‘Freedoms Require Moral Boundaries’: ERLC President Urges Ban on Pornography
Brent Leatherwood, who leads the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, has called for a complete end to the pornography industry. In a statement titled “Outlaw Pornography Now” on the ERLC website, he cited a recent report by a major news outlet that alleges the adult site in question profited from exploitative content. Documents referenced in that report reportedly reveal that the site knowingly hosted and benefited from nonconsensual and abusive material involving minors.
Leatherwood argued that the documentary evidence confirms the pornography industry’s predatory and lawless nature, deeply intertwined with abuse. He maintained that pornography is not only a moral failing but also inherently exploitative and violent—damaging relationships, harming children, and poisoning a culture that prides itself on consent and human dignity.
Stressing that “freedoms require moral boundaries,” Leatherwood proposed several reforms aimed at dismantling the industry. These include enforcing stringent age-verification measures, criminalizing the hosting or monetization of nonconsensual, trafficked, or abusive material, and classifying commercial pornography as a public health threat. While he acknowledged that the political momentum for an outright ban is still lacking, he noted that legislative efforts are underway to update the definition of obscene content to better address modern challenges in the digital age.
This proposed legislation would expand the obscenity definition to include content that lacks significant literary, artistic, political, or scientific value, particularly material depicting sexual acts meant predominantly to arouse. Leatherwood emphasized that these measures are not about reverting to outdated moral standards or imposing religious beliefs on a secular society; they are about protecting the vulnerable, upholding human dignity, and creating a culture in which future generations can thrive.
He warned that tolerating an industry that degrades women and endangers children undermines the very essence of freedom. Citing studies that link pornography consumption to increased sexual aggression as well as higher rates of depression and anxiety, Leatherwood concluded that the industry is beyond reform—asserting that it must be eliminated entirely.
This stance echoes previous actions by the Southern Baptist Convention. In 2015, the denomination passed a resolution urging governments to enact and enforce laws to restrict all forms of pornography, with a particular focus on content exploiting minors.
The debate over the role of the ERLC in addressing modern cultural challenges continues within the Southern Baptist community. While a group of former SBC presidents recently defended the commission for its longstanding commitment to defending religious liberty and values related to family and human dignity, other leaders have criticized its approach, arguing that it has become a divisive force within the denomination.
The discussion reflects broader societal concerns about protecting vulnerable populations and preserving cultural values amid rapid social change.
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