The non-denominational, new-age church has declared April 2-3 “Porn Weekend” and is renting three billboards to promote the festivities, which center around the screening of the controversial adult-industry documentary “Missionary Positions.”
“They are making a mockery of Christianity,” resident Jay Porter said. “My wife and I are raising seven children, and there are a lot of things in society we have to battle against. A community church should not be one of them.”
Westwinds is only one of many churches nationwide taking part in a Porn Weekend campaign sponsored by xxxchurch, an online ministry devoted to getting Christians to talk openly about Internet porn. Westwinds spokeman Randy Schafer said its an idea whose time has come.
“Pornography is such a huge issue, and it usually is not discussed in church,” Shafer said. “Polls say that 56 percent of men struggle with pornography. We try to hit it head on and get people talking about it.”
But, apparently, not everyone in Jackson is comfortable talking about it.
“It opens up a can of worms we should not have to discuss with young children,” resident Tina Hufnagel said. “My 15-year-old son asked, ‘Why is a church having a porn party?’”
Others, including Angela Kitchen, spokesperson for local group Family and Minor Empowerment, are also uncomfortable with xxxchurch’s unconventional preaching methods
The brainchild of Craig Gross and Mike Foster, two 20-something ministers, xxxchurch often combines comedy and shock value to deliver its anti-porn message.
The ministry’s website is designed to mimic an adult site, with headlines such as, “Learn How to Overcome Temptation and Stop Spanking the Monkey” and images of Gross and Foster performing mock exorcisms on porn stars while dressed in monk’s frocks. The duo also travel with a 25-foot inflatable penis called Wally the Weiner.
“Many of us find it morally corruptible,” Kitchen said.
But many pastors appreciate the novel approach.
“Porn is a big problem, not only in our culture but also within the church,” said Pastor James Emory White of Meckleburg Community Church in Charlotte, N.C. “We have decided it is time we bring it out in the open and start talking about it.”
Pastor White has invited Gross and Foster to address his congregation during Meckleburg’s own Porn Weekend, April 16-17, and Gross has promised a special appearance by an industry insider during the event.
“Believe it or not, a woman who has performed in hundreds of adult videos will appear at the church after the film to announce her decision to join the fight against pornography,” Gross said, but refused to reveal the actresses identity.