It’s not exactly headline material that porn addiction continues be epidemic in our country and around the globe. The pornography industry earns about 100 billion dollars annually worldwide, with some 13 billion of that coming from the United States. Ask any Catholic priest and he will tell you that porn addiction is one of the most frequently confessed sins these days. But what is shocking, and a topic that should be breaking news, is that despite the obvious pain pornography causes, Hollywood and the cultural power brokers continue to glamorize and normalize that which is anything but glamorous, or even remotely close to normal.
That’s why instead of red roses and hearts, lots of red stop signs and huge red flags should go up for all of us when the latest film, based on the “Fifty Shades of Grey” book series opens in theaters this weekend. It’s a major move in media manipulation, and no coincidence at all that “Fifty Shades Darker” is being released just in time for Valentine’s Day. The “Fifty Shades of Grey” books and films take porn abuse to an entire different level of darkness. The author of the so-called “mommy-porn” volumes behind the latest trashy film, along with the porn industry in general, are trying to convince us, once again, that pornography is somehow synonymous with love. In fact, it is quite the opposite. That’s why the National Center for Sexual Exploitation is promoting a worldwide boycott of “Fifty Shades Darker.” In a recent interview on my radio program, Dawn Hawkins, the center’s Senior Vice President and Executive Director, pointed out the darkness of deception in this new film, and is asking for people to use the hashtag #FiftyShadesIsAbuse in order to bring more attention to this deception:
“Fifty Shades Darker also sends the dangerous message that women can ‘fix’ their abuser by loving them the right way, and that domestic violence can be excused because of the abuser’s troubled past. These are prevalent cultural myths that contribute to some women choosing to stay in dangerous and unhealthy relationships while also excusing pornography addictions and the polluted thinking that springs up around it. It’s time for public opinion makers and individuals alike to recognize that #FiftyShadesIsAbuse.”
– Dawn Hawkins, National Center for Sexual Exploitation
In addition to Dawn Hawkins’ group, Catholic therapist Dr. Peter Kleponis is at the top of the list when it comes to not only fighting porn in the culture, but in defeating porn addiction. Dr. Kleponis recently released a new Catholic self-help recovery program workbook, Integrity Starts Here! A Catholic Approach to Restoring Sexual Integrity that people can order online confidentially if they want to get help. This program can be used by Catholic therapists for their patients, and is the only Catholic program of this kind in the world. If you or a loved one need help in fighting porn addiction, practicing Internet accountability, or learning more about the negative impact of pornography in general, contact Dr. Kleponis.
For parents, the question is not if, but when porn will be exposed to their children. Covenant Eyes is helping many parents and families proactively fight against porn through internet filters for their children’s phone and computer. They are stopping it even before it can reach their kids. Even parents are using this software on their own devices.
So don’t just curse the darkness, light a candle for true love and dignity by joining the boycott of the film, use #FiftyShadesIsAbuse hashtag, and share what could very well be life-saving resources.
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