Southern Baptist Convention President to Leave X After New Adult Content Policy

Southern Baptist Convention President to Leave X After New Adult Content Policy

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Southern Baptist Convention President Bart Barber announced Tuesday that he will be leaving X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, after its recent clarification of its policy regarding adult content.

“I’m staying on X through the end of the SBC Annual Meeting,” Barber posted on the platform, “but with the recent pornography announcement, as well as with a need for a more quiet life for me for at least a while, I’ll be stepping back from this platform starting June 12.”

As XBIZ reported, X updated its adult content rules over the weekend, aiming to clarify how NSFW content may be posted and viewed.

The new policy states that users “may share consensually produced and distributed adult nudity or sexual behavior, provided it’s properly labeled and not prominently displayed.”

The policy also establishes a specific “Adult Content” warning, instead of the generic “Sensitive Media” label.

“We believe that users should be able to create, distribute, and consume material related to sexual themes as long as it is consensually produced and distributed,” the policy statement explains. “Sexual expression, whether visual or written, can be a legitimate form of artistic expression. 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.”

Barber did not clarify which of these statements or policies he objects to, but the Southern Baptist Church — the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S. — has been consistently vocal about its opposition to free sexual expression.

Although Mormons and conservative Catholics have stepped to the forefront of the War of Porn since 2015, the role of Protestant groups like the Southern Baptist Church and diverse evangelical allies has been central in influencing political opposition to adult content in the U.S. and the world.

Southern Baptist leaders have compared the current War on Porn — and particularly the Exodus Cry-driven attack on Pornhub — to the early church’s fight against “pagan culture.” SBC leaders have called for state censorship of all pornography, labeling the adult industry’s constitutionally protected exercise of free speech “an individual private indulgence” that combines “sexual abuse and trafficking.” 

One of the church’s main publications has theorized that “one in five youth pastors — and one in seven senior pastors — use porn on a regular basis,” and suggested that “those who recruit young adults to student ministry say porn addictions make many feel unworthy to answer the call to ministry.”

A Church Mired in Sexual Scandals

As XBIZ reported, in 2020 two church leaders advised Southern Baptists to spend more time “fighting pornography” rather than debating church doctrine, the SBC’s history of white supremacy or cases of sexual abuse by clergy.

In 2023, Barber had to ask public forgiveness after agreeing to file a controversial friend-of-the-court brief the previous year in a sexual abuse case in Kentucky.

Although Barber blamed a disgraced staffer for drafting the memo he authorized, he also acknowledged that a lot of people were disappointed with him and angry.

“I’m talking about friends I’ve had for two decades,” he added. “I’m talking about survivors of sexual abuse for whom I have wanted to be an advocate.”

“A lot of people — a lot of friends and allies — are really disappointed with me today,” he added. “I don’t have words to express how I feel about that.”

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

European Commission to Assess Pornhub, XVideos, XNXX Compliance With Digital Services Act

The European Commission plans to conduct a study to determine how well adult sites Pornhub, XVideos and XNXX are addressing illegal content and other potential harms under the EU’s Digital Services Act.

German Higher Court Upholds Ban on PornHub, YouPorn

The Higher Administrative Court of Rhineland-Palatinate on Thursday upheld a “network ban” on Aylo-owned adult sites Pornhub and YouPorn for failing to comply with German age verification regulations.

Alabama Notifying Adult Sites of New Tax Set to Take Effect Sept. 1

The Alabama Department of Revenue has begun sending notices to adult site operators about a new 10% tax on their revenues, set to be enforced starting Sept. 1.

Ondato, CCBill Announce Strategic Partnership for Global High-Risk Market

Age and identity verification firm Ondato and payment processor CCBill have formed a strategic partnership to serve the global high-risk market.

Ofcom Investigates 4 More Adult Companies for OSA Compliance

U.K. media regulator Ofcom has launched investigations into whether four companies operating adult websites have implemented requisite age assurance measures under the Online Safety Act, the agency announced Thursday.

Taylor Nicole Launches New Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Creator Taylor Nicole has launched her new official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Adult Networking Platform SpicyGigs.com Launches

SpicyGigs, a new adult industry networking platform, has officially launched.

Pineapple Support to Host 'Cream Pie Challenge' Fundraiser

Pineapple Support is hosting its Cream Pie Challenge through August to raise funds for mental health services for industry performers.

Kyrgyzstan President Signs Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday signed into law legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

NC Legislature Overrides Veto of Extreme Anti-Adult Industry Bill

The North Carolina state legislature on Tuesday voted to override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of a bill imposing regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most creators and content.

Show More