and therein lies the problem: we have entirely too many people letting something that is a big theoretical 'maybe' dictate their lives, and Rick Santorum is a perfect example of how we're letting them rule the world (bit of an exagerration, but again: he's a politician with some real support, that reflects horribly on the american people.)  

Not to mention the middle east, where religion basically rules, and we all know how messed up THAT region is, what with the female oppression, beheadings, and other atrocities committed in the name of god. 

If there was anything in the world that made following a god or religion remotely logical or rational, I'd get it, but there's only tradition.  Tradition is held with a higher value that rationality and that scares me.  It's the same thing with Gun laws.  It's the same thing with circumcision.  It's t he same thing with closet racism.  it's the same thing with many, many national traditions. 

Yeah, let's shut down an entire industry that helped put the VHS on the map! That'll help strengthen the economy! I'll say this, if Santorum gets voted as the nominee, there is zero chance of me voting replubican. If he does end up being president, I'll give the mayans some credit.

That view is far too simplistic. It's actually quite possible that it could strengthen our economy. It could also weaken it temporarily and then strengthen it in the future.

1. People waste time watching porn in the workplace. Reducing that could create an immediate benefit for American businesses.

2. Just because people spend less money on porn doesn't mean they'll spend less money. Redistribution of spending could actually help American business, especially since foreign companies make up a significant portion of the porn industry. The net effect might be that more American dollars go to American businesses.

3. As the original article states, porn IS proven to destroy families. Some time ago it past up financial difficulties as the number one factor mentioned among reasons leading to divorce. Children from broken families are statistically much more likely to get involved with smoking, alcohol and drugs, and they generally have less successful careers. They're also more likely to create broken families of their own. In no uncertain terms, a high divorce rate hurts our economy and our people, so any factor that contributes so strongly to divorce can fairly be said to hurt our country, including the economy.

We would be smart to be cautious about letting porn use go unchecked. It's easy to overlook the fact that pornography use as it exists today is a recent development. As little as 10 years ago, the use was far less widespread. That means that we essentially don't have a complete picture of the damage it can cause to a society over 30, 50 or 100 years. What little we do know isn't promising for our future stability.

This said, one truth seems apparent. People have never been good at choosing what's best for them over what they want. Even though abandoning porn would benefit our society, few people will make that choice for themselves. And as popular as porn is now, the likelihood that a government which is owned by the people can take an action - even one that's for the best - without the wishes of the people behind it, is very remote. The only chance is for people to suddenly get both smart and unselfish. I don't see it happening.

people are never going to start masturbating porn just makes it faster and more satisfieng.

Wait though. It's only really a problem if:

1. the theory is incorrect, and

2. It doesn't benefit society.

Critics like to point to periods of time where Christianity has led to people seizing power and abusing it. But it has also forced people to live by moral standards which benefit our culture, especially in more recent, applicable times. For the most part, living a Christian life forces a person to be considerate, hard working and unselfish. Even if the basis for belief turned out to be faulty, the benefit to society is real.

The last 50 years have seen a huge drop in the percentage of Americans who consider themselves active Christians. Over that same time we've seen higher divorce rates, increased crime, expanded drug use, and a reduction of personal happiness (according to studies). Now that COULD be a coincidence, but it can't be argued that when people no longer believe that they are being held accountable by a higher power, that is, at the very least, one less motivation for them to live up to expectations. Certainly, a number of Christians will tell you that the reason they forgo certain activities is because they believe it is against their religion. 

And that can be a good thing, no matter how you slice it.

Porn may be less satisfying if you realize that it has an effect on your brain that's similar to drugs. http://www.everythingaddiction.com/addiction/shopping/myths-about-porn-addiction-hinder-treatment/

Whether that bothers you is I suppose tied to how much you hate the idea of being addicted to or controlled by something. Some people have stronger resolve than others.

If the problem isn't divorce it's domestic abuse. Also, what's wrong with drug use, many people use drugs recreationally, I do so on a regular basis. I know many people who call themselves Christian and they are hardly considerate, hard working or selfless. I can name the good Christians I know on one hand so a Christian lifestyle doesn't exactly force anybody to do anything. As far as I see it, the secularization of our culture is a very, very good thing indeed.

Religion certainly has its purpose, but there's no proof that we wouldn't have come to the same place in history without it.  yes, the bible (all bibles) teach morality, but in case you hadn't noticed, people are going to act however they want regardless.  Some people use the bible as a reason to judge and persecute others while most use it for compassion.  same book, different interpretations.  As any Sunday Morning special will tell you: "You had it in you all along."

Even assuming your stats are true (they are), you are making grand assumptions and leaps of faith in your assertions.  Who's to say that a lack of religion is what CAUSED the depression?  Maybe the depression CAUSED the lack of religion.  maybe it was the advance of technology, the advent of the internet, what if the lack of happiness and increase of crime is linked to the pollution in the air or the rising temperature that so many like to deny is happening.  LOTS of changes have happened since the 50's, it would be foolish to assume just one factor played a part in society.  That's not science at all. 

Until one actually sees it, it is hard to think it is worth referencing when mentioned alone.

Well, if you scroll up a little further you'll see it. I removed it from my reply because it was so large.