Porn and Christianity

[phkrause]

Some good points TS.

[Dr. Shane]

Why are Catholic priests involved in so many child abuse cases?I think it is obvious that this has something to do with celibacy.

I don't see the cause and effect that way. I do not believe that celibacy causes anyone to become a child-sex predator. However, I think that there are Catholic child-sex predators (or potential ones) that are drawn to become priests as a means of doing penance for their sins (or strong temptations). Thus it isn't something about the priesthood that turns an emotionally healthy man into a child-sex predator, rather it is something about the priesthood that attracts the predators to it.

[olger]

Besides the freedom of speech issue, there is another disconcerting peripheral issue which is how does porn impact our church, fellow Christians and why is it so addictive?

When was the last time you heard of a church sponsored seminar/workshop on dealing with the addictive nature of pornography? Also how do we address this issue with our young people? It seems that a few of our pastors have been caught up in this too?

Alex

Conducted one in Norway last year, and Dayton this year. In Norway, numerous college kids approached me afterwards and said "Nobody talks about this stuff over here."

I said "Good, it's about time someone did.." We also talked about the blessing of purity, and how to clean up moral failure, and stay pure.

g

[Guest]

Wow og, you really get around.

[olger]

Tis true. Got another one in Norway in 2011.

[John317]

I think that's true, Shane. Another thing is that people going into the priesthood know that priests are generally trusted and they have lots of opportunities to be alone with children. At least that is the way it's been until recently. I suspect many parents aren't as trusting in that way today.

[cardw]

I agree with Shane that celibacy does not make one a child-sex predator. I think you will find a high incidence of sexual abuse among pastors as well. I think the job itself attracts predators. It really is a perfect cover.

I think this is a striking example of how Christianity fails to provide a solution.

It creates a conflict between the normal sexual attraction present in each person and the requirements to be a Christian.

When Jesus says that lusting after a woman is the same as committing adultery then one's eternal life is at stake. This bonds shame and fear with a normal human desire.

I think, as Shane as said, that many men go into some kind of ministry thinking that spirituality will change something that is normal. In actuality it increase the shame because not only is one's eternal life connected to this conflict, but often one's financial security and ability to survive as well.

The Christian community tends to want to keep these types of things secret, so many people suffer in silence their whole lives. I think this is a direct result of the obsession of Christianity with purity. You will find these emotional conflicts played out historically in the witch hunts of the middle ages where sometimes every woman was burned at the stake in some towns. If a woman caused any sexual arousal in the inquisitor then she must have the power of Satan.

I think this is part of the tendency of a male dominated Christianity to hate women. I won't go into detail on how these witch trials and executions were carried out, but it is quite evident that women were seen as the cause of sinfulness.

Because of the dysfunctional beliefs, shame, and secrecy around sexuality in Christianity, these types of abuses will continue to emerge.