Christian Porn Consumption: A Growing Trend in Silence

Christian Porn Consumption is on the Rise—Here’s Why No One’s Talking About It

There’s a topic that’s creeping like a shadow in church pews across the U.S.—Christian porn consumption. According to a recent survey by the Barna Group, over 50% of U.S. Christians admit to watching sexually explicit content. Despite the widespread nature of this behavior, it's still rarely a topic of open conversation. So, what’s really going on in the minds of those who claim faith at the center of their lives while simultaneously hitting the “play” button on porn?

The 2023 Barna survey, which sampled nearly 3,000 adults, found that sexual material consumption among men and women of the faith has increased since 2015, with 61% of Christian men and 44% of Christian women acknowledging they’ve watched adult content. Compared to the general population, these numbers certainly don’t stand out as shocking. Still, in faith-based communities, they’ve sparked some interesting conversations around shame, guilt, and evolving beliefs about sexuality.

Image Source: Barna

One thing most Christians seem to agree on is that they're fighting this battle alone. A whopping 84% said they handle their adult content consumption privately, with few seeking outside help. According to Rev. Garrett Kell, author of “Pure in Heart: Sexual Sin and the Promises of God”, the gnawing shame tied to pornography use can lead to emotional and spiritual fallout, often intensifying struggles with isolation and depression. His message to these individuals? Don’t go at it alone. The church, he says, should offer not just moral accountability but also compassionate support and a non-judgmental ear. After all, community is at the core of most Christian values—but in this case, it seems like silence has taken over.

Guilt, Shame, and the Church

Understanding why shame is such a weighty presence in Christian circles starts with the history of the church's teachings around sexuality. Traditionally, sexuality has been seen as something to regulate—focused more on purity than pleasure. When it comes to adult films, many Christians interpret watching them as a direct expression of lust—a violation of one of Christianity’s deeply-rooted commandments. As Carl Trueman, a professor and Christian writer explains, Jesus’ comments about looking “lustfully” at someone are cited as the moral bedrock for resisting these desires.

But here’s where things get interesting: As sex therapist Marty Klein points out, there’s a wide spectrum of Christian views on sexuality. While some may hold on tightly to teachings that condemn adult content in any form, others are beginning to take a more lenient—or at least nuanced—approach to modern sexuality. This moral gray area can lead to shifts in what’s considered acceptable, with some Christians embracing broader definitions of intimacy that might include masturbation or the occasional adult video.

I spoke to @WashTimes about the role of narcissism in those who believe they are "addicted" to porn, including how we can be helpful with underlying depression. https://t.co/7GJWBtc3GM pic.twitter.com/f5n1to9yco

— Dr. Nicole Prause (@NicoleRPrause) November 7, 2024

What’s feeding this guilt-driven cycle? Neuroscientist Nicole Prause suggests the key issue isn’t watching the content, but how people internalize it. Some see adult films as inherently exploitative—especially toward women—and that guilt can spiral if they view themselves as complicit in something morally harmful. Data appears to support this notion, with studies showing a significant amount of adult content featuring physical and verbal aggression. This leaves some feeling as though they’re participating in a larger culture of harm merely by clicking play.

But let’s not paint the picture too black and white—it’s worth noting that researchers are still at odds about whether watching explicit content actually translates into aggression in real life. While some studies link adult film consumption to increased sexual aggression, others, like the findings from Christopher Ferguson of Stetson University, suggest that the data linking pornography and aggression are, to put it plainly, weak.

While explicit content itself is easy to blame, Prause raises an intriguing hypothesis: Could the real issue be untreated depression? According to her recent (yet unpublished) research, many people who report feeling like they’re “addicted” to adult films also display signs of major depressive disorder. It makes sense—a lonely, isolated individual might turn to adult films for a dopamine hit during dark times. In this case, the struggle goes deeper than what's being watched—it’s linked to a more profound issue in their mental health.

No matter where you stand on the morality of Christian porn consumption, it’s clear that the conversation needs a spotlight, not silence. Understanding the nuances, mental health factors, and evolving beliefs around sexuality will help foster a more constructive dialogue in faith communities. It might just be time for churches to shift from judgment to support—because, in this case, the numbers don’t lie, and neither should we.

Faith communities could benefit from reframing how they approach not just adult content but broader conversations around intimacy, masturbation, and mental health. After all, we all need a little support now and then—even if the concern starts when the clothes come off.

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