Do Christians and Pornography Mix?
Author:
Jonathan
Published:
Mar 22, 2024
Porn doesn’t fit into a Christian's lifestyle. It’s hard for the two to mix since pornography objectifies people. It also goes against Jesus’s teachings about the dignity of humans.
Despite this argument, 21% of Christian men are addicted to pornography. This is twice what non-Christian men revealed in the same study. Sixty-four percent of Christian men look at porn twice a month. On the flip side, 71% of non-Christian men do the same thing.
Are Christians More Prone to Porn Addiction?
Christian men are more likely to identify with porn addiction than non-Christian men. Research from Case Western Reserve University suggests a relationship between moral conviction and the concept of porn use as “porn addiction.”
People with strong religious convictions consider even a healthy amount of porn use an addiction. That’s because it goes against their beliefs and morals.
Sex therapist Michael Quadland claims that Christian men often feel “out of control” with their pornography use because their beliefs about what’s considered “normal” are the underlying factor in determining whether the behavior is compulsive or addictive.
The term “addiction” refers to an unhealthy obsession or compulsive preoccupation with porn use. Porn addiction manifests differently in people. Typically, addictive porn use happens more than once per day or week.
The American Psychiatric Association doesn't recognize porn addiction as a behavioral addiction. Rather, it refers to it as a "compulsive sexual behavior." Regardless, the behaviors, habits, and patterns associated with the addiction are similar to other behavioral addictions.
It becomes a problem when it affects every aspect of a person’s life, including their relationships, career, and financial situation.
Devastating Effects of Porn
Porn addiction can be devastating for Christian and non-Christian people alike. It can lead to guilt, low self-esteem, and shame. The addictive behavior can also cause other mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression.
Some addicts may experience personality disorders or post-traumatic stress disorder. Porn addiction may also impact an individual’s ability to establish or maintain healthy long-term relationships.
Porn addicts believe there's no other substitute for intimacy. To them, dumping porn isn’t worth the risk for a healthy relationship. They might also fall out with friends and family due to judgment and shame. Porn addicts tend to experience isolation and loneliness as a result of their addiction.
What can the church do?
Pornography is a topic that’s a struggle for most Christian pastors. Their messaging contains a lot of stigma and shame. In this case, pastors need to convey a non-judgemental message.
They also need to change their approach when it comes to tackling pornography. Only seven percent of churches offer solutions for church members to overcome their porn addiction.
Other churches offer a biblically-based solution that doesn’t address the issue associated with porn addiction. What the church should do in this case is offer a solution that combines mental health with science-informed solutions.
This assures their members that they can get help without judgment or shame. This would motivate members to get help and have an honest conversation with pastors. It can also help eliminate the taboo associated with porn use while getting to the root of the problem.
The porn problem
The Porn Problem is a book by Vaughan Roberts. This short read is 90 pages long and addresses some of the issues surrounding pornography. Vaughan admits that porn use is common among both Christian men and women.
He asks Christians to have more compassion for those who struggle with compulsive porn and sexual behavior. He also provides a biblical argument against porn and explores the concept of healthy sex using the readings from the gospels.
Vaughan doesn’t explain why porn is harmful. He also doesn’t address issues associated with the porn industry, such as human trafficking, sexual assault, and racism. He only offers biblical solutions for those who are struggling with porn addiction.
What is a porn addiction?
A porn addiction develops when one's porn use become excessive. The individual isn't able to stop looking at pornography, even if there's a desire to. This turns into an obsession where the individual constantly thinks about sexual behaviors.
This addiction can interfere with your work, relationships, school, and other aspects of your daily life. You might find that your life revolves around pornography.
But there is no direct cause of porn addiction. It could stem from a chemical imbalance, emotional trauma, or brain pathway changes in which you enjoy being rewarded for your habits.
How to break the addiction
If you find that your pornography habits are out of control, there is help. The most common form of treatment for porn addiction is Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), which is psychotherapy.
You’ll work with a mental health professional to discover the main triggers or stresses in your life that cause your porn addiction. From there, you’ll find ways to manage your compulsive porn habit.
Other forms of therapy include acceptance and commitment therapy and psychodynamic psychotherapy. These types of treatment teach you self-awareness, radical acceptance, and problem-solving skills.
Medications such as antidepressants, anti-androgens, mood stabilizers, and Naltrexone can also help control the brain chemicals that are linked to your obsessive thoughts and behaviors.
You can also join a support group such as Sex Addicts Anonymous. In addition, you can work with a mental health professional who’s trained in handling porn addiction.
Birches Health can connect you to a professional. You can take an assessment, which is 100% free and confidential.
Resources:
Pornography and Christ Don't Mix: Here's Why
Why are so many Christians addicted to porn?
Understanding compulsive sexual behavior
Pastors and Porn: A Struggle for the Church
Pornography As An Addiction - Church and Mental Health
