The Curious Case of LDS Porn Addiction
A recent study showed that when subscription data to online porn websites is analyzed, Utah shows a higher incidence of usage than any other state. This statistic would probably not be surprising to any LDS who had been listening to General Conference (and local) talks over the last few years, where the problem of pornography addiction among LDS has been repeatedly addressed. My stake recently had a Saturday evening session of Stake Conference where our SP spent almost an hour on the subject. Every Bishop or SP that I am friends with seems to have, at one time or another, told me “You have no idea how bad it is.”
Apparently the LDS Church (and christianity in general) is suffering from an epidemic of pornography use among its members. And I’m guessing that, as of March 2009, the Church is losing the war on pornography.
As with all losing wars, there comes a time when the leaders have to re-evaluate their strategy and survey the battlefield. Sometimes, radical new tactics must be adopted. Certainly, no competent General would assume that doing the same losing battle plan over and over would eventually result in victory, right? And sometimes, surrender and retreat is the only logical option.
With that in mind, I suggest one option LDS Church leaders may have to eventually consider: accept pornography. But I say “accept pornography” not as a means to admit defeat, but instead as a tactic to kill the beast at its very heart.
After all, what if the only way the Church could “win” the war on pornography was to just let it go? What if the harder they fight against it, the more LDS men want to look at it, and the only way to reduce their interest is to tell them it’s OK to view it with wisdom and moderation?
As with anything, there will always be those people who can’t view it “with wisdom and moderation”, and then it becomes a problem. But just as the Church is able to deal with individuals with eating disorders while at the same time understanding that most people can enjoy the occasional dish of ice cream without going overboard, could the Church move towards a similar attitude for pornography? And does it have any other choice?
Because with our current, porn saturated world, I’m not sure the current no-tolerance policy is going to help. Or maybe the Church leaders just need to talk about it a little more, and things will get better.
Maintaining the Status Quo
But suppose the Church continues to take a hard-line stance and commits itself to a “no tolerance” policy. What, exactly, would the logical result be?
Ideally, the inspired leadership of the Church on the matter would turn the hearts of the fathers (and young men, and single men) away from their computer screens. That’s the hope.
But what happens if current trends continue, and two things happen:
- Pornography use and/or addiction continues to increase among Church members, with few actually confessing the problem to their Bishops.
- The Church maintains a zero-tolerance policy on the issue.
Assuming the problem (in areas with broadband internet access) reaches 25% of current priesthood holders, what will happen to the Church 25 years from now if porn use reaches 75% of priesthood holders? Or 85%? How will the Church be different than it is today? Will there be any noticeable difference?
Will the divorce rate or rate of infidelity be greater? Will priesthood blessings generally be less effective? Will home teaching numbers be lower? Will tithing receipts be lower? Will Temple attendance fall off?
And those kinds of numbers would indicate that it probably isn’t just the rank-and-file who have a problem; there would be leaders with problems as well. Would their pornography addiction have any noticeable affect on their leadership abilities? Would their callings be less inspired? Would they be less discerning in interviews?
What does a pornography epidemic mean to the Church in general?
I really and truly hope you’re writing this tongue in cheek. Your argument is equivalent to:
Mom: Don’t hit your sister
Mom: Don’t hit your sister
Mom: Don’t hit your sister
Mom: Don’t hit your sister
Mom: Don’t hit your sister
Mom: Don’t hit your sister
Mom: Okay, I’m getting tired of telling you not to hit your sister. It’s okay to beat her up, but be sure to only do so in moderation.
How in the world is an eating disorder, or a dish of ice cream compared to the soul enslaving vice of pornography? It is human trafficking that is being committed by BOTH the provider AND the viewer. I can’t imagine a scenario where things improve by the prophet saying “It’s okay to traffic in the virtue of another human being. Just so long as you do it in moderation only. If it becomes a serious problem, you need to repent.”
This is madness.
The reason porn use being higher in Utah is a compelling fact is because it’s a compelling story. All of those sexually repressed, white knuckled, knuckle-dragging Mormon men must be secretly depraved. Why else would they practice polygamy (which, of course, we haven’t for 120 years)?
Satan doesn’t seek to corrupt the wicked. He seeks most to corrupt the righteous…or at least those who know what the standard of righteousness is supposed to be and have made covenants to keep them. People in NY state, for example, are not his prime targets because he’s already got a lot of them under his thumb in that and other ways. He wants the high value, “special ops” targets, if you will. He’s going right for the heart of the Army of God with a nuclear arsenal suitcase bomb in every home. He just hopes we don’t recognize it as the DishTV device, the mobile phone, and the Internet connection.
So….zero-tolerance then?
Great post Cinepro. I’ve enjoyed quite a bit on your site.
Anyhow, while RW might have a point about the church not being able to green light pornography, his explanation for Utah having such a high usage is utterly rediculous.
