Celebrity Infidelity Scandals Linked to Pornography?

Here’s my latest article from iibloom.com…

There has been a great deal of drama in the tabloid news lately about celebrities engaging in infidelity. Almost every show, whether it be on cable, radio or online, has at least mentioned these stories, namely the Tiger Woods saga and the Jesse James saga. Society is caught up in the drama, wanting to know each and every piece to the puzzle. Society is enamored by the infidelity of these men, men who have an incredible scope of influence. 

The interesting aspect to these stories is that these men seemed to “have it all,” yet they show us that they are incredibly empty inside. These men had power, influence, riches, everything and anything money could buy, respected corporate endorsements, celebrity status, beautiful children and incredible wives; what was missing that they had to act out in sexual infidelity? I will venture a possible scenario: could it be that these men have/had an addiction to pornography? This assertion may seem off-base and farfetched at first glance, so please allow me to explain.

When a man has an addiction to pornography, his body becomes programmed to search out the next sexual-fix, similar to someone who is addicted to a chemical drug. As this man continues to ascertain more and more fixes, he becomes desensitized to “the little things” and desires more and more, lowering his guard and accepting acts, thoughts and/or fantasies that he may once have been opposed to. The only way to fulfill these desires is to act on them, which may lead to promiscuity, secrecy, infidelity and increased sexual behavior. At the heart of an addiction to pornography is selfishness, a selfishness that disregards responsibility, relationships and ultimately, God. Could it be, then, that Tiger and Jesse were involved in the use of pornography leading up to and during their marriages, which includes their sexual exploits?

It’s not the same for every man…

Simply being a celebrity does not mean that someone is a good role model. So often in society, the media portrays men and women of celebrity stature to be role models. The portrayal seemingly stems from their time in the limelight. If people are interested in you, then obviously you are qualified to be a role model. (Wrong.) The more someone is discussed on TMZ, Extra or YouTube, the more their proverbial stock rises. A celebrity’s stock may rise because they just won an award for a great role in a movie, or because they were just awarded MVP of their sport, or possibly because of a charity event they sponsored that raised money for a worthy cause. However, a celebrity’s stock may also rise if they’ve been arrested, are getting a divorce or have just entered “rehab.”

The scope of influence that a celebrity has, especially celebrities like Tiger Woods and Jesse James, is astronomical. Young children, and even grown men, alter their lifestyles to be more like these kinds of guys, all because their lifestyles look glamorous. When the glamour fades away, and the truth is exposed, we see clearly the emptiness and hurt that remains.

Congratulations on Graduation Day, Thomas!

Today is a monumental day in the life of The Avolio Family, and for the family’s friends.  Today, Wednesday, December 16, 2009,Thomas Avolio is graduating from the United States Air Force Academy and will receive a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.  Although many young men and women graduate from the Air Force Academy each year, none come anywhere close to measuring up to Thomas’ life.

In 2006, Thomas was hiking a mountain directly behind the cadet area, called Eagle’s Peak.  To summit Eagle’s Peak, the hiker must exert a significant amount of energy, which all becomes well-worth it once atop this hallowed peak; the view is marvelous.  For Thomas, the last time he hiked the mountain would change his life forever.

Due to a loss of traction, Thomas took an incredibly vicious fall, falling 200 vertical feet.  His body was mangled, his limbs were broken.  Luckily, three young men were hiking below and rushed to his aid.  Thanks to their quick thinking and previous first aid training, they were able to stabilize Thomas and call for help.  Hours and hours went by as authorities attempted to save his life.  Flight for Life was called in and flew Thomas to a local hospital.  With the loss of blood, the trauma to his brain and the severity of his injuries, the doctors showed almost no signs of hope.  However, in an incredible miracle directly from God, Thomas managed to fight for his life.

I was present for a great deal of Thomas’ recovery.  I visited him in the hospital, spent countless hours praying and offering Mass for his recovery and spent many long days with his family at the hospital.  It appeared, early on, that Thomas would be devastated by the fall and that he would rely on machines, apparatus and other’s loving care to make it in life.  At this point, it was a real-life miracle that he was even alive.  All the odds were against him, but Thomas had a different plan.  From the first time that Thomas came to (out of his coma) and was able to coherently think and talk, he spoke of returning to the Academy one day and becoming an officer, as he had dreamed of in the past.  His determination was strong and fierce.

Although it took lots of time in rehab and time learning how to talk, walk and think, Thomas never said can’t.  He demonstrated an amazing attitude, something we can all learn from and strive to possess.  Today, Thomas is proving that hard work, determination and prayer can get us through anything.

Thomas is a TrueMan.  He is a man of deep faith.  He strives for holiness.  He works on living virtue.  He shares his life with those around him.  Thomas, keep up the great work, my friend.  You deserve many blessings.  Way to Man up!