One Night With A Porn Star

Tonight on Nightline, My friend Craig Gross will be part of a debate with legendary porn star Ron Jeremy. Martin Bashir moderates the debate that took place at Yale a few nights ago and will be played tonight. This debate is not new, Craig (leader of xxxchurch.com a ministry to porn stars and those addicted to porn) has been traveling to college campuses this last year debating Ron in front of enormous crowds of college students.

Last year I traveled with Craig on one of these debates and posted my thoughts . Given tonight's broadcast (which you may want to view with caution, I learned a few things at the debate I really didn't want to know, but it wasn't edited for television (does that make a difference anymore?) ), I thought I would re-post my recap of the experience.

Mark

March 12,2007

Last week I accompanied Craig Gross of XXXChurch.com to Texas Tech for a pornography debate with legendary porn star Ron Jeremy.

Ron has reportedly appeared in over 1800 porno flicks and has currently become well known for his appearance on the television program The Surreal Life.

Before meeting Ron for dinner my mind was full of questions, what would meeting a porn star be like?

Ron entered talking on a cell phone and sat down at the table pausing only to stick out his left hand for a shake and a brief "Hi I'm Ron" introduction. After hanging up, he commented on some potato skins he had passed in the bar and asked if we'd like any, I said sure and off he went to fetch some. "Nice Guy", I thought.

It must be the Pharisee in me, but as we visited, I couldn't help but focus on finding something wrong with this man. (why do we Christians do this?) Surely he couldn't be happy being a porn star. There must be some area of his life that is failing, hurting, some reason he needs Jesus. But nothing really jumped out. He was a kind, considerate and thoughtful person.

Turning 54 today (Happy Birthday Ron) and single, Ron has most of the same issues a single person of 54 years might have (loneliness, desire for family etc). In fact, his issues remind me of many Christian singles I know.

We headed for the university where Craig and Ron debated the dangers of pornography. Ron held his position very well and made many compelling arguments I'm currently following up on. (perhaps I'll blog on this later at a later time). Craig Gross did a great job keeping his cool and representing Christianity in an authentic manner. The Fox newsperson standing near me said, I think this might be how Jesus would want to be represented. And I wondered, If Jesus were here, what WOULD He do? (yeah yeah I know WWJD)

Would Jesus enter into a debate about whether pornography was right or wrong? Would he debate whether or not pornography was harmful?

Quickly reflecting on all the passages of scripture I could recall from memory, I wasn't sure. Yes, Jesus spoke about the breadth of sin in The Sermon On The Mount. His objective was to show everyone that no matter how strictly one followed their notion of what made something right or wrong … all are sinners in need of forgiveness.

It wasn't just "murder" that was wrong, but also harboring hatred in your heart toward a brother. Physically engaging in adultery was sin but also merely thinking lustfully toward another.

Bottom line, Jesus discussion of sin was to point out that none of us haven't sinned, we are all guilty. Ron Jeremy's sexual exploits were no more offensive to God than any of us who have imagined having a similar romp. We are all guilty. But Jesus purpose was to save humankind, and to show us how to live life to the full. Many of our definitions of "to the full" are what Jesus would question.

I can't see Jesus taking the time to debate an issue like pornography, when he could speak to the heart of the man. Ultimately, Jesus was concerned with people and showing them they could live life abundantly through a relationship with God and others. I could see Jesus talking to Ron like he did Zacchaeus, calling Ron to live a transformed life. Jesus would want him to live life abundantly (and by "abundant" I'm not talking riches.. remember Zacchaeus gave away most of his!). Ron may not be experiencing anything abnormally wrong in his life, but he's missing out on God's riches that come through transformed living. I wonder how many Christians are missing out on this too?

After the debate, we went back to the hotel before dining at the only restaurant open and within walking distance … Denny's. Ron came into Craig and my room and laid down on my bed nodding off a few times before we left.

I thought about what Jesus said
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Salvation doesn't come by finding something evil in a person's life (that is too easy to do), but from offering what comes from salvation… rest for their soul.

PS ... Some have asked how I could even eat with a man like this. I respond with the following. Mark 2:14-17 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."