Oh, that’s right, the devil made them do it. That’s classic bologna. Satan is so smart and witty that he can convince endowed members that have been clothed in the garment of the holy priesthood to just throw it all away for some boobs. Satan sure is powerful! Whatever happened to crushing his head while all he can do is bruise your heel?
Is it just me, or is this Satan guy just way more effective in both his message and approach to soul slavery than God is? Also, the bit about 120 years of no polygamy just reeks of whitewashery. Who’s we, and what does practice really mean. What’s the definition of the word the? etc etc. Just smoke and mirrors.
There were families still practicing polygamy that were members in good standing of the LDS Church up until the 1940’s by default. Practicing polygamy isn’t limited to the narrow definition of an additional marriage. Polygamous unions took place up until the very early 1900’s and those family units remained as intact polygamous ones for 40-50 years plus afterwards.
But I’m sure this whitewashing, excuse making RW knew that.
But to follow up with rw (and any others who have feelings in a similar vein):
What will happen with the Church if current trends continue? What if Satan is successful in his assault on Utah, and more and more LDS men start looking at pornography? What is the future of an LDS Church with a large percentage of men hooked on looking at naked women on the internet?
Every Latter Day Saint who views pornography is loosing the battle;thier personal battle;and that is what its all about.The church can keep doing what they are doing to promote chastity and morality and hope the members respond.I was always taught that it will become increasingly harder and harder to be a Latter Day Saint.I think we are seeing this.The brethern are our shepards and are there to lead us out of temptation. Then its up to us to drink from the fountain or choose not to.
“The reason porn use being higher in Utah is a compelling fact is because it’s a compelling story. All of those sexually repressed, white knuckled, knuckle-dragging Mormon men must be secretly depraved. Why else would they practice polygamy (which, of course, we haven’t for 120 years)?”
RW could you explain what you meant by this? Do you mean that prohibiting polygamy is the reason for porn addiction?
Personally I believe that the church should stress zero tolerance. The fact that the church keeps the standards high, is one of the reasons I love the church. There has to be sacrifice, obediance and devotion in order to obtain the award. If not, the award is not worth it’s value.
The thing is, where is faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ?
I think there’s plenty of room for the church to maintain its high moral ground, but still change its tactics. The way the church treats pornography (and sexuality in general) only adds to the cycle of shame and guilt that keeps people looking at porn. Even the language in the OP adds to this (in the statements that imply that anyone who has seen porn is addicted, for example).
I suspect LDS would classify the “cycle of guilt and shame” as a byproduct of the pornography, not the teachings against it. Thus, the “cycle” provides more evidence that pornography is bad.
Google trends shows that the consumption of internet pornography in Utah tends toward the softcore: swimsuits, lingerie, nudity, etc. Once you start getting into hardcore porn, Utah consumption drops off considerably.
I once heard that one effect (intended or not) of the strict rules at BYU is that students who want to experience the thrill of rebellion can do so through relatively benign acts. Not shaving, wearing shorts, carrying a Starbucks cup, swearing, etc. gets you the same mileage as body piercing, binge drinking, and casual sex at a normal school.
Maybe the church’s approach to porn is having a similar effect. The zero-tolerance policy gives relatively benign porn an added allure. Because it’s so forbidden, men in Utah seem to be able to get what they need from sites on par with the Victoria’s Secret catalog, and have no use for the coarser stuff that might actually have an adverse impact.
I see the foundation of this debate as flawed. The talk primarily centers on policy, governing tactics and restrictions / regulations. The church can’t compel/force/restrict anyone from doing anything. It’s leaders provide guidance for peaceful living in this life and salvation in the life to come. It is our choice to follow or not; exactly as God intended it.
Each individual works out his/her salvation with God (approaches himself/herself to the spirit or backs away). The church tells us how and provides mediums (sacrament meeting, temple, priestood ordinances) for this to take place, but the degree of spiritual unity between an individual and God depends on the righteousness/repentance of that individual, not church policies. The church doesn’t set the bar for spiritual communion (that is an eternal, unchanging standard set before the world was) and it doesn’t force anyone to commune. It can’t.
If I want the spirit with me (peace love and fulfillment) I don’t look at porn. When I look at porn I feel empty, frustrated and sad. I know the former is good and the latter is bad; I’ve had personal experience with both. It is now my choice for which I want. My spirit, my life, my salvation. My signature first on the temple recommend, my priestood to use or lose, my life to be blessed or not. My honesty in interviews and with friends and family. My integrity. My soul. I am grateful for the church’s help in building my relationship with my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, but my relationship is with them and their mandate to “be ye therefore perfect” and not to church policies and standards.
RW is 100% correct! Furthermore, since when is “giving up“ ever the noble thing to do . . . wait, oh yeah, the pop-psychobabble culture of the past 25 years is now fully entrenched in our culture . . . try not to hurt his feelings . . . try not to hurt her feelings . . . feelings, feelings, feelings are more important than logic and perserverance. Shame on you feminists!!