Christians to take stand against porn
By: JENNIFER KABBANY - For The Californian
'Porn and Pancakes' breakfast set for Saturday | ∞
LAKE ELSINORE ---- Tides Church is known as one of the edgier places of worship, with its alternative music, a pastor who wears flip-flops, and a vibe that tends to appeal to a younger crowd.
So perhaps it should be no surprise that Tides is taking on a topic that had not until recent years been considered a proper subject of discussion in the pews: pornography.
On Saturday, the church is hosting a "Porn and Pancakes" breakfast. The event is scheduled for 8 to 10 a.m. at Lambs Fellowship Church in Lake Elsinore, and is open to boys and men only, ages junior high and up. A "Porn and Pastries" event for women will be scheduled for a later date, church representatives said.
The morning will include a comedian, testimony from a former porn star on the realities of the industry, and a sermon on the sometimes destructive nature of porn.
The event is part of "National Porn Sunday" and is sponsored by www.xxxchurch.com, an online ministry that started the annual event to help churches tackle the topic.
About 48 percent of Christian homes admit to having "a major problem" with porn, according to the Web site.
Participating churches can address the subject in a variety of ways, from a Sunday sermon to screening documentaries to hosting the breakfast.
In its third year, more than 200 churches across the nation have joined forces to host an event related to porn Sunday, which is designed to "confront the elephant in the pew," according to organizers.
"It's a huge epidemic not only affecting men and women but also young children," said Bryan Johnston, lead pastor at Tides Church. "I feel it is something that is out of control and needs to be addressed."
National statistics show that about 40 million people visit porn sites online every day and that porn revenue is larger than the combined revenues of all professional football, baseball and basketball franchises.
Johnston said that from a secular perspective, pornography degrades women, causes relationships to fail, hurts marriages and creates unrealistic expectations.
"The porn industry tells us that women enjoy (degrading experiences)," the pastor said. "Women don't enjoy that. It's all fantasy and made up."
From a Christian perspective, the Bible does not condone sex before marriage, advises people to avoid immoral activities and states that even fantasizing about another woman or man while married is akin to adultery, he said.
Pornography can also be addictive, said Rocky Hill, owner of the Temecula-based Hill Alcohol and Drug Treatment center.
"It has a biochemical effect on the brain," Hill said. "It's almost a way for some to self-medicate."
Like any other addiction, after a while the brain needs more and more stimuli to be satisfied, which can lead people to visit more graphic or disturbing Web sites or further their addition to phone sex and other outlets, he said. It can also lead people to waste their money to satisfy their cravings, he said.
Johnston said that those who attend the breakfast can expect "a relevant, hip presentation on the dangers of pornography."
"Just come and check it out," he said. "You are not going to be alone. This is not something for the porn addict, like you can only come if you are a porn freak. It's for anybody."
PORN AND PANCAKES
According to Tides Church officials, "Porn and Pancakes" is a breakfast and talk about issues surrounding porn from pastors and adult entertainment industry insiders. The breakfast is open to men and boys in junior high on up.
When: 8-10 a.m. Saturday
Where: Lambs Fellowship Church, 21901 Railroad Canyon Road, Lake Elsinore
Cost: $8
Information: (951) 244-3199 and www.tideschurch.org
Statistics from XXXchurch.com
- Number of pornographic Web sites: about 4.2 million.
- People who visit porn Web sites daily: about 40 million.
- Breakdown of male/female visitors to pornography sites: 65 percent male, 35 percent female
- 30 percent of unsolicited e-mails contain pornographic materials.
- Women, far more than men, are likely to act out their fantasies in real life, such as having multiple partners, casual sex or affairs.
- Porn revenue is larger than the combined revenues of all professional football, baseball and basketball franchises.
- Porn revenue in the U.S. exceeds the combined revenues of the networks ABC, CBS and NBC.
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Modern wrote on Oct 11, 2007 11:14 PM:I bet half the people who are members of this church watch porn. Hypocrites!
