Playboyism versus Biblical View

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From

2003 The Problem of Evil: Anglican and Baptist Perspectives: MPhil thesis, Bangor University 

Interestingly, Woods mentioned Playboyism, and stated of Hugh Hefner, Publisher of Playboy Magazine: "Hefner rejects any philosophy that holds a man must deny himself for others. The Playboy outlook says a man should love himself preeminently and pursue only his own pleasure." Woods (1974)(1982: 108).

Woods noted that happiness should be a result of a responsible life. Hedonism is not responsible since ones pleasure often exists at the expense of someone else’s pain. For example, considering Playboy, where women are viewed as objects sexually by both Hefner and the willing women participating, this magazine brings its participants money, fame and sexual gratification, but the Playboy philosophy represented in the magazine, through mass media influence, also causes women in society to be viewed as objects by many men. This can cause many women to be overlooked for their intellect, and looked upon more for their sexual beauty.

So, in a subtle fashion, the Playboy philosophy can bring pain to many people in society because Playboy Magazine exploits sexuality when, in reality, sexuality belongs in the context of marriage/committed relationship where the inner beauty of the person is more important than their outer image. With the Playboy philosophy, the outer beauty is far more important than the inner beauty. It must be admitted that Hedonism is pleasurable to people.

For example, as a pastor of a local church recently stated, most men struggle with pornography at some time. An advocate of the Playboy philosophy may state that its critics secretly desire that lifestyle. There can be an element of truth in this, but a wiser person, and certainly a Christ-centred person, should see that sexual conduct outside of a healthy marriage can lead to many destructive things such as divorce, abortion, venereal disease, HIV, and public disgrace. Only sexuality in commitment leads to something fulfilling over a long period.

The Hedonism represented with Playboy is irresponsible in that it hurts people and puts short term pleasure before long term fulfilment. Thus, it escapes the struggle of a serious relationship leading to long term fulfilment and instead seeks easier, shorter relationships. This, in no way, avoids evil. It simply promotes more evil in that extreme human selfishness just leads to more people being hurt.

WOODS, B.W. (1974) Christians in Pain, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.

End Cited From MPhil

People June 10

Cited

'Holly Madison contemplated drowning herself in the bath at the Playboy Mansion in the depths of her despair as Hugh Hefner's No. 1 girlfriend, she reveals.'

Cited

'From a modeling wannabe from Oregon to sleeping next to the Playboy magnate – "a man who was old enough to be my grandfather" – Madison details what really went on behind the gates of the fabled mansion in her new book Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny, out June 23.'

With this story there is yet another public breaking of romantic confidence and trust made for financial gain once the relationship is over.

These are sexual relationships not based on Biblical concepts of marriage.

Instead these would be Biblically considered sinful (1 Corinthians 6) of fornication.

Many in the media and observers would focus on the massive age difference as the key problem in the story, but I reason that is the wrong focus.

According to documentation, Hefner started Playboy in 1953 meaning he was obviously not seventy years old at the time and was much closer to the age of his household female guests.

Yet, those relationships were not lasting and long-term either.

Admitting persons do need to significantly relate, it is the worldview and morality behind the relationships that are key and primary as opposed to the age difference of the people involved in the relationships.

A Biblical, Christian worldview when properly followed (Matthew 5, 1 Corinthians 7) requires lifelong commitment, in monogamy whereas a Playboy philosophy is not committed to such.

People June 10

Cited

'Facing homelessness in Los Angeles, aspiring actress and model Holly Madison turned to Hugh Hefner and the Playboy Mansion for sanctuary, she reveals.'

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'Despite having been told that only Tina Jordan, Hefner's then-No. 1 girlfriend, slept with him, Madison soon discovered what actually happened behind the doors of Hefner's bedroom.'

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'As one of a slew of girls who would get intimate with Hefner during any given evening, Madison writes, "My turn was over just as quickly as it had started." There was zero intimacy and no kissing.' 

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'Eventually, Madison and Hefner discussed having a family together. (Hefner has four children – three sons and a daughter – with two women.) "I know how absolutely insane it sounds to want to have kids with someone in their 70s. You are basically robbing a child of his or her father before it is even born. Now that I am a mom myself, the idea seems even more unpalatable," says Madison, who hasn't spoken to Hefner in four years.'

Cited

'She reveals that Hefner had even submitted semen samples to a fertility doctor – only to discover that nothing was viable.'

There are definite ethical and philosophically problems with a seventy year old man that continually throughout his life always desires to be with younger women.

But, even if a man seeking true love at seventy years old fathered a child it would still be true that he would be ninety years old when his child was twenty years old.

The child will likely not have a father for much of his/her life.

However, I am not stating that such a relationship should never take place.

I will leave up to God to judge the rightness or wrongness of such a relationship and children occurring as a result.

I do disagree with the concept of an older man that is continually attempting to find younger women with various relationships over many years, as this places far too much importance on physical beauty and sexuality.

This is different than my situation where I am someone that is 35+ without significant experience and children that would like to find a younger woman and have a family one day and then would be able to settle into marriage and over time with an older wife.

In other words, twenty years into the relationship one would not be looking for a younger wife, once again.

Of course one would need to stay youthful, exercising and eating right like Chuck Norris, Mr. T and alike so his wife would have no regrets as well...