Playboys are carefree and give the impression that they have total confidence that they have everything under control. But things are not as they seem. Should we all relax in the comfort that the "liberated" know what they are doing? Is ignorance really bliss or is it dangerous and destructive? Among the things most playboys don't want to know are:

1. That VD is no longer epidemic, it is pandemic! That means it is out of control. Daily bad news is reported. In recent days the following information has emanated from the media. "Bacteria that causes gonorrhea are quickly developing resistance to another antibiotic, and the world may be running out of drugs to cure this common venereal disease" (Messenger-Inquirer, 7/30/87). "More than one in 10 Americans surveyed said they have personally known someone who has tested positive for A IDS virus, contracted AIDS, or died of the disease" (M&I, 7/30/87). "The chances of herpes sufferers contracting AIDS are triple the chances of those without herpes" (M&I, 7/30/87). These reports are from three different articles from the Associated Press.

Less than three decades ago only two such diseases were prominent. The number is now near 40. Solomon warned of the consequences that often follow fornication. "And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed" (Prov. 5:11). David evidently referred to a sexually transmitted disease. "There is no soundness in my flesh . . . neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. . . My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness. I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh" (Psa. 38:7-9).

Surgeon General C. Everett Koop has said: "When you have sex with someone, you must realize that, from the standpoint of disease, you are having sex with everyone that person has had sex with for the last 10 years, along with all the partners that those partners have had."

2. That lust is the enemy of love. True love puts the welfare of others first. Lust puts selfish interests first and others last. The playboy who keeps score of sexual conquests is not doing anyone a favor when the rampage of VD with its crippling and killing abilities is considered. Through suave and shrewd means of persuasion he ruins one's spiritual and moral standing before God. His high-mindedness harms himself and others. He is a loser. Young lady, "Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals" (1 Cor. 15:33). Don't be tricked into thinking that lust is love. True love is a commitment. That commitment is called marriage.

3. That pornography encourages sex crimes. Playboys don't want to know that forcible rape increased 57 percent during the ten year period of 1965-1975.

"The city of Austin, Texas instituted an intensive study of adult entertainment and its effects upon the community. The results indicate a substantial increase in crime, particularly sex-related crimes in the area where adult bookstore are located. Sex-related crimes in the areas where there are no bookstores range from 65 to 88 percent below the city crime average. In contrast, sex-related crimes in the areas where the adult bookstores are located are substantially higher than the city-wide average, ranging from 117 percent to 482 percent higher" (Pulse, 10/86).

With the increase of pornography has also come an increase in the stealing of children who are later used for porno purposes. Over 50,000 children are known to have been so used since 1983.

If what one reads does not influence his thinking then why is the advertising industry one of the largest industries in every nation? The answer is obvious. They know people are influenced by what they see. That's why most successful businesses are the ones that advertise. It is not a matter of whether pornography influences. The question is, does it influence for good or evil? Does it motivate the exalting of women or the raping of women? Why does a brewery repeatedly spend millions of dollars for a one minute TV commercial during the Super Bowl? It has been proven that such encourages drinking. Playboys don't want to admit the obvious. Nor do they want to admit that organized crime is the major investor and supplier of smut.

4. That pornography contributes to the decay and downfall of nations. The breakdown of the home through divorce was the number one reason for the downfall of the Roman Empire, according to Edward Gibbon, author of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (in five volumes). Men are not encouraged to be more faithful husbands by viewing pornography. Porno entices one to experiment beyond the bounds of a lawful marriage and outside of marriage. A high percentage of homes break up because a third party becomes involved. Since the home is the very foundation of society, destroying it causes the nation to crumble - just as destroying the foundation of a building will cause it to fall.

Conclusion

Those who follow the Playboy philosophy live as though there is nothing but a physical realm, ignoring that there is a moral/spiritual realm. This philosophy treats women as things - as mere objects, not as people. Nothing is farther from the truth than the idea that women like to be exploited, used, and abused. And nothing is as clear a violation of the Golden Rule than the Playboy philosophy.

Fornication is a sin against God. Joseph said, "How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" (Gen. 39:9) It is a sin against self. "He who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body" (1 Cor. 6:18).

God has called us all to a higher and nobler purpose than the animal world. He has placed sex in the boundaries of marriage where it is lawful, right, good and wholesome. Therefore, "Flee fornication" (1 Cor. 6:18).

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 21, pp. 647-648
November 5, 1987