Internet Pornography & Masturbation

Easier Before the Internet

Dear Father: I came across your web site on my day off from work. I am about 6 years younger than you, and although much of your web site deals with responses to our youth, I too have found help and hope there. Today is a great time to be alive, but is also very difficult. I have in the past struggled with purity and the lack of purity and the related sins. It was so much easier before the internet. All those struggles I had in growing up with masturbation, pornography have come come back with a vengence. I do try to go to confession whenever I fall into the above mentioned sin, but sometimes it seems like a losing battle. (and no, I'm still not sure if masturbation is a mortal or venial sin, suffice to say that it is a sin and go from there) I don't know why I am writing this, but it is reassuring to know that there is a priest on the web who honestly and prayerfuly responds to people who write. Thnaks for reading my note, please keep me in your prayers. God Bless, T **********

Dear T,

Thanks for your email and encouraging words. You have probably heard about the "midday devil" which spiritual writers speak about. Attacks guys your age, even mine. It is so tempting to fall back into old patterns even tho they only bring very temporary relief followed by emptiness, dissatisfaction. Besides prayer, confession, etc. we need to recognize the call to fatherhood. What God will ask us is, Where are your children? That is, the people we bring to him. Do you see what I mean, Tom? Bishop Sheen said we have to squeeze evil out of our lives by filling them with things that are positive, enriching. The Internet can be that, but we have to be aware of the place and times when we can use it that way. I have a friend who has removed the Internet and TV completely from his life. Hopefully it will not come to that, but it could. It's like alcohol - a good thing for many people, but for some, pure poison.

Don't abandon the struggle, T. The finish line is not so far away. I am probably saying this as much for myself as you. I would appreciate your prayers. You are in mine.

God bless,

Fr. Bloom