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Re: CharlieMine - I fully agree but there is one fundamental difference between
I was thinking more of the historical presidence for murder (or even genocide) in the name of religion--groups of religious addicts coming together. But I have seen horrors on an individual level, as well--a woman refusing to leave her abusive (physically and sexually abusing his children) because it was against her religion; a family allowing a child to die of a treatable disease because "God would heal her"....You are right, though, that in most situations societ condones and even encorages religious addiction as a form of policing that society. What difference does it make if your kids are warped with low self esteem as long as they are law-abiding citizens? I mean, sure, suicide, depression, and emotional abuse suck, but they aren't illegal.... So porn addiction and religious addiction are not issues that society is willing to spend time or money on. If it's not creating a problem for enough of the 'non-addicted', no one feels the need to do anything about it. For porn addiction, I don't see much sense in society footing the bill if someone decides they need 'treatment'--excluding addiction to child pornography or sexual sadism. For religious addiction, I wish there were more awareness, because I feel that adults and children are too often victimized.
Sorry for the rant! Post-addict fall out. LOL!
posted by
CharlieMine
on June 24, 2008 at 3:55 PM
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CharlieMine - I fully agree but there is one fundamental difference between
all other psychological addictions and a religious addiction.
The latter is not viewed in the same light as the others in that outside of some social agencies that facilitate "deprogramming", there is little in the way of support to get people off of religion. How I have just described it even seems odd to most people, the sell job of religious beliefs being a positive influence for everyone being so pervasive. But we have seen a different story for some people right here on Blogit. There have been a number of people where it was evident to everyone but themselves that they had serious obsessive disorders pertaining to their religious beliefs. An "addiction" for lack of a better word.
posted by
gomedome
on June 24, 2008 at 8:01 AM
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And on a less serious note
I'm fully supportive of anyone with a sex addiction.
Call me, we addicts ought to stick together! LOL!
posted by
CharlieMine
on June 24, 2008 at 7:53 AM
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Re: CharlieMine - you make a point that is not mentioned
Yes, because what is an addiction, really? An escape from a reality that you feel compelled to avoid. I've known a lot of addicts (drugs and alcohol, I mean), and NONE of them did it for fun. All admitted that it was the only way they could get through the day, and that they started at a point of emotional turmoil--outwardly just partying with friends, but inside they were drowning. I have used
reading as an escape, to the point that it could have been considered an addiction, in that I neglected all else-chores, eating, personal hygiene...I wouldn't even know people were speaking until they touched me to get my attention. Religion is often used as an escape--from responsibility, from fear of death, from fear of LIFE.... It can become an addiction in that it 'interferes' with day to day life. It can lead to beauty, but it can also lead to horror. As with all things, it must be taken in moderation....
posted by
CharlieMine
on June 24, 2008 at 7:51 AM
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CharlieMine - you make a point that is not mentioned
If there is such a thing as a pornography addiction, it is little wonder that those who have already demonstrated a tendency towards a religious addiction succumb to it.
posted by
gomedome
on June 23, 2008 at 8:49 PM
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Re: Gome...
Forget his pornography/sex addiction; someone needs to fix his parents' religion addiction...
posted by
CharlieMine
on June 23, 2008 at 5:58 PM
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Gome...
That was the word.
I was going to say substaining, but I knew that wasn't right.
There were a lot of life issues I think that were not handled in an appropriate manner, I think.
I don't believe they ever let him grow as an individual, outside of religion.
posted by
Afzal_Sunny7
on June 23, 2008 at 2:36 AM
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Sunnybeach7 - in answer to your closing question:
Where I assume you meant to say "abstaining", . . . I don't know if the guilt laden message from religion pertaining to human sexuality and the constant privacy invasions while growing up can be described as the actual cause of the problems but they most certainly would exacerbate them. That is simply no way to raise children. There may well be other mental health issues involved in the case you describe but it sounds like if there were, that these issues were not dealt with in any helpful way by those responsible for the individual's nurturing environment.
posted by
gomedome
on June 22, 2008 at 9:30 AM
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Gome
Funny you should ask...about how does one get addicted to porn...and further that some believe the "cure" is to bury one's self in religion.
My daughter's father has been "addicted", since the age where he was old enough to have sexual desire...maybe even before then.
I haven't lived with him in years. It seems like he's improved, at least somewhat..but like I said...I haven't lived with him in years, so it's really hard to tell.
I believe his problems came from being born into a religion that he doesn't "fit" into, and having it forced upon him. His parents, especially his mother are VERY religious and have NEVER talked to him about sex...only to tell him that it is not something that he should do until he is married.
Imagine the shock when we were pregnant.
Not that they aren't nice people...they are but... as we well know, this type of thinking can do excessive damage.
