Posted on 04/02/2006 7:02:23 AM PDT by Panerai
Their Corona-based ministry wanted to put 'Jesus Loves Porn Stars' on Bible covers. No way, said a publisher.
Handing out free Bibles to porn stars and their fans at adult film conventions isn't as hard as it would seem. Pastors Mike Foster and Craig Gross say they typically give away 1,000 copies of the New Testament at the multiday conferences.
Even so, the founders of XXXchurch.com — a Corona-based anti-pornography Internet ministry — thought a hip cover could easily triple their distribution.
But the pastors' brainstorm to put their "Jesus Loves Porn Stars" brand on covers of the New Testament was rejected by the American Bible Society, the publishing company that XXXchurch.com paid to print 10,000 copies of the Scriptures.
The publisher said that while it applauded the outreach to those who make a living off pornography, "the wording is misleading and inappropriate for a New Testament," according to a letter the pastors received from Barbara Bernstengel, the executive in charge of standards at the nonprofit Bible publishing company.
Bernstengel offered several alternatives, but the pastors rejected them.
"In this case, we think this is a fight worth having because it goes to the core of the Gospel," Foster said.
Gross said their slogan isn't misleading; Jesus does love porn stars and the message doesn't insinuate that he loves pornography.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
why can't they put a sticker on the covers after they get the Bibles, if they so choose?
The quote near the end about "this is a fight worth having..." sounds like some red on red about to take place.
This sort of thing started as early as Acts Chapter 10. Nothing bew under the sun, indeed (if I may be permitted to get a little OT this morning.)
What's wrong with what they're doing? I thought Jesus preferred to minister to sinners, not saints.
That said, the Bible publisher has the right to set their own standards. Good or bad, I support free enterprise. I would hope the the org searches for another publisher, publishes their own Bible, accepts the bibles and adds a sticker to the cover (this would also save them money) and does not start a legal battle over it, which is what I meant by the red-on-red comment. I would hope that both orgs. do not waste their money on legal issues.
I hope that clears my post up a little.
K4
Is this the same organization that has the Exodus project?
" I would hope that both orgs. do not waste their money on legal issues."
Or on advertising, wonder how much advertising this story is worth?
Maybe it's my pre-coffee, time changed brain, but are you talking about the negative media type advert, or something else?
"Maybe it's my pre-coffee, time changed brain, but are you talking about the negative media type advert, or something else?"
Could be their intent was to get some media exposure. I never new this group of pastors existed prior to this story. On the surface it seems like a good cause. I don't agree they need to change the printing on the bibles though. As suggested earlier a sticker would be cheaper and less likely to mis-interpreted.
Got it. I think this is the same group that has something called the Exodus Project, that helps porn stars leave the industry.
The only Exodus Project I'm aware is for homosexuals to recover from their lifestyle after coming to Christ.
I have heard about a group that works directly with those involved in porn and prostitution, but I am not sure of the name. It could very well be Exodus.
BTW, "nothing new under the sun" is a quote from Ecclesiastes, but you probably knew that.
You could right about the name of the org. I am not 100% on the group that helps people out of the porn industry. I could have gotten them mixed up.
Why not just a paper band or ribbon around the bible?
Seems a bit to nitpicky to want a direct print on it.
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