Only 32 percent of American youth view porn as wrong, says survey

Pornography is now more accepted by the American community, says a recent survey, and Christian author Josh McDowell has called it "the greatest threat" to Christianity.

"I would personally say from all my knowledge now that pornography's probably the greatest threat to the cause of Christ in the history of the world," McDowell told CBN News, as quoted by Christian Today.

In a study titled "The Porn Phenomenon," research company Barna Group asked 3,771 Americans about their views on pornography. Of the respondents 25 years and older, 54 percent view it as wrong while only 32 percent of those from 13 to 24 years old see it in the same way. This indicates that there is a generational gap when it comes to acceptance.

"One of the primary themes we saw emerging in our research are these generational differences," Roxanne Stone, editor in chief at Barna Group and a lead analyst of the said study, said in a statement. "There are wide gaps between how younger and older generations not only behave toward porn — but also what they believe about porn."

Stone explained that these changing perceptions and behaviors could be because of the context. Today's American youth live in an environment where pornography is more widespread and accepted.

"As access to pornography has increased, the stigma toward it has seemingly decreased," she said.

The internet has undoubtedly contributed much in giving youth access to materials that were considered taboo years ago. Moreover, production companies have become bolder in depicting sexually explicit content in films, TV shows, and video games, and even reading materials and ads now have more adult content than ever before. This, in turn, lets many teens and young adults view them as rather common or normal and no longer as shameful as it was for older generations.

"It's that serious," McDowell said. "While we're out trying to win the world through Christ -- pastors preaching to the community -- pornography is coming right in the back door."