Difficult Topics | Pornography

The Serious Impact of Pornography

Pornography is a grave offense against God and His gifts to men and women. The explosion of digital pornography has gravely injured millions of children, wounded millions of marriages, and exposed its participants to danger, exploitation, and violence. Even secular governments are taking action to limit the global scope and ease of access that pornography now affords. As Christians, we believe God created men and women “in His image” to share in His divine life. Rather than respecting and cherishing this image of God, pornography promotes harmful and destructive anthropology (the view of the human person). It teaches people to use others as “objects”—in this case, a means of selfish, lustful gratification. In addition, since pornography attacks sexual desire and the conjugal act itself, it wages war on marriage.

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The Marital Act in God's Plan

It is important to remember what God created for husbands and wives. As St. John Paul II explains:

"In the marital act, husband and wife are called to confirm in a responsible way the mutual gift of self which they have made to each other in the marriage covenant...the mutual gift of husband and wife...is in itself a mutual communion of love and of life. The intimate truth of this gift must always be safeguarded ... The person can never be considered a means to an end; above all never used only as a means of pleasure. The person is and must be nothing other than the end of every act. Only then does the action correspond to the true dignity of the person." (St. John Paul II, Letter to Families, 12)

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The resources found on FORMED are available to use, share, and help teach the glories of the human state and how to never settle for any practice that enslaves and falls short of the glory of God.

Catholic Teaching on Pornography

‍Catechism of the Catholic Church

To learn what the Church teaches about pornography, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 2396, 2354, and 2523.
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Create in Me a Clean Heart

Please read the US bishop's pastoral letter, Create in Me a Clean Heart. This document articulates the Church's teaching on the person and the nature of human sexuality as designed by God. It also discusses the harms of pornography use both to the person and society.
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USCCB Resources