Psychologist Philip Zimbardo describes drug addiction as ‘wanting more,’ but some guys today have what he calls arousal addiction, always ‘wanting something different.’ A never-ending stream of stimulation is behind the growing failure of males to succeed academically or to connect with women socially. Some men are dropping out of the deep and abiding joys of real life, trading them instead for excitement and fantasy.
Zimbardo cites excessive internet use, video gaming and online pornography as causes of this new addiction. By age 21, boys have spent over 10,000 hours gaming, two-thirds of that time in isolation. The average young adult male accesses pornography 50 times a week. “Boys’ brains are being digitally rewired in a totally new way, for change, novelty, excitement and constant arousal,” Zimbardo says. “They’re totally out of sync in traditional classrooms, which are analog, static and interactively passive. And they’re totally out of sync in their personal relationships, which naturally build more gradually and subtly. This is creating a generation of young men who do not connect well in teaching situations and who lack social skills, especially with women.” Can you also see the implications for church life? Worship does not have enough entertainment value or engagement in physical activity. Bible teaching requires sitting still or sitting under another, submission to the learning process, dictated by another. Meditation is too quiet and still. We think we need more movement, more involvement. Holiness is just not exciting enough. It does not satisfy the curiosity or produce the sensual excitement that the I-phone, the I-pad or the computer can supply. But, Psalm 46:10 calls us back to a life of quiet reflection and regular devotion, “Be still, and know that I am God….”
Do you, your son, visit this place daily? Often? Occasionally? At all?
Blessings,
Pastor Ken
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