Are Utahns Porn Addicts?
March 7th, 2009
Porn study reactions reflect Utah's polarized divide between LDS and non-LDS
by Jonny Glines
Finally, a new topic has stolen the Utah media spotlight from the Chris Buttars show, while still keeping us entertained. Last week the beehive talk was about a Harvard study that ranked Utah No. 1 in online porn subscriptions.
Harvard Professor Benjamin Edelman reported his findings in the article "Red Light States: Who Buys Online Adult Entertainment?" To some, the results reinforced preconceptions about Utahans and the dominant religion. Others pointed to unique aspects about Utah that could offset the study. We took a look at what Utahans are saying about the study.
The Deseret Morning News is attributed the stereotype of a newspaper for more conservative, LDS readers; while most Utah residents view the Salt Lake Tribune as more liberal or neutral. Here are some interesting comments we found on both newspaper's online forums.
These comments are a clear demonstration of how polarized Utahns are depending on how they view the policies and moral values passed down by the LDS Church.
A statistics class would tear this article apart. This is not science--it's a Harvard professor's opinion based on how he wants to interpret the data that he has chosen to include and that he has adjusted.-Deseret Morning News forum
expect to hear about this in April Conference...I am sure that some members engage in this, but hopefully the problem is not prevalent amoung the members of the church.-Deseret Morning News Forum
hmmm, maybe sexual repression has something to do with it. Look who our elected officials are besides the Governor who wants to do the right thing and "normalize Utah" which would help our economy. Butters, Valentine , that is the problem. Its them and the people to voted them in. They are so sexually repressed they starve for it.- altaskier, SL Trib forum
It surely seems that it's always the "finger-pointers" who are doing exactly "what" they tell everyone else NOT to do - be it Jimmy Swaggart, Ted Haggard (gay preacher in Colorado) or the local Catholic priest.-SL Trib forum
Is the study legit? Read the articles below and you decide:
Utah Porn Study Articles From the Local Media
Reader Comments
Ann Lee
My husband was not Mormon until recently and has always been very much into porn and masturbation, etc. I know that waiting for sex obviously is too hard for men, but the masturbation/porn addiction is not caused by sexual repression like many people say. Society dictates that it's ok, so no one really cares. My husband still thinks masturbation is ok. He doesn't think porn is ok (thanks to the church) but we're working on the other. I think the subject is still taboo and parents are afraid to talk to their kids about masturbation. Most people don't even try because they have the attitude that it's better they're looking at porn and masturbating than actually having sex. I think that is ridiculous and harmful to our boys, LDS or no.
Shawn Loura
I am LDS (Mormon) Yes Utah Mormons etc are deeply addicted to porn masterbation and sex. I am one of them. If Residents or students here in the Provo Area were truely honest we could fill up a major confrence center full of such addicts. I am greater For the church 12 step recovery program for people like myself who are addicted to such things. This program focuses on solutions and not so much the problem it'self. I am making progress but its alot of work. If you are an addict you owe it to self to be honest and admit you have a problem then to seek help. I have no problem going before an entire congregation of strangers and telling them my problem with the hope that it will encourage others to be honest and stop pretending they are perfect little mormons.
To be honest these meetings are awsome and spiritual.
