IS PEDOPHILIA THE NEW NORMAL?
A CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO BILL 145, TROLL AND LOL DOLLS, AND THE NEW MOVIE “CUTIES”
Key Facts
In California, Senate Bill 145 was approved by the governor which “would remove automatic sex-offender registration for young adults who are convicted of having anal or oral sex with a minor, leaving the decision up to a judge.” [1]
A Trolls doll was pulled from shelves by Hasbro after social media uproar claiming it had a button between the legs to make inappropriate noises including a “gasping sound.” [2]
LOL dolls have been the subject of controversy after a parent posted a video of her dipping the dolls in ice water. Markings that look like lingerie appear on many of the dolls. [3]
Many have claimed the new Netflix movie Cuties contains soft-core child pornography. Due to this, many people have deleted their Netflix accounts and encouraged others to do the same. This concern has been so widespread that #cancelnetflix was the number one trending hashtag on Twitter. Netflix responded stating “Cuties is a social commentary against the sexualization of young children. It’s an award-winning film and a powerful story about the pressure young girls face on social media and from society more generally growing up – and we’d encourage anyone who cares about these important issues to watch the movie.” [4]
Key Scriptures
Mark 9:42 ““Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.”
Romans 16:17-19 “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.”
1 Corinthians 5:1-2 “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.”
Ephesians 5:11-12 “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.”
Want to Know More?
Application
It seems like every time I open social media or turn on the news, there’s another statement about how the culture is normalizing pedophilia. From Hollywood to children’s dolls to California state senators, there have been accusations of those trying to sexualize our youth and remove the punishments for those who rape or molest them. Is there any truth to these claims? Is culture really trying to normalize and legalize pedophilia?
What is at stake?
Normalization of pedophilia is a high stakes issue that must be addressed carefully. In addition to the obvious concerns of pedophilia, even children who aren’t physically abused may experience sexualization. The general sexualization of children has far-reaching effects on their health. “The APA task force found research linking the sexualization of girls with three of the most common mental health problems of girls and women: eating disorders, low self-esteem and depression.” [5] There are so many contemporary issues in the culture relating to this problem that we could not address them all, but these issues are a test case for the culture at large.
What has happened recently?
First, we will address the California Bill (SB 145). Many people have expressed concerns about this bill being a way to push pedophilia and lighten sentences for those who commit the act. While I sympathize with these concerns, an initial evaluation does not reveal that this law is part of a grander scheme to normalize or legalize pedophilia. This bill functions to give those convicted of certain sexual acts with a minor (particularly homosexual acts) the same punishment as is currently in place for those who have had vaginal intercoure with a minor. In this way, the new law brings homosexual acts with a minor into line with the punishments for heterosexual acts with a minor. The motivations of lawmakers passing of this bill seems to relate more to LGBTQ+ discrimination rather than normalizing pedophilia.
That being said, Christians may seek to amend or repeal the bill and others relating to the lightening of sentences for sexual offenders for a number of reasons. First, Christians know the importance of protecting their family and, if misused, this bill could allow more sexual offenders on the street without warning (1 Tim. 5:8). Second, Christians should seek justice in all cases and many feel that the allowance of judges to use their own discernment may result in softer punishments and thus a lack of justice (Mic. 6:8). Third, the bill does not address the underlying issue of the allowed 10-year age gap under California law where a 24 and 14-year-old could engage in sexual intercourse without the adult automatically being registered as a sex-offender. Because of this, the bill expands the scope of sexual encounters with minors without an automatic sex offense registration. There are many additional reasons Christians may seek to revise (e.g. minimizing the age gap) or overturn the bill completely. However, with what we know about the bill currently, it does not seem to be motivated by an attempt at ‘normalizing pedophilia.’
Second, the Trolls and LOL dolls have become embroiled in a heated controversy as parents are finding inappropriate products in the hands of their children. If you watch the videos depicting these dolls, it is clear that their dress and behavior, at the minimum, borders on sexual. Psychologists have long recognized the connection between a child’s doll and the child’s reflection of him or herself. [6] Dolls are analyzed as well as used in therapy often as they help to discover the subconscious thoughts and feelings of children. [7] Because of this strong connection between a child and their dolls, the need for appropriately behaved and dressed dolls cannot be understated. We can only speculate as to the motivations of the toymakers as they have vehemently denied having bad intentions. However, regardless of their motivations, these toys may affect a child’s self-image as well as normalize certain inappropriate behaviors and dress.
Third, the movie Cuties has been a catalyst for many Americans to cancel their Netflix streaming account. The movie depicts incredibly sexual and inappropriate dances done by eleven year old girls. Netflix stands behind this film as a social commentary on the problem of the sexualization of children. However, by creating this film, they themselves have succumbed to the very thing they are criticizing. [8] Again, it is difficult to examine the exact goals and motives of the individuals involved. This is something only God can know fully (Prov. 21:2). Even as we consider intentions, the goals of the producer and of Netflix do not change the results, which, in this case, are the production of extremely disturbing soft-core child pornography.
What does the Bible say?
Since issues of pedophilia and the sexualization of children are clear in our culture, what does the Bible have to say about this?
First, we should expect our culture to be desperately wicked and not underestimate the evil of humanity. This does not mean Christians are to be apathetic, but rather that they should be aware of the depths wickedness in this world (Eph. 6:12). The hearts of mankind are in desperate need of God, each one is in bondage to producing evil without Him (Matt. 15:19).
Second, Christians should recognize that these issues of child sexualization and even pedophilia are a symptom of a greater problem. Our Western culture has a problem with their understanding of sex and its connection to people’s value. People are not sex objects. They are bearers of the image of God (Gen. 1:27). Sex is a sacred, honorable act that should only take place between a husband and wife (Heb. 13:4). The culture’s fundamental misapplication of sex for pleasure and gratification alone affects all people in a society, including the children. In this way, people (yes, even children) can be seen as sexual objects and valued on the basis of their sexual desirability.
Third, regardless of the bigger picture of society's faults, we are called to protect the vulnerable and speak out against those who harm them (Prov. 31:8-9). While there is a larger issue at play (infatuation with and fundamental misunderstanding of sex), it doesn’t mean we ignore the symptoms. Sexualizing children is morally wrong and should be stopped. [9] It is not only wrong in and of itself, but it can groom children for sex offenders (link), affect the development of a child leading them to believe lies (their worth is tied to their sexual value), and it creates material for sex offenders to consume and encourage their deviant behaviors. Christians are called to advocate for justice and lift up children (Mic. 6:8, Matt. 18:10). In doing these things, we should protect children from harmful media and materials.
Finally, art or representation is not an excuse to intake harmful material. Philippians 4:8 states, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” As we work against the oversexualization of children in our culture, we should consider the way in which we approach issues. As we seek to help those in need through raising awareness, it is important that Christians keep themselves and their work unpolluted by the world (James 1:27).
Conclusion
With the infatuation our culture has with sex, it is easy to see how sexualizing children would be a natural next step. Unfortunately, this detestable sexualization of children is happening. While we can only speculate about the ulterior motives of Hollywood or others, we can be sure that what is being demonstrated is a disgusting disregard for the value and innocence of children. It is for this reason that each parent and caregiver should be vigilant to avoid exposing children to toys or media material created by those who may have malicious intent to groom or sexualize children.