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LET'S MOBILIZE AGAINST PORNOGRAPHY

We need only to read the newspaper or listen to the news to hear about the victims of pornography. Sadly, it has affected some of us quite “close to home.” Jan LaRue, Concerned Women for America, reminds us that we should not wait until the victim is in the face of someone we love. The time to act is now! Close your eyes and picture your children, your nieces, nephews, and those that we meet on a daily basis. It is for them that we take action. This is not going to go away. The victims of pornography need our help.

In recent years, the issue of pornography has been complicated by the Internet—the leading source of pornography worldwide. Vernon Geberth, retired from the NYPD and author of “Sex Related Homicide and Death Investigation: Practical & Clinical Perspectives,” shares that there has been an increase of sex-related crimes since the explosion of the Internet. Dr. Albert Cooper’s research in the Journal of Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity refers to “Cybersex Addiction” as similar to drug addiction, with pornography the drug of choice. Consider the highly publicized stories of Danielle Van Dam, 7, allegedly murdered last year in California by a porn addict or Samantha Runnion, also of California, whose accused murderer was reported to have had porn on his computer.

Some believe that pornography has no real effect on the viewer. Educators know that this is not true. Does it mean then that we are not affected by what we read or see in other realms of education? Victor B. Cline, Ph.D., uses among other examples, the Bible, and asks if we think that it has an effect on us as readers or viewers!

If you are concerned about pornography invading our communities, homes, and the minds of children, this year’s White Ribbons Against Pornography Week is from October 30 – November 6, 2005. However, there is always a choice of when to participate. This is a chance to mobilize and have a plan of action to fight against pornography!

What can we do?

Access websites that give information about fighting pornography.
Educate yourself about pornography and its effects and plan training sessions to inform others about what you have learned, perhaps holding a public education event for the community.
Write a letter to the U. S. Attorney in your district to stress your support for obscenity enforcement in the community.
In the pulpit, address pornography as a spiritual problem.
Especially with young people, teach the responsible use of the Internet.
During the WRAP campaign, wear a ribbon. People will ask why and you can educate them to this current issue.
Pray, pray, pray!

Our fight against pornography is a war—we must mobilize, become involved and share the hope they can find in Christ. We have a huge responsibility for all that come under the umbrella of our ministry.

Major Florence Townsend, M.Ed., MA

Assistant Social Services Secretary

Resources

Pure Life Ministries (helps victims of pornography)

Esther Ministries (for spouses of porn addicts)

www.obscenitycrimes.org (Website launched by Morality In Media) Complaints on obscenity can be reported here. It also has the contact information for writing letters.

www.moralityinmedia.org (The Morality In Media website includes sample sermons, a history of the WRAP campaign, articles, etc.)

www.enough.org and link to www.ProtectKids.com (Include articles on the harms of pornography, parent’s rules to warn against pornography online, how children access pornography on the Internet, and much more.)

www.usdoj.gov/usao (Names and addresses of U. S. Attorneys)

www.nationalcoalition.org (National Coalition For The Protection of Children and Families – Toll-Free Helpline, printed resources, counseling ideas, etc. from a Christian perspective)