Study: Increasing number of Christians admit to using pornography

Just over half of practicing Christians report consuming porn with some level of frequency, including 22% who view it weekly (15%) or daily (7%), according to a new report from Barna Group and Pure Desire Ministries.
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Study: Increasing number of Christians admit to using pornography

Christians are not immune to the destructive influence of pornography. Just over half of practicing Christians report consuming porn with some level of frequency, including 22% who view it weekly (15%) or daily (7%), according to a new report from Barna Group and Pure Desire Ministries.

Though numbers continue to climb among nonpracticing Christians and non-Christians, “the reality is that a slight majority of all Christians has some sort of history of engaging with pornographic material,” Barna noted.

RELATED: For more on pornography addiction, click here

Churches and pornography

Many church members want their church to address pornography, Barna said. Just 10% of U.S. Christians and churched adults say their church offers programming to help those struggling with pornography. Meanwhile, over half (58%) say it’s important to them that their church is addressing topics like pornography, Barna reported.

“Though the Church hasn’t always gotten it right in its response to matters surrounding pornography and sexuality, today can mark the start of a new path forward,” they said.

“Churches have a unique opportunity to address this issue and offer hope and healing to those struggling with porn use, as well as those affected by another’s porn use.”

Ongoing problem

Since Barna’s 2015 study “The Porn Phenomenon,” the number of U.S. adults consuming pornography has continued to rise, with a 6-percentage point increase (from 55% in 2015 to 61% presently).

There is also a notable uptick in the number of women accessing pornographic content (39% then vs. 44% now).

“Porn use is often a silent habit done in isolation,” Barna noted. “Despite its widespread nature, the vast majority of porn users (84%) say no one is helping them avoid pornography, and half say no one knows about their habit.”

The effects of pornography are far-reaching, they added.

Barna data reports that “porn users often experience lower mental health and overall well-being, along with feelings of guilt, shame and isolation. Porn use also significantly impacts relationships and trust, even within marriages.”

For more on the latest trends from Barna’s newest study of pornography use, go to Beyond the Porn Phenomenon.


EDITOR’S NOTE — This report was compiled by The Baptist Paper, with reporting from Barna Group.  

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