Exploitative Attitudes Diminish The Dignity of the Human Body

I volunteered at a Human Trafficking Awareness event this past weekend hosted by Buy Art Not People and Traffick Free. There was a great interactive art project called Skin Sells that really resonated with me.  On a table there were a variety of popluar magazines.  The instructions were to go through the magazines and cut out any pictures of skin.  We were to cut out just the skin avoiding clothing, hair, jewelry, etc.  These cut outs would then be used to create a collage from all the images. 

It was surprisingly easy to find things to cut out.  Even from magazines that were geared towards teenagers. 

The purpose of the Sex Sells project was to create awareness of

"the need for accountability in the way the body image is used so as not to promote exploitative attitudes that diminish the dignity of the human body. "

I couldn't agree more.  Our culture objectifies women.  It views sexuality as a tool to promote a particular brand and sell product.  Simply taking my kids through the checkout line at the grocery store subjects them to all kinds of images on the covers of magazines that I prefer for them not to see. Images of women barely dressed or with only hands covering their breasts. This type of advertising demoralizes women and creates a hyper sexual society.  It contributes to an exploitative attitude towards women. An attitude where pimps see a young girl as a means to make money.  Where he  strips her of all dignity because the demand is there. 



The moral standard for what is considered acceptable is sinking lower and lower. The FCC is currently under fire since it announced it is considering to allow network television and local radio stations to air the f-word, the s-word and to allow programs to show frontal female nudity, even during hours when children would very likely be watching and listening.

Rom 12:1-2a  Therefore, I urge you,brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world.

The pattern of this world is that Skin Is In and Sex Sells. Unfortunately, the pattern of this world tells us that these 2 statement are true.  But God calls us to a higher standard. 


For information on contacting the FCC go Here