Catholics Versus Pornography

The world is still struggling with the COVID pandemic, and we have a worldwide slaughter of unborn children continuing. Beyond that, we have another epidemic: pornography. This social cancer is destroying the health of families and relationships.

Most people are unaware of the severity of the pornography problem. Porn is treated as if it is just a harmless, rite-of-passage anecdote that gets a wink and a laugh. However, porn is very pervasive in, and damaging to, our society.

The Astounding Numbers

Here are the shocking statistics:

• There are 4.2 million pornographic websites
• 40 million adults in the U.S. regularly visit pornographic websites.
• Among Christians, 47% claim pornography is a major problem in the home.
• Pornography plays a significant role in over 50% of all divorces.
• 68% of young adult men say they look at porn at least once a week; 64% of Christian men say they look at porn at least once a month
• Over one-third of all visitors to pornographic websites are women
• 80% of 15–17-year-olds have had multiple exposures to hard-core porn; the largest population of Internet pornography users are 12–17-year-olds.
• Daily, there are 68 million pornographic search engine requests on Google, which is 25% of all search engine requests.
• Every second, 25,258 Internet users are viewing pornography and spending $3,075.64 on it.
• The pornography industry earns over $97 billion worldwide every year ($13 billion from the United States); that is more than the top eight technology companies combined. Child Porn generates $3 billion annually.
• Most sex offenders started out as pornography addicts.

  

The Damage and Recovery

Obviously, the problem is enormous. Porn affects all ages and backgrounds. Like substance abuse, it destroys families and lives and is just as addictive.

Research shows that brain reactions to porn are similar to cocaine addiction. It imprints on and alters the brain such that the effects on a young, developing brain can be devastating. Sadly, the average first view of pornography is at age eight!

Through porn, men develop a distorted, even deviant and violent view of sexuality and relationships. It decreases their willingness to make commitments or have children. Porn teaches women to exaggerate wanton sexiness and acquiesce to male demands.

Needless to say, what pornography portrays is in contrast with the teachings of the Catholic Church about the proper role of sexuality, the equality of male and female dignity and of loving, responsible relationships and intimate interactions.

So what is the Catholic Church doing to combat this evil? Many things. The following is a list of organizations, tools and resources created for Catholics.

https://cleanheart.online/ Clean Heart Online: provides resources, education and training on the appropriate use of technology, including tools specific to ministry leaders.

https://www.peterkleponis.com/resources-for-porn-addiction-recovery/ A very long list of resources for addicts and those connected to addicts compiled by Dr. Peter Kleponis.

https://integrityrestored.com/ Website of the organization co-founded by Peter Kleponis, Ph.D., to provide resources on protecting individuals, couples and families from porn.

https://www.strive21.com/ A 21-Day Porn Detox program for Catholics and other Christians that gives men the knowledge, tools, and accountability needed to quit porn.

https://www.reclaimsexualhealth.com/  Uses Catholic teaching, proven neuroscience, clinical psychology, and behavioral-change technology; combines brain training exercises, prayer, community support and more. Requires a paid subscription.

https://www.angelicwarfareconfraternity.org/ Thousands of men have won the spiritual battle against porn by seeking chastity through prayer in this confraternity.

A Google search will result in links to the resources specific to a particular diocese. There are, of course, both Christian and secular programs available as well.

Various Internet filters are available by subscription that prevent access to pornography. There are also monitoring apps like Victory App (created by LifeTeen to report activity to mentors), which is affiliated with Covenant Eyes (monitoring app for members).

The Catholic Response

Catholic high schools and colleges need to make battling pornography a priority since their students’ brains are still in development. After all, it is the duty and mission of Catholic schools to protect young people from spiritual and physical harm and to establish a strong foundation in appropriate Catholic sexuality.

As Catholics gear up for the new battle over abortion, it is important to make the connection between pornography and abortion. Pornography promotes a culture that uses women as sex objects. The huge sex trafficking industry is evidence of that.

How else can the unconscionable use of sex for entertainment and abuse remain without consequences unless abortion is available to eradicate “hazards” of the trade? Indeed, amoral, casual sex needs re-usable women with no down time or complications.

Catholics have responded to the challenge of the porn crisis vigorously. It is yet another indication that the Church cares compassionately and actively for its flock, yet each parish needs to be even more vocal in raising awareness of the pornography epidemic.