UNDERSTANDING WIFE wrote on Oct 12, 2007 6:21 AM:I am Christian...I don't mind my husband watching porn. It's no big deal to me. A man is a man no matter what religion he is. It's a movie. It's not considered cheating, so what's the big deal.-
Informed wrote on Oct 12, 2007 10:35 AM:Lets mix the teenage boys with men interested in stopping their porn addiction...-
George wrote on Oct 12, 2007 10:46 AM:Should I make my $8 tax-deductible check out to XXXchurch or Lamb's Light?
Monica wrote on Oct 12, 2007 11:22 AM:Uhhmm...Porn and Pancakes? Sorry I'll pass. I'm starting to have a sick feeling in my stomach.
Maybe I'll Convert... wrote on Oct 12, 2007 12:14 PM:I'll try the porn, but they can keep the pancakes!
Karl wrote on Oct 12, 2007 1:55 PM:40 million users? That's a lot of people. There has to be a better way to combat porn. I couldn't eat and discuss porn.-
Wow! wrote on Oct 12, 2007 1:58 PM:Come for the pancakes. Stay for the porn!
Porn and Pancakes wrote on Oct 12, 2007 2:00 PM:Interesting name...I'll bet people show up with much different expectations. ..oh, and ladies that's "Porn and Pasteries" NOT "Porn and Pasties"...leave the wardrobe at home. How many of those teen boys are going to "commit adultery" in their mind when they get home:)
Steve wrote on Oct 12, 2007 2:50 PM:There's absolutely nothing wrong with porn in moderation. The only thing the church dislikes is the fact that they aren't getting any of the money that the porn industry is making.
Ticky Tacky in Temecula... wrote on Oct 12, 2007 2:58 PM:Porno and Pancakes? Porno and Pastries? These sound like tacky names for porno movies. I wouldn't be surprised if many of these porno movies are being produced right here in our own suburbian communities. The suburbs are becoming something of a joke - tacky duplicate houses with tacky duplicate Starbucks everywhere and all the people watch the same tacky movies on their hi def TVs tacked to the walls of their tacky homes. Isn't all of this tackiness enough to tick you off?
Huh? wrote on Oct 12, 2007 2:59 PM:What's wrong with porn? girls watch it too I bet and it has nothing to do with religion!! It's a good topic to discuss though. It's all about education. Kudos to the church that is doing this.
Rambo wrote on Oct 12, 2007 3:04 PM:I made my fortune selling Hookah pipes on the mean streets of Bullhead City. I never sold or watched pornography to make a living and neither should Hugh Hefner or Larry Flynt. Porn is the work of the devil. Those who watch and engage in porno activities, no matter how enjoyable, are working with the devil. Churches that even talk about porno are doing the work of the devil. There is still time to repent or the LORD will call of you home! Praise be to the Holy One.'
Junior High & up???? wrote on Oct 12, 2007 3:19 PM:You have got to be kidding me....."Porn & Pancakes", "Porn & Pastries"...........what in the world are these churches thinking inviting/encouraging children to attend such an event! I guess it is just a little to "edgy" for me and my family.
The tides have changed: Porno Revolution wrote on Oct 12, 2007 4:51 PM:Its just nude art and sex. I see porn everyday on the internet without even searching for it. It just "pops" up. Google is the biggest distributer (currently $637/share)) and should be held responsible for the upcoming complete social breakdown.
Green wrote on Oct 12, 2007 5:30 PM:How much money does XXXchurch require for them to come into these churches? What books and videos are going to be sold at this function? Seems like XXXchurch has there own pet agenda. They keep it growing monetarily and in popularity by operating as "ministry" preying on people weaknesses. If the preacher is doing his job...he won't have to bring in such shenanigans like this...sad. To the people of Lamb's Light...find another fellowship...you've been had.
Hmmmm wrote on Oct 12, 2007 5:32 PM:Poor Rambo...don't know what you're missing...oh but smoking hookah is okay. Is the $8 charge for the pancakes or the porn? Good idea for a fundraiser!
