11-14-06
Greetings!
A recent survey of Evangelicals revealed that some 50% of Christian men struggle with pornography addiction. The same study found that 20% of women struggle with it. The story can be found here: http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=151336
Similarly:
On the Prevalence of Pornography:
-As of July 2003, there were 260 million pages of pornography online, an increase of 1800% since 1998. Pornography amounts to about 7% of the 3.3 billion web pages indexed by Google.
-Americans rent upwards of 800 million porn videos a year, compared with 3.6 billion non-pornographic videos. Nearly 1 in 5 rentals is a porn flick.
-Hollywood produces about 400 feature films a year. The porn industry churns our 11,000.
-1 in 4 American adults surveyed in 2002 admitted to seeing an X-rated movie in the past year.
-Source: Time Magazine, January 19, 2004
"The average age for first exposure to pornography is eight." –Steve Wood, Legacy
Where once pornography was something embarrassing or hidden, now it is seemingly everywhere. Whereas "Playboy" used to be hidden underneath mattresses or bought at the store in a brown bag, now it's available on the internet at the touch of a button. And it's everywhere. In fact, it has never been easier to acquire.
Practical Suggestions:
1. Steve Wood, a wonderful author and speaker on family life has put out numerous materials dealing with the addiction of pornography. He also has a newsletter.
http://www.dads.org/strugglewithporn.asp
2. RADIX---an apostolate with great appeal to those aspiring to be true "Men of God" also has resources to help you make that a reality: http://www.radixguys.com/
3. One friend, a true man of God, always prays the prayer of St. Michael the Archangel every time he passes a "Gentleman's Club" or "Adult Store". (Talk about hypocritical names!).
4. Finally, it is a greater measure of courage to flee the temptation that you may not fall into sin. Put the computer in a public place. Get rid of cable? Get rid of the TV? Get rid of the Internet? How much of a sacrifice is eternal life worth for you?
The recovering alcoholic doesn't surround himself with beer or hang out in bars. The better part of valor is to avoid the temptation, or what in Catholic tradition is called "the near occasion of sin".
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Church has always viewed pornography as a sinful activity, demeaning to the dignity of the human person—violating both the 6th & 9th Commandments.
Interestingly, the Catechism of the Catholic Church also mentions pornography in connection with the responsibility of the political community "has a duty to honor the family, to assist it, and to ensure especially: -the protection of security and health, especially with respect to dangers like drugs, pornography, alcoholism, etc.; (CCC #2211) and likewise in #2354 "Civil authorities should prevent the production and distribution of pornographic materials."
If we were to view the evil of pornography with the same seriousness that we view drug and alcohol abuse, we'd be much better off. And so would our society.
Phil's Tidbits:
-More on pornography:
Largest group of Internet porn viewers are children between ages of 12 and 17 By Meg Jalsevac
BALTIMORE, Nov. 1, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Cardinal William Keeler is encouraging all parishes in his diocese to prayerfully and actively take part in Pornography Awareness Week (PAW) from October 29 to November 5. Among other things, participants are asked to wear a white ribbon to symbolize their commitment to purity and their public protest against "the increase of obscenity" in today's culture.
In his message, Keeler explained that "the idea that pornography does not cause serious problems is a myth." He went on to explain that it denigrates the dignity of the person, usually women and children, to the point that they become looked on as mere sexual toys. Pornography frequently leads to more aggressive sexual behavior again most frequently targeting women and children as victims.
Keeler is hoping that PAW will alert parents to the temptations that surround their children when it comes to pornography. Keeler warned that the largest group of Internet porn viewers are children between the ages of 12 and 17 and he said that many parents are totally unaware of the fact that their children might be exposed at all.
Eli Machen, founder and president of The Omega Recovery Institute in Asheville, North Carolina says that pornography has a real chemical effect on the brain which is what causes pornography to be so addictive.
Machen explains that pornographic images are so powerful that they are easily and frequently recalled. However, because the physical reaction to pornography is actually chemically triggered in the brain, most individuals who regularly view pornography find that they need to increase or intensify their pornographic habits in some way in order to maintain the same chemical effects. Pornography is extremely addictive and always leaves the viewer wanting more.
Phil Burress, a former pornography addict for 25 years, is hoping that PAW will increase awareness of the dangers of pornography. He says, "I believe it's one of the leading causes, if not the leading cause, of divorce in
America today." Burress is now the leader of the group Citizens for Community Values which works to get pornography out of stores and hotels.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
Title |
Gay? Fine By Me |
|
Category: |
General Information |
|
Sponsored by: |
Residential Living |
|
Contact: |
Amanda Hebert |
|
Phone: |
346-2620 |
|
Email: |
|
|
Message: |
|
|
THE SHIRTS ARE IN AND WILL BE DELIVERED TODAY.... THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9th!! |
|
More fun from our local university. University employees promoting the wearing of t-shirts "Gay? Fine By Me."
From a Zenit.org interview with Fr. Larry Richards on 11-10-06:
Fr. Larry has a program "Changed Forever" that can be heard on Relevant Radio every evening at 7pm (Central Time). He's got a neat mix of wit, humor, and "sound doctrine." Check it out below…especially the highlighted sections:
Q: What is the core of the message that you try to get across to people?
Father Richards: That there is hope in Jesus Christ. This means that even though the world may be in darkness and fear so often with the constant threats of terrorism and war, there is always hope in Jesus.
No matter how dark a room is, if you just light one little candle the darkness never can overcome the light -- the light overcomes the darkness. Jesus is the light and the foundation is here to hold him up to the world.
Q: What are some of your more successful techniques to drive the message home?
Father Richards: Humor. I have often said that my style of preaching is to "make a person laugh, and then punch them in the stomach."
As the old song goes: "A spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down." When we are giving people the truth that can sometimes be hard, humor allows the person to embrace it easier.
Also, I make it practical. Too often people make the truth of Christ other-worldly instead of something that everyone can live every day. For instance I don't just tell people to love others, I tell them how to love others.
Q: What can Catholics do on a day-to-day basis to participate in the missionary action of the Church?
Father Richards: First I think that everyone needs to know that it is God's will for everyone to evangelize. After one accepts this responsibility given to them by Christ, then these are the steps that I give them:
First: Pray. We need to make a list of people in our lives that do not know the love of Christ. Then we need to pray for them each day. When we pray for someone, then we focus the grace of God on that person.
Just like when you take a magnifying glass and direct the sun's rays on a piece of paper you can set the paper on fire, so when one prays for someone, they become a human magnifying glass, and focus the grace of God on that person and set them on fire with the Holy Spirit.
This is the first and most important step because it is ultimately God who brings others to him and not us.
God bless you! Phil Lawson For the latest info on St. Peter's, check out the parish website: www.saintpetercatholic.com (You can also find old editions of the Areopagus here)
The Areopagus is a regular email for adults that includes various reflections, tidbits, news and events. Hope you find it fruitful!