In Spite of Public Awareness, the Porn-Pandemic Persists!

Years ago, I was a part of a movement of volunteers who came together to declare #pornography a public health crisis. The effort resulted in many states implementing non-binding legislation around this reality. I got involved because I struggled with pornography.

Hard-Fought, Grace-Filled Journey Into Freedom!

I have written extensively about my struggle and the hard-fought, grace-filled, miraculous journey into freedom! For twenty years, my wife and I (@melissa_gainey ) have worked with men and women of all ages and backgrounds to help them live porn-free lives.

As a #pastor, I have written on #Porn‘s epic power within the church. Statistics indicate a large portion of Christian men, now growing in number for women, regularly struggle with or are addicted to porn.

I’ve said this and continue to believe in its truth:

Pastor: If you’re not addressing porn from the pulpit, you may as well stop offering discipleship programs.

-Biz Gainey

One simply cannot be hooked on or regularly consuming porn and grow as a disciple of Christ. Because churches do not address this reality, so much of men’s ministry wastes so much time and energy.

Over the last five years, I’ve been far less “public” in my work against pornography. 

On the local level, I am as busy as ever, helping others live in freedom. In fact, I hear from more and more men who want to be free – but “wanting to be free” is only a part of the journey.

Desire + Intention!

What begins with “want” must be followed by effort, intention, and resolve to play the long game that freedom demands!

I ceased the “public platform” because of the ongoing opposition from folks who refuse to see porn as a problem and seek to justify its existence and their consumption.

So, I took a break and focused locally.

Yet, despite the growing body of data and mounting evidence that porn is harmful and that there simply is no such thing as ethical porn, the industry continues to profit and expand. The sickness seems to spread.

So, I will write more often (not always) and offer more help – in a volunteer, non-professional capacity- through my blog and platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. 

Twitter, by the way, is one of the most useful tools the #porninudstry has.

Other social media platforms have been more responsive to complaints related to the porn industry’s predatory practices. Last week, in fact, Instagram removed Pornhub from its platform. How long this will last, no one knows, but the move is encouraging.

Dawn Hawkins, Cheif Executive Officer of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation hit’s the mark in her commentary on IG’s decision:

“Instagram was right to remove Pornhub from its platform for violating its community standards given the increasing reports of Pornhub hosting child sexual abuse material, sex trafficking, filmed rape, and non-consensual videos and images,”

Dawn Hawkins

Nearly 8 years ago, I wrote, in length about 12 personal convictions and alarming trends regarding pornography.

They are:

The Porn Pandemic and Twelve Personal Convictions

  1. While not everyone is addicted to porn, we are all porn addicts now.
  2. There is no such thing as “safe,” “acceptable” or ethical porn.
  3. Porn is at the root of most social problems our society faces today.
  4. Porn is a form of personal slavery and fosters a global slave trade industry.
  5. Porn consumption increases reliance on male enhancement drugs and contributes to impotency.
  6. The fullest effects of this “porn pandemic” may still be a generation away.
  7. Porn, and the industry that distributes porn, nurtures predatory behavior. Laws should be written to punish producers as much as predators.
  8. The porn industry is attempting to clean up its act in the hopes that we will be lulled to sleep (I.e., the whole “porn can be ethical” campaign).
  9. Porn is destructive to all human relationships, particularly marriage.
  10. Nonerotic same-sex intimacy is an important cultural space that’s been sabotaged by the growth of porn. As such, sexual dysphoria is running rampant among young teens in the early adolescence phase of human development.
  11. Churches and community centers must become sanctuaries of safe retreat across this country for those who want freedom.
  12. As porn is relinquished, community is restored.  As community is restored, porn is relinquished.

The last of the twelve constitutes, perhaps, the reason why I write: I believe that when we, as a society, stop viewing and justifying porn, we will enjoy a societal harmony and renewal we currently do not experience!

Perhaps you have some of your own?