As I interact with other scholars in the field of sexuality, one of the most common comments I get about pornography goes something like this, “If religious people would just stop freaking out about pornography so much, it wouldn’t be a big deal.”  Many such scholars now point to empirical support for such a claim, with studies suggesting that religious people have stronger and more negative reactions to their own and their romantic partners’ pornography use (see here, here, and here for examples of such studies).  I have even heard some of my colleagues claim that ANY negative effect seen in the pornography research is simply due to those who are religious “dragging” the rest of the sample down.  There is enough evidence now to suggest that there may be some merit to the argument that pornography is a unique problem among the religious but is this really all there is to it?  Let me suggest three ways the problems related to pornography are uniquely religious and three ways pornography presents unique problems for all of us, regardless of how spiritual we are.

1. Fact: Religious people are more likely to think they are addicted to pornography, even when they are not.

While the term “perceived addiction” has some negative press among religious communities in the U.S., there is certainly a large amount of evidence that religious individuals who habitually (but not compulsively) look at porn label themselves as addicts at rates 2 to 3 times that of other groups.  What’s the problem with this?  This mislabeling can lead some people to seek after the wrong types of resources; seeking therapy when education or peer support might be better options. This labeling can lead to unneeded guilt and anxiety about the issue and make porn users in religious communities feel broken.  Proper education about what an addiction is (and is not) is key to connecting religious individuals hoping to avoid pornography with the right kind of resources.

2. Fact: Many religious cultures place a large amount of shame and guilt on those that view pornography

This comes as a surprise to no one but with religious engagement and moral standards comes guilt and the potential for shame. While religious individuals would likely argue that guilt has its place as a healthy part of the repentance process, when that guilt is based on perceptions of others (rather than based on our standing with God), it becomes more problematic.  Many pornography users in religious communities feel shamed by their peers, families, and even religious leaders.  This shame can lead to helplessness that can lead to more serious clinical problems.

3. Fact: Religious individuals have heightened anxiety about pornography that promotes unhealthy communication.

In a recent study I did with a student, we found that religious people who view pornography were much more likely to have anxiety talking to people about their own porn use.  My own data suggests that men who are religious and view porn feel uncomfortable even being around women after they view such pornography.  This heightened anxiety can lead dating and married couples to struggle talking openly and honestly about their pornography use.  It is therefore critical that religious individuals and couples learn to manage this anxiety and get to a place where they can communicate emotions, discuss fears, and ask questions in an environment that validates both partners.

While the three issues above may be unique to religious communities, it is important not to forget that these issues do not dismiss the real harm pornography can do to anyone.  That harm includes:

1. Fact: Pornography can lead to compulsive use that interferes with daily individual and family functioning.

 Although the addictive nature of pornography is often over-exaggerated, pornography use does have the potential to develop into a compulsion.  Countless lives have been ruined by individuals who have been stuck in a pattern of compulsive pornography use that interfered with work, families, and hobbies.

2. Fact: Pornography leads to greater relationship and sexual dissatisfaction

As a recent meta-analysis demonstrated, pornography use, especially for men, likely has a negative effect on relationship and sexual satisfaction, regardless of how religious the user is.  Pornography viewing has the potential to alter expectations and beliefs about sexual intimacy in ways that undermine healthy sexual functioning.

3. Fact: Pornography undermines long-term commitment and marriage.

Research has suggested that pornography use can undermine marital happiness, can increase the likelihood of divorce, and makes young adults care less about marriage.  While not everyone plans or expects for a life-long marriage, for those that do, pornography appears to make such aspirations more difficult.

While pornography may provide some unique challenges for the religious, pornography also hurts most people that view it in ways that are often unseen.  Is pornography a unique problem among the religious?  In some ways yes.  But this should never dismiss the other concerns we should have regarding the proliferation of pornography in our modern society.

Brian J. Willoughby, Ph.D. is currently an associate professor in the School of Family Life at Brigham Young University. Dr. Willoughby is considered an international expert in the field of couple and marital relationships, sexuality, and emerging adult development. His research generally focuses on how adolescents, young adults, and adults move toward and form long-term committed relationships. Dr. Willoughby has been married for fifteen years to his wife Cassi and together they have four children.