Pornography Use Among Christians Reaches All-Time High
By Movieguide® Contributor
Pornography use is at an all-time high, especially among Christians.
“Pornography use among Christians, including pastors, has now surpassed the national average for Americans in general and this rise is doing so largely unchecked,” Liberty Counsel reported. “New data suggests a majority of Christian men and a rising percentage of Christian women view pornography occasionally, while a majority of pastors have struggled with porn use at some point in their lives.”
READ MORE: THE EFFECTS OF PORNOGRAPHY ON INDIVIDUALS, MARRIAGE, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY
Currently, 61% of U.S. adults report viewing porn. A study from Barna and Pure Desire Ministries found that “75 percent of Christian men and 40 percent of Christian women view pornography on some level.”
Among pastors, 67% “report having struggled with pornography at some point in their lives, with almost one in five (18%) saying this is a current struggle,” Barna reported. “Since Barna’s first study of pornography use in 2015, we see across the board more pastors saying they currently or previously struggled with pornography, and fewer pastors saying they’ve never struggled with pornography.”
Unfortunately, this increase is due to — in large part — the fact that “only a third of pastors (33%) assume porn use is a major or significant problem in their congregations.”
“While this number nearly doubles (to 62%) among pastors with larger congregations, overall, most U.S. pastors don’t see porn use as a problem for their congregants, revealing a profound disconnect between pastoral perception and actual behavior,” Barna said.
“Pornography use among Christians and in society is at a crisis level,” Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said.
“Digital pornography that can be consumed ubiquitously and anonymously is ensnaring millions of people. The danger is that sexual pleasure can become an addiction, idol, or something people use to medicate shame, trauma, or other brokenness. Pastors and churches should remain steadfast in teaching God’s design for human sexuality and partner with professional outside counselors to confront this rising sin with a sense of urgency and openness.”
READ MORE: STUDY REVEALS JUST HOW ADDICTIVE PORNOGRAPHY IS
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