If porn is OK, what’s wrong with watching it in the House of Commons?

After an MP was accused of watching porn on his phone in parliament there have been calls for disciplinary measures, with some describing it as a “sackable offence”. Listening to the news over the last few days, the majority view is that the act was wrong… but few can explain why.

What secular sin has actually been committed here? Is the problem that he used his phone during work or in the chamber? The answer would seem to be no. There is a great picture of dozens of MPs on their phones apparently live tweeting a particularly riveting budget statement. Previously, an MP has been caught playing Candy Crush on his mobile, with no seeming repercussions, so it doesn’t matter that the use wasn’t work related.

The risk in a post-Christendom world is that people cling to the God story without the God of that story

So the issue must be what was being looked at - porn. But, porn is legal and widely accepted in our culture. Research by Ofcom found that half of all adults in the UK had watched porn during the pandemic. Close to 80 percent of 16-17 year olds have viewed pornography online. In an article for BBC’s Newsbeat, Hannah Witton, a sex and relationships YouTuber said that despite the increase in numbers viewing it, there was “still a way to go in removing the stigma of watching porn for everyone”. The idea is clear: porn is a morally neutral activity that should not be seen as shameful.

We know very little about the MP concerned, other than that he is male. Would it matter if he was married? Apparently not. Matt Hancock got into trouble when caught kissing a colleague at work, but he resigned for breaking his own Covid rules, not for cheating on his wife. If we don’t care that someone is having an affair, we can hardly care that they are watching porn. 

Perhaps the issue is that two female MPs saw the incident. Would it matter if they were harmed or upset by seeing it? Would it matter if the porn was consensual? Would it have been different if the MP was female? Perhaps the concern is because this was a public space. Is it OK for an MP to view pornography in their office or at home?

A secular view

To be clear, I think pornography is a huge problem. It dehumanises others who are made in the image of God and undermines healthy relationships. God designed sex, an incredible act of worship, in which a man and a women become one flesh. Porn turns sex into a de-personalised, consumerist act. It paints an unrealistic picture of sexual intimacy and often involves degrading acts with vulnerable, trafficked or abused individuals. It is wrong on so many levels.

But I am not sure what our secular culture has to say about it. Politicians have recently debated the Online Harms Bill which would require pornography websites to verify their users’ ages. There is no question of banning pornography, just deciding at what age people can access it.

Earlier this week, Tim Farron wrote about the prolific use of Bible references and Christian language in the debate over whether Boris Johnston should be investigated for lying. He cited historian Tom Holland, who has noted in his book Dominion: How the Christian revolution remade the world (Basic books) that: “to live in a Western country is to live in a society that is still utterly saturated by Christian concepts and assumptions.”

The fruit without the root

When it comes to the God story, our society tends to pick the fruit of the tree while taking an axe to the base of the trunk. Equality, dignity and human rights, which come from our Christian history, are happily enjoyed, while faith is often marginalised. We continue to have this strange relationship with the Christian story that has so shaped our culture.

The secular narrative goes something like this - in a world without the need for God, we become the centre of the universe. Freud tells us that we are primarily sexual beings; that our sexuality defines us. Sexual fulfilment is therefore seen as key to human flourishing. Freedom to express our desires is then a basic human right. The only remaining sexual ethic is consent. So assuming the porn itself, or any sexual act, is consensual - what is the problem?

Equality, dignity and human rights, which come from our Christian history, are happily enjoyed, while faith is often marginalised

When it comes to debating abortion on demand, lots of politicians say: “No problem!” Assisted dying: “Lets discuss it.” Having an affair: “That’s a private matter.” But watching porn in the chamber? Apparently that’s the sackable offence.

The risk in a post-Christendom world is that people cling to the God story without the God of that story. We need a personal encounter with Jesus and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, otherwise we are left with a world of secular sin and cancel culture with no hope of grace, mercy and forgiveness.

Porn is deeply problematic, dehumanising and commodifying another divine image bearer. But I am not clear why our secular culture is so exercised in this moment. I’m glad people are - and I think it opens up a very interesting conversation as to why. If we all know porn is wrong and harmful, let’s talk about that. And do something about it.