It's unfortunate that we must point out the fact that Hefner was a pornographer and a pimp. That his life's work was to amass a collection of desperate women who were willing to be used and exploited. But we must tell this truth in order to combat the untruths that people are now saying about him.
We live in a country where men like Hefner are immediately canonized upon death. I've seen Hefner described as a "hero" and a "role model." These are lies, and we must call them lies. The fact that Hefner is dead does not change the fact that he was a peddler of filth. If a man wishes to be remembered as virtuous and decent, he must live virtuously and decently. We don't become virtuous and decent when we die, as if death itself washes away every bad thing we've done. Quite the opposite, actually. Death is when we reckon with the bad things.
I've been assured that Hefner is "in a better place" now. I realize this is just a thing we say about all dead people, no matter who they are and what they did. And indeed it's possible that Hefner repented before death and has now entered the Better Place. But to confidently state as fact that a pornographer is in Heaven is arrogant and dangerous. Pray that God has mercy on him, but do not run around declaring that a man who spent his life having orgies and taking pictures of naked women must necessarily be reaping eternal rewards.
Let's try to be serious for a change. Let's treat the death of a man like Hefner with somber honesty. It is always sad when someone dies. It is even sadder when a corrupt and decadent man dies. We may have hope that a man of great faith and goodness is in Heaven. We may have the same hope for the corrupt man, but it is a slimmer hope. So, we simply trust in the mercy and justice of God, knowing that He will deliver us all to the destinations we have chosen. And, if we must learn anything from Hefner's life, it's that a life of selfish pleasure seems so pointless once it's over. That is the great lesson he taught us.
May God have mercy on him and all sinners. Amen.
- Matt Walsh
15 comments:
I was taught not to speak badly of the deceased. All that passed through my mind when I heard the news was not much except that I guess he was good at business meaning finances, etc. and that some people will miss him.
Lets see now - God takes a very dim view of indecent living. Just read what he did to the sinful cites of Sodom & Gomorrah. And it wasn't it a pleasant way to die - in the fires God used to destroy them. And Mr. Wells is correct in stating that Mr. Hugh Hefner helped to lead America into a more decadent way of life. And his life work with Playboy - was the pre runner for the filthy Internet we now have. And that filth - is a couple click away from anyone - with a smart phone or a computer.
Playboy made mistakes, one of the largest likely was the pictorial of Brooke Shields at age 10. But that was the 70's after all, doesn't make it right, but as I was only born in 1977, I can only read about what life was like. Not to mention that her mother sought it out. The reality of German sexuality where families unashamedly would swim together in the buff comes to mind.
But as a heterosexual male, it seems to me that if there were a proper way to share the beauty of the female form in my lifetime in a tasteful manner, accessible to the masses, playboy was likely the best venue for the common man to see what they wanted to see. Certainly the puritanical view is that everything they did was wrong. But Hugh never followed the path laid by Larry Flynt or the largely Jewish dominated filth sector. I am willing to debate but my gut tells me that Playboy magazine was not necessarily wrong in much of what they did. They offered tasteful pictorials of beautiful women which filled maybe 20 pages of an 80 page magazine showcasing the good life for the stereotypical 20 something along with other serous and not so serious content of the days zeitgeist.
I refer to the business side of the issue and have no comment or in depth knowledge of such things as what went on at the mansion or what have you. I take a more old old school view that adoration of the female form by males is good, healthy, and that there must be a wholesome way to have it available.
Playboy for my generation was just that, tasteful, often modest to a degree, and couched among other commentary about the perceived good life of the times.
RIP Hugh Hefner, a man that never sold out his principles for money.
Very well said.
Yes, poor Larry Flynt of the other magazine, Hustler I think, suffered his own Hell right here on earth when he was shot. I remember seeing him sitting in a wheel chair watching the traffic in Nelsonville (where my cousin was superintendant of schools by Athens, Ohio). I went with (certified crazy) one of his writers for the magazine and he took me to a big kegger party (I did not drink) by Ohio State by Lane Ave. in Columbus, Ohio. Larry Flynt looked at me at a meeting when he gave a speech by the campus and said I should become a church lady. Ha Ha :-) (I already was). I think I just smiled. I met lots and lots of people in my life. I did not sit still much like today. I wanted to see it all. Like a cousin of a cousin of mine who was Irish (Jewish and Italian) from West Virginia who was my age and died 9 years ago in West Virginia said on her memorial utube video for Norma Jean (Wilson) White, "Yes, honey, I done it all."
This is how crazy I am. Someone at AA was evidently giving up a bad habit and threw out all his Playboy new magazines. Lucky me. I found them in the dumpster. When my son from the Navy visited I proudly showed him my find. He just looked at me. So back they went to the dumpster. :-)
Wow. With this attitude, John, I reckon you must be disgusted that a godless, fornicating, money grubber like Trump is leading the country. How about an essay on HIS morals? Maybe you and Ronald can get together on that.
Luckily, Jesus did not examine Lazarus' past life before having mercy and bringing him to life; or the prostitutes he helped; or the poor who may have stolen to feed their families.
As an atheist, I'm sad that I appear to have a better reading on Christianity than you do.
hmmm...pamit. I thought Matt Walsh was very diplomatic and insightful in regard to his "reading on Christianity" and the death of Hefner. It was more of an instruction for a godless society rather than an attack on the recently deceased. Like most atheists who claim their lack of belief as some kind of badge of honor, you are forever caught up in vilifying and demeaning "religion" and misinterpreting and misrepresenting scripture. It is only until you ask for a personal relationship with Christ and accept Him as your living savior that will you be able to understand the living word of God through the gift of The Holy Spirit. Walsh goes on to add that while the odds are not in favor of redemption of a man who led a life such as Hefner did - everyone (no matter what kind of life they have led) has a chance for redemption up to their last dying breath...erasing ALL previous sin. The point of Walsh's commentary is that it is a dangerous game to assume that no one goes to hell (Atheist seem to really hate the thought of punishment). The only unforgivable sin is if once you experience the Holy Spirit, you turn away from it and choose evil.
