“50% of churchgoers view porn at least once every two weeks” — Pastor

Pastor Emmanuel Iren has spoken about the role of secrecy and anonymity in encouraging immoral behaviour, particularly pornography, among churchgoers.

In a viral video, the pastor claimed that a significant number of people who attend church regularly struggle with pornography, while highlighting the influence of the internet in making such behaviour easier to conceal.

He said the anonymity provided by the internet had contributed to a rise in immorality, arguing that people often behave differently when they know they are being watched.

‘50% of churchgoers view porn’

Iren said, “50% of church goers view porn at least once every two weeks.”

He then asked his audience to look at the people sitting beside them, suggesting that, statistically, one of those individuals could be struggling with the habit.

According to him, the internet has created an environment where people can engage in certain behaviours privately without facing the social pressure that might discourage them.

“One of the things that created a spike in immorality was the anonymity that the internet gave,” he said.

‘Secrecy has given sin its power’

The pastor also addressed people struggling with pornography and other private habits, arguing that such struggles may become stronger when they are kept secret.

“Some of those vices you are struggling with, they are not as difficult to overcome as you think,” Iren said.

He illustrated his point by asking the audience to imagine a situation where the only screen available in an entire city was located inside a church, meaning anyone who wanted to watch pornography would have to do so publicly.

He suggested that the person would likely stop because of the awareness that others were watching.

“I hope you know he will stop instantly because there is something about us, even the things we are struggling with, when we know that people are watching, we will not do it,” he said.

Iren calls for accountability

Iren argued that secrecy, rather than the struggle itself, can give certain habits greater control over an individual.

“So what strengthens the sin? The sin is not struggle, it is secrecy that has given it its power,” he said.

He further warned that the tendency to hide personal struggles had been amplified by the internet, which allows people to engage in activities privately from almost anywhere.

According to him, accountability is one of the major factors that can help people overcome destructive habits.

“One of the major things that aids to step deeply is accountability,” he said.

‘You have created an environment for sin’

The pastor advised people to examine areas of their lives that they deliberately keep hidden from others.

“The moment you find yourself struggling with accountability, you are already on your way,” he said.

He added that even before someone commits an act they consider sinful, deliberately creating spaces where certain behaviours can only be carried out in secret could make it easier for them to fall into those behaviours.

“Even if you have not sinned yet, if there are aspects of your life that you can do in the dark, you have created an environment for sin,” Iren said.

Watch the video here…

"50% of churchgoers view porn at least once every two weeks" — Pastor Emmanuel Iren pic.twitter.com/R9E6g0bnev

— YabaLeftOnline (@yabaleftonline) October 7, 2026