LDS Church vs. Porn...what happens if we lose?

[_cinepro]

As covered in the other thread, the LDS church (and Christianity in general) is suffering from an epidemic of pornography use among its members.

In the other thread, I considered the idea that the Church may have to adapt it's policies on the issue (and certainly the mainstream culture is helping in this regard). But I'm wondering what the logical result will be if two things happen:

- Pornography use and/or addiction continues to increase among Church members, with few actually confessing the problem to their Bishops.
- The Church maintains a zero-tolerance policy on the issue.

Assuming the problem (in areas with broadband internet access) reaches 25% of current priesthood holders, what will happen to the Church 25 years from now if porn use reaches 75% of priesthood holders? Or 85%? How will the Church be different than it is today? Will there be any noticeable difference?

Will the divorce rate or rate of infidelity be greater? Will priesthood blessings generally be less effective? Will home teaching numbers be lower? Will tithing receipts be lower? Will Temple attendance fall off?

And those kinds of numbers would indicate that it probably isn't just the rank-and-file who have a problem; there would be leaders with problems as well. Would their pornography addiction have any noticeable affect on their leadership abilities? Would their callings be less inspired? Would they be less discerning in interviews?

What does a pornography epidemic mean to the Church in general?

[_The Nehor]

We'll burn the heretics as witches.

[_truth dancer]

Hi Cinepro... good questions!

Assuming the problem (in areas with broadband internet access) reaches 25% of current priesthood holders, what will happen to the Church 25 years from now if porn use reaches 75% of priesthood holders?

I'm sure it already is at least 25% of current priesthood holders.

If it reaches near 100% it will either just go on as it is OR... it may be the excuse the church needs to give women the priesthood. :-) You know, the men were just not worthy so God had no choice but to allow lowly women to step in. Sort of like Deborah!

Will the divorce rate or rate of infidelity be greater?

Yep. I'm sure the divorce rate will continue to increase and more and more women will not wish to marry. (And, no women will not want to attach polygamously; they will just not with to have a relationship).

Will priesthood blessings generally be less effective?

According to apologists on FAIR a few years ago, the priesthood holder's behavior is irrelevant to the actual power of the blessing. (Remember the Stk Pres in Idaho who was caught)?

Will home teaching numbers be lower?

How could they get any lower?

Will tithing receipts be lower?

Yep, fewer people will be attending the temple, hence no need to pay.

I wonder if the Brethren have a plan other than, "don't do it"?

~td~

[_TAK]

What does a pornography epidemic mean to the Church in general?

In 10 years they will have the likes of Nehor as Church President..

[_The Nehor]

What does a pornography epidemic mean to the Church in general?

In 10 years they will have the likes of Nehor as Church President..

Why do you hate me so much? Wishing that on me......(shudders)

[_SatanWasSetUp]

My biggest concern are blessings, ordinances and callings that involve laying on of hands, and the sacrament where the bread is handled and broken by teenage boys' hands. I would like to see a new policy where wet wipes are required before any priesthood holder engages in any activity that requires their hands.

[_Runtu]

Someone on MADB the other day said that every apostasy he had ever heard of involved some kind of sexual sin. I wondered about that because, from my experience, a lot of people I dealt with when I was in leadership positions struggled with masturbation and porn. And given the attention the two subjects get from the brethren, it's a safe bet that these are widespread practices among the priesthood.

Maybe the reason this guy thinks that apostasy comes from sexual sin is that so many people in general, apostates and faithful alike, masturbate and look at porn.

As for the OP, my guess is that it's much more than 25% among active members, though my impressions are, as I said, a reflection of anecdotal experience in church leadership. But I don't have any reason to consider my experience unusual. If I were to hazard a guess, the same problems will still be there in 50 and 100 years, no matter what the church does.

[_cinepro]

BCC has compiled the 50 most interesting comments on the subject from their discussions. The different perspectives are worth a read.

[_The Nehor]

As for the OP, my guess is that it's much more than 25% among active members, though my impressions are, as I said, a reflection of anecdotal experience in church leadership. But I don't have any reason to consider my experience unusual. If I were to hazard a guess, the same problems will still be there in 50 and 100 years, no matter what the church does.

I'd guess 50-75%.

[_The Nehor]

My biggest concern are blessings, ordinances and callings that involve laying on of hands, and the sacrament where the bread is handled and broken by teenage boys' hands. I would like to see a new policy where wet wipes are required before any priesthood holder engages in any activity that requires their hands.

Why are you concerned? Haven't you left yet?