Playboy's 50 Year Message to America

[Seeker of Truth]

"Playboy's 50-year Message to America"

Posted by Ann Thompson
Monday, June 02, 2003

Playboy Magazine will mark its 50th year in publishing in December, so we can probably expect a slew of articles about the effect of Hugh Hefner's ''girlie'' magazine. But here's an early article by James L. Lambert written for AgapePress's website, and it isn't titilating reading at all. See for yourself.

(AgapePress) - Several years ago I was surprised to receive a letter in the mail from Hugh Hefner. The letter was addressed to a Chicago politician by the name of Burton Natarus whom I had written when the Chicago City Hall was considering honoring the founder of Playboy Enterprises by naming a street after him.

Hefner responded to my earlier letter to Alderman Natarus in which I directly quoted several former employees of Playboy Enterprises who provided sworn testimony before the federal commission on pornography in 1986. One of these former employees, Brenda McKillop -- who Hefner refers to as a "born-again basket case" -- remembered last week an incident more than 20 years ago when she and other Christians confronted a male spokesman for Playboy, telling him that "Playboy magazine was corrupting the morals of America." His wry response was "we certainly hope so," which was recorded by a Chicago television station.

This December, Playboy will mark its 50th anniversary in publication. During this time, Hefner's magazine has made strong inroads into America's culture. As Hefner stated in an April 2000 letter, "my role in changing social-sexual values in America ... is something in which I take considerable pride."

While author and researcher Dr. Judith Reisman agrees that today's social-sexual values sadly reflects "Hef's world," she adds "it's also a world where [infection rates of] every kind of STD [sexually transmitted disease] and venereal disease are at startling high levels, where little boys and girls have sex before adolescence doing it in ways Hefner has taught" America.

Reisman continues, saying that the magazine's philosophy emulates the narcissistic belief that personal sexual satisfaction is of premiere importance and "it doesn't matter who you hurt along the way." Hefner, she says, has "defined deviancy down."

"What non-consumers [of the magazine] do not know--and many Playboy consumers overlook--is that Playboy has always been much more than a 'girlie' or 'men's' magazine," she asserts. "[Playboy] has been a bully pulpit for a worldview that judges men according to their tally of sexual conquests."


More @ chronwatch.com (http://www.chronwatch.com/featured/contentDisplay.asp?aid=2926)

[DoctorDoom]

[ QUOTE ]
... Playboy magazine has long made a mockery of traditional Christianity and even Jesus himself. Much of those insults have appeared in the magazine's columns and cartoon sections. Hefner's editorial oversight has sought to ridicule the Bible and long-held, faith-based moral guidelines for living, especially those relating to sexual fidelity.

[/ QUOTE ]
The senile old pervert is now 77+ years old. It won't be a whole lot longer before he'll assume room temperature and discover that He whom he mocked was NOT amused.

Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Where Hugh's headed, there ain't no bunnies.

[freedom-man]

playboy helps me to see what women looks like

[pja]

[ QUOTE ]
freedom-man said:
playboy helps me to see what women looks like

[/ QUOTE ]

I hate to break this to you, kiddo, but the real world where the real women are isn't airbrushed for your pleasure. So, don't be too upset when you see the real thing and it ain't at all like the pics in the smut mags.

Pat (aka pja)

[freedom-man]

pja they are mostly nude models(playmates) and they are not like the smutty ones that have sex with every man they see in front of camera. and they take care of their bodies and they shave unlike the man hating feminazi butches that want to act like men

[DaiKaijuGojira]

It is a commie rag with 6 pages of T & A.

[freedom-man]

since when playboy promote communism?

[nosferatuscoffin]

[ QUOTE ]
DoctorDoom said:
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.


[/ QUOTE ]

That is the most mis-quoted piece of Scripture you will find. It's reference is about giving to God, through tithes and offerings, and recognizing His ownership of all of your world goods and possessions, as the preceding verses make perfectly clear. It has been mis-used and mangled over the years by fire and brimstone preachers to beat their congregations over the head about sin, when it has absolutely nothing to do with sin.

Sowing to the flesh in this context is a reference to holding onto your possessions and not recognizing God's ownership, NOT sowing sexually or otherwise.

[DoctorDoom]

Lord, help me! http://freeconservatives.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

Here's the verse <font size="4"><u>in context</u></font>, 17 verses BEFORE and to the end of the book afterward, which you failed to provide (with good reason):

Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
12 As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Now, would you care to explain to us how you arrived at that utterly bizarre interpretation? In fact, I challenge you to find a word in Paul's entire letter to the Galatians about what you claim those verses are saying <font size="4"><u>"in context"</u></font>.

What was Paul's reason for writing the letter? Let him answer that question.

Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Obviously, his concern was with false teachings in the church, NOT tithes and offerings.

[nosferatuscoffin]

I know Galatians probably better than any other book in the Bible, Old or New Testaments. What we have here is one of many problems the King James has with translating the original Greek that Paul wrote to English.

The key to the "sowing to the flesh" verse is the mis-translation of the word "comminicate" in the 5th verse"

6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

Communincate is poor choice of word to use in this context, for the original Greek literally translates "share materially" with the one who taught him the Word. Various translations apply a different translation to that verse, and in some cases, it can alter the meaning radically.

Some examples that more properly translate the Greek:

World English Bible
6:6 But let him who is taught in the word share all good things with him who teaches

Bible in Basic English
6:6 But let him who gets teaching in the word give a part in all good things to his teacher.

Douay Rheims
6:6 And let him that is instructed in the word, communicate to him that instructeth him, in all good things.

That last one, while very much like the King James version, gets the grammar and punctuation right, by using the comma before "all good things". A lot of people misinterpret the "all good things" to what the teacher is teaching, when it actually mean to share those good things with the teacher. Things mean just that, material things. Money or any other type of compensation to the one who taught him the Word. This is a faith action, one that recognizes God's ownership over you. Which is why the following verse (King James Translation):

6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

applies to sowing to those 'good things', instead of to teacher of the Word. The context of the previous verse makes that clear.

The following translation gets it a little better:

Bible in Basic English
6:7 Be not tricked; God is not made sport of: for whatever seed a man puts in, that will he get back as grain.

Again, meaning you get what you give, in this context. You sow to the flesh and put all of your possessions on it, you will go down with your flesh. You sow to the spirit, God rewards you with life eternal.

A good link for the various translations is here. (http://www.greeknewtestament.com/B48C006.htm)

[DoctorDoom]

From Matthew Henry's commentary:

"Verses 6-11. Many excuse themselves from the work of religion, though they may make a show, and profess it. They may impose upon others, yet they deceive themselves if they think to impose upon God, who knows their hearts as well as actions; and as he cannot be deceived, so he will not be mocked. Our present time is seed time; in the other world we shall reap as we sow now. As there are two sorts of sowing, one to the flesh, and the other to the Spirit, so will the reckoning be hereafter. Those who live a carnal, sensual life, must expect no other fruit from such a course than misery and ruin. But those who, under the guidance and influences of the Holy Spirit, live a life of faith in Christ, and abound in Christian graces, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. We are all very apt to tire in duty, particularly in doing good. This we should carefully watch and guard against. Only to perseverance in well-doing is the reward promised. Here is an exhortation to all to do good in their places. We should take care to do good in our life-time, and make this the business of our lives. Especially when fresh occasions offer, and as far as our power reaches."

There's not a syllable about tithes, offerings, and God's ownership of worldly goods.

From Harper's Bible Commentary, Harper &amp; Rowe, © 1988:

"In 6:7, Paul quotes a familiar proverb: Whatever one sows, one will also reap." This saying is found in Greek and Jewish writings, Verses 6-11, but Paul gives it meaning in the context of his larger argument. To sow to the flesh means to do the works of the flesh (5:19-21); to reap corruption means to effect destruction and death (see Romans 6:23, 8:13). To sow to the Spirit means to produce the fruit of the Spirit (5:22-23); to reap eternal life means to assure participation in the coming kingdom of God (5:21). This cause and effect relationship should encourage people not to grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time the outcome will be realized."

There's not a syllable about tithes, offerings, and God's ownership of worldly goods.

[ QUOTE ]
Now as we move on to verses 7 and 8, the apostle gives us another very important principle which is related to the admonition of verse 6. It is the reason why we ought to be faithful to the admonition of verse 6. That principle is this: whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap. If we do not share with our teacher the good things that God has given to us, we will reap accordingly. If we do share with our teacher, on the other hand, we shall also reap accordingly. We shall be blessed. But this principle does not apply only to the admonition of verse 6. The apostle Paul, although he may have had verse 6 in mind first of all and foremost, sets down for us here a principle that is so broad that it deals with all of life. For instance, it deals with the truths with which the apostle deals before verse 6. He says as it were to us, if we are not faithful to restore our sinful brother, we will reap the consequences of that unfaithfulness. If we do not bear one another's burdens, then that will come back upon us. If we are high-minded and conceited, then we will get just what we give. This is God's rule. This is a principle which God has set down. What a man sows, that is what he reaps. That's quite a sobering thought, a very important principle, something that we ought to take note of as we live our lives. This is a role which we cannot set aside. This is not something that can be thwarted. This rule abides as surely as the God of heaven abides. Therefore we better be careful what we do. We better be careful what we sow because what we sow, we will reap.

[/ QUOTE ]
Galatians 6:7-8, Reaping What We Sow (http://www.prca.org/sermons/galatians6.7-8.html)

This is vaguely similiar to what you said, but with verse 6 it fits into the greater context of the letter. It is not parenthetical, nor does it constitute an injected independent thought in the letter.

[ QUOTE ]
Reaping What You Sow (6:7-8)

The responsibilities listed so far present two opposite ways of life: the way of the Spirit and the way of the sinful nature. The absolute contrast between these alternatives has been developed throughout Paul's ethical appeal. Now it is the hour of decision. Now his readers must consider very carefully the consequences of choosing one way or the other. They cannot drift; they cannot remain neutral; they must decide whether they are going to walk by the Spirit or gratify the desires of their sinful nature. Since each individual must decide for himself or herself which way to live, Paul puts his challenge in a singular form.

Paul introduces his call for decision with a solemn warning based on an agricultural principle: Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows (v. 7). When people think and act as if they will not reap what they have sown, or as if they will reap something different from what they have sown, they are deceiving themselves and mocking God. But since the inexorable law of reaping what is sown has always been proved true, the proverbial statement of warning God cannot be mocked is also true: no one can mock God and get away with it.

Yet there is a common tendency to think that there is one exception to this universal principle: "Though it proves true for everyone else, it is not true for me. I will not have to reap a harvest from the seeds I sow. I can sow whatever seed I want and still expect a good harvest." This common line of thought only proves the words of the prophet Jeremiah, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure" (Jer 17:9). Our capacity for self-deception is frightening. It is amazing how blind otherwise brilliant people can be to their own spiritual direction in life. In fact, the more brilliant people are, the more skilled they are at developing rationalizations to deceive themselves and to hide from God. The story of Adam and Eve's hiding from God behind their skimpy clothes and even skimpier excuses is our common human experience. Paul's warning needs to be heard, and to be heard often, to warn us against our most brilliant self-delusions.

Paul then applies the agricultural principle of reaping what is sown: The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life (v. 8). Here we are faced with a decision, a decision that determines our destiny. We are not victims of fate, bad luck or even predestination. Our destiny is determined by our decision: shall we sow to the sinful nature or to the Spirit? The old proverb is true: "Sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny."

Those who are sowing to please the sinful nature are destroying relationships with others: they are biting, devouring, provoking and envying others (5:15, 26). In their arrogance they are seeking to pressure everyone to conform to the same ethnic customs and traditions. Churches are being torn apart and destroyed by ethnic rivalries and social competition. Sowing to please the sinful nature will always result in a harvest of destruction, a destruction of relationships with others and with God.

