The guest in this episode is Matt Fradd, an author and speaker on the cultural analysis of porn. They discuss the impact of porn on relationships, debunk myths about it, and offer practical steps for parents. Topics include Matt's personal journey, societal pressures, and the importance of parental conversations about pornography.
Pornography reduces individuals to mere objects, hindering the health and stability of relationships.
Pornography is addictive and alters natural sexual desires, leading to dissatisfaction and degradation of personal relationships.
Deep dives
The Destructive Impact of Pornography on Society
Pornography has a pervasive and destructive impact on society. It acts as a threat to the foundational building block of societies, the family and the marital relationship. Matt Fradd, the guest in the podcast, emphasizes that the conjugal act, when corrupted by pornography, hinders the health and stability of relationships by reducing individuals to mere objects. Pornography not only damages personal relationships but also obscures the true meaning of love and distorts our understanding of human dignity and rights. Fradd argues that pornography prevents the reception of the gospel by scorching the earth and obstructing the germination of faith.
The Addictiveness and Detrimental Effects of Pornography
Contrary to popular belief, pornography is addictive and has severe detrimental effects on individuals. Fradd points out that the addiction model is supported by numerous neuroscience-based studies, which reveal the shrinking of certain brain areas in individuals who consume pornography. Moreover, pornography alters natural sexual desires and elicits an unnatural, inordinate, and misplaced sexual desire. It serves as a temporary pacifier for emotional turbulence but leaves individuals addicted, enslaved, and ultimately unfulfilled. The effects of pornography pervade both the church and the world, leading to sexual dissatisfaction, emotional and psychological distress, and the degradation of personal relationships.
Combatting the Pervasiveness of Pornography through Education and Communication
To combat the insidiousness of pornography, Fradd emphasizes the importance of proactive education and open communication, particularly with parents and children. He advocates for starting conversations about pornography as early as age six, providing children with information and internal filters to protect them in an unfiltered world. Fradd suggests that parents should acknowledge their role in providing access to screens that can expose children to pornography and should apologize to their children if they have encountered explicit content. By fostering open dialogue and equipping children with knowledge and support, we can empower young people to reject pornography and pursue healthier relationships and lifestyles.
How is porn affecting this generation? What are some of the most common and pernicious myths people believe about how it affects relationships? Sean and Scott interview Matt Fradd, author of "The Porn Myth." He offers an insightful cultural analysis of how porn has shaped our culture, responds to the most common myths, and offers some practical steps for parents and other leaders.
Matt Fradd speaks to tens of thousands of people every year. He is the best-selling author of several books, including Does God Exist?: A Socratic Dialog on the Five Ways of Thomas Aquinas and The Porn Myth: Exposing the Reality Behind the Fantasy of Pornography.
Matt earned his master’s and undergraduate degree's in philosophy from Holy Apostles College, and is pursuing a master’s degree in theology from The Augustine Institute.
Matt’s podcast Pints With Aquinas receives over half a million downloads every month.
Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.
To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.
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