Porn-again Christians turn to software
New Zealand churches are targeting internet pornography with new software that allows porn addicts to electronically monitor and support each other.
The move comes on the heels of an American survey that showed 50 per cent of Christian men and 20% of Christian women were addicted to pornography.
The availability of pornography on the internet was blamed as the culprit, many respondents saying they spent over 11 hours a week viewing cyber-sex.
The American poll, conducted by ChristiaNet. com, the world's most-visited Christian website, asked 1000 respondents about their personal sexual conduct.
Over half the male respondents admitted to "struggling with looking at pornography on an ongoing basis".
Internet pornography was named as the main way of accessing the material.
Females were not immune, 60% saying they had "significant struggles with lust", 40% saying they were involved in "sexual sin" in the last year, and 20% reporting an addiction to pornography.
A youth group leader at Christchurch's Grace Vineyard Church, Scottie Young, said new software was helping combat the problem.
The program X3 Watch allowed a "buddy" to see what a person had downloaded and emailed their supporter any "questionable" sites that had been visited. The idea was similar to the Alcoholics Anonymous approach, where addicts paired with a fellow sufferer for mutual support, he said.
Young said he did not access pornography but most of his friends used the program.
In his case it was to allow his wife "peace of mind".
Young said the "mainstreaming" of sexuality had meant younger and younger children were encountering pornography.
St Christopher's Church youth pastor John Stringer said although the problem was not an epidemic in New Zealand it was on the rise, particularly among teenagers.
Pornography gave youths false impressions about sexuality and led to impoverished relationships, he said.
Young agreed that pornography was harming relationships. "They say you love the one you're with, and if you're constantly looking at a 20-year-old nympho you soon lose connection with your real partner," Young added yesterday
Bunch of fvcking tossers these bastards are: