Interesting discussion I had a bit ago. Would pornography use equal pornia in the Bible? That was not the exact discussion but it was said that pornography would be the same as adultery. I argued against this definition but how does everyone else feel?
If one can look at pornography and not lust, then it's not sinful. Otherwise, Jesus said that "he who looks at a woman lustfully commits adultery with her in his heart." Maybe it's not as egregious as the physical act because it can't get anyone pregnant or spread STDs, but it is still wrong. So, even though the Greek word really was about fornication, I'd say there is still a connector. Thank God for His grace! Or we'd all be in deep trouble.
From what I understand, it's more the fact that if someone looks at pornography and does not masturbate then they do not commit the equivalent to fornication. You can have lustful thoughts and not be guilty of it. Actually satisfying it is some way is what I usually hear makes one guilty of adultery.
I am arguing against looking at pornography and masturbating being equal to fornication. Looking at porn is lust in any shape form or fashion unless for a good reason like investigating a crime. Even then precautions must be taken to guard your mind and heart. Looking at porn and masturbating and masturbating to an image in your mind both are lust but they only involve you. Fornication involves two people and is more intimate than looking at porn and masturbating. One completely destroys the marriage bond, but can be healed and mended, while the other hurts it and depending on the person might even hurt it a lot but does not rise to the level of fornication and the destruction of the marriage bond.
The RCC states that masturbation is a mortal sin. But the physical act, in and of itself, does not qualify as porneia in the proper sense of the Greek word (I've read that translating it as "sexual immorality" is overly broad compared to the word's actual meaning). The wrongdoing lies in any accompanying fantasies about another person.
This discussion is very hypothetical. I do not know why anybody would be in possession of pornography for any reason but a sinful one. then, of course, there are those who feature in it and have harmed their souls by their sins. Obtaining the pornography in itself I would consider wrong because it is supporting the industry in which people are living extremely sinful lives and will be prime targets for the Enemy.