Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition

By: American Decency Staff

In a conversation with a husband going through very serious marital problems, I asked him when things between them really began to take a turn for the worse.

He responded:  “We had gone through several months of stress which drew us increasingly cold towards one another.  I was looking at pornography on the Internet and left a screen with pornography on display.  She was livid and has been ever since in more ways than one.”

It makes me think of the movie “Fireproof” that so powerfully portrayed such a scenario illustrating the struggle that ensued when the wife became aware that he was lusting after images.  The story-line shows an uphill battle toward restoration and in the end broken trust was restored.

Not much light is shed on the damage that Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition does.  But, make no mistake.  Sports Illustrated Swimsuit is a toxic, pornographic magazine.

Statements outlining the concern are dated but that doesn’t change the reality.  The reality is that the magazine is what it is and has been – pornographic and damaging.

“Once a year, Sports Illustrated becomes a phony version of Playboy.  The swimsuit issue provides a way for men to leer at seminaked women claim to respect them … Still, because, places like Hooters and magazines like Sports Illustrated Swimsuit pretend to be respectful, we accept them, lies and all.”

E.J. Montini, The Arizona Republic, Feb. 24, 1993

“Women in photographs present alluring opportunities for voyeurism, a particularly powerful illusion of control.  Thus, men can symbolically exercise their dominance and power.  They exercise this power not with real women, but with the sign or concept of Woman, which is commodified, objectified, looked at illicitly at the formal level.”  Margaret Carlisle Duncan, “Formal Analyses of Institutional Structures”, (under review), Sociology of Sport Journal, 1993

What to do? 

Don’t allow this magazine to have its way in your household, on your coffee table, bedstand – HOUSEHOLD.  

I’m thankful that my wife years ago made it clear she wasn’t competing with this trash.

It was never an issue in our household.  We together have fought for purity of heart, soul and mind all of our married lives.

Is Sports Illustrated at your checkout counter?   This doesn’t have to be and shouldn’t be.  Speak to the owner and make it clear that it is offensive and degrading to family shoppers!   Be prepared to back up your statement that you will discontinue shopping there if they don’t remove Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.

Most importantly, if you have a lust issue, it’s time to see it for what it is – SIN.  Christ calls His children to pursue holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.  [Hebrews 12:14].

Lastly, trust between a wife and a husband that is broken that is often never restored when the husband eyeballs pornography, other women, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit.

In the days ahead, we will be furnishing a list of advertisers of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition making it easy for you to encourage corporate sponsors of the magazine to discontinue backing this pornographic magazine.

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American Decency Association is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.

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