"Magic Mike" is one of the latest movies to come out that glorifies the sex industry. It follows a plethora of movies over the years (e.g. "Pretty Woman", "StripTease" and "Showgirls" ), that have discipled us into thinking that the sex industry is good fun and no one really gets hurt. This time, the movie is about "a male stripper who teaches a younger performer how to party, pick up women, and make easy money." (www.imdb.com)
"Porn is gaining a stranglehold on mainstream American [and all western] culture. One reason is the false message that porn viewing is harmless and socially acceptable for the sexually frustrated. One reason it is not harmless is the number of casual porn viewers who end up sexually addicted. The term sexual addiction is only 25 years old. But it describes the very real problem of extreme sexual behaviour that is destructive to self and others. In his research, John Kennedy found that experts believe tens of millions of people are addicted to sex." (www.christianitytoday.com)
One of the sad things about these types of movies is that the viewers are going to leave the cinema happy because it has a good ending. But does it really? Sure the guy gets the girl, but what about the others still caught up the in the sex industry and drug lifestyle. What about realising the bad choices he made? What about the woman and men who go to the strip clubs? What about all the people who try to leave this industry but can't because they are enslaved to people, bills, drugs and fame? What about the men and women who are addicted to watching these "performers."? They are all still stuck in bondage. There is no happy ending for these people.
Why should I not go to this movie or similar ones?
1. It desensitises our conscious if we are exposed to them enough times and we begin to think that certain things are okay. A movie like "Magic Mike" tells us that it is okay to watch people take off their clothes and cheer them on because there is no harm in that. They encourage us to have a peek, take a look at something that isn't ours. The Bible is very clear about this "I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Matthew 5:28. We need to be reminded that when we look at someone with eyes of lust, it is a sin.
2. Movies say sex is just physical act, we all need to do it, have as many partners as you want, it is just sex after all. God created sex to be enjoyed by a husband and wife? Movies like this encourage us to believe that it is normal to have many partners at once, to be promiscuous and adulterous.
3. It downplays the consequences of the sex industry and therefore could encourage young people to get involve to make "quick and easy money" or to become famous.
Recently I read a book called Living on the Devil's Doorstep by Floyd McClung and one of the stories is about a prostitute named Else who lives in Amsterdam. She tells them that she is not like the other girls who do drugs and drink, she just likes living the high life and believes that she can leave at any time. The sad part of the story is that ran into Else two years later and found her "pale and haggard. Her face bore the unmistakable traces of heavy drug use." (p.179)
She like many other men and women think they have a hold on this type of lifestyle, but in reality it is like a Pandora's Box. Once they open themselves to the numbing effect of stripping, drugs, drinking and prostitution can easily follow suit. We should not encourage people to try this self-destructing lifestyle.
I am not proposing that we shouldn't go the movies. What I am saying is that we need to be careful of what we watch because the fact is that some movies and TV shows are discipling us away from God and come against everything He stands for. If you are someone who struggles with porn and/or a sexual addiction there is help! Please seek it out. There are many ministries out there that can help. Let's make a stand for what is good and right. Let's value the individual and know that God calls each stripper, each prostitute, each person who is addicted to porn by name.
To see the breakdown of what is really in your movie before you watch it check out www.pluggedin.ca.
Genevieve Wilson is married with two children who served with YWAM for eight years in Brisbane and now serving in mission in Canada as a modern day abolitionist.
Genevieve Wilson's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/genevieve-wilson.html