L.O.L.! ---- Pamit should have his filthy mouth washed out for lying about our American President. If Trump is really the "godless, fornicating, money grubber " - that Pamit claims he is - then he should also explain - why the leaders of so many American Christian Churches supported Trump to be President? Something bad wrong with a claim like that? Does Pamit really want us to believe that Trump is an atheist - i.e.. "godless"? I do not think so!
And another thing. Mr. Pamit - claims "TO HAVE A BETTER READING ON CHRISTIANITY" - than John Wells does? - Maybe Parmit did not read what happened at SODOM & GOMORRAH - or if he did read it - he failed to understand God's warning about living a decadent lifestyle? Heck - that is what John was talking about - America's movement toward's the Sodom & Gomorrah lifestyle - with Hefner's help. I suspect the Devil wants us to believe it is O.K. to live in a great mansion and lead the decadent lifestyle that Hefner did. But a Bible reading - tells us there are serious consequences.
IF memory serves me correctly "all men have sinned and fallen short". I also recall something about "judge not!" but like so many sanctimonious self righteous individuals, those admonitions only seem to apply to others. I didn't know Mr. Hefner but his centerfolds were no more pornographic than the Christian themed art of the middle ages. God put Adam and Eve in the garden naked. It was sin that caused them to cover up! I always thought the center folds were done tastefully. But the self righteous are quick to judge, and even quicker to cast the first stone. I am sorry but I don't think I want to come here anymore. To much fanaticism for my taste. best wishes, john......
Ronald Mahan...As far as man is concerned, the real truth is known only between each individual and God, no one can be sure if Trump is "godless" or whether or not he has a personal relationship with Christ (I think "fornicating money grubber" is pretty obvious though) - but based on his words and actions I would venture to guess that he is not influenced at all by The Holy Spirit as he has a propensity for bearing false witness every time he opens his mouth. Unless I am missing something, I don't think God will use a buffoon to trick the world into following Him. Politically powerful evangelicals see Trump’s flaws but perceive him as a fellow sinner willing to fight the forces of the establishment on their behalf - something Hillary Clinton was obviously not going to do. Part of the decision by many evangelicals to support Trump for president was attributable to long-standing differences with liberal candidates over social issues. Evangelicals tend to share conservative positions on abortion, gun rights, border security and the fight against “radical Islamic terrorism”. Trump’s specific pledges to the religious right got their attention (and their votes). Trump’s lies, his brand and his presidency are like a house of cards and the truth is a box of matches. It’s becoming ever more likely that the consuming flames may be destined to reduce the entire edifice to ashes as Trump slowly converts former acolytes into disappointed adversaries. It would seem that his Christian supporters have forgotten to beware of false prophets (and con men). "The Art of the Deal" does not get you into Heaven. In matters of eternal salvation, choosing the lesser of two evils (as in political elections) is never an option as there is only good or evil...period.
mohaverat...Although you claim to be leaving this blog - I suspect you may lurk around long enough to see if I reply to your comment. Talk about quick to judge. The post was about what a mistake it is for others to jump to the conclusion that Hefner will automatically be redeemed in death regardless of how he spent his time on earth - as a matter of course for the recently departed. It is not judgement or self righteousness or casting a stone for any sinner to recognize sin and call it out for what it is. I think Matt Walsh was very clear in that it is only up to God to make the decision on Hefner's fate (not popular opinion) and while the cards seemed to be stacked against him based on his earthly life, everyone has a chance to be saved up until their last dying breath. As for your fondness for "tasteful centerfolds"...although I do not believe pornography is ever appropriate (and has nothing to do with "Christian themed art"), those are my personal feelings based on my guidance by The Holy Spirit -not a judgement on you or any personal decisions you make in your life. Trying to defend Hefner's life in any way in an attempt to make a judgement on his behalf is a huge mistake. Recognizing sin and how we spend our lives avoiding it is something every single person will have to take up with the creator upon our death.
I continue to believe the American Christians made the right selection for President of the available candidates. Certainly Trump has flaws - all men & women have them. That is why Jesus died on a Roman cross - so that God's children could be saved despite our sinful flaws - if we accept Christ as our Savior.
My decision was made because I believe Trump is a far more moral man - than his major opponent - Hillary Clinton. And one of Trump's first actions was to place an experienced juror on the Supreme Court - that will protect our religious freedoms & other Bill of Rights. issues. You & I - both know Hillary Clinton would have selected a far more liberal jurist - that would taken America down the path of continued abortions, same sex marriages, elimination of our gun rights, etc. Therefore - Trump kept his word given to the American Christian Churches.
Trump also made some very strong cabinet selections - that will help him as President. When Secretary Price abused his right to have taxpayers pay for private airplane flights - Trump fired his ass. When poison gas was used in Syria - Trump bombed the airport the Syrians used to commit this illegal action - to warn them & others they could no longer do this.
Thus far his actions have been those of a strong moral President. And not those of a "fornicating money grubber" as suggested by an anonymous author. What has President Trump done as President - to suggest he deserves such a terrible description? Let's not judge any man by rumors & slander.
@Ronald Mahan I'm waiting for Mueller to weigh in. You may be eating a lot of cake. Then again, perhaps I will, but I doubt it.
Out - bye
Post a Comment