Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, recently updated its policies to officially allow adult content, including pornography. This change has prompted numerous prominent Christian figures to consider abandoning the platform.

The new policy, introduced by X, permits “consensually produced and distributed adult nudity or sexual behavior.” This includes “full or partial nudity” as well as “explicit or implied sexual behavior” and notably extends to AI-generated pornographic content.

“Sexual expression, visual or written, can be a legitimate form of artistic expression,” the policy states. “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.”

Despite assurances that exposure to adult content will be restricted for children and users who opt out, the enforcement of such measures remains questionable. Since Musk’s acquisition of the platform, there has been a noted increase in porn-themed spam. A 2022 study highlighted that many Twitter Blue subscribers promoted either politics, cryptocurrency, or porn.

This policy shift has not been well received within the Christian community. Bart Barber, president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), announced his intention to leave the platform after the SBC’s annual meeting in June.

“I will tweet until the SBC’s annual meeting, which runs through June 12,” Barber stated, expressing his disapproval of X’s stance on pornography.

Similarly, author and speaker Beth Moore expressed her reservations, noting the potential impact on the community she has built on 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?”

Moore also highlighted the issue of many Christians who struggle with pornography, questioning the responsibility of remaining on a platform that now officially permits adult content.

“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 expressed her frustration, tweeting, “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.”

Author and writer Rachel Joy Welcher also voiced her concerns directly to Musk, stating, “@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.”

Hershael York, dean of the School of Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., declared his departure from the platform. Quoting James 3:11, he tweeted, “Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and saltwater? 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.”

Competitors such as Instagram, Facebook, Threads, TikTok, and YouTube continue to prohibit pornographic content, setting a contrasting standard to X’s new approach. The shift by X underscores a broader debate about the balance between free speech and content moderation and the responsibilities of social media platforms in protecting their users, especially minors.

As X faces potential backlash and the loss of influential users from the Christian community, the platform’s future direction and the efficacy of its content moderation policies remain under scrutiny. The decisions made in the coming months will likely shape the platform’s user base and influence its reputation in the social media landscape.