He started with the lingerie section in JC Pennys magazines, when he was real young, and advanced from there.
His mother would do "regular" searches of his room and BURN anything she would find. She was still doing this when I met him...he was 21.
One has to wonder...would he have this problem if so much emphasis was NOT placed on sustaining from sex and everything sexual?
posted by
Afzal_Sunny7
on June 21, 2008 at 10:25 PM
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lustorlove - I'm not a health care professional and I honestly don't know
if it works that way.
I am under the impression that the personality type is the single most important influencial factor of psychological addiction.
posted by
gomedome
on June 21, 2008 at 4:45 PM
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Re: lustorlove - I see your point and to a great extent agree with what you
if a pill doesnt cure it then our soceity isnt interested in curing it, but dont you think it can lead to other forms of addiction or mental illnesses?
posted by
Lanetay
on June 21, 2008 at 10:52 AM
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lustorlove - I see your point and to a great extent agree with what you
are saying but . . .
In the case of people claiming to be addicted to Blogit, the term addiction is used as an exaggerated term for the word obssession. Blogit appeals to certain aspects of our vanity and other interests to cause some people to become obsessed with it. Porno on the other hand; appeals to needs, instincts and desires much more ingrained in our composition as human beings. I completely agree that it can become a psychological addiction, I've not stated otherwise in this post, the question implied is: how serious is it? The question asked is: (paraph.) to what extent as a society must we be prepared to deal with this issue?
posted by
gomedome
on June 21, 2008 at 10:20 AM
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we have people on here that claim to be addicted to blogit, sex can become an addicition so why cant porno, the excitment of the sexual act and watching. I am not by any means addicted to porn, but I can see the addicition if you have no other means to express your sexual desire
posted by
Lanetay
on June 21, 2008 at 9:44 AM
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ZenMom - No, I don't personally know anyone either addicted to porn or who
has an unhealthy obssession with it.
I have to agree with the point I think you are ultimately making. That it is not unhealthy by any means to place one's interest in pornography in proper perspective. Depending on the individual, the relationship they are in and their perspectives on such things, it can be a decidedly healthy interest. But I have issues with the industry itself, primarily its treatment of women and its marketing.
posted by
gomedome
on June 21, 2008 at 8:50 AM
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jollyjeff - Re: They have a pretty broad definition of pornography too
I think the whole thing smells of snake oil sales. The desperation of the individuals seems manufactured to me, while the "cure" seems completely irrelevant other than a means of occupying the person's thoughts, which could be accomplished with just about anything.
posted by
gomedome
on June 21, 2008 at 8:41 AM
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mothernature - ha ha ha
I remember before the age of the internet when people insisted they only purchased Playboy magazine to read the articles.
posted by
gomedome
on June 21, 2008 at 8:37 AM
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mysteria - that's an interesting avenue of thought and I see your point
It's a safe bet for example that something such as "porn addiction" did not exist before mankind developed photography. With new developments and changes in our lives taking place all of the time, new problems arise.
posted by
gomedome
on June 21, 2008 at 8:30 AM
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CharlieMine - thanx for stopping in and a belated welcome to Blogit
posted by
gomedome
on June 21, 2008 at 8:24 AM
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GD - Do you personally know anyone "addicted" to porn? Addiction, to me, means that ones preoccupation w/ something makes it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to earn a living, sustain relationships, or even be concerned w/ their own health. I don't know anyone like this.....at least I don't think I do.
On the other hand, I do know quite a few people whom are OBSESSED w/ porn. I think MOST males fall into this category (at various times throughout their lives) and I've found that the WORST thing one can do is assign guilt or deny access to pornographic material. I don't have a problem w/ my husband or my sons viewing porn (or my daughter for that matter)......as long as it is not kiddie porn. I think if we have open, adult conversations about healthy sex, their interest in porn will be a small part of their lives.....and not an obsession or addiction that carries life altering ramifications, such as depression or divorce.
posted by
ZenMom
on June 20, 2008 at 4:39 PM
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They have a pretty broad definition of pornography too
They probably think the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue is pornography
posted by
jollyjeff
on June 20, 2008 at 2:52 PM
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If porn pervs' could read we might could rehab, but.....
I think they just look at the pictures!!!Great post!
Solita
posted by
mothernature
on June 20, 2008 at 2:38 PM
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Gomedome, I see your point and too I can see it as in
the more populous human kind becomes the more likely it is that unusual mindsets will arise. Times that by human beings expanding out into forever and everything will happen and or come to pass.
History repeating itself in constant novel fashions...
posted by
mysteria
on June 20, 2008 at 1:44 PM
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You raise some excellent points
that I agree on, which doesn't leave much room for comments. ;) Arguing is so much more verbose than agreeing!
posted by
CharlieMine
on June 20, 2008 at 1:28 PM
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