Don’t Look Back

Lot, his wife, and their kids got the word to leave Sodom and Gomorrah, as those cities and the plain they resided on were to be destroyed very soon. Lot and his family were given a reprieve from moving all the way to the mountains and got the OK to make Zoar their safe destination, just off the plain. They were given clear instructions to NOT look back. Lot’s wife could not resist the temptation, looked back, and was turned into a pillar of salt. This is a reading from the Old Testament, but it could not be more relevant today. A modern version would have a son looking back and getting salted, and that is where my reflection is heading today.

A Bad Word

Sodomy is a word derived from the Biblical city of Sodom. That city either invented or encouraged sexual activity that was not seen as natural and pure. It was like an ancient version of the Internet, acting as a cesspool of unclean actions.

Sobering Stats

As I teach my Confirmation kids about the commandments and sins, pornography is always part of the conversation. Even the most innocent early teen knows what it is. The porn industry is $97 billion dollars. 12% of all websites are porn related. 70% of males between the ages of 18 and 24 view porn at least once a month. 9% of boys under age 12 view porn at least once a month. However, that stat that brings the “oh, gross” reaction from the class is the fact that 52% of males aged 35-49 view porn once per month. The dads and uncles of the kids in the class are in that age group most of the time. So, there is a 50/50 chance that the grown men in their lives have this sort of porn watching behavior. And it comes as no surprise, then, that so many men have twisted views of women, based on porn viewing habits. Porn is an equal opportunity life destroyer, as the fastest growing segment of that industry is “female friendly”. I don’t know what that means, except that men and women, young and old, can fall prey to a porn addiction. Some say it is as powerful as an addiction to alcohol, drugs, or tobacco.

Solution

I don’t have a solution to this ever-worsening problem. All I can say is to try to keep an eye on the browser history on the computers near you and do spot checks on phones. We are on Earth in order to end up in Heaven. We have certain guideposts along the way to keep us on the best path, should we choose to follow them. Avoid this addiction and stay on the proper path. Don’t even look. You may not turn into a pillar of salt while looking, but you could sure ruin your social and mental well-being.

Remain Blessed.

[Readings: Gn 19:15-29; Mt 8:23-27]

Paul Verderber

Paul Verderber is a husband, father of two daughters, religious education teacher, fruit and vegetable ingredients salesman, and President of Gratia Vobis Ministries, Inc. He holds both Bachelors and Masters degrees in Chemical Engineering, as well as a Masters in Business. He lives outside of Raleigh, North Carolina and is the President of Gratia Vobis Ministries. [email protected]

2 Comments

  1. Arlene Braganza on July 20, 2023 at 1:52 pm

    Well written, Paul !

  2. Arlene Braganza on July 20, 2023 at 1:50 pm

    Well written, Paul!

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