Editor,
In the gloom of all the bad news looming around — such as the Locksley incident, Lambert’s display and the Fort Hood/Orlando shootings — many talk about what preventative measures could have been taken. Each of these acts was an accumulation of behaviors and thoughts that led to the action. Looking back, we now know what we could have done, but, alas, it’s too late and the past cannot be undone.
What is more disturbing to me than any of these events is the blatant display and support of groups affiliated with pornography. This is another most serious and, now, open obsession such as hate, anger and greed.
A church leader, named Elder Richard G. Scott, said the following on pornography, “Satan has become a master at using the addictive power of pornography to limit individual capacity to be led by the spirit. The onslaught of pornography in all of its vicious, corroding, destructive forms has caused great grief, suffering, heartache and destroyed marriages. It is one of the most damning influences on earth. Whether it be through the printed page, movies, television, obscene lyrics, vulgarities on the telephone or flickering personal computer screen, pornography is overpoweringly addictive and severely damaging. This potent tool of Lucifer degrades the mind and the heart and the soul of any who use it. All who are caught in its seductive, tantalizing web and remain so will become addicted to its immoral, destructive influence. For many, that addiction cannot be overcome without help. The tragic pattern is so familiar. It begins with curiosity that is fueled by its stimulation and is justified by the false premise that when done privately, it does no harm to anyone else. For those lulled by this lie, the experimentation goes deeper, with more powerful stimulations, until the trap closes and a terribly immoral, addictive habit exercises its vicious control.”
He continues, “Participation in pornography in any of its lurid forms is a manifestation of unbridled selfishness. How can a man (or woman) … not think of the emotional and spiritual damage caused to other human beings, especially his wife, by such abhorrent activity?”
I agree wholeheartedly with Elder Scott. Why is an article about pornography on the front page, let alone any page of any newspaper, especially our Daily Lobo? If there can be a stop to any displays of pornography in any of its forms, then there can be help to those problems that otherwise will generate disasters. Those who don’t support these statements are in support of pornography and all of its consequences. We can do something to prevent disaster. Please do not think or accept for a moment that porn in any sense or form is “fun and lighthearted.”
Hunter Esmiol
UNM student