Guest wrote on Oct 12, 2007 5:33 PM:The guest speaker is a former porn star, "Oh, excuse me miss can you repeat those titles you've been in...for, uh-hem...research..."
What about... wrote on Oct 12, 2007 5:33 PM:Sausage...I bet they serve sausage.
Ironic wrote on Oct 12, 2007 5:51 PM:Isn't it ironic that it is being addressed because it is degrading to women and yet, women are not allowed to attend? They must attend their own session...and they don't get pancakes!
Anyone.... wrote on Oct 12, 2007 5:55 PM:Up for a cream filled doughnut?
For ChrisX2 wrote on Oct 12, 2007 5:58 PM:Will they be using stick butter or pats you can shmear?
WWJD wrote on Oct 12, 2007 6:02 PM:He would not eat the pancakes...he is watching his carbs...
Hmmmm wrote on Oct 12, 2007 6:18 PM:Why are they serving so many "round" food items?
I will never... wrote on Oct 12, 2007 6:27 PM:Never look at a pancake the same way again.
Come On wrote on Oct 12, 2007 6:28 PM:This HAS GOT TO BE a recruiting tool for the church!!!! Sign me up!!!!
Roberto1 wrote on Oct 12, 2007 9:49 PM:LOL!...agree, excellent recruiting tool for the church. I'm sure the porn is much lower in calories. Hopefully they will at least discuss using protection while eating pancakes.
JSten wrote on Oct 13, 2007 10:52 AM:It seems that Porn and Fundamentalist religions have a lot in common. Their users seem willing to devote their entire lives to it, to the exclusion of all else, and with indifference to the effect their mania has on the rest of us.
I bet wrote on Oct 15, 2007 5:05 PM:I bet every neo-con republican will be there since they are the ones always getting caught. Will Larry Craig be there?
Rachel wrote on Dec 6, 2007 4:04 PM:Hey "Junior High & up????"... your kids are already looking at porn... don't be niave'
Jake wrote on Dec 9, 2007 7:22 PM:Your response to this site proves the seriousness of what porn is doing to our society. Your minds are already warped and streched. Porn has already robbed you of your individuality.Your sense of right and wrong. What if you saw a boy looking at a dirty magazine and when you looked closer you realize its your daughter hes looking at. This is what your saying is ok. Although im pretty sure if any of you have daughters it would be the last thing you would want her to be doing. Its more serious than any of you realize, and you all are blind to its reality.
sexual battle wrote on Dec 21, 2007 12:50 PM:i think its amazing that a church is confronting this issue, it is something done in the dark that needs to be brought into the light. how many people say porn is okay? why am i not allowed to disagree? why is it NOT normal to NOT look at porn? let the people who want help get it. stop getting in the way. i just found out my christian boyfriend of 4 years is additcted to it. i am heartbroken. i cant change that it hurts me. i dont want this evil in my life.
Realist wrote on Mar 6, 2008 2:24 PM:I am deeply saddened by the cynicism and flippancy of most of the comments here. Either they are making fun of the church for trying to help, or the organization behid it has to be in it for money, or they make childish sexual jokes about it ("I bet they serve sausage"). I can't say I agree with xxxchurch strategy or methodology, but I can say that lust and porn are leading people away from intimacy and relationship. It's deceptive (a false depiction of sexuality). It's addictive. It's destructive. As a marriage and relationship counselor I see regularly the destructive affect of porn and lust. The church has failed miserably in confronting this epidemic. As a result, some control themselves through repression. Others, do what is best in their own eyes. Neither, are effective. We need truth that is taught in realistic and clear terms. If Tides/xxxchurch are doing this then more power to them. The truth is, more churches need to be confronting this menacing pest. PS, if you want to talk about greed and money, did you know that the porn industry sees more net income than all of the tech giants like Microsoft, Google and Intel (plus more) COMBINED! Another place says more than the net income of ABC, NBC, and CBS combined. Put that in your pipe and smoke it!
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