RonD1120 58 #1 March 17, 2011 Jesus Loves the Sexually Exploited—and the Exploiters by Kristyn Komarnicki Doesn’t it seem as if every movie and TV series these days eventually features some glib scene from or reference to the sex industry—that is, stripping, prostitution, or pornography—intended to amuse, titillate, or just provide a backdrop? While the enemy is relentless in his efforts to normalize sexual brokenness, abuse, and torture in our culture, God and his people are working to save those who become enmeshed in the horrors of the sex industry. In the March/April 2011 issue of PRISM, we feature the work of Rev. Irie Session, a Dallas pastor who found a special calling to women struggling to leave the sex industry. Read our most recent “Making a Difference” church profile, “Woman, Be Free!” Hookers for Jesus, birthed by a formerly prostituted woman, Annie Lobért, addresses the realities of human sex trafficking, sexual violence, and exploitation linked to pornography and the sex industry. The group is committed to reaching out to children/teens/women that need assistance and escape from sex slavery. Their urban ministry outreach, community awareness, and transitional housing program, The Destiny House, is based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. Emmaus works on the streets of Chicago reaching out to men in prostitution. Through nightly outreach teams and a daytime Ministry Center, Emmaus staff and volunteers build relationships of trust with these men, working together to help them get off the streets and to cultivate a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. The Pink Cross Foundation is a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to reaching out to those caught up in the sex industry, offering emotional, financial, and transitional support. Founded by former porn actress Shelley Lubben, the group focuses largely on reaching out to the adult film industry, offering support to both women and men. It also reaches out to those struggling with pornography offering education and resources to recover. The Dawn Court Project is an innovative program in Philadelphia that helps formerly prostituted women get off the streets and stay clean. If you’re skimming this page, please DON’T MISS THIS PART! I want to make it clear that both the exploited and the exploiter are broken and in need of God’s grace and love and the support of the church. Sexual brokenness is an equal-opportunity slave master. Read Sex Offenders in the Pew, a Christianity Today article that looks at how churches are ministering to society's most despised. Last but not least, former porn producer Donny Pauling now spends his life teaching Christians about what porn really is and how God’s grace can restore all our lives, no matter how badly we’ve abused ourselves and each other. Watch Pauling speak on 2011 Porn Sunday—this powerful presentation is worth the 45 minutes. http://evangelicalsforsocialaction.org/page.aspx?pid=396#Jesus%20Loves%20the%20Sexual%20ExploitLook for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davjohns 1 #2 March 17, 2011 I'm not big on religion being pushed on anyone. But I have to admire people who are so passionate that they will try to reach out to that particular segment of the population. It has to be an incredibly hard sell. I'm not trying to criticize anyone here. I just recognize that converting someone in the sex industry has got to very difficult and hopefully shows the person who is reaching out really does care.I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet.. But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skinnay 0 #3 March 17, 2011 Typical scumbag christian recruiting tactics: Offer help to those in need bundled with hefty doses of church. So yes, Jesus does love the sexually exploited, because they easier to convert Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
futuredivot 0 #4 March 17, 2011 You are only as strong as the prey you devour Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,149 #5 March 17, 2011 For some people, that's a good support system. Not for all of them. But to deny people who find it useful that support system is not right. Do you have a better one that works for them? Wendy P.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmkellett 0 #6 March 17, 2011 helping people who are being abused or exploited is a good thing. however, why cant the help come without the fairytale ? Why do religious types have to prey on venerable people in order to recruit into their cult system? Is that not a form of abuse in itself? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #7 March 17, 2011 Quotehelping people who are being abused or exploited is a good thing. however, why cant the help come without the fairytale ? Why do religious types have to prey on venerable people in order to recruit into their cult system? Is that not a form of abuse in itself? Fairy tale or not ..... Power, it's mostly about power and control over people. (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,149 #8 March 17, 2011 Because for some people the structure and community helps them. If you find something that helps when you're in bad shape, you don't keep looking for something that's different and still helps. Wendy P.