The statistics of pornography use is staggering.
But it isn’t just the use of pornography in general that I find disturbing, it’s how much pornography is consumed by the Church.
Just look at these statistics:
50% of pastors regularly look at porn?
Houston?
Yes, we have a problem.
What’s the solution?
[via Mars Hill Church]
Adam Shields says
I am not going to question that there is a real problem with porn. But I have to wonder about the methodology of these stats and how reliable they really are. I have been hearing the 50% of pastors one for quite a while but no one seems to really have a good link to an original study. And the stats for this study are behind a paywall.
I have enough background in statistics and sociology to know that a significant number of the stats that Christians use are crap.
But I don’t want to minimize the problem either. 10% of pastors regularly looking at porn is a significant problem as well.
Michael Hyatt says
I totally agree with your comments. I’m not saying it’s not a problem, but I would like to see the source of the study. The stat on pastors doesn’t pass the smell test to me.
Eric Dye says
Here are some additional stats that would support the claim of 50% being a little high. Unfortunately, only a little high.
From: http://www.blazinggrace.org/cms/bg/pornstats
And from there, you’ll find:
In March of 2002 Rick Warren’s (author of the Purpose Driven life) Pastors.com website conducted a survey on porn use of 1351 pastors: 54% of the pastors had viewed Internet pornography within the last year, and 30% of these had visited within the last 30 days.
Only 81 surveyed, but …
Out of 81 pastors surveyed (74 males 7 female), 98% had been exposed to porn; 43% intentionally accessed a sexually explicit website
National Coalition survey of pastors. Seattle. April 2000.
Pastors are looking for help:
Roger Charman of Focus on the Family’s Pastoral Ministries reports that approximately 20 percent of the calls received on their Pastoral Care Line are for help with issues such as pornography and compulsive sexual behavior.
Eric Dye says
But wait, there’s more! LOL!
From here: http://www.safefamilies.org/sfStats.php
51% of pastors say cyber-porn is a possible temptation. 37% say it is a current struggle (Christianity Today, Leadership Survey, 12/2001).
Finally, the stats for this infographic are from the Real Marriage Brief, but you have to sign up for the free Real Marriage Campaign to get that info. http://pastormark.tv/campaigns/real-marriage
Jason says
Hi Eric, I believe these stats are way under. Due to the nature, conciquences, and embarrassment, many would never speak the truth of their weekness. It took me almost 5 years to write a 17 page bible study on this subject. I tried to paste it here, but it wouldn’t let me because of its size.
I have found the answer to sexual immorality within the church!! It was well hidden, yet blatant to see. It most definitely isn’t putting someone in a pressure cooker of an accountability partner! Sexual temptation is just to strong! 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
[13] No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
I have found this way out!! The problem is the church has no clue what GODS definition of “marriage”, and “divorce” really is. I am anxious to share my study so please respond to my email. I will send it to you, and would love to hear your response. Thank you
Eric Dye says
Finally, thanks for commenting!
Eric Dye says
There are several fragmented studies that align with each other fairly well (links on Hyatt’s comment). Also, the flock is never that far from their shepherd. If they are, the shepherd is doing a lousy job. Either way, it’s a total FAIL.
10%? Yeah. It’s higher than that. So then, if it’s more like 30%, then what?
Houston, we have a problem 😉
Douglas Lord Morrisson says
See BARNA, “The Porn Phenominon” 2016. Solid methodology.
Bob Price says
My name is Bob Price, and I am the Executive Director of Sought Out, Inc. in Virginia Beach, where we daily serve persons (including pastors) that are healing through their dependency on pornography, among many other issues.
There are numerous non-scientific studies out there readily available through any internet search, but a scientific double-blind statistics project specifically on the issue of pastors and porn has not been done to our knowledge, and we deal with this for a living.
We currently have numerous pastors connected in some way to our programs; two of our staff (including myself) were pastors that struggled with an addiction to pornography, in addition to other unhealthy practices. The problem is very real, and very personal, to us.
Pastoral ministry is a “perfect storm” that can lead to a dependency on pornography; the isolation, the job stress, the impossible double standards, the over-committed, over-worked, underpaid, under-appreciated, marriage stress, pressure on the pastor’s kids, etc…all coupled with the very real fear that the pastor would lose his/her job if anyone found out, thus the feeling that there is no one safe to talk to.
