Your Take: Comments on the Christian crusade against porn

By Ashley Fantz, CNN

More than 3,000 readers posted comments on our Sunday story about Christian leaders’ assertion that porn is a serious problem facing the church. The story explores a new kind of psychotherapy that uses the Bible to treat porn and sex addiction.

Of course, the vast majority of comments consisted of readers’ insulting each other and making juvenile jokes about sex.

However, several comments questioned the photo illustration of a man reading a Playboy tucked inside a Bible. Many asked if CNN would have used another holy book, such as the Quran, in the same way.

“The staged photo is offensive,” wrote a poster named Tony Zerucha. “If that was a Koran the photographer and editor would be in hiding. That's [the Bible] a holy book whether you agree with its contents and should be respected as such.”

Another poster, Gary, wrote that the image was “a provocative picture that says the 1,000 words that are then outlined in the story…”

Tallulah13 defended the image by telling other posters: “Read the headline. Does it say ANYTHING about muslims? [sic] Context, dear.”

David L. also defended the picture:  “I think the photo is actually pretty telling of the meaning of the article, with a little bit of humor to boot. If you're offended, that's because you're easily offended, and I think you need to lighten up a bit.”

The image incited a few jokes, too. “The picture should have the caption: 'To begin this service, let's open to Playboy, August Edition 2011, Page 10...' a poster wrote TheBossSaid.

Several readers agreed with Christian counselors quoted in the story who assert that biblical therapy can help religious addicts in a way that secular psychotherapy cannot. These posters noted that secular 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous have spiritual aspects. Members of AA are asked to turn themselves over to a power greater than themselves.

Others said that prayer shouldn’t be viewed as a panaceafor any addiction, but that religion, prayer and a church community can serve to comfort addicts as they try various additional techniques to get sober.

Heather C wrote: “The church cannot cure anything. People come through the church doors expecting it to be a fix-all… I've seen the pain that people go through with a serious addiction to pornography, but I've also seen where churchgoers get completely out of hand and condemn someone for looking at it once or twice. 

“We're human and we weren't made to be perfect," she said. "And I also believe that science and faith can work together.”