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How to fight Internet pornography: the perfect solution

August 18, 2009 by Giuseppe Martinengo 3 Comments | Filed in Internet & Media

I moved from Brazil to the US in 2000. Before that time, I had used the Internet, but not as extensively as I started using it in the US, during the MBA program. Before 2000 I had heard something about Internet pornography but I had not paid too much attention, because it wasn’t a problem for me neither I knew anybody personally who had issues with that (or who had someone in his family with that kind of problems).

However, after moving in the US, I started noticing that more and more talks were given in General Conferences about that subject. I particularly remember one talk given at a priesthood meeting by President Hinckley. It was shocking, but eyes opening. Since that day I have met several people that had to face such problem personally or who have someone in their family who is struggling with it.

The best solution to this problem is to never get involved in the first place.  Larry Richman wrote recently

Imagine creating the perfect sin: one that would tear apart relationships, crush marriages, and destroy the spiritual strength of men. Such a devastating sin would need to be secret, easy to get, and so alluring it could become part of a secret life. This secret could draw a man away from his wife, his children, his job, and God. Then, why not make it free and even protected by the United States Constitution. Internet pornography is all of these. (LdsMediaTalk)

It is an interesting concept that of a “perfect sin”. It is particularly sad to see groups in the US and around the world who want to “protect” this evil. In other words, they want to make sure that families are destroyed without anything opposing it. It is easy to understand who is the real source of these plans, and how foolish are the men and women who follow him.

So, what can we do to protect our families? According again to Larry Richman, this is a possibility: Covenant Eyes Accountability Software.  Escape the temptation by removing the secrecy of the Internet. Accountability software develops integrity by monitoring and reporting all Web activity to an Accountability Partner of your choice. I am not here to promote their sales, but it seems like a good idea.

Another good idea is to use the Internet for spreading light, so that we will not have time or attraction to look for pornography. I work for the More Good Foundation, and our goal is to spread light in the Internet. Light and darkness cannot occupy the same place at the same time. When I am working spreading the gospel online, I do not feel any temptation to search for things that are not good.

Perhaps, we should not only talk about and protect ourselves and our families from the evils that can be found on the Internet. Perhaps we should be anxiously engaged in good works on the Internet, so that we will not have time or interest left for being involved with what can only destroy us. Perhaps, one solution is to funnel the attraction that people has for the Internet toward a good cause, so that the light will diplace darkness.

Perhaps this is the “perfect solution” for the “perfect sin”.


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3 Comments so far

  1. Luke on August 19, 2009 11:16 am

    I think you would really like this book: Virtual Integrity. It talks some about these principles of surfing the Web with integrity and purity, while at the same time looking to the Internet to be an ambassador for good.

    http://www.covenanteyes.com/blog/2008/11/19/surf-your-values/

    Reply

  2. jason on August 24, 2009 3:34 pm

    Great article. We have recently formed a not for profit called SA Lifeline that focuses on Sexual / Pornography addiction education and instruction. As part of our launch we have teamed up with a leading Neurologist that has done extensive research on this topic. He also completed a book about pornography addiction that dives into its impact on the brain. Please take a look at the write up on the book and let us know you think. If you do decide to order a book, 100% of the proceeds from the book are going to spread this message. To date we have given away over 500 books to local religious, civic, and business leaders in our immediate community.

    http://salifeline.org/he-restoreth-my-soul-by-donald-l-hilton-jr-md/

    Reply

  3. Luke on August 31, 2009 1:18 pm

    Good to hear about SA Lifeline. Sounds like a very needed thing!

    Please also take advantage of the free resources on the Covenant Eyes blog as well:

    http://www.covenanteyes.com/blog/

    or the YouTube channel:

    http://www.youtube.com/CovenantEyes

    Reply