My response is based on the question of if a swimsuit magazine is pornographic. If the topic is about nudity or modesty and its acceptability it would be different.
My approach in answering the question is based on our cultural representation of what pornographic images are. How we see the world is based on our location and culture and does not reflect the rest of the world. To compare the beauty of a woman’s body to the cultural practice of human sacrifice is, vulgar, offensive and not comparable. This has nothing to do with acceptance. There was no attempt in imposing that people should embrace nudity, but to expose cultures deemed uncivilized or savage, where men were able to function despite women being topless. Are these the men who run the porn industry and Hollywood? Countries that control the porn industry are the civilized ones wearing clothes, who take offense to public breastfeeding. In the United States studies have repeatedly shown that the biggest porn consumers live in the bible belt red states. For my Korean friends it’s normal to be naked in bathhouses scrubbing the backs of a friend or relative in the view of others. The behavior is not sexual in manner, but an outsider might find the experience arousing. Therefore because this cultural practice is not normal to us should we view them with scorn?
I purposely choose the Victoria secret magazine because it’s marketed to women not men. A man that goes to VS’s website to take a peek have serious problems and should seek help. Again the marketing of sexy clothing is no different to men cologne commercial. The concept you buy this spray and you’ll be successful with a beautiful woman. Do these images help weak men who have issues? No it does not. Would removing these images prevent perverted thoughts from men and women? No.
The fashion industry is predominantly male despite it’s intended market is female. Lady gaga, Madonna etc. were all dressed by men. The music and Movie industry also male dominated.
The only way imagery of women can change, is when men are willing to be part of this change. You ask (B-A-C) "They too can look and feel sexy". Why do women feel this need to be sexually desirable? It is man’s interpretation that because a women is dressed a certain way it’s for his attention. Why is that? Why can’t it be linked to her own self-esteem, self worth or free will?
I mentioned the double standard, in men being shirtless brought not wanting to look and you said, " An elderly over weight man without a shirt likely doesn't cause sensual thoughts for most women, B-A-C." Again people attach the sexual meaning or lustful thoughts to others/things...there is such a thing as Fat Fetishism.
When the woman’s body is no longer used as a sexual object, we would stop viewing it as such, it would also change the behavior of women and how they dress because men’s attitudes towards sex, sexy would change.
In our society women, girls that are raped are left feeling guilty, Why? What is our society saying about female attracting attention? What message is society saying about female reproduction, that young girls feel ashamed or dirty when they get their period?
We attach sexual meaning to things & people, these meanings may reflect how we were socialized or individual choice.
Agalmatophilia - this is when people are attracted to dolls and statues, they have intimate relationships with these items, copraphillia – attracted to feces, autonepiophilia – people who find pleasure in wearing diapers, and the list of sexual disorders goes on. The viewing of porn or seeing pornographic images in anything should be given a paraphillia name. To stress again, we add meanings to things and people. The topic is not about modesty, nudity or dress code, the question is about pornographic images. The answer, there are sexy images created for fantasy and sexy images to make us spend our money. A pervert will find pleasure in both or anything he or she can get their hands on.
Chad answered the question with this verse,
"Ultimate answer:
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew5:28"