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,435 #9 March 17, 2011 >Typical scumbag christian recruiting tactics: Offer help to those in need >bundled with hefty doses of church. People who help those in need are the opposite of scumbags. I'm glad there are people out there willing to do it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmkellett 0 #10 March 17, 2011 I agree. Structure and community are great ways to help people in need. I have benefited personally from both in crap times. However it was through my friends and work, none of which seeked to infect me with a virus of the mind. My point is simply that one day, we will all be able to go out and help others, SIMPLY for the sake of helping HUMANITY.....not with a sly added slice of brainwashing. That day will come soon.. to quote my hero : "The best thing about religion is that it’s so transparently absurd it can’t possibly last forever. I’m convinced it will only take a small shift in human consciousness for it to be laughed off the planet, and I hope I’m still around when that happens."[1] - Pat Condell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maadmax 0 #11 March 17, 2011 +1, It never ceases to amaze me how those without answers or hope lash out at those who do. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmkellett 0 #12 March 17, 2011 HA ! your answer : bearded sandle wearing giant spirit hippie living in clouds. your hope : to magically float up after dying and sit next to said hippie giant. my answer : science / evolution my hope : that we get over this utter madness. Then we stop killing each other over silly ancient fairytales. then we club together, build a big rocket or 2, and go off and explore the universe and have fun. maybe even find a planet with a really really big deep atmosphere and do some hour long skydives ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #13 March 17, 2011 (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gianna 0 #14 March 17, 2011 Thank you for posting this article. Take a look at www.joy.org, too. They rescue children who are forced into brothels. Talk about "the least of these"... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
david3 0 #15 March 17, 2011 Quote>Typical scumbag christian recruiting tactics: Offer help to those in need >bundled with hefty doses of church. People who help those in need are the opposite of scumbags. I'm glad there are people out there willing to do it. Absolutely but, beware of wolves in sheep's clothing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maadmax 0 #16 March 18, 2011 QuoteHA ! your answer : bearded sandle wearing giant spirit hippie living in clouds. your hope : to magically float up after dying and sit next to said hippie giant. my answer : science / evolution my hope : that we get over this utter madness. Then we stop killing each other over silly ancient fairytales. then we club together, build a big rocket or 2, and go off and explore the universe and have fun. maybe even find a planet with a really really big deep atmosphere and do some hour long skydives ! Not even close. My answer : All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Jesus is the Truth the Way and the Life. ( ps. no one really knows what He looked like, and I bet it is definitely not as He is portrayed in medievil paintings) My hope: To be made whole and experience the love and fellowship of God. And to share that love with other people. your answer: Replacing God with a fragmented knowledge of how He creates and maintains the universe. Allowing yourself to become god and to decide right from wrong. your hope: Man achieving the god like ability to solve all of his problems and create a utopia. i.e. humanism, which will never happen. ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Meso 38 #17 March 18, 2011 QuoteMan achieving the god like ability to solve all of his problems and create a utopia. Not even your god can do that, or is it that he can and just doesn't. Unless you want to take the "We're only here for a short while, we'll find real happiness in heaven". In which case, why did your god even put man on earth, if earth is just a proxy for the afterlife. If it serves no real purpose in the ultimate scheme of things. Wouldn't it be easier to just create people as spiritual entities in heaven, he could have saved pain and suffering of billions. Or is it just one of those things that are so sick and sadistic that God must have some greater knowledge that we can't understand as to why he did it. Yeah... right. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 190 #18 March 18, 2011 QuoteQuoteQuoteMan achieving the god like ability to solve all of his problems and create a utopia. Not even your god can do that, or is it that he can and just doesn't. Unless you want to take the "We're only here for a short while, we'll find real happiness in heaven". Isn't it the point of life to learn from our mistakes, even with your godless evolution? Why do you think you know better than God? I bet you wish you were him? Probably could've done much better , eh? lmfao at you. ...btw, God will acheive it.Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 190 #19 March 18, 2011 Quotemy hope : that we get over this utter madness. Then we stop killing each other over silly ancient fairytales. Then we'll still keep killing over power, money and women...you are living in the fairy tale my friend. Quotethen we club together, build a big rocket or 2, and go off and explore the universe and have fun. maybe even find a planet with a really really big deep atmosphere and do some hour long skydives ! What great faith you have...if only you could use it for something meaningful.Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmkellett 0 #20 March 18, 2011 Another one of my hero's... from a long long time ago.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 190 #21 March 18, 2011 QuoteAnother one of my hero's... from a long long time ago.... I prefer to respond to your originality... what have you to say about your god of denial?Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Meso 38 #22 March 18, 2011 QuoteIsn't it the point of life to learn from our mistakes, even with your godless evolution? Why do you think you know better than God? I bet you wish you were him? Probably could've done much better , eh? lmfao at you. ...btw, God will acheive it. Let me just get this straight... Earth is a mere proxy, a life that is basically nothing in comparison to the afterlife - just a short stop on our way to heaven. Yet the purpose of being here is to learn from our mistakes? Explain how that makes ANY sense, please. Learning from ones mistakes is only an effective task when you can put those newly learned lessons into action. It's not going to help when you realize you messed up when you're in hell. That's like someone's mother telling their child that they must learn from their mistakes, and when they do wrong - she shoots him in the head for doing it. You're just making God seem even more sick and twisted than before. "I'm just going to put you there on earth and let you have your free will, if you fuck up though, it's all over". Yeah that makes a lot more sense than just creating spiritual beings to praise you in heaven, which is essentially where you people think the believers will be and what they'll be doing. What makes you think that I'm not better than God? A book that tells you that I'm not? I'll write my own stating that I am, then I'll have equal validity. But yes, I'm certain that if I were this so-called God, that I would be able to do better - in fact I'm sure most 5 year olds could do better, it really isn't that big of an achievement. He can create eternal happiness, complete bliss, utter peace, tranquillity - Yet he finds that this is better. Yep, that's one smooth operator up there. It doesn't matter what your so-called God can achieve here on, he's done enough damage to human lives through time than could ever be amended. If he can do anything, why didn't he achieve it sooner. When he could have created eternal bliss from the start, there is no reason to go "Oh my, he is so wonderful - just look at what he will achieve". It would eat me inside to know that I was constantly bullshitting myself into actually thinking that God is in any way a positive light. PS: I'm far more moral than your God. I am yet to sit back and watch people murder each other knowing I have the power to intervene. I am yet to test people in such a way that should they pick wrong, I'll make them suffer. I am yet to feel so narcissistic that I would trade the suffering of others just to be praised. And no, I'm not angry at God - For me to be angry at him I would have to believe he exists. I am showing you how utterly psychotic he would be if he did indeed exist. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 190 #23 March 18, 2011 QuoteYet the purpose of being here is to learn from our mistakes? Why not? How can you know happiness without sadness. How can you know pleasure without pain? QuoteWhat makes you think that I'm not better than God? A book that tells you that I'm not? I'll write my own stating that I am, then I'll have equal validity. Go for it...I really don't give a sht. QuoteBut yes, I'm certain that if I were this so-called God, that I would be able to do better - in fact I'm sure most 5 year olds could do better, it really isn't that big of an achievement. He can create eternal happiness, complete bliss, utter peace, tranquillity - Yet he finds that this is better. Yep, that's one smooth operator up there. I'm sorry life sucks for you... QuoteIt doesn't matter what your so-called God can achieve here on, he's done enough damage to human lives through time than could ever be amended. If he can do anything, why didn't he achieve it sooner. When he could have created eternal bliss from the start, there is no reason to go "Oh my, he is so wonderful - just look at what he will achieve". It would eat me inside to know that I was constantly bullshitting myself into actually thinking that God is in any way a positive light. Then continue in your bitterness...I don't really care anymore. QuotePS: I'm far more moral than your God. I am yet to sit back and watch people murder each other knowing I have the power to intervene. you don't have any power... QuoteAnd no, I'm not angry at God - For me to be angry at him I would have to believe he exists. I am showing you how utterly psychotic he would be if he did indeed exist. I think your prespective is very imature/infantile.Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Meso 38 #24 March 18, 2011 QuoteWhy not? How can you know happiness without sadness. How can you know pleasure without pain? I've got a feeling my point is going over your head. The main lesson to be learned would be whether or not there is a God, yet when you learn this lesson (without guessing), it'll be too late. You'll either have everlasting happiness or everlasting sadness - There will be no "I fucked up, there is a God... Now time for me to learn from this and seek happiness". QuoteI'm sorry life sucks for you... You should be more sorry for the billions of other people who's lives suck a lot more. Quoteyou don't have any power... Yet even then I'd still be more noble than someone who has the power to use for good, yet doesn't use it. QuoteI think your prespective is very imature/infantile. Much like I see your religion then. I'm just putting it how it is, if there wasn't the term God there, and instead the conversation was about a man having those qualities I'm sure most people would refer to him in such a way. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 190 #25 March 18, 2011 QuoteI've got a feeling my point is going over your head. Nah...you just rather not accept reality. It is clear you WANT to live in a fantasy world, and would create it if you could...but you can't...so you just cry like a little baby....grow up...I'm going to sleep and I don't wanna hear your temper tantrams. Good night... Stay sweet.Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
