Originally Posted by The Borg
This topic has really gone places that I never imagine!
Reviewing some responses:
1) I agree that the problem with pornography is worse in the church, causes more problems (in the church) than that of alcohol or drugs. I don't have the numbers to back it up, but I get a feel that in general, our membership has been ingrained sufficiently long, that "drugs & alchohol" are "bad", against the WoW and have this challenge in manageable form.
2) Times change. Drugs & alcohol "used" to be a problem. Addiction could result, chemical reaction take place..problem. However, the adversary has a new tool. Porn. In a way, I can see a porn abuser becoming addicted rather easily. Once viewed, natural hormones released...get that "high" without thinking you're actually "taking anything into your body" <<like drugs or alcohol>>...but you ARE taking something into your body. Worse than drugs or alcohol...once they are gone...they are gone. But, IMAGES stay in your mind forever. Can be recalled at will. This 'high' can be 'recalled' without ingesting something. Verrrry dangerous.
3) Most 'men' <<speaking of men only here>> are more 'visual' than are women. It's in our makeup. Therefore, again, it is most likely MORE addictive than drugs or alcohol because it is the more near the same effect on 'most' males. Alcohol abuse/addiction is very different for people. Becoming an alcoholic is very addictive for very few people...some have had to purposely abuse alcohol etc. to the point where it had to become addictive. Porn..in my opinion, works immediately on most people. I would tend to believe that a very high percentage of viewers get the desired reaction that they were looking for upon their decision to look.
4) Combine this instant reaction <<hormones released>>, ability to be recalled whenever needed, convince a young man (teen/20's) ie. high sexual drive, you've got trouble...you've got someone that will easily become addicted.
5) If years of this ensues, can any women measure up? Physically? Visually? Sexually? You've got a problem.
6) Combine this with marriages where things aren't all that cozy. For whatever reason, if intimacy isn't what is should be for whatever reason...if a man either chooses to go there, or reverts back to it....you've got problems.
Naivity is NOT the correct response when countering the effects of porn. It is a reality, it is a major problem, it is I believe, THE main cause of ruining marriages, keeping young men off missions, keeping young men from postponing marriage/committing to meaningful relationships to eligible young women.
If one believes it is NOT a problem, I think you've got your head in the sand, and don't have a firm grip on what is going on in the world, and especially in the LDS world.
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