The world today is awash with pornography.*It may be found in advertisements,fashion,movies,music,,and magazines,as well as on television,video games,smartphones,mobile devices,websites,and now online photo-sharing services.Pornography,it seems,is a prominent feature of popular culture.More people in more places are consuming more pornography than at any other time in history.

The nature of pornography is also changing.Professor Gail Dines writes:"Images today have now become so extreme that what used to be called hard core is now mainstream pornography".

How do you view those trends?Is pornography a harmless pastime,a deadly poison,or something in between?It is stated in the bible that,"Every good tree produces fine fruits,but every rotten tree produces worthless fruits."What fruitage does pornography produce?To find the answers,let us consider some basic questions about pornography.

• How does pornography affects individuals?

Pornography is highly addictive with some researchers and therapists even likening to crack cocaine.

My brother,who was hooked on internet pornography,relates:"Nothing would stop me.I felt like I was in some sort of trance.I would literally shake and develop pains in my head.I struggled to stop,but years later I was still addicted.people who indulge in pornography often cover up their habit.They are secretive and deceitful.Not surprisingly,many suffer from feelings of isolation,shame,anxiety,depression,and anger.In some cases,they even develop suicidal tendencies."My mood became self-absorbed and desperate,"says serge,who downloaded porn to his almost daily."I felt worthless,guilty,alone and trapped.I was too embarrassed and scared to seek help."

Even a fleeting or accidental brush with pornography can have a negative impact.Testifying before a US Senate committee,Dr.Judith Reisman,a leading researcher on pornography,said:"Pornographic visual images imprint and alter the brain,triggering an instant ,involuntary,but lasting,biochemical memory trail difficult or impossible to delete."Susan,19,who was exposed to pornographic websites,relates:"The images are engraved on my mind.They pop up unexpectedly.It feels like I will never completely erase them."

• How does pornography affects families?

  InfInfidelity is the kind of treachery that can devastate a marriage and lead to separation and divorce.such breakups,in turn,harm the children from the marriage.

  Pornography can also hurt children more directly.Brian,mentioned ealier,explains:"When I was about ten,I accidentally found my father's pornographic magazines while playing hide and seek.I started looking at them secretly ,not really understanding why I was attracted to such images.That started a destructive cycle that lasted way into my adult years."Studies shows that pornography can influence adolescents to become sexually active at younger ages and also to become promiscuous,sexually violent and emotional and psychological unstable.

Breaking free from pornography

Do you know someone who is struggling to escape from pornography addiction?consider some steps that have helped many to break free.

• Get help from others.

• "Pornography addiction is is secretive and shameful that you feel you can't ask for help.You think you can beat it by yourself.But that is not true.You can beat it only with help.So I swallowed my pride and open up to my wife.I also sought the help I a trusted friend.It was the hardest thing that I have ever have to do but I got the help I needed."Yoshi

  Confiding in others will take courage and determination.Yet,it is a vital step towards conquering the addiction and reconnecting with lives ones.Susan,mentioned earlier,relates:"Afterward I felt a huge gush of relief.Those moments were painful,but they resulted in feelings of approval and peace.

• Identify and avoid potential triggers.

  What situations,thoughts,or emotions triggers wrong desires?Surfing the internet?Watching late night TV?Reading magazines?Visiting the beach?Being hungry,angry,alone,or tired? "Identify your weaknesses,and avoid them like the plague,"says Steven.Jesus said:"if one of your eyes is making you stumble,tear it out and throw it away from you."When i am tempted to gaze at a woman lustfully,I immediately pray to God and force my eyes to look away,"says Frank.The bible patriarch Job said:"I have made a solemn promise never to look with lust at a girl."

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