Dangers of Pornography and How to Break Free from it

Written by: Awake

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The term “Pornography” refers to sexually explicit material that is designed to arouse the viewer, reader, or listener. It can include pictures as well as written and audio materials.

The world today is awash with pornography. It may be found in advertisements, fashion, movies, music, and magazines, as well as on television, video games, smartphones, mobile devices, web sites, and now online photo – sharing services. Pornography, it seems, is a prominent feature of popular culture. More people in more places are consuming more pornography than at any other time in history.

Facts about Pornography.

In many Countries….

1.              Every Second, Nearly 30,000 persons view pornographic websites.

2.              Every Minute, internet users send more than 1.7 million pornographic e-mails.

3.              Every Hour, nearly Two hard-core pornographic videos are released.

4.              Every Day, an average of more than Two million pornographic movies are rented.

5.              Every Month, nearly 9 out of 10 young men and 3 out of 10 young women view pornography.

6.              The global pornography industry generates an estimated $100 billion.

The nature of pornography is also changing. Professor Gail Dines writes: Images today have now become so extreme that what used to be considered hard-core is now mainstream pornography.

How do you view those trends? Is pornography a harmless pastime, a deadly poison, or something in between?

To find answers, let us consider some basic questions about pornography.

How does pornography affect Individuals?

What experts say: Pornography is highly addictive, with some researchers and therapists likening it to crack cocaine. People who indulge in pornography often cover up their habit. They are secretive and deceitful. Not surprisingly, many suffer from feelings of isolation, shame, anxiety, depression, and anger.

                                                                                                                              

In some cases, they develop suicidal tendencies. “My mood become self – absorbed and desperate,” says Serge, who downloaded porn to his mobile phone almost daily. “I felt worthless, guilty, alone and trapped. I was too embarrassed and scared to seek help.”

Even a fleeting or accidental brush with pornography can have a negative impact. Pornographic visual images imprint and alter the brain, trigger an instant, involuntary, but lasting, biochemical memory trail [that is] difficult or impossible to delete.

Susan, 19, who was exposed to pornographic websites, relates: “The images are engraved on my mind. They pop unexpectedly. It feels like I will never completely be able to erase them.”

The bottom line: Pornography enslaves and wreaks havoc on its victims.

How does Pornography affect families?

What experts say: “Couples and Families breakup over porn.” – The porn trap, by Wendy and Larry Maltz.

Pornography damages marriages and families by

·            Undermining marital trust, intimacy, and love.

·            Promoting selfishness, emotional aloofness, and dissatisfaction with one’s mate.

·            Fueling unhealthy sexual fantasies and cravings.

·            Tempting users to force objectionable sex practices on their mate.

·            Promoting emotional and physical infidelity.

Pornography can also hurt children more directly. John narrates – “When I was ten, I accidentally found my father’s pornographic magazines while playing hide-and-seek. I started looking at them secretly, not really understanding why I was attracted to such images. That started a destructive cycle that lasted way into my adult years.”

Studies show that pornography can influence adolescents to become sexually active at younger ages and also to become promiscuous, sexually violent, and emotionally and psychologically unstable.

The bottom line: Pornography poisons loving relationships and ultimately brings heartache and pain.

Finally,

Breaking Free From Pornography

Do you know someone or are you the one struggling to escape pornography addiction? Consider some of the steps below that have helped many break free from pornography.

1. Pray to God

“The most important step in over- coming the snare of pornography is to ask for Gods help in prayer.” – Franz.

God can give you or the person the Holy Spirit, empowering him “both to will and to act.” If the person yields to its leading, it will help him to conquer wrong “passions and desires.”

2. Get help from others.

“Pornography addiction is so secretive and shameful that you feel you can’t ask for help. You think you can beat it by yourself. But that is not true. You can beat it only with help. So I swallowed my pride and opened up to my wife. I also sought the help of a trusted friend. It was the hardest thing that I have ever had to do, but I got the help I needed.” – Yoshi

Confiding in other will take courage and determination. Yet, it is a vital step toward conquering the addiction and reconnecting with love ones. Yet, it is a vital step toward conquering the addiction and reconnecting with loved ones.

3. Identify and avoid potential triggers.

What situations, thoughts, or emotions trigger wrong desire? Surfing the internet? Watching late – night TV? Reading magazines? Visiting the beach? Being hungry, angry, alone, or tired?

“Identify your weakness, and avoid them like the plague,” says Sven.

“When I’m tempted to gaze lustfully at a woman, I immediately pray to God and force my eyes to look away,” says Franz.

4. Strengthen Spiritually.

“Fill your mind with wholesome thoughts and fill your life with spiritual activities,” adds Franz.

The Holy book states: “Whatever things are true, whatever things are of serious concern, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are chaste, whatever things are lovable, whatever things are well spoken of, whatever virtue there is and whatever praiseworthy thing there is, continue considering these things . . . , and the God of peace will be with you.” – Philippians 4:8-9.

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