Addicted to Lust

Pornography in the Lives of Conservative Protestants

By: Samuel L. Perry

Narrated by: Tom Parks

Once confident of their victory over pornography in society at large, conservative Protestants now fear that "porn addiction" is consuming even the most faithful. How are they adjusting to this new reality? And what are its consequences in their lives?

Drawing on over 130 interviews as well as numerous national surveys, Addicted to Lust tells us that, compared to other Americans, pornography shapes the lives of conservative Protestants in ways that are uniquely damaging to their mental health, spiritual lives, and intimate relationships. Samuel L. Perry demonstrates how certain pervasive beliefs within the conservative Protestant subculture unwittingly create a context in which those who use pornography are often overwhelmed with shame and discouragement, sometimes to the point of depression or withdrawal from faith altogether. Conservative Protestant women who use pornography feel a "double shame" both for sinning sexually and for sinning "like a man," while conflicts over pornography in marriages are escalated by patterns of lying, hiding, blowing up, or threats of divorce.

Addicted to Lust shines new light on one of the most talked-about problems facing conservative Christians.

©2019 Oxford University Press (P)2019 Tantor

Pornography and Conservative Protestants

In Addicted to Lust, Samuel L. Perry seeks to establish how and why “conservative Protestants often experience more severe consequences for their porn use compared to other Americans,” largely due to what the author describes in detail, as moral incongruence. Addicted to Lust provides fresh, balanced, scholarly perspective on this extremely relevant topic. This is not a how to kick the habit of porn book that litters the internet, but more of a social study. Much of what the author has to say is missing from the table of discussion of Conservative Protestants when it comes to pornography. The Audible narration by Tom Parks is both pleasant and professional. Highly recommended read.