I made a simple comment comparing the desensitizing effect of depictions of violence with the similar effect of pornography, and all sorts of mischief sprang up erect to demand attention. With my schedule, it’s hard to keep abreast of the intercourse of ideas and viewpoints here on the Tavern, but it’s fascinating to see how we can beat around the bush on this. It seems to me that in our impotence, we’ve failed to penetrate to the heart of the issue.

Sex is a part of the created order. Violence is a result of man’s sinfulness. The Fall corrupts sex, but it gives birth to violence. Even the most twisted, perverse examples of human sexual behavior have a basis (however remote) in God’s original design for mankind; that simply cannot be said for violent behavior, no matter how much the specific circumstances justify them.

Shea, not to pick particularly on you, but I’m curious: if we shoot the model first, can we take her clothes off and paint her?