{"id":2013,"date":"2013-01-15T11:02:00","date_gmt":"2013-01-15T11:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.catholicnewsagency.com\/news\/fight-against-porn-starts-with-the-heart-new-columnist-writes\/"},"modified":"2013-01-15T11:02:00","modified_gmt":"2013-01-15T11:02:00","slug":"fight-against-porn-starts-with-the-heart-new-columnist-writes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2013\/01\/fight-against-porn-starts-with-the-heart-new-columnist-writes\/","title":{"rendered":"Fight against porn starts with the heart, new columnist writes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Denver, Colo., Jan 15, 2013 \/ 04:02 am (CNA<\/a>).- CNA's new columnist Matt McGuiness offers a different approach to the widespread problem of pornography through an \u201ceducation of desire,\u201d or examining what the human heart truly longs for.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cWe really have to look within ourselves and see what it is that we want\u2026Christ wants our hearts, he wants us to go to the depths of the questions that are deep within our hearts,\u201d McGuiness said in Jan. 9 interview.<\/p>\n

\tHis series of three columns, called \u201cA second look at porn,\u201d<\/a> will appear on CNA starting Jan. 15.<\/p>\n

\tIn his first installment<\/a>, McGuiness critiques popular attempts at combating porn use, which tend to \u201cfocus on the moral question in isolation,\u201d he says. Some of these methods include 12-step-type programs, sheer willpower or frequent confession without examining the root of the problem.<\/p>\n

\tWhen Catholic speakers give bristly fire and brimstone talks on the evils of pornography, for example, McGuiness thinks they have failed to take the human condition seriously.<\/p>\n

\tWhile certainly acknowledging the immorality of pornography \u2013 \u201cfor Pete's sake I'm not saying throw out the ten commandments,\u201d he assured \u2013 McGuiness believes moralizing \u201ctends to preach to the converted\u201d and is neither attractive nor useful.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cThe deeper question is, what is it that men are seeking? There's some lack\u2026and pornography is a sign of that\u2026it is a sign of our desire for happiness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tMcGuiness says he penned his new columns in the hope that \u201cpeople would just be more honest\u201d about their struggles with pornography; a now multi-billion dollar industry that continues to skyrocket as internet availability increases worldwide.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cWhat I hope, is people would be open to seeing that porn is just a symptom of a deeper need that's in everyone's heart. And that's the desire for happiness. If we take that desire for happiness seriously, I think porn loses its allure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tThis focus on happiness \u2013 or, human flourishing which everyone hopes for \u2013 is the means which can help men to overcome the allure of pornography, McGuiness holds.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cIf we take the comparison of here's what I want, and here's what porn offers, it's a simple question\u2026do I desire my happiness or don't I? And if I do, porn can't help me, but in a sense is just a distraction from that, and then it loses its attractiveness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tMcGuiness maintains that while this \u201ceducation of desire\u201d involves a risk, \u201cthe risk is lesser than the danger of not taking desire seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\u201cDesire, is a curious thing. If you follow it willy-nilly, it takes you to all kinds of dark places. If you try to suppress or deny it, it comes out and bites you on the butt; so I think the only way to deal with it is head-on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tThe education of desire, McGuiness says, is inspired by the Gospels and \u201cinvolves staying with the question, 'What do I want?'\u201d<\/p>\n

\tHe recalled the episode in John's Gospel in which two disciples of John the Baptist followed Christ, and he questioned them, \u201cWhat seek you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\u201cI think he does that with us,\u201d McGuiness reflected. \u201cI look at the Gospels and I don't just see a historical record. I see that this is how, because of the Incarnation, God deals with men.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\u201cThere are archetypical moments that are present in our lives, and are opportunities, and I think porn is really an opportunity to say, 'What do you want?' Christ is asking guys, 'Really, what do you want?'\u201d<\/p>\n

\tUltimately, an encounter with Christ's beauty is what can tear men away from pornography, McGuiness believes.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cEncountering the gaze of Christ, whether that's through Adoration or a conversation with a friend, and I make the comparison of what Christ offers and what porn offers, its obvious: Christ is the answer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tMcGuiness also says his approach reflects a sound theological anthropology, grounded in the creation account of Genesis.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cWe're made in the image and likeness of God. And if that's true, then the things I desire are connected somehow with that. Yes there's sin, but we're not Calvinists\u2026it's not as if the divine image has been totally annihilated or pulverized, we're wounded.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tFlight from all desire is not characteristic of Christianity, but of far eastern traditions, the columnist noted. \u201cIf I say what I have to do is suppress all my desire, then I'm becoming a Buddhist; if not in name, in fact.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\u201cBecause if desire is so dangerous it has to be suppressed, what I'm really saying is, Christ can't save me,\u201d McGuiness added. \u201cIt's too much, he can't handle my lust. He's too weak.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\u201cBut if desire comes into the light of day, then you can have a conversation with it, and say, 'What are you after? What is it you really want?'\u201d<\/p>\n

\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Denver, Colo., Jan 15, 2013 \/ 04:02 am (CNA).- CNA's new columnist Matt McGuiness offers a different approach to the widespread problem of pornography through an “education of desire,” or examining what the human heart truly longs for.
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