Let’s get uncomfortable for a minute. Pornography. Wikipedia defines it as “the portrayal of sexual subject matter for the purpose of sexual arousal”, and (though it’s Wikipedia) that’s clear enough for me. With the widespread reach of the internet, pornography has become incredibly pervasive. If you’ve never seen it, you’re in the American minority. 9/10 boys and 6/10 girls have seen porn before they turn 18. With the knowledge that so many Americans have seen (and regularly watch) porn, it is insane that I never hear anyone talking about it! Pornography is hugely widespread and problematic in many ways, and we need to speak up.
Arguably the most important problem that needs to be addressed is this: porn is a multi-billion dollar industry that profits by exploiting men and women worldwide and it is largely an industry made up of human trafficking. In the United States, the primary cause of human trafficking is for sex, including pornography acting. In many cases, porn actors have no escape from their sexual career, largely because of the economic and social difficulties of moving on. Even in cases where actors and actresses intentionally choose to join the industry, they are often horribly mistreated by those they work for and act with. People are treated like objects that can be assigned worth and sold as visual pieces to a viewer’s sexual fulfillment puzzle. Among actors and actresses in the industry, there is an incredibly high rate of substance abuse and sexually transmitted diseases. The way people are treated in the pornography industry is unacceptable, and needs to stop.
Another huge issue related to porn is addiction. Regular exposure to sexually explicit imagery changes the brain in ways similar to hardcore drugs, not to mention the many ways it confuses viewers and causes them to forget or misunderstand normal sexual interaction and healthy intimacy. Porn distorts sexuality, damages relationships, and confuses one’s understanding of healthy gender interactions, all the while setting up chemical pathways in the brain that draw viewers back for more. It is amazing that we stay so quiet about this, especially given the probability that there are many among us addicted to porn. Among Christians who are willing to answer questions about their histories with porn, 64% of men reported that they view porn at least once a month, along with 15% of women. If we as a church want to help those around us to be free from this harmful addiction, we need to model that freedom first.
In case nobody has told you yet: porn use is a form of sexual immorality. Galatians 5 tells us, “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality… I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Our hope in Christ is a hope of righteousness and purity, and we cannot neglect sexual purity along the way.
It is clear that pornography is an issue of mental health, human rights, economic justice, and moral purity. And yet, porn addiction is hidden and kept secret. Occasionally, when it is talked about, it is often normalized. But pornography is not normal or okay, no matter how many people use it.
Church, please talk about it. Houghton, please talk about it. Christians, rise up about it! This problem will not go away with silence. Let’s start with ourselves. James 5 says, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” Let’s begin with healing each other, and then let the world know the freedom they can have in Christ.
There is freedom for sexual slaves, who are separated from anyone who loves them, and who are treated like dirt. There is freedom for addicts, whose minds, bodies, and relationships are broken. There is freedom to be a part of the Kingdom of God, but only if we address this, and do it in Jesus’ name.
All statistics and research are from Covenant Eyes. If you’re addicted to porn, check out Fight the New Drug’s “Fortify Program”, an online pornography addiction recovery program.