Pornography Use Among Self-Identified Christians Largely Mirrors National Average

(CNSNews.com) – Addiction to pornography affects millions of men and women in the United States, and many of those people identify themselves as Christians, according to a 2014 survey produced by a Christian organization dedicated to fighting pornography and sexual addiction.

Sixty-four percent of men view pornography “at least monthly,” according to the survey conducted by the Barna Group for Rockville, Md.-based Proven Men Ministries.

The proportion is even higher for men between the ages of 18 and 30 where 79 percent – eight in ten – men view pornography monthly.

Based on a sample of 1,000 adults nationwide, the survey revealed that viewing pornography on a regular basis is widespread in the U.S.

It also found that the number of men identifying themselves as Christians and viewing pornography virtually mirrors the national average.

More of the findings from the survey:

–Two-thirds (67 percent) of men between the ages of 31 and 49 view pornography monthly.

–One-half (49 percent) of men between the ages of 50 and 68 view pornography monthly.

–Christian men are watching pornography at work at the same rate as the national average.

–In some instances, Christian pornography use is higher than non-Christian. For example, while 18 percent of Christians say they watch it “several times a week” compared to 29 percent of non-Christians who do, when it comes to “at least once daily” the rates are 12 percent Christian and 10 percent non-Christian.

–18 percent of men of all ages either think that they are addicted, or are unsure if they are addicted to pornography. That equates to 21 million men (based on U.S. Census Bureau data that show there are 119 million adult men and 123 million adult women in the United States.)

– Broken down, 19 percent of single men, 17 percent of married men, and 33 percent of men aged 18-30 either think that they are addicted, or are not sure if they are addicted, to pornography.

As for pornography use among women:

–28 percent of women aged 18-30 view pornography “a few times a year.”

–18 percent of self-identifying Christian women view pornography “a few times a year” – a rate that is higher than non-Christian women (15 percent).

Proven Men states its goal is: “Restoring families one man at a time by helping people embrace a proven way of life that produces lasting victory from strongholds of pornography and sexual addiction.”

Article by Penny Starr