Satan's bait

Peter Sacco

Some time ago, I conducted some research into music videos and police shows containing soft pornography, and what viewers felt about them. My subjects were 92 teenaged males, of whom 30 were juvenile delinquents (young offenders). The rest were high school students, in two groups--high academic achievers and low academic achievers.

Interestingly, the delinquent group preferred shows containing sex and violence. Furthermore, while the other two groups thought the shows were fantasy, the delinquent group thought they were a reflection of the real world. As a result, the behaviours portrayed in the programs--rape, abuse, etc.--were perceived as tolerable. Scary stuff!

After many university psychology courses, as well as many years of researching and scanning journals, I have come to the conclusion that pornography can be addictive. Furthermore, like alcoholism and drug addiction pornography affects not just the users, but also those closest to them, and even society as a whole.

Pornography viewing usually starts out as curiosity, an apple from the forbidden tree. If the bite is sweet, then it leads to desire. Eventually, desire leads to urge--people begin thinking they "have to have it". At this point, many no longer view pornography as entertainment, but as a necessity. Finally, if this goes on long enough, it becomes a psychological addiction. Individuals believe they "must" have their fill of pornography or they will go crazy.

For some, pornography can be like social alcoholism leading to binge drinking. Many people become desensitized to soft porn and migrate to harder porn. Once pornography no longer is able to satisfy them, some may move on to strip clubs, even prostitutes, to fulfill their hungers. What next?

Pornography takes away a sense of innocence, and even creativity. Like alcohol and drugs, it confuses and depresses.

In many passages, the Bible discusses lusts and how they need to be kept in check and rebuked. Satan is always looking for new wrinkles with which to tempt. As the father of lies, he would like us to believe pornography can entertain us and help us with our intimate relationships. It's a lie! Satan is using pornography as one of his many baits to lure us to his hook. He has become a "fisher of men", and many are biting. Unfortunately, what he is catching is getting fried to a crisp! It is usually those vices we say we can stop whenever we want that are most addictive. Pornography is no different.

Peter A. Sacco is a professional psychologist and columnist from Niagara Falls, Ont.

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