Why is internet pornography use so widespread? Well, because of the nature of the Internet. The late sex researcher Alvin Cooper, PhD, called this the "Triple-A Engine" effect: The accessibility, affordability and anonymity provided by the Web have put adult content right at our fingertips. Combine this “Triple-A Engine” with concupiscence, (which is our disordered inclination toward sin), and you get a powerful pathway leading to sexual sin. Now, with a clear understanding of the reason why internet pornography is so successful, we can now develop a plan to defeat it. A successful football team takes time to study the weaknesses of their opponent and we should do the same with pornography. The “Triple-A Engine”, which explains the strengths of internet pornography, also shows us the areas of weakness. We could focus all of our attention on the accessibility portion of pornography, but I think another great place to start is the anonymity of Internet porn. Pornography use is typically brought to a screeching halt when it is no longer anonymous. Let’s look at three examples of this from the headlines: 1) The Adult Player App This is an application that was available for Android™ devices that promised easy access to pornographic material. Instead of providing the pornographic material to the user, it hijacks their device and holds it ransom. This malicious malware has been deemed “ransomware” because it takes a picture of the user, locks their device, and threatens to expose the porn user to their phone contacts unless they pay a $500 fee. FBI sources state that this particular scam has grossed close to $1,000,000. [1] I’m not advocating this malicious software approach to end pornography use, but it is interesting to see the lengths that some will go (paying $500) to keep their porn use anonymous. Similar to the devil, pornography thrives on anonymity. 2) The Ashley Madison Data Breach This has been a major story in the headlines lately because of famous Christian Josh Duggar. Josh Duggar admitted to having a secret porn addiction which eventually led him to spending hundreds of dollars on the cheating website. I understand that when this evil came to light, there were, tragically, some suicides linked to the information leak. Sin never satisfies, it’s like drinking saltwater and unfortunately many buy the lie of porn and are pushed from adultery of the heart to adultery of the flesh. Although internet pornography promises anonymity, it is often eventually found out. 3 Jared Fogle –former Subway™ Spokesman Sexual sin was running rampant in this man’s life while it remained hidden. The anonymity was abruptly shattered when the FBI showed up at his doorstep. They subpoenaed a lot of his digital technology including his cell phone text messages. If we are really serious about fighting this giant known as pornography, I think we need to first embrace accountability with our loved ones. “For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God.” John 3:20-21 What an amazing gift it would be to give your wife or loved one the reassurance that you are striving to be a pure gift of self. Laying all your “temptation cards” on the table can be a heroic act of humility. One amazing way to do this would be getting an accountability software. Here are two great ones: Covenanteyes-This takes an inventory of your web browsing and sends it to your accountability partner. Webwatcher- This is an awesome software originally developed for employers to monitor their employees. This secret software completely takes the anonymity out of the “Triple-A engine” by taking screen shots of your computer, tablet, and phone and storing them on the accountability partner’s account. Being free from sin is great, but being free from temptation of sin is even better. Remember the words of St. John of the Cross: “God desires from you the least degree of purity of conscience more than all the works you can perform.” Avoiding impurity is a big deal. 1 www.skynews.com.au/business/tech/2015/09/08/porn-app-takes-secret-photos-of-users.html
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