.  It is absolutely incredible how those who support these activities manage to do so with a straight face.  It calls to mind images of adults getting their children high or drunk in the name of "educating" them about life.  Some "life" education will inevitably be caught, but should those "lessons" be sanctioned or taught?

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end leads to destruction...." Proverbs 14:12

We can intellectualize and philosophize all we want about the "merits" of promoting pornography in the name of education, but do we really want to have a hand in sowing a seed in a young man or woman that later becomes a wedge between that individual and their spouse who simply cannot measure up to years of fantasies and fixations?  Do we really want to be party to a process that starts out with a 20-year-old in a provocative class and ends up with a mugshot of that student at age 40 being picked up for soliciting? Is it really being our brother's keeper when we support an industry that helps fuel the appetite for sex trafficking and the exploitation of under aged children?

As a minister, I have seen the best and worst of humanity and have dedicated my life to walking with people through the good and the bad.  I don't speak against these pornographic charades from some prudish perch, I speak against them because I am faced with the realities that are so easily ignored by those who make decisions based on what will benefit themselves, with no thought of the lasting impact on those whom they influence.

God gives us all a certain measure of influence and will hold us all accountable for how we use or abuse it. I pray that those in academia will remember that their positions and titles won't save them when they come face to face with God and have to answer for helping to lead our young people astray through a grossly misguided lowbrow attempt at higher learning.

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen