The Dangers of Pornography
Pornography
Sets Off an Avalanche of Evil
Pornography works like a drug and is just as addictive. Under its influence, man is caught in a spiral of depravity, crossing successive moral bounds. The Virgin Mary said in Fatima that “most people end up in hell through the sins of impurity.” By being entangled in impurity, many people make their lives and that of other people a living hell.
In early 2021, Poland was gripped by the release of a chilling documentary titled The Devil’s Eyes (Oczy diabła), which exposed the dark reality of paedophilia lurking within society. The film revealed shocking truths, leaving many struggling to comprehend how such abhorrent crimes could occur. For some, the focus quickly turned to understanding the perpetrators: Who commits these vile acts? What motivates individuals to engage in such monstrous behaviour?
These troubling revelations spark urgent questions about the root causes. Is this crisis symptomatic of deeper societal decay, unchecked moral failures, or lapses in community vigilance? The documentary serves as a pressing call for reflection, demanding both individual and collective action to confront and address the forces enabling such horrors. This issue requires serious introspection and immediate efforts to protect the vulnerable and restore moral accountability in society.
The Destructive Force of Pornography
Pornography, a silent yet pervasive addiction, has demonstrably influenced individuals to commit heinous acts of violence, according to chilling confessions from convicted criminals. The connection between explicit content and criminal behaviour cannot be ignored, particularly as society grapples with an increasingly normalised consumption of degrading media.
Consider the case of Arthur Gary Bishop, an ordinary accountant who harboured a dark and sinister secret. Between 1979 and 1983, Bishop abducted, raped, and murdered five teenage boys. In court, he made a confession that shocked the nation: his descent into these monstrous crimes began with an addiction to child pornography, which he claimed had fuelled and shaped his actions.
Similarly, the notorious serial killer Ted Bundy, executed in 1989 after being convicted of the rape and murder of dozens of women – some estimates suggest over 100 victims – spoke candidly about the role pornography played in his crimes. In a chilling interview shortly before his execution, Bundy revealed that his respectable, "normal" facade masked a secret obsession with violent pornography. This addiction, he argued, planted the seeds of perverse fantasies that he eventually acted upon, spiralling into a reign of terror that left scores of victims in his wake.
The testimony of both Bishop and Bundy points to a troubling pattern – one that echoes through the corridors of prisons worldwide. Among the testimonies of inmates convicted of sexual offences, a recurring narrative emerges: exposure to violent or exploitative pornography acted as a trigger for real-life acts of abuse and violence. The material they consumed did more than merely entertain; it desensitised them, fuelled deviant urges, and ultimately emboldened them to commit acts that shattered lives.
This alarming connection between pornography and criminal behaviour raises critical questions for societies increasingly desensitised to explicit content. At what point does "entertainment" become a tool for fuelling darker impulses? And how can such content be curtailed in a culture increasingly shaped by the internet's unrestricted access?
Expert Warns of Alarming Links Between Pornography and Societal Harm
Patrick A. Trueman, former head of the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) at the US Department of Justice, has called for a complete ban on the distribution of pornography in all nations. Trueman asserts that addressing the scourge of child pornography requires tackling what he identifies as its root cause: adult pornography.
Trueman has issued a stark warning about the dangers of pornography, drawing attention to its far-reaching and troubling consequences. In a recent analysis, he revealed how repeated exposure to adult pornography can lead some individuals to develop an interest in child pornography – a pathway he describes as both habitual and, in severe cases, pathological. Trueman claims this disturbing connection is fuelling a global surge in child sexual abuse material, with the crisis showing no signs of slowing.
The societal fallout from pornography, Trueman argues, extends well beyond individual behaviour. He points to evidence that its widespread consumption is contributing to a rise in violent crimes against women, including growing reports of sexual assault and rape. Perhaps most disturbing, he highlights the increase in offences committed by minors against other children. In the UK, data has linked some of these crimes to offenders who had prior exposure to pornography.
Trueman also underscores the deeper systems of exploitation perpetuated by the pornography industry. He claims the demand it creates is directly tied to the growth of prostitution and human trafficking – driving some of the worst violations of global human rights.
With the social and moral costs mounting, Trueman’s findings serve as a sobering wake-up call. He urges immediate international action to confront the unchecked spread of pornography. Whether governments are willing to take meaningful steps to curb its influence remains uncertain, but the stakes, as Trueman outlines, could not be higher.
The Dark Truth Behind Pornography’s Harms
The notion that pornography is harmless is not only misleading but profoundly dangerous. While it may not immediately lead every viewer down a destructive path, its long-term consequences cannot be ignored. Research repeatedly highlights the damaging effects linked to adult content consumption, including addiction, escalating habits towards more explicit material, and even physical changes in the brain’s structure and function. Beyond this, it sparks troubling rises in sexual dissatisfaction, broken relationships, and warped attitudes towards women.
The Harmful Reality of Pornography: A Christian Call to Mercy and Purity
The pervasive influence of pornography has inflicted deep wounds on individuals, families, and society. Its destructive effects are undeniable. But for Catholics, awareness of this harm should prompt neither fear nor hatred. The Church teaches its followers to reject sinful actions, but never to disregard Christ’s command to love the sinner. Inspired by Jesus, who offered His life in love for humanity, Catholics are called to confront sin with prayer, purity, and compassion.
This balance between justice and mercy is a recurring theme in Catholic teaching, as seen in the writings of Polish mystic Rozalia Celakówna. In her accounts, she shares a message she believed to be from Christ, who expressed profound sorrow over sins of impurity. “Look, child, what a terrible offence and pain are inflicted on me by sins of impurity, murders (of children), and intense hatred,” she recorded. “I can’t stand anymore this offence and insults that sins of impurity keep inflicting upon me.”
The Church’s response to such grave sin is neither despair nor condemnation. Instead, it calls the faithful to wage spiritual warfare with hope, not malice. Those battling the grip of sin must first confront their own failings with humility, guided by the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2339). It teaches: “Chastity includes an apprenticeship in self-mastery, which is a training in human freedom. The alternative is clear: either man governs his passions and finds peace, or he lets himself be dominated by them and becomes unhappy.”
A Personal Testimony of Transformation
For many, breaking free of pornography involves not only spiritual struggle but also practical action. The testimony of Jędrek (highlighted in Testimonies: Jędrek) offers a compelling account of one man’s journey to freedom and healing from addiction. He shares practical steps that helped him and may guide others:
- Frequent and Honest Confession – Jędrek stressed the power of regular confession. After every slip, he sought reconciliation and fully explored the roots of his behaviour in the sacrament of penance. He found healing as well as insight into the deeper causes of his actions.
- Writing a Personal Examination of Conscience – To better understand his patterns, he documented the circumstances and triggers of his sin. By mapping out when and why he faced temptation, he identified behaviours to avoid and strategies to cope. (Editor’s Note: If undertaking this practice, ensure such notes are destroyed after they serve their purpose to protect privacy.)
- Recognising Loss to Deepen Contrition – Reflecting on what he had lost – time, relationships, and confidence – strengthened Jędrek’s resolve. Acknowledging the true cost of his sin motivated him to resist future temptation.
- Turning to Prayer and the Sacraments – The sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, were central to his recovery. Jędrek placed Rosary prayers, Eucharistic adoration, and regular Communion at the heart of his daily life. “The love of Jesus present in the Eucharist is the most effective remedy for enslavement by sin,” he said.
- Caring for the Self – Even simple steps such as maintaining cleanliness, a healthier diet, and structured routines proved crucial. These habits improved his self-esteem and gave him the strength to persevere.
- Breaking Isolation – Addiction often leads to loneliness, a cycle Jędrek broke by engaging in community life. Whether by serving others or participating in local initiatives, his connections brought support and joy, strengthening his resolve to follow God’s will.
A Call to Reject Sin, Not the Sinner
The Church remains clear: condemnation only alienates, while compassion and prayer lead to healing. For Catholics, the fight against impurity must focus on guiding souls toward God’s mercy, not driving them away.
As society confronts the dehumanising effects of pornography, Catholics are called to be beacons of hope. Through prayer, discipline, and trust in God’s grace, believers can overcome sin’s chains. The path is not easy, but with Christ, it is possible. In the words of the Catechism and Church tradition, chastity and mercy form the foundation for true freedom – for oneself and for others.
With God, You May Start Anew
Saint John Paul II explained to young people: “Today the culture of death sets before you, among other things, so-called ‘free love’. In this sort of disfigurement of love we reach the profanation of one of the most cherished and sacred values, for promiscuity is neither love nor freedom . . . Do not be afraid to live in a way contrary to fashionable opinions and ways of life that are in conflict with God’s law. The courage of faith is costly, but you cannot lose love!” (Sandomierz, 1999) For this reason, the first and most important step away from destructive sin to true love and a chance for a new start in life is confession. Saint Sister Faustina recorded the words used by Jesus to invite everybody to meet him in the sacrament of penance: “There the greatest miracles take place [and] are incessantly repeated. To avail oneself of this miracle, it is not necessary to go on a great pilgrimage or to carry out some external ceremony; it suffices to come with faith to the feet of My representative and to reveal to him one’s misery, and then the miracle of Divine Mercy will be fully demonstrated. Were a soul like a decaying corpse so that from a human standpoint, there would be no [hope of] restoration and everything would already be lost, it is not so with God. The miracle of Divine Mercy restores that soul in full.” (Diary 1448)