Raising a Nation of Voyeurs

Raising a Nation of Voyeurs

As a child I heard grown ups talking about "peeping Toms." Latter, I learned about voyeurs, people who obtain sexual gratification from seeing private parts and sexual acts of others. I then understood why pornographers are able to exploit the moral weakness of such people and make themselves rich by feeding this psychological flaw in humanity.

Then came America's sexual revolution in the 1960s. Voyeuristic directors of movies were freed from societal restraints and embolden to produce movies that satisfied their sexual fantasies as well as those of many of their viewers. In that new Age of Aquarius viewers could see their favorite movie stars engaged in intimate activities in the respectable comfort of their local movie theater. No more peeping through windows on a dark night, no straining to see through a key hole. No more fear of getting caught in the act of the fulfilling their lustful desires, or being embarrassed by questions regarding what they might be up to. No more need to slip into the X-rated theater.

Another giant step came with the introduction of cable television. Free from the regulation of the broadcast networks, they offered the same titillating fare for home viewing. Threatened by the competition, network television's broadcasters elected to include naughty scenes in their evening programing, bringing steamy sexual scenes into the homes of all Americans whether they want it or not. Those who write and produce such films must surely be themselves obsessed voyeurs for they seem incapable of producing a show without such provocative content. To find a contemporary movie free of such content is indeed a rarity.

All of this raises the question, "Are human beings by nature voyeurs or do they become such by constant exposure to the corrupting influence of movies and television?" Just as constant exposure to violence adversely affects the behavior of children, so does the constant exposure to acts of intimacy weaken our moral foundation. We are rightly concerned about the pollution of our air and water, but we should not forget that pollution of the mind is the worst kind.

For our own good, the Creator tells us "keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Prov. 4:23). He encourages us concentrate on "whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report" and things of virtue (Phil. 4:8). We are told to "flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteousness...with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (II Tim. 2:22).

Sincerely,

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