Sowing to please the Spirit means "serving one another in love" (5:13), restoring one who has been caught in sin (6:1), carrying the burdens of others (6:2), giving generously to those who teach in the church (6:6) and doing good to all (6:9). Sometimes sowing to the Spirit has been defined in terms of private, personal holiness, as if it were something done in a closet by oneself. But sowing to the Spirit in the context of Paul's teaching here involves building love relationships with others. Sowing to the Spirit cannot be done in isolation or separation from others. Carrying the burdens of others requires in-depth participation in their pain and sorrow. As we see in verse 9, sowing to the Spirit means doing good to others. If sowing to the sinful nature means selfish indulgence, then sowing to the Spirit means selfless service. The harvest of sowing to the Spirit is eternal life. The meaning of eternal life must be understood within the "already-not yet" structure of Paul's thought in this letter. From Paul's perspective, Christians have already been delivered from the present evil age (1:4) and are already in the new creation (6:15). But the battle between the Spirit and the sinful nature is not yet over (5:17). In Christ we already have new relationships with God and with one another: we now relate not as slaves but as children who call God Father (4:6-7); and we relate to one another not as people divided by racial, social and gender barriers but as people united in Christ (3:28). But since the battle between the Spirit and the sinful nature continues, we do not yet experience total harmony in these relationships. Those who continue to grow in these relationships by the power of the Spirit will ultimately experience the fullness of eternal life--perfect harmony in relationship with God and others.

[/ QUOTE ]
IVP New Testament Commentaries :: Gal 6 (http://bible.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/webcommentary?language=english&amp;version=niv&amp;book=ga l&amp;chapter=6)

Again there is an in-passing mention of "giving generously to those who teach in the church (6:6)", but verses 6-8 must be considered in the greater context, and not isolated so as to warp their meaning.

A referenced verse in some commentaries:

2 Cor 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

That verse in context:

2 Cor 9:5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up before hand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

In this case Paul is writing specifically of bounties and giving. It is totally unlike Galatians:

Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

It may be assumed that verse 7 refers to verse 6, although there is no textual proof of it. One verse following another does not mandate that it continues the thought. If fact, the majority of the commentaries that I found treated 7 and 8 as a new thought, not as a continuation of 6, e.g., "Reaping what you sow" above. That page treated verse 6 separately under the heading, "Supporting Teachers of the Word (6:6)".

However, it is certain that verse 8 refers to verse 7, beginning as it does with "For..." Verse 8 continues the thought of verse 7 and expands upon the old proverb quoted in verse 7. It is far deeper in its impact than tithes and offerings.


You can say, "It's reference is about giving to God, through tithes and offerings, and recognizing His ownership of all of your world goods and possessions, as the preceding verses make perfectly clear... Sowing to the flesh in this context is a reference to holding onto your possessions and not recognizing God's ownership, NOT sowing sexually or otherwise." However, you're building an argument on a flimsy foundation, basing verse 7 solely on verse 6, making it say what it does not, and ignoring the focus of verse 8 and the rest of the letter.

[ QUOTE ]
I know Galatians probably better than any other book in the Bible, Old or New Testaments.

[/ QUOTE ]
Continue studying.

BTW, even assuming your narrow POV, can you say that it does not apply to the hell-bound heathen, Hugh Hefner?


[/ QUOTE ]
It's about time to move this to the RC&amp;E forum.

[nosferatuscoffin]

I have heard all of this James' treatment of Galatians many times over. The same goes for the treatment that they gave all of Paul's letters. Those clowns were the progeniters of the modern Dem party, when practiced.

Tell you what. This weekend, I will give you a chapter by chapter treatment of that letter in the Bible thread. If you are game.

BTW. Do not give me and the other members here reams of other people's links and commentaries that stretch 5 scrolls down a page. It does not impress me.

I like and respect you. But you do not ALWAYS have to be right.

[DoctorDoom]

[ QUOTE ]
BTW. Do not give me and the other members here reams of other people's links and commentaries that stretch 5 scrolls down a page. It does not impress me.

[/ QUOTE ]
Freely translated, I must not back up my position with documentation and analyses by men of God who are more learned by far than either of us, and must offer nothing but opinion. Sorry, guy, it doesn't work that way.

Might that restriction be because there are no commentaries that support YOUR interpretation? If there are, please do link to them.

[nosferatuscoffin]

Shall do so. It is kind if easy when you have the native language of the author in your favor.

I will start the chapter/verse rundown tomorrow. While Galatians is a fairly short letter, I am too damn tired to go through it now. 6 hours sleep in the last 48.

Thanks for the challenge. It is much appreciated, and shall be interesting.