Pornography and The Making of a Serial Killers Part 1

Picking up form were I left off in part 1, Ted Bundy had this to say:-

 “…and I want to emphasize this. The most damaging kind of pornography- and I’m talking from hard, real, personal experience- is that that involves violence and sexual violence. The wedding of the two forces- as I know only too well- brings about behavior that is too terrible to describe…Before we go any further, is it important to me that people believe what I’m saying. I’m not blaming pornography. I’m not saying it caused me to go out and do certain things. I take full responsibility for all the things that I’ve done. That’s not the question here. The issue is how this kind of literature contributed and helped mold and shape this kind of violent behavior. “

From the above candid words from Ted, it is clear that his behavior did not result from an abusive upbringing (emotionally, physically or sexually). I know most people equate serial killer’s behavior to an abusive upbringing. This is quite understandable as this coupled with other factors does in some instances lead to such behavior. But according to Ted, there is one underlying factor in all people who are driven towards committing violent crimes.

“…but I’ve lived in prison for a long time now, and I’ve met a lot of men who were motivated to commit violence. Without exception, every one of them was deeply involved in pornography- deeply consumed by the addiction. The F.B.I’s own study on serial homicide shows that the most common interest among serial killers is pornographers. It’s true.”

Thus far, I can only conclude that pornography played a major role in turning Ted Bundy into a serial killer. 

The ills of pornography especially hardcore porn cannot be stressed enough. Like all curious teenagers, I have had my share of experimenting with all kinds of different stuff (we all do during this stage of life eh?) But what starts out as basic curiosity and fun has the potential of going horribly out of control. Pornography affects all in society from the young to the old, male or female with similar outcome if not addressed in time. 

Having said that, not all people end up going to such extremes as being a serial killer. Other outcomes are also inherent like anti- social behavior, sufferings caused to loved ones and a whole lot of other issues I cannot possibly be able to cover as I am not an expert in nor claim to be immune to.

I digress; let’s go back to Ted’s personal experiences as a result of pornography addiction.

“I was a normal person. I had good friends. I led a normal life, except for this one, small but very potent and destructive segment that I kept very secret and close to myself. Those of us who have been so influenced by violence, are not some kind of inherent monsters. We are your sons and husbands. We grew up in regular families. Pornography can reach in and snatch a kid out of any house today. It snatched me out of my home 20 or 30 years ago. As diligent as my parents were, and they were diligent in protecting their children, and as good a Christian home we had, there is no protection against the kinds of influence that are loose in a society that tolerates….”  

As stated earlier, Ted  does not seek to justify his actions. In the contrary, he seeks to highlight what pornography can lead to in extreme cases  from his personal experience. To conclude Ted’s story, here is his last input during the interview.

“As we have been talking, there are forces at loose in this country, especially this kind of violent pornography, where on one hand, well- meaning people will condemn the behavior of Ted Bundy while they’re walking past a magazine rack full of the very kinds of things that send young kids down the road to being Ted Bundy’s. That’s the Irony.”

For the full interview, please follow the link below:-

http://www.pureintimacy.org/piArticles/A000000433.cfm

 

Pornography and The Making of a Serial Killer Part 2

A lot has been said in relation to the ills of pornography in societies today all over the world. I wish to explore e the same issue albeit using the example of a real life serial killer and the effects pornography had on him. That is in molding him from normal person to a serial killer of great infamy. At the time of his execution, I was barely two years old but I want to believe we can all learn from his experience with an aim to avoid or at least avert such an occurrence in the future to the best of our abilities.

All paraphrasing herein contained are from him from an interview with psychologist Dr. James Dobson on January 23, 1989, hours before his execution on January 24, 1989 at 7:15a.m

Ted Bundy, a good looking, intelligent law student, learned to lure women into his car by various forms of deception. He would put a cast on his arm or leg, and then walk across a university campus carrying several books. When he saw an interesting coed walking or standing alone, he’d “accidentally” drop the books near her. The girl would help him gather them and take them to his car. Then he would entice her or push her into the vehicle where she was taken captive. After he had molested the girl, and the rage of passion had passed, she would be killed and Bundy would dump her body in a region where it would not be found for months. This went on for years. (Courtesy; The Interview, by Dr. James Dobson, Introduction part).

He was finally captured, convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of a twelve-year-old girl and dumping her body in a pigsty. This after he had killed at least 28 young women and girls. Ten years of appeals and legal maneuvering followed before a judge gave the order for Bundy’s execution. He personally asked his Lawyer to contact Dr. James Dobson for an interview that would be his last before execution.

Ted Bundy was brought up in a wonderful Christian family with his brothers and sisters by dedicated parents. In his words, “I grew up in a wonderful home with two dedicated and loving parents, as one of 5 brothers and sisters…we regularly attended church. My parents did not drink or smoke or gamble…but it was a fine solid Christian home. I hope no one will try to take the easy way out of this and accuse my family for contributing to this.”

Question is, how did he transform from a normal kid to a full blown serial killer and what influenced him towards such end? At 13 years of age, he’d discovered “dirty magazines” in a dump near his home. What is referred to as “soft pornography.” With time he became more and more addicted to violent images in magazines and videos. He got “kicks” from seeing women being tortured and murdered. When he couldn’t get the same “kick” from this, his addiction moved from fantasy to reality.

For more on this, kindly read part II.