Christian leaders across the spectrum said this week they may abandon X (formerly Twitter) now that the Elon Musk-controlled company has -- for the first time -- said it will allow pornography on the platform. Musk’s company, in recent days, updated its policy to allow “consensually produced and distributed adult nudity” and “sexual behavior,” making clear it will permit “full or partial nudity” as well as “explicit or implied sexual behavior.” Further, the new policy allows AI-generated porn.
“Sexual expression, visual or written, can be a legitimate form of artistic expression,” the policy says. “We believe in the autonomy of adults to engage with and create content that reflects their own beliefs, desires, and experiences, including those related to sexuality.”
The policy claims it will restrict exposure “to Adult Content for children or adult users who choose not to see it” -- although such a policy is not so easily enforced. Porn-themed spam has skyrocketed on X since Musk took over the company. A 2022 study of Twitter Blue subscribers found that a large portion promoted one of three things: politics, cryptocurrency, or porn.
Competitors such as Instagram, Facebook, Threads, TikTok and YouTube all prohibit porn.
Bart Barber, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, said X’s stance on porn is part of the reason he will soon step away from it. He said he will tweet until the SBC’s annual meeting, which runs through June 12.
I'm staying on X through the end of the SBC Annual Meeting, but with the recent pornography announcement, as well as with a need for a more quiet life for me for at least a while, I'll be stepping back from this platform starting June 12.
— Bart Barber (@bartbarber) June 4, 2024
Author and speaker Beth Moore said she is re-considering her use of X.
“This dramatically changes things,” Moore wrote. “I’ve so not wanted to leave this site because of the community we developed. Dialogue. Insight. Hilarity. Silliness. The praying for one another. Celebrating victories and mourning losses. What shall we do?”
Ok, you guys. This dramatically changes things. I’ve so not wanted to leave this site because of the community we developed. Dialogue. Insight. Hilarity. Silliness. The praying for one another. Celebrating victories and mourning losses. What shall we do?https://t.co/ZybEORH12p
— Beth Moore (@BethMooreLPM) June 4, 2024
Moore noted that many Christians who use X have personally struggled with porn.
“Is it irresponsible of us, then, to stay?” she asked. “If I were a recovering alcoholic, for instance, I’d very much wish my friends would think of a different place to meet up than a bar. Get what I’m saying? On the other hand, will we ultimately have this issue wherever we go? Are there settings here we can change?”
Canadian pro-life activist Katie Somers wrote: “I feel really angry that I defended Elon Musk’s takeover of X, and in return, he’s gone and made it a porn site.”
I feel really angry that I defended Elon Musk’s takeover of X, and in return he’s gone and made it a porn site.
— Katie Somers (@theladykatie) June 4, 2024
Author and writer Rachel Joy Welcher said she, too, is considering leaving.
“@elonmusk,” she Welcher wrote, “I know I’m small beans, but I need you to know that I, and lots of other Christians, who have loved using Twitter for years, will leave if you don’t get the porn under control.”
Blue checks, do you have more control over filtering out pornographic replies, gifs, etc.? @elonmusk, I know I'm small beans but I need you to know that I, and lots of other Christians, who have loved using Twitter for years, will leave if you don't get the porn under control.
— Rachel Joy Welcher (@racheljwelcher) June 3, 2024
Hershael York, dean of the School of Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., said he is leaving the platform.
“‘Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and saltwater?’ -- James 3:11. Friends, I cannot in good conscience remain on X any longer,” York wrote. “I’ve tried to use it redemptively, but now this is too much.”
"Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?"--James 3:11. Friends, I cannot in good conscience remain on X any longer. I've tried to use it redemptively, but now this is too much. I'll remove my account by the end of the day. https://t.co/j1kanuBChf
— Hershael York (@hershaelyork) June 4, 2024
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Dan Kitwood / Staff
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.