BOTHELL, Washington- from www.herald.net – A porn star and a pastor from Sin City will debate pornography’s grip on America on Saturday in Bothell.
Ron Jeremy, who has acted in 1,900 adult films, and Craig Gross, the Las Vegas founder of the anti-porn web site xxxchurch.com, will face off at 7 p.m. in the EastLake Community Church auditorium.
Organizers vow an intelligent debate on the societal effects of the multibillion-dollar industry. And this subject is sure to fill the seats of the nondenominational Bothell church.
For those who miss the event, they can meet and hear from Jeremy and Gross during the regular Sunday services, according to the EastLake Community Church web site.
Gross and Jeremy travel the country debating the power of pornography. Audiences pack church pews and college theaters to hear them and have ever since their initial match-up five years ago.
Gross, who ministers to porn addicts and former adult film stars, typically argues pornography is a fantasy not reality and will leave its viewers disappointed when their sex lives don’t match the experiences on the screen.
He also blames porn for destroying the social binds of relationships, often calling it a “parasite on the brain.”
Jeremy, who will turn 58 next week, emerged as one of the industry’s top male stars following the death of the legendary John Holmes in 1988.
His countermessage is simple: Porn is nothing more than sex between consenting adults and no one is forced to watch it.
He’s certain to claim Gross unfairly blames the industry because some audience members develop problems watching while most do not.
Their appearance will cap two days of church-sponsored activities focused on pornography.
Tonight is a women-only event titled “Porn and Pastries.” Former sex industry insiders and former porn addicts will discuss and answer questions about the role of porn in their lives.
The event is open only to women and young women 13 years and older, according to the church website.
On Saturday, men are invited to “Porn in the Morn'” for help in dealing with their addiction to pornography.
The event is for men and young men junior high age and older.
Talks on pornography
•”Porn and Pastries”
7 p.m. Friday
Cost: $5
•”Porn in the Morn'”
9 a.m. Saturday
Cost: $5
• XXX Debate
7 p.m. Saturday
Cost: $5 (free with student or military ID)
All events are at 3301 Monte Villa Pkwy Ste. 200, Bothell WA 98021