For those just coming in, we're here for "The Great Porn Debate." Why? Pornography is a multi-billion (yes, that's right, billion) dollar industry in the United States alone, but serious discussion of the issue is rare. Is it degrading to women, or empowering? Is it an addictive and destructive habit, or a window to a fun fantasy world?In this intelligent and multi-faceted debate, all aspects of the
Pornography issue are discussed and examined. A question and answer time is built into the debate to provide interaction with the audience. Just text the word porndebate followed by your question to 66937.The lights have dimmed. The introductions have been made. Let's get it on.
The moderator asks Craig Gross (Porn Pastor) to start. Craig has fifteen minutes for his opening statement. I wondered why Craig is starting. That question is answered two minutes into the debate. Gross is immediately interrupted by Jeremy. Ron tells us why it in necessary for Craig to go first. Why? Jeremy has no issue with Gross, his message, nor his method. He is actually quite grateful for the work Gross is doing. He, too, hopes that the people who want out of the industry have an outlet. Therefore, he respects Craig and the work of his ministry. Not exactly how I thought it would start.
The debate continues. Craig makes his opening statements passionately. You can tell this isn't his first rodeo. He speaks of the dire consequences of pornography abuse.
Gross explains that pornography desensitizes us in subtle ways. He explains why it portrays false expectations for "real" couples. He talks about the grueling preparation it takes for these "athletes." I never knew such exercises existed! He shares how over 13,000 hardcore films were made in the last year alone. He also details the average age for pornography abuse. I was shocked... 12-17 years old. I thought porn was only for those over the age of 18. He concludes with facts from previous "stars" who have come out of the industry about the ways in which it damages them. His opinion, pornography is degrading.Jeremy's turn. Ron has multiple degrees and speaks with an articulation that caught me by surprise. Immediately, you can tell that this dude knows what he's talking about. He follows Craig's path to a tee. Ron addresses Craig's statements point by point. He
breaks out facts from news articles and researched materials. He shares that violent games that kids play are the reasons behind a desensitized youth culture. He says that porn enables couples to be creative and role play. He has many letters from people whose marriages had become stale... at least in the bedroom. He is adamant that pornography is made by consenting adults for consenting adults. He shares how the industry is taking responsible steps to ensure its audience is 18 and over. Lastly, Ron talks at length about how porn has empowered women. He throws out thirty or so names... the Porn Stars.Time for a little Q&A. The questions start off like you might expect. Has Gross ever seen pornography? What's his Christian opinion of masturbation? How many times are the people involved in porn tested? You get the drill. However, towards the end of the night, a bomb is dropped!
Asked to both parties, "In your opinion wouldn't you agree that Religion has actually damaged more people than Pornography?" A few claps by the audience. Then the crowd grows silent. Gross steps up.
Wait. Maybe I should give the question to you before giving you the outcome? Yeah, let's do that. Take a stab at it. Give us your thoughts. Let's see what we think!
6 comments:
"In your opinion wouldn't you agree that Religion has actually damaged more people than Pornography?"
Yes and no.
-Yes. Religion, that cruel, destructive, self-serving beast conjured up by man's whims and fancies has indeed damaged numerous people throughout history. Religion, the bastard, illegitimate child of institution and law. Served by frenzied followers, complacent cowards, and terrible tyrants WE, in the name of religion, have murdered, raped, pillaged, ostracized, ignored, and ultimately DAMAGED many of our brothers and sisters in the human family.
-No. In the sense that pornography is driven by something much deeper than fantasy, role play or excitement in the bedroom. It TOO is self serving. It too is cruel and destructive. And, it too, actually IS a religion (of sorts). It chews its followers up and spits them out. Silently. It is driven by the most horrible force known to mankind, selfishness. No matter how you paint it, porn exists for ultimately one purpose, to bring gratification to one's self. This has been the ultimate downfall of our human family, "me" - the desire to put "me" first. And it's in this vain, that I believe that porn is terribly destructive.
***Edit I had actually typed "in this VAIN"...but meant to use the word vein, but since I'm talking about selfishness I find it an appropriate play on words.
Russ, you're the man!
Thank you for your candor. Thank you also for being willing to share with us your thoughts on such a "sticky" topic.
I couldn't agree more with your comments. You've done me proud!
Russ, you remind me of Jason Mraz with that world play. Good job!
This is a really good question. I think it is hard to answer realistically though. The problem is that the damages of Religion (the selfish, man centred religion that russ was talking about) have been brodcast over and over again through the centuries. People seem to love to shout it out when they are hurt by Religion. But how to you measure the damages of pornography. How to you count how many marriages have been torn apart or will be torn apart, how to you measure the damage done to the spirit of a person who is stuck in pornography. Satan loves that the scars of pornography are not easily seen. He loves that people still hide them. So it is hard for me to answer this question definitively but I would lean toward the latter.
I was hurt by religion to some extent in my teens. But I was able to find healing and forgivness before it made me doubt my faith because I was able to talk about it without guilt or fear of rejection. However, my struggle with pornography has left much deeper more tender scars. Pornography is by nature a secretive and manipulative medium. When you struggle with it you are not easliy compeled to go to someone for help. It traps you in guilt and fear of exposure. This only allows it to get a deeper and deeper hold until even when help is sought the devistation is widespread. It seeps into every area of your life and creates scars there too.
So I guess maybe I want to change my answer to the question. I think that perhaps pornography has damaged more people than religion, it is just that people don't always realize or admit that they are being damaged.
Names, thank you for sharing.
I, too, want to validate your perspective. You've shared from a deep place. Seriously, we all thank you.
Religion and Pornography have a lot in common in my opinion. They've both defamed the origins of their creation. I have a mutual hatred for each.
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