AFISHA JUNE 407 JG

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PORNOGRAPHY IN THE
CHURCH: A NEW EPIDEMIC
This article for the adult readers
According to Portland State
University report, 469 victims of
child sex trafficking were rescued
in the Portland area within a five
year period.* Children sold for
child porn and sexual exploitation.
Some church members often are
involved in child sexual abuse or
buying children for sex. In this
article Kimberly Davidson from an
organization Freedom Calling will
provide some statistics about this
new epidemic around us.
The use of pornographic
(“porn”) material among Christians
continues to rise, reaching near
epidemic proportions in the
church. Porn, sadly, has been
normalized in our churches. Why
the rise in pornographic use among
Christians? The Global Christian
Center believes the reason is:
“Many blame the Internet,
which affords users anonymity,
affordability, and accessibility.
Individuals reluctant to purchase
pornography at a local convenience
store where others might see them
can now indulge their fantasies in the
privacy of their own home, sitting in
front of the computer. Some delude
themselves into thinking that it’s “no
big deal.””
Pornography is said to be a
Trojan horse sin, because it opens
the door to other sexual sins.
Shocking Statistics:
• 97% of Christian men
acknowledge they have looked at
porn.
• 64% of Christian men view
porn at least once a month; 55% of
those are married.
• 37% of Christian men look at
porn several times a week.
• 77% of Christian men between
the ages of 18 to 30 view porn at
least once a month; 32% of those
think they are addicted; 12% are not
sure.
• 50% of churchgoing men
admit to a serious struggle with
porn.
• 65% of Christian men view
porn at work.
• 25% of Christian men admit to
erasing Internet history to conceal
their browsing.
• 34% of churchgoing women
have sought out Internet porn.
• 70% of women keep their
cyber activities secret.
• Women, more than men, are
likely to act out their behaviors in
real life, such as having multiple
partners, casual sex, or affairs.
• 54% of pastors admitted to
viewing Internet porn in the past
year, and 30% viewing within the
past month.
Forty-seven percent of families
say porn is a problem in their home.
It is not only a choice for adults, but
is being consumed in large numbers
by our own children:
• 12 to 17-year-olds are the
largest consumers of Internet
pornography. Approximately 87%
of teens have Internet access.
• The average age of exposure
has been cited as 11 years-old.
• 79% of youths’ accidental and
unsolicited exposure to porn occurs
in the home.
Shocking, isn’t it? Fact: It
damages relationships, especially
our relationship with God. It is a
fact that the viewing of pornography
is the seed that germinates the
commercial sex industry. Porn is
advertising for sex trafficking. No
wonder God tells us, “Run from
sexual sin! No other sin so clearly
affects the body as this one does.
For sexual immorality is a sin against
your own body” (1 Cor. 6:18: NLT).
The church’s silence is only
perpetuating the issue. It can no
longer ignore “the elephant in the
room.” It’s time to sound the alarm!
If you or someone from your
family is a victim/witness of sex
trafficking or any other crime, you
can contact
Tatyana Bondarchuk, Advocate
for Victims of Crime at the Lutheran
Community Services, NW,
Ph. (971) 888-7833,
tbondarchuk@lcsnw.org,
address: 7931 NE Halsey, Suite
210 Portland, OR 97213
1 References:
*http://www.kptv.com/story/34241284/sex-trafficking-becoming-major-problem-throughout-portland-metro-area
http://globalchristiancenter.com/mens/overcoming-temptations/16765-pornography-in-the-church-a-new-epidemic
2 Tim Clinton and Mark Laaser, The Fight of Your Life, (Shippensburg: Destiny Image, 2014), 9, 32, 38-39; PornScar.com, “Statistics.”
3 Quoted in Tim Clinton and Mark Laaser, The Fight of Your Life, (Shippensburg: Destiny Image, 2014), 32.
60 June 2017 Будьте замечены!
AFISHA 407.indd 60
5/24/17 12:24 AM