5/16/2006

Free Software and Training Helps Protect Churches from Pornography Online

BOSTON, May 15 /Christian Wire Service/ -- TechMission Safe Families Program has released free software (available at http://www.safefamilies.org ) to protect Christians from pornography online. This website also provides extensive materials for Christians in addressing pornography including the following materials:

• For parents: steps to implement an online safety program in your family, a software ratings guide and a family internet safety pledge
• For pastors: steps for dealing with pornography in your church strategy including church bulletin insert sample
• For nonprofits and schools: training materials and curriculum for online safety
• For pornography addicts: steps for recovery from pornography addiction including a media/pornography sobriety covenant, questions to test for sex addiction and lists of counseling and other resources

TechMission  is a Christian nonprofit organization helping the church address social issues related to the Internet. TechMission launched the Safe Families program in response to the growing pornography epidemic affecting the church. James Dobson of Focus on the Family recently called Internet pornography, "The new crack cocaine." Some recent statistics of how it is affecting the church and families include:

• A 1996 Promise Keepers survey at one of their stadium events revealed that over 50% of the men in attendance were involved with pornography within one week of the event.
• 51% of pastors say cyber-porn is a possible temptation. 37% say it is a current struggle (Christianity Today, Leadership Survey, 12/2001).
• Over half of evangelical pastors admits viewing pornography last year ( www.crosswalk.com/faith/1224369.html ).
• 57% of pastors say that addiction to pornography is the most sexually damaging issue to their congregation (Christians and Sex Leadership Journal Survey, March 2005).
• 34% of female readers of Today's Christian Woman's online newsletter admitted to intentionally accessing Internet and 1 out of every 6 women, including Christians, struggles with an addiction to pornography
• 9 out of 10 children between the ages of 8 and 16 have viewed pornography on the Internet (London School of Economics January 2002).
• Adult industry says traffic is 20-30% children (NRC Report 2002, 3.3). 1 in 5 children who use chat rooms have been approached by a pedophile online (Telegraph.co.uk. 1/02).
• The Internet was a significant factor in 2 out of 3 divorces, according to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers in 2003 (Divorcewizards.com).