Pornography is directly opposed to the life of a Christian and the vocation of Christian marriage. The focus of pornography is on self-gratification, even at the expense of the dignity of others. Pornography is really about treating others as an object of pleasure.
That’s why building friendship is one of the most effective antidotes to pornography. True friendship is a relationship of love. The Catechism of the Catholic Church in article 1766 tells us that love is “to will the good of the other.” This is the Catholic understanding of friendship. A true friendship is a relationship where each person is focused on the good of the other person.
In return, we also receive goodness from our friend. But the goodness we received is not taken. It’s received. In other words, our focus is on giving. We receive as a result of the other person’s focus on giving.
This rhythm of giving and receiving love is the foundation of friendship. It is also the hallmark of a healthy Christian marriage. It’s not surprise that this same rhythm would also be part of a couple’s sexual intimacy.
Developing solid friendships and consciously learning how to focus on willing the good of the other (love) turns the heart and the mind away from the selfish focus on gratification that marks pornography.
Click here to read more about how friendship and sacrificial love can overcome pornography.