Illinois Baptist
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Recovery
mission
POLITICS
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NEWSMAKER
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IN FOCUS
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IllinoisBaptist.org
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Culture Watch
Pornography epidemic
News journal of the Illinois Baptist State Association
NOVEMBER 1, 2024
Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Peoria, Illinois Permit No. 325
Vol. 118 No. 11
Bring your blessings. Fill the boxes.
Annual Meeting | Nov. 12-13 IBSAAnnualMeeting.org
Cudos for busy bunnies P. 12
Use among Christians is increasing. How can the church help? Christian men and women use pornography more today than in 2016 when Barna Research spotlighted the involvement among pastors and congregants. A new study showing a significant increase is also calling the church to be a place of healing for those affected by the pervasive phenomenon. This time around, Barna teamed with Pure Desire Ministries and its partners in presenting “Beyond the Porn Phenomenon: Equipping the Church for a New Conversation About Pornography, Betrayal Trauma and Healing.” The report tracks and defines the problem, calls on the church to offer a healing balm and offers practical guidance to that end. “The average Christian is not experiencing freedom in this area; 75% of Christian men and 40% of Christian women report that they are viewing pornography at least occasionally,” wrote Pure Desire Ministries Executive Director Nick Stumbo, a former pastor who overcame porn use more than a decade ago. “The numbers for today’s youngest adults are even worse. “But what may be more troubling is that well over half P. 4