No, perhaps not. While we’re at it, perhaps Chris Farley is still alive, the world is flat, and Michael Jackson’s still legally black. These things are all true from some angle, since I was just watching “Tommy Boy” as Farley and Spade drove across the flatlands of the Midwest and I made an iPod playlist including “Billie Jean” and “Thriller”. But, if porn is not a big deal then tell me why internet pornography now does over $1B per year, why a study released over a year and a half ago stated that the porn industry did over $57B that year, $3B of which was child pornography, and why my friend, Michael Leahy, lost his marriage, his business partnership, and the trust of his friends, family, and peers.
Tonight, I had the privilege of interviewing Michael, as well as two very gifted and (to use the Christian buzzword) “relevant” pastors, Mike and Craig, who are taking action to make a difference in a way that sounds entirely “unChristian” given the track record of most believers that you and I have experienced.
Mike Foster and Craig Gross founded “The #1 Christian Porn Site: XXXChurch,” about three years ago in an attempt to address the myriad problems posed by the “crack cocaine of the internet”. Since then, they have preached the message that “Jesus Loves Porn Stars” all over the US, the TV, and even the AEE (yes, the Adult Entertainment Expo!).
Their ministry intends to not only to drag porn out of the closet (their Podcast is called “Dirty Little Secrets” from the song by the metal band “Pillar”), but also to minister to those within the industry itself. They have attended this adult industry trade show, and others, for three years now. While most protestors of virtually any cause typically stand outside waving signs and shouting useless, condemning slogans, these two take the “Jesus” approach. They actually mingle with and actively love the sinners within. (Note: Since Christianity states that we are all sinners (Rom. 3.23), I ask you remain assured this is not a fingerpointing session without the first finger back at the finger waver.)
This sounds preposterous to most and opposition, is loud, ever present, and even posted on their site. Unfortunately, it comes mostly from Christians. While the wisest man in the world once wrote “better is open rebuke than hidden love. (Prov. 27.5)” Christians are also told “Let your conversation be always full of grace...(Col. 4.6)” Is it possible some of these good hearted folks have missed the point? (Please paint question a non-sarcastic shade of red).
A majority of the rebuke comes from a serious concern over how exactly to address the issue of porn. In a conversation with one young man tonight after Mike and Craig spoke at 7:22, he admitted to me “I want to talk about this with people [to help them], but I don’t know what to say. It’s always avoided in sermons. No one’s ever said to me what these guys said tonight.” Bill Hybels, pastor at Willow Creek Church, concurs: “the reason why churches don’t talk about porn is because they are not equipped to do so.
Standing firmly divided on methodology, what do we do? What should we do? What can we do? Mike Foster fights the “you’re just in this for the money” objection and commands “go to our website. Download the free [accountability] software and start talking about this with the people who are close to you.” Drag the discussion out of the dark. Michael Leahy agrees: “what you feed grows. What you starve dies”, obviously referring to the addiction to pornography but pointing also to the fact that if the stigma attached to the “dirty little secret” stays both dirty and secret, it will eventually stop being small and derail relationships, careers, and lives.
The floor is open. What’s fair game theologically – do we rebuke these guys privately, or publicly, for taking an “unorthodox approach”? From a secular point of view, where do we go?
In part 2, we’ll talk directly with Michael Leahy, of Bravehearts, who speaks directly to tens of thousands of college students each year about the dangers of porn from both a Christian and secular worldview. In part 3 we’ll discuss more from pastors Mike and Craig, and in part 4 we’ll address much of the aggregated feedback.
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4 comments:
Aaron, I think Bill Hybels comment is a bunch of hogwash...churches ARE equipped to deal with the issue, they just don't want to because the pastors are often involved in using it themselves secretly.
Great post!
Stacy
Yipes!!! Though, that does bear some truth. As a senior pastor I know he places a premium on confessing his own sin (pride, lust, etc.) to his people, but I don't think we should be making excuses for not talking up the issue. Sadly, the data I have suggests that nearly 40% of pastors are hooked. While we are imperfect and forgiven, a failure to "turn away" from sin is not only relationally damaging between us and God, it always carries consequences in the rest of our relationships. (Next post, we'll talk about objectification of self and others.) Thanks for the input, Stacy!
For the great unwashed (and/or actively apathetic toward religion), what is the scriptural problem with pornography and masturbation?
As far as the mainstream "pornographic culture" we live in (as described on the BraveHearts site), the problems are obvious, particularly from a psychology child-development point of view. While I am strongly socially liberal, I believe a strong showing on all fronts-- religious and secular-- against the overwhelming sexuality (and while we're at it, all-around embarassing crassness) of pop culture is long overdue. (I mean, I love Burning Man, but for the love of glaven, leave the kids at home!)
Great question, Bloomster. Thanks for responding.
BTW, Warren, I now pronounce you "clean", but I was unaware that one could be actively apathetic toward anything. This is a level of enlightenment I would truly like to achieve, if only for the "been there done that" value. HT.
If you're more "Burning Man" than "On Fire For The Lord" (the obvious joke was already assumed before I added quotes, so let's not go there - for the sake of the kids or the cliché), then you'll need more of a biblical primer than I can give you with this splitting headache, but I'll take a stab at it.
From the "washed" point of view, porn is cheating see this reference or a more poignant translation of the same text. Even from the "apathetic/unwashed" P.O.V., porn is merely a substitute for sex. It's like the old Chinese food analogy - sure you ate, but ten minutes later you're still freakin' hungry!!! OSTB (Outside the Bible), masturbation is self-serving sex - no reciprocated intimacy, no commitment, no cuddling afterward, no buying expensive jewelry and lifelong comm... Wait a minute!!!
But that's the point, specifically. In Christianese, we'd likely call it "a spirit of entitlement". It's just as easy to call it "play without pay" work ethic: "I deserve it, so gimme, now" or "I would gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today". Look around you and see if you become frustrated by people who want all the benefits that come from a career, a dedicated vocal ensemble that rehearses, a well constructed house, or a bottom-of-the-soul climax, but don't want to do the work it takes to make it happen. We've become so obsessed with instant results it's sickening. Are those Pop-Tarts out of the microwave yet?!
Is it possible that in our modern quest for success and progress we've outgrown the need for the relational connection that we so sorely desire? Nope. It's been like that since forever. We're not as unique as we think. IMHO, that's why God put the rule down in the first place. "I created you. I know how you are. You want the 18" biceps without the workout. But, if you'll trust me as your God who loves you, and you'll lift enough weights with frequency and dedication - I'll give you something even better than the biceps: a spirit of self discipline and a work ethic that will make your massive arms pale in comparison." Imagine if we'd take his advice on intimacy...
Isn't He great? Not only did He invent sex, but He gave us guidelines on how to get the most out of it.
Now, I gotta' go wash my steroid pill down with a decaf coffee sweetened with Splenda and flavored with non-dairy creamer.
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