Religious men rejecting porn more likely to watch it in private

Porn is a highly controversial topic in the digital age due to its effects on sexual health, relationships and even psyche of children due to easy access. Among several voices of criticism, the most assertive opposition comes from people of religious conservative backgrounds.

But are religious men really as opposed to pornographic content as they appear from their behaviour? Research shows that despite their stand against porn in public life, a section of such individuals do consume porn in private. The basis for the tension between porn and religion has for long been its association with extramarital sex.

Researchers say that the notion that people’s professed beliefs and moral judgments are in line with their behaviour is a common misconception. A study said that conservative Christians in the US were more likely to reject porn but were not less likely to report watching it.

A study found that greater prayer frequency and religious service attendance was found in men saying that pornography is morally wrong while having watched it the previous year, which was not the case for women.

The study also showed that people without religious affiliations who considered porn immoral were less likely to watch it anyway in comparison to people associated with religious groups.