Though looking at pornography just once or twice does not make a person “hooked,” it is a progressive, habit-forming, object of dependency that in our personal experience and that of our clients, must be taken seriously as the danger that it is.
Additionally, pornography use is just one of many ways a person can become dependent on his or her sexuality to cope with pain, stress, etc.
If this is an issue in your life or that of one of your loved ones, please feel free to contact me for information or resources. As always at our ministry, confidentiality is assured.
Eric Dye says
Bob, as Editor of ChurchMag, let me extend an invitation to have you write for us sometime. It would be great to cover practical help and tactics, along with other information surrounding pornography as it relates to the internet. We are a Church tech blog and we would be remiss if we were to overlook this subject.
You can email me – eric [at] churchm.ag
(We moved from Suffolk, VA before moving to Italy and I’ve heard of you guys — keep up the great work!)
Bob Sorge says
Eric, the pivotal issue in gaining victory in this area, at least in terms of my own experience, is almost never addressed. Unless I’m just not reading the right stuff. The big issue is laid out clearly in Job 31:1. Total consecration to the Lord includes making a vow before God concerning our eyes. A covenant vow that pledges to God, my eyes will not behold it. It’s one of the scariest vows I’ve ever made with God. Without invoking the terrifying fear of being in a covenant vow with God, stumbling upon compromising images can still “just seem to happen.” The love of God is essential, and the fear of the Lord seals the door shut. This at least has been my experience, and yes I intend to write on it, perhaps soon. Thanks for letting me pipe in.
Eric Dye says
Great stuff, Bob, thank you for commenting!
Wayne Frazier says
The Bible has many references to pornography, under different names, but the translators chose to put that sin sickness ,within the heading of words we take for different meanings. We get the word pornography from the Greek words ( Strongs Concordance Greek 4205 Pornos- fornicator, whoremonger….1 Cor.5:9..10…11…1Cor.6:9 Heb.12:10 Greek 4202 Pornein- idolatry-fornication- harlotry including adultry and incest…..Rom.1:29 1Cor.5:1…6:13….6:18…7:2…2 Cor.12:21…Gal.5:19..
Eph.5:5 …Col.3:5…1Thess.4:5 ) so we see that looking at pornography is sins of adultry,if you are married,fornication (sex outside of marriage) and can lead to incest,rape and other devious actions.
Repentance will free you from the bondage of addiction.
Marybelle says
The young Associate Pastor got up in front of the congregation and admitted he was addicted to porn and asked for forgiveness. He went to Rehab for several months. This was at large Baptist Church in the County I live. I’ve often wondered what happened to him.
Eric Dye says
Sad. :-/
Tracy says
That is humiliating to his wife! Maybe he should look to clear his conscience and get right with The Lord in a fashion that doesn’t do more damage to his family. Shameful!
That sends unneeded information to women in his church about how unsecured his marriage is….and don’t think a few of them didn’t pay close attention.
Dr Brendan Kirby says
It is a very real warfare for the souls of men and women. We need much grace and love to exhort one another to get free and remain free of this poison. But we also need a revelation of the fear of God and His holiness – so that we will not sin. If people know something will kill them, somehow they find the strength to stop quick smart!
The way I see it – porn is idolatry and adultery – both of which will kill you.
What greater motivation is there to cease from sin?
Let’s keep praying so that we do not enter temptation and to overcome the flesh by the Spirit, amen!
Love and regards
Pastor Brendan
Ian says
I use porn and have told quite a few people in my church. What amazed me was how many men confessed, once i had come out of the closet! (their secrets safe with me, obviously)
It is a HUGE problem in the church and in the world. I am trying daily to rid myself of this scurge, but it’s very difficult! I’ve been using for 38 years. It all started with lingerie adverts, like it did for so many guys in the ’70s. Yes lingerie ads are porn in God’s eyes. I’ve read of hardened drug addicts say it was harder to give up porn than say, crack. It truly is a drug! Every day u leave ur home and see scantily clad women/girls – its a trigger, tv, magazines, the internet, they’re all full of triggers. Eventually those triggers wear u down and u use. I’m sure that God does mot approve of the way most women dress today – the very fact that it can be a trigger to some men is testimony to this. We need to seek God with all our hearts to get away from this plague.
deborah says
One of the top reasons I will never again go to church.