[Hemingway's Ghost]

Pornography is never “innocent entertainment,” no matter how private it might seem. It turns human beings into objects. It coarsens our appetites. It darkens our ability to see real human beauty. It creates impossible expectations about sexual intimacy. It kills enduring romance and friendship between the sexes. And ultimately it’s a lie and a cheat. Pornography is a cheap, quick, empty copy of the real thing — the real joy of sexual intimacy shared by a man and woman who have joined their lives in a loving marriage.

. . . about which a celibate priest knows exactly jack squat. Anyone else see the irony in looking to men who have pledged to deny themselves one of humanity's most basic urges---the sexual impulse---for guidance on sexual matters?

[trisham]

Anyone else see the irony in looking to men who have pledged to deny themselves one of humanity's most basic urges---the sexual impulse---for guidance on sexual matters?

************

Who can better be objective, one who is addicted to pornography, or one who is not?

[walden]

I do see the irony, from a worldly point of view. But, I also know that the truest book I have ever read that dealt with love and marriage was "Love and Responsibility" by Pope John Paul II. The Catholics "get it"-- in fact, I think that they're the last true romantics left in this world. They KNOW what a marriage is supposed to be. Whether that came from the bible, or the Holy Spirit, or centuries of study of human nature, I don't know. But if you don't believe me, read the book.

[Piers-the-Ploughman]

What motivates someone to look at porn habitually?

If a such a person had an active enough conscience to think about what he is doing, he might seek a priest. Who better than a priest who has been able to renounce sexual activity for a greater good. If someone is preoccupied with sex, maybe to speak with someone who is not would be the best way for the addict to figure out how to change?

Habitual porn users have loneliness or ego issues which have tempted him to seek porn as a way out. Such solutions of course are entirely bogus. Jesus Christ is easily the answer to loneliness and correction of an ego problem will be found if someone, maybe a priest, could tell him why he was ever born, that Christ himself came to serve, not to be served.

[AnAmericanMother]

I keep hearing this tired old saw that "celibate priests can't possibly know anything about sex."

They know more about all the trials and troubles of marriage and the depths of the human heart than any one of us . . . a good part of their job is to hear (and forgive) people's most secret sins that they would never tell to anyone save under the absolute seal of the confessional . . .