"Never before in the history of
telecommunications media in the United States has so much indecent (and
obscene) material been so easily accessible by so many minors in so many
American homes with so few restrictions."
- U.S. Department of Justice
The title might have made a few, or all of you
blush. I think that might be a
good thing. There is no doubt that
this issue must mosh its way to the forefront. Pornography, and porn addiction are a cancer within
society. It eats away at marriages, and sets a subconscious bar of perverted expectations for future
relationships. Not to mention the
biblical implications related to an adulterous mindset and the personal turmoil
suffered by a large percentage of the actors behind the camera.
Before I continue, I think it is important to
point out a set of recent numbers related to pornography consumption (Research collected by Covenant Eyes):
*
Men are 543% more likely to look at porn than females.
* Those who have ever committed adultery are
218% more likely to look at porn.
* Those who are happily married are 61% less
likely to look at porn.
* Those with teen children at home are 45% less
likely to look at porn.
* Regular church attenders are 26% less likely
to look at porn than non-attenders, but those self-identified as “fundamentalists”
are 91% more likely to look at porn.
** After an analysis of more than one million
hits to Google’s mobile search
sites, more than 1 in 5 searches are for pornography on mobile devices. By 2015, mobile adult content and services
are expected to reach $2.8 billion, mobile adult subscriptions will reach
nearly $1 billion, and mobile adult video on tablets will triple worldwide.
*** More than half of boys and nearly a third
of girls see their first pornographic images before they turn 13. In a survey
of hundreds of college students, 93% of boys and 62% of girls said they were
exposed to pornography before they turned 18. In the same survey, 83% of boys
and 57% of girls said they had seen images of group sex online.
Finally, marriage:
The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
reports that 56% of divorce cases involve one party having “an obsessive
interest in pornographic websites.”
According to numerous studies, prolonged
exposure to pornography leads to:
* a diminished trust between intimate couples
* the belief that promiscuity is the natural
state
* cynicism about love or the need for affection
between sexual partners
* the belief that marriage is sexually
confining
* a lack of attraction to family and
child-raising
We can’t
let this issue remain as a festering sore in the dusty corners of our intimate
relationships. And we cannot
continue to support the producers of these types of films by buying their products, or visiting their websites. The heartache and turmoil associated
with this addiction is not worth the time you
took to consume the product.
I can speak of this issue first hand, as I have
been a part of the consumer statistic.
Nothing good comes from pornography. And nothing can destroy a relationship/marriage faster.
Right now, I’d
like to introduce you to Madyson Marquette. I heard her speak at
my church a few months back and learned that she was involved in the porn
industry as an actor in Los Angeles.
Her story hit home with me because I was bouncing around Hollywood,
Santa Monica, and Burbank [recording our record] around the same time she was
being trafficked through the industry.
I think it is important that we hear Madyson's story. Especially those of us who
are guilty, or have been guilty of consuming pornographic material. Anyone who has been there knows that
the actors become nameless, and faceless.
They are merely there to serve a murky purpose in our own lives. We have to remember that the actors are
sons and daughters. Fathers and
mothers. They’ve
got a soul worth saving. We all
do.
In the end, we come to the understanding that
none, not even those who you might consider the “worst,”
are exempt from God’s
forgiveness, love, and grace. Matthew 11
v. 28 says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest.”
The verse is not referring to a select few, or those who might be “better”
than others. The verse emphasizes "all."
Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of
Madyson’s book. Stop by her Facebook page and say
hi. Share your own story. Like, and share this article if you're down to support the cause. Bring awareness to this issue in any way you can.
I have included a few links here for
your convenience. The following is a brief intro (By Madyson Marquette - "My Father's Daughter - Memoir of a Porn Star"):
***Every
little girl dreams of growing up and being someone special. Some want to be a
princess, some dream of their wedding day, and some even dream of being the
first woman president. I, on the other hand had very different dreams.
I
dreamed of surviving another night with my mom and dad.
I
dreamed of having a different mom and dad.
I
dreamed of growing up and being on my own so I did not have to endure the life
I knew as a little girl.
I never
intended to go into the adult film industry.
I never
dreamed of being sold for money without my consent.
And yet,
that’s exactly what happened.
So here
begins my journey. It is one that started with survival, death, heartbreak,
drugs, money, sex, and lies… but led to restoration, healing,
forgiveness, and an unconditional love so unimaginable it is sometimes
disbelieved when spoken of.
But it’s real. Oh, so real.***
Check
out the Stats: http://www.covenanteyes.com
Utilize
the Resources: http://www.xxxchurch.com
