Site search
sponsored by
Home
News
"Nude photography is, in my opinion, pornography. From a moral point of view, I think that the naked human body, portrayed in a photograph, incites lust -- which is condemned expressly in the Bible (I John 2:16). The human body is beautiful; it is a work of art in its own right. But the body does not need to be displayed nude to show its magnificence.
I do think differently, though, when it comes to Renaissance art displaying nudity. Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, which contained nudity, is one of the finest works of art in all mankind, and it was not created to incite lust, but rather, different emotions. Many other paintings and sculptures from the Renaissance contain nudity, but like the Sistine Chapel, the emotions they draw from us are not feelings of lust.
Granted, I am no expert when it comes to art, but I do know that no matter what the artistic value of a nude photograph, as determined by a modern art expert, it is still pornography. God's law will never change, and I know that pornography portrayed in this so-called 'art' is immoral and has no artistic value in my opinion."
Shay Miles, junior,
Umpqua Valley Christian
"I think that the justification of nude photography depends solely on the context of the photo. Pornography literally means images or writings intended primarily to arouse sexual desire, but art is defined simply as human creativity.
However, I think it safe to conclude that our era does not see the human body as art anymore, but as a sexual image instead. Ancient Roman and Greek artists found the nude body as a masterpiece of art and beauty, and it was accepted in that time period.
Today nudity has became much more than a body painted on canvas. Pornography has managed to filter its way into every technological and social resource available.
Pornography and art are two very different things with equally different intentions on viewers. I think one must decide for themselves on what the significance of the photo is to them."
Holly Thompson, senior,
Douglas High School
"Nude photography and pornography are two completely different genres that I believe are not similar in any way except for the use of the human body. When the photography's purpose crosses from being art to something meant to excite one's interest, then everything changes and the photo should be classified as pornography. Everyone's boundaries are different, though.
It is our moral framework that drives our power as a consumer: to make a choice of bringing nude photography or pornography into one's household or to not. The issue is as simple as that. It is the viewer's decision if one wants to see the photography or visit an exhibit.
Photographers as artists should have the freedom to produce anything. There is a distinct line between pornography and art. Where it is again depends on one's personal values: personal values as the consumer and the intent of the photographer. The human body is an amazing thing and for it to be censored is an infringement of everyone's rights."
Drew Carson, senior,
Roseburg High School
Truth of Youth, which appears in Monday's News-Review, is an opportunity for teens to express their opinions. If you would like to submit a question, write to Erin Snelgrove at P.O. Box 1248, Roseburg, OR 97470 or e-mail her at esnelgrove@newsreview.info.
I do think differently, though, when it comes to Renaissance art displaying nudity. Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, which contained nudity, is one of the finest works of art in all mankind, and it was not created to incite lust, but rather, different emotions. Many other paintings and sculptures from the Renaissance contain nudity, but like the Sistine Chapel, the emotions they draw from us are not feelings of lust.
Granted, I am no expert when it comes to art, but I do know that no matter what the artistic value of a nude photograph, as determined by a modern art expert, it is still pornography. God's law will never change, and I know that pornography portrayed in this so-called 'art' is immoral and has no artistic value in my opinion."
Shay Miles, junior,
Umpqua Valley Christian
"I think that the justification of nude photography depends solely on the context of the photo. Pornography literally means images or writings intended primarily to arouse sexual desire, but art is defined simply as human creativity.
However, I think it safe to conclude that our era does not see the human body as art anymore, but as a sexual image instead. Ancient Roman and Greek artists found the nude body as a masterpiece of art and beauty, and it was accepted in that time period.
Today nudity has became much more than a body painted on canvas. Pornography has managed to filter its way into every technological and social resource available.
Pornography and art are two very different things with equally different intentions on viewers. I think one must decide for themselves on what the significance of the photo is to them."
Holly Thompson, senior,
Douglas High School
"Nude photography and pornography are two completely different genres that I believe are not similar in any way except for the use of the human body. When the photography's purpose crosses from being art to something meant to excite one's interest, then everything changes and the photo should be classified as pornography. Everyone's boundaries are different, though.
It is our moral framework that drives our power as a consumer: to make a choice of bringing nude photography or pornography into one's household or to not. The issue is as simple as that. It is the viewer's decision if one wants to see the photography or visit an exhibit.
Photographers as artists should have the freedom to produce anything. There is a distinct line between pornography and art. Where it is again depends on one's personal values: personal values as the consumer and the intent of the photographer. The human body is an amazing thing and for it to be censored is an infringement of everyone's rights."
Drew Carson, senior,
Roseburg High School
Truth of Youth, which appears in Monday's News-Review, is an opportunity for teens to express their opinions. If you would like to submit a question, write to Erin Snelgrove at P.O. Box 1248, Roseburg, OR 97470 or e-mail her at esnelgrove@newsreview.info.
