Porn Debate

Last night I attended the Porn Debate in Grand Rapids with a bunch of my friends. There has been a lot of buzz surrounding this debate between Craig Gross who many refer to as the "porn pastor" from xxxchurch.com and Ron Jeremy, "King of Porn" who has been in the industry for 29 years. (He has multiple degrees, including a masters to teach special education.)

I wanted to be there to see it for myself, because I knew that it would not be an easy event to describe to someone who wasn't there...which I will try my best to do for you in this post.

The venue was PACKED! The line was out the door and down the street when we arrived. I couldn't tell by the crowd who was on the "pro porn" side and who was "anti" other than some guys with vulgar t-shirts and some others with "Jesus Loves Porn Stars" t-shirts it was hard to tell.
Once we got inside it was really dark, round tables, and standing room only in the back. The moderator introduced Craig and Ron (who was wearing a hawaiian shirt and some adidas pants) and the debate began. I was amazed by a few things.

1. Ron and Craig have an obvious mutual respect for one another, and a few times during the Q & A time they stood up for one another. (apparently they backed eachother up on Mancow a couple of mornings ago as well)


2. The crowd was invited to text their questions to the moderator during the debate. He would then read some of them aloud for Ron or Craig to answer.


3. The crowd seemed pretty close to equally divided and dozens of people stood, gave their names, and asked questions in front of everyone - I think that shows how important this topic is, and how people are seeking for truth. There were dozens more who still had their hands raised with questions at the end. I think we could have been there for a few more hours if the venue would have allowed.


4. The crowd also raised their hands when Ron would ask something like, "Who here has seen the porno __ ___ ____?" a bunch of people would rise their hands, then Craig would respond, "Who saw it before they were 18 years old?" and about half of the people who responded to the first question raised their hands again, then Ron would say they had bad parenting or something of that nature and everyone would laugh...


5. Ron and Craig are living on the bus together during this tour, which I think is pretty cool considering they could have two busses and just show up for the debates, but right now, these two guys are doing life together and I think Jesus would have done the same thing.


6. I was also amazed by the line of people wanting Ron Jeremy to autograph their videos and pictures afterward. The line was out the door.

So, there are 4 more cities where you can attend this debate live. You can also go on the website and subit your questions or follow along with the questions that are being texted in during the next 4 debates.

I am so impressed by the way God is working through and shining through Craig Gross. He was so wise with the words that he spoke, so thoughtful, so honest and real and transparent. Craig has committed his life to gtiving people a way out of the industry and out of the cycle of pornography. He needs prayers, he is right smack dab in the middle of serious warfare.