> Recently my wife Diane and I were discussing the problem of pornography.
> We both vividly could remember our first encounter with porn. The issue of
> porn was raised tonight again because of the blatantly unholy depictions
> of incest and anti-Christian imagery in the TNT film, The Mists of Avalon.
> We both feel that this film sends a disgusting and unacceptable message to
> children and adults.

> As a boy about of 8 or 9 years old I had a neighbor friend who had a
> father who subscribed to Playboy. Both of this kid’s parents worked during
> the day and so we had a free run of their home, including his fathers
> magazines. This was in the early sixties and what you saw in Playboy back
> then you can easily see on network TV today. But the impact of those
> images was profound on me as a young boy.

> Diane too remembers her first encounter with pornographic images. It took
> place at a home where she was a babysitter. She too remembers the profound
> impact it had on her young, curious mind.

> Well, over 30 years later folks all over the country are connecting to the
> Internet and watching cable films like The Mists of Avalon. It is well
> documented that the core of most addiction problems start during a
> person's childhood. This is why it is so incredibly important for people
> to filter their Internet access and television viewing. But even beyond
> that, it is important to be very careful where they allow their kids to
> hang out. Many researchers believe that for some men pornography is even
> more addictive than narcotics. And its implications for the family are
> frightening - wife abuse, child abuse, incest, infectious diseases,
> divorce, etc.

> I read a story written by a minister who became addicted to pornography.
> It started very innocently. He had purchased a new home and while they
> were moving in he discovered a hardcore pornographic magazine left behind
> by the previous owner. Out of curiosity he looked through it. He was never
> the same.

> He ultimately fell headfirst into pornography, then started visiting adult
> establishments, then got involved with prostitutes, all of which led to
> him becoming suicidal. Finally after a total breakdown and loss of his
> ministry, and near loss of his wife, he got into counseling and turned his
> life around. But it all started with one magazine.

> The pastor I mentioned above now is involved in ministry to those who have
> sexual addictions. He lists these eight steps to take for those who get
> caught up in pornography.

> 1. Repent - admit you have a problem - ask God for forgiveness.
2.
> Change your environment - eliminate the avenues that allow you access to
> pornography
3. Discover God’s love - no matter how bad you have messed
> up God still loves you and wants to see you turn it around.
4. Develop
> Godly relationships - folks that will hold you accountable
5. Begin to
> think long term. Don’t dwell on past failures. Develop a plan for your
> life from now on.
6. Discover servanthood. Most sin is rooted in
> selfishness. Learn to serve others.
7. Expect total deliverance - With
> God all things are possible!
8. Take up the fight. Pour your energies
> into fighting pornography instead of falling to pornography.

> King David wrote in Psalm 40:

> "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.
> He lifted me out to of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; and set my
> feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand, He put a new song in my
> mouth, and a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put
> their trust in the Lord!"

> Diane and I urge you to resist The Mists of Avalon. We very well could be
> saving many folks the heartache that can come with exposure to
> pornographic images. Can we stop all of the garbage accessible to people
> in today’s world - no. But we can help people protect themselves from the
> onslaught.

> Ken Moody
moodykhedge@west.alltel.net

I would like to respectfully respond to your view that "Mists of Avalon" is pornography. I understand your point that younger children should not watch this because scenes like that can disturb them at a young age. However, I believe that after a certain age, say 13 or 14, or whenever their parents think they are ready, this movie can be a very enriching experience. The whole objective of the movie is not to promote porn, it is to tell a beautiful story about the Arthurian legend. Of course it is innappropriate for children to see sexual scenes at young ages, but after they mature into their later teen years, they should know that sex is not sinful or something they should be ashamed of. I do not believe, if it is approached in a mature way, that "Mists" will urge people to fall into pornography. If they do, it is probably because they were already facing emotional problems; seeing one movie with one or two sexual scenes does not make them addicted to porn.

In addition, I would like to respond to the comments you made about the religious aspects. I believe Christianity is a wonderful religion, and it is a great choice to make. However, and correct me if I'm wrong, you seem to feel that pagans are bad or heathen because they have sex, and compared pagans and/or sex to slimy mire. I'm sure countless people share my wishes that you could respect other religions' views on sexual relations and beliefs, as we do to yours. Thank you for taking the time to read this.