Conscience Quote by William M. Struthers
““While many men indulge freely without any notion of restraint, others are repulsed by their response to pornography. The arousal that they experience sexually is accompanied by a conflicting sense of shame, guilt and/ or anxiety. Such men have a sense that something is just not right about what they are doing. The nagging voice is repressed while viewing pornography, but afterward there is a gnawing sense that we shouldn't have looked. We intuitively know that what we saw was not meant for us. We have intruded into someone's intimate space. To the properly oriented conscience, viewing pornography elicits a healthy sense of guilt. To the seared conscience, one that has been ground down by abuse, fear, selfishness or repeated exposure to sin, pornography is just something you do. The seared conscience is forced either to turn against itself and plunge into the despair of self-loathing and unhealthy shame or to adopt new standards that allow for the acceptability of pornography. That standard may work for a time, but ultimately it leads to hurt, pain and suffering.””
About This Quote
Viewing pornography creates a conflict between sexual arousal and moral conscience, leading to guilt, shame, or anxiety depending on one's psychological conditioning.
In simple terms: Sexual content can clash with personal values, causing emotional distress.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address the inner conflict rather than suppressing it.
Themes
morality
guilt
sexuality
psychology
Mood
conflicted
reflective
Type
advice
psychological
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- personal reflection
- relationship counseling
- educational workshops
Key Concepts
conscience
cognitive dissonance
self‑regulation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your personal belief system shape your reaction to sexual content?
- What steps can you take to align actions with values healthily?
A Different Perspective
If the underlying beliefs are rigid, guilt may persist despite rational understanding.
