What is the Christian Perspective?
Like many things considered "sinful," pornography can become an addiction. As such, Christians should walk alongside those who struggle with it instead of shaming and condeming them. They can help offer resources such as Unwanted by Jay Stringer. This is a struggle that has become societally normalized, but it has disastrous consequences for the individual and society as a whole. It is up to the individual to take responsibility for their actions. When porn is viewed, the fault lies at the feet of the viewer. The clear throughline in Scripture (especially Proverbs) is that there are women who try to seduce men, but it is the man's responsibility to both not put himself into situations where he is vulnerable to seduction and to reject any advances that are made. Those who claim otherwise are likely shifting the blame due to shame and it is our calling to gently guide them back to the truth of Scripture.
How do we Get this from Scripture?
“You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery. But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Matthew 5:27-28
This verse highlights that when we see others through the lens of sexual cravings, we are committing adultery in our hearts, as we are not keeping our hearts faithful to our spouse.
"Flee sexual immorality! Every sin a person commits is outside of the body”—but the immoral person sins against his own body" 1 Corinthians 6:18
This verse emphasizes what science has proven: sexual immorality leads to addiction, desensitization, and an increase in negative emotions.
"God created humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them" Genesis 1:27
This emphasizes that we should not be objectifying women, but honoring them as equals created in the image of God.
"A man shall cling to his wife and the two shall become one flesh" Genesis 2:24
This establishes that sex is meant to be between a husband and wife, not consumed on a screen for one's own pleasure.
"Do not lust in your heart for her beauty, and do not let her captivate you with her alluring eyes;" Proverbs 6:25
This verse shows that a man being seduced is not the fault of the woman. It is, instead, the fault of the man.
Scientific Understanding
Porn is a brain-altering drug that has a disproportionate impact on teenagers. [1]
Once used, porn becomes a slippery slope that can lead to altered brain chemistry, addiction, and a craving for more.
Porn use is linked to an increase in negative emotions. [1]
People who consume porn frequently may experience heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness.
Porn is linked to early erectile dysfunction and sexual dissatisfaction. [2]
The chemical alteration to one's brain creates a need for more extreme pornography rather than real women, leading to erectile dysfunction in young men.
Porn is linked to an objectification of women. [3]
When viewing porn, the people become less of a person and more of an object, which leads to an overall objectification of women.
Porn is linked to an increase in sexual violence and aggression. [3]
Porn often portrays women in these positions as enjoying themselves at some point, which helps the brain to desensitize and normalize these behaviors.
Use of porn is one of the entry points for child pornography. [4]
There are other factors, such as childhood abuse, but the reality adult porn is a gateway to child pornography use.
Porn is also a gateway to child molestation. [5]
The fact that child molesters report an increased use of porn prior to molestation is an undeniable link between the two.