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P*rnography: An Attack on the Temple of God |
May 2011 |
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 Like many people, the end of the world was on my mind this past week. Thankfully, Jesus assures us in Matthew 24:36 that "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." Although we do not know when the Lord will return, we have been tasked with proclaiming the Good News and advancing the Kingdom of God as long as we serve here on Earth.
In his book, Liturgical Theology, Simon Chan explains that the Kingdom of God is not realized in the individual, but in the community of believers. As leaders of a faith community, one of the ways you advance God's Kingdom is by incorporating into the family of faith broken and fallen people, many of whom have ongoing struggles and temptations. According to research, many of the people in your community are dealing with broken s*xuality caused by or furthered by involvement with p*rnography.
The following statistics bear out this grim reality:
- 93% of boys have been exposed to p*rnography online before age 18
- 62% of girls have been exposed to p*rnography online before age 18
- Half of college-age men (18-26) view p*rnography once a week or more
- Nearly half of women ages 18-26 feel that viewing p*rnography is acceptable
- 27% of men report watching an X-rated movie in the past year and 17 percent report viewing online p*rnography within the past month.
- People who report watching an X-rated movie in the past year are:
- 26% more likely to be divorced
- 65% more likely to report having had an extramarital affair
As last month's PILOT LIGHT resources teach, our s*xuality and spirituality are intricately linked. This month, we invite you to dig with Dallas Willard into the difficulties of healing from p*rnography. Willard employs his "vision-intention-means" formulation to help the reader understand how lasting change is realized. He rightly points out that we cannot rely on "means" or tools to achieve what vision and intention ought to. His point is well-taken. I see many in the recovery movement focus on techniques for avoiding p*rnography use, but have not addressed the need for a counter vision-a godly vision-of s*xuality. Nor do many of them dig into and heal a broken will that continues to desire such material. Even the best tools will not bring about lasting change without the transformation of vision and will.
The second resource below is a pastoral letter written by Arlington Bishop Paul Loverde. In it, he addressed the deep spiritual harm of p*rnography and carefully attacks the cultural myths that surround its use. I am impressed with the depth of research and the level of care and concern in this lengthy and beautiful letter. I pray it will be a beacon for many leaders who encounter those wounded by p*rnographic s*xuality.
As always, we thank you for the opportunity to partner with you in serving people of faith. Please let us know if you have specific ministry needs or would like to see a particular topic addressed in PILOT LIGHT. You can reach us at pilotlight@myrocktoday.org.
Daniel Weiss
Director of Research and National Outreach |
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Beyond P*rnography: Spiritual Formation Studied in a Particular Case
Presented at the Talbot School of Theology's "Christian Spirituality and Soul Care" conference in September 2008.
Excerpt:
"Spiritual transformation into Christlikeness results from getting the right Vision of reality and goodness, the right Intention and decision (to actually become like Christ), and adequate Means to carry out the intention.. 'VIM' is the key to understanding whatever condition one is in. What is the 'VIM' of the person engaging with p*rnography?
 "Involvement with p*rnography is not an ultimate, undefinable fact that simply falls upon a person and there it is. It is rooted in a VIM. If you want to get out of such involvement, you work on replacing the VIM that put you there and holds you there with a godly VIM oriented to what is good to desire. That is something you can do. God will help you, but he will not do it for you." Read more.
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Bought With a Price: P*rnography and the Attack on the Living Temple of God
A pastoral letter by Bishop Paul S. Loverde, originally published in the Arlington Catholic Herald, December 7, 2006.
Excerpt:
"True human love does not arise from selfish desire but rather from self-giving. It is in the example of self-giving expressed  by loving parents that children develop the potential to commit to intimacy with another and to intimacy with God. When family members turn to p*rnography in a distorted thirst for intimacy, they turn against and in some measure reject their commitment to their family.
"We stand at a threshold - either we can continue to allow [p*rnography] to spread with fewer and fewer checks, or we can take concrete steps to uproot it in our lives, our families, our neighborhoods and our culture.
"A free people can combat the tremendous moral, social and spiritual danger of p*rnography with great courage. My fervent prayer is that Catholics, other Christians, and all people of good will understand this threat, confront it, facilitate true healing, and ever more fully live out our God-given use of human sight." Read more. |
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ROCK is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that exists to defend and sustain the founding principles upon which our country was built. Through active involvement in our community, through education, and cooperation with like-minded citizens we work to promote a wholesome culture in which all families can flourish. To contact ROCK, please call (502) 297-9892 or go to www.myrocktoday.org. |
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