Southern Seminary’s Russell D. Moore recently wrote about why men are addicted to pornography and video games at the Desiring God Blog. Moore, dean of the School of Theology and vice president for academic administration, states that the danger in the two mediums lies in their artificiality.
“There’s a key difference between porn and gaming. Pornography can’t be consumed in moderation because it is, by definition, immoral. A video game can be a harmless diversion along the lines of a low-stakes athletic competition,” he explains.
“But the compulsive form of gaming shares a key element with porn: both are meant to simulate something, something for which men long.”
The reason that both pornography and video games appeal to men is because each tantalizes longings rooted in creation that point to gospel realities. However, pornography creates a sexual experience apart from marital intimacy and video games frequently present combat scenarios with nothing real or right for which to fight. Moore suggests that the solution is to “fight arousal with arousal.” The gospel is, after all, about “a Christ who loves his bride and who fights to save her.” He writes:
“Pornography promises orgasm without intimacy. Video warfare promises adrenaline without danger. The arousal that makes these so attractive is ultimately spiritual to the core.”
Moore’s entire article, “Fake Love, Fake War: Why So Many Men Are Addicted to Internet Porn and Video Games,” is available at the Desiring God Blog.