I don't know how long this will last. I don't know if this is a permanent life change, though I do want it to be. But here are the results after a few weeks:
Testosterone: through the fucking roof
Confidence: at an all time high
Self respect: highest it has ever been
Bedroom performance: also really high
How did I achieve this? I will tell you right now, religious fundamentalism, aggressive prayer and fighting my desires was NOT the way. If beating yourself over the head with a Bible or whatever religious text you prefer helps you to walk the straight and narrow, fine. Far be it from me to criticize if that is what you want for yourself. It simply did not work for me. I lived a lot of my life as a pious pretender. When I stopped caring so much and just lived as an honest degenerate, life began to change for the better. I am considerably less insecure these days. I don't live in fear of something because someone said so in a book. I don't choose this out of obligation. I choose it because I want it.
I decided a few years ago to just follow Christ. I acknowledge the additional context, but following His example, loving your enemies treating others the way you want to be treated, loving my neighbors, all the golden rule stuff, that I placed above EVERYTHING else. And the results... speak for themselves.
Faith is a personal journey. Religious fundamentalists have failed to understand this because they think because they found the answers for themselves that they magically have all the answers for everyone else. You do not. Jesus is the authority. And while I am likely to consider the ideas of those Christians who actually have sold their possessions and picked up their cross, they too are still just mortal flawed men.
The dangers of porn are very real, but not impossible to overcome. Shaming people will not help. In fact, if anything humans have a tendency to over indulge when being shamed. Who are you to tell me or anyone for that matter how they need to live their life? Exactly. If Jesus comes back tomorrow, we'll figure out the rest from there. Though a lot of you are gonna be pissed when he starts forgiving people you thought FOR SURE were going to hell. Aside from the pedo elites, no one is worthy of damnation. If anything, you are for thinking someone else was for daring to live their lives as they saw fit. The only aggressors that deserve punishment are those who violate consent and that includes spiritual consent. If someone does not want to hear you, you don't get to force your opinion on them just because you think you are right. Consent is the only real rule and ultimate morality in this life. And just because you choose to consent to additional rules does not mean you are better than those of us who do not.
And that's how I made this happen. I found my own way. And that's what you, a struggling porn addict need to understand. If the shame tactics and accountabilibuddy systems aren't working, then you need to find something else. Overindulgence may be your salvation as it was mine. And no... I didn't get desensitized to sex. It doesn't work that way at least for me.
Good luck and don't feel bad if you fail. You're only human.
OK, but this does sound like a harsh criticism of the same people who keep the path free of brambles. Without their keeping the way signposted would you have been able to walk the path at all? Everyone has their role to play, including those who look from some perspectives to be fundamentalists. I appreciate the fire and brimstone types, although like you I choose a milder expression for myself, I see them as torch-bearers keeping options open for more than just those who directly follow particular dogma. That said, well done and away you go.
I agree that everyone should be free to choose their own path, if you agree with that I have no problem with people preaching fundamentalist dogma in the marketplace of ideas. Some will choose that. (you said as much so don't take this as any sort of attack)
Good point and well said.
WWG1WGA