Most of the big national chains don't stock adult titles any more too
many hassles.
Mara Epstein, vice-president of porn producers
Arrow Films and Video, Inc.[1]
Anti-Life Philosophy.
Nobody has the right to attempt to limit the production or distribution
of sexually explicit materials. Such material is protected freedom of
expression, and anyone who tries to interfere with it is an intolerant,
narrow-minded censor.
Introduction.
Pornography presents a pervasive and intimidating problem on all
levels. Its constant presence and the influence and power of its makers
and distributors may cause people who are otherwise action-oriented to shy
away from doing battle with the porn kings.
However, committed individuals have worked wonders on both the local
and national scales, and, when a number of people with a common mission
band together and act, the results can be spectacular!
Mass Action.
The country's leading mass-action-against-porn expert is the American
Family Association (formerly the National Federation for Decency). Led by
the Rev. Donald Wildmon, a few thousand determined individuals have
brought pressure to bear on "soft-core" porn peddlers and have had a huge
impact on the smut industry.
In June of 1986, after a sustained AFA boycott and letter-writing
campaign, the Southland Corporation yanked Playboy, Penthouse,
and Forum Magazines from its 4,500 company-owned stores, and
strongly recommended that its 3,600 locally-owned franchises follow suit.
Revco Drug Stores, with 2,000 outlets, and Rite Aid Corporation, with
1,400 stores, quickly followed suit. More than 10,000 other stores
gradually phased out their displays of porn during the same time period.
This meant that about 20,000 stores had pulled soft-core porn in a
two-year period, costing the "mainstream" pornographers about $120 million
per year!
In another case, members of Concerned Women of America (CWA) were
offended by the blatant attack on morality by the new glossy Planned
Parenthood-style magazine Sassy. After they had voiced their
objections, nine major sponsors, including Revlon, Noxell, and Reebok,
pulled their ads. The magazine has since cleaned up its act.
Individual Action.
Some people become so outraged at the injustice of pornography that
they strike out on their own. If an individual has the courage and knowhow,
he can have an impact far out of proportion to the effort he expends.
For example, a Bloomfield Hills, Michigan housewife, Terry Rakolta, was
so upset by the content of the television show "Married ... With
Children," that she wrote letters of protest to the presidents of the
firms that had advertised on the show, explaining her objections.[2] As a
direct result of these letters, Coca-Cola, Proctor & Gamble, McDonalds,
and several other companies pulled their advertisements from the show,
sending a clear message to sponsors and producers alike.
Be Prepared for Abuse!
Imagine what it must be like to be a person who has amassed millions of
dollars from exploiting and degrading other people. Imagine the state of
mind of someone who wallows in money gained by making it possible for
others to wallow in their filth. Such a person couldn't care less that his
publications and movies have destroyed lives and have led perverts to rape
and maim victims.
It is obvious that the porn kings, who have made their millions on the
suffering of others, will not hesitate to attempt to squelch any
opposition.
Larry Flynt, publisher of the pornographic Hustler Magazine,
follows the classic Neoliberal line. He is very 'big' on free speech
rights, unless these rights belong to someone criticizing him. He showed
what he thought of Peggy Ault-Haralson's free-speech rights when she
lobbied for zoning restrictions on pornographic bookstores in Clackamas
County, Oregon. In his magazine, read by millions all over the country, he
called her a "deluded busybody" and a "fanatic crackpot," and portrayed
her face on the rear end of an animal.
Across the country, Florida anti-porn activist David Caton convinced
1,400 stores in his state to drop pornographic magazines. He used strictly
legal means to accomplish his goals.
Playboy Magazine staff members recognized that they could not let
Caton get away with this, and filed a lawsuit against him. A local disc
jockey broadcast his home telephone number and urged his listeners to
harass Caton at home. Thugs destroyed his car and cut his phone line, and
shots were fired at his house.[3]
The kind of violence and slander experienced by Ault-Haralson and Caton
is to be expected, considering its source. This is what the porn kings
think of our free speech rights nothing! Let anyone try to oppose
them in any manner, and they squeal like the exploiting pigs they are.
Resources for Fighting Pornography.
Every community has a pornography problem. And everyone should be
concerned, because what you can't see can definitely hurt everybody
especially your children!
If you and others are concerned enough to act, it is always better to
consult with experienced porn fighters in order to get the benefit of
their experience and their resources. The groups listed below will be
happy to assist you in whatever way they can.
American Family Association (AFA)
(formerly the National Federation for Decency)
Post Office Drawer 2440
Tupelo, Mississippi 38803
Telephone: 1-800-DECENCY
The AFA, the largest porn-busting organization
in the country with over 400,000 members, directed by Rev. Don Wildmon,
has given the porn pushers fits for years. Its superb magazine, the AFA
Journal, issued eight times per year, gives details on all of the
action going on in the field of pornography, and reviews the major
television networks and motion pictures for anti-Christian and other bias.
In all offending cases, addresses and phone numbers of sponsors are given,
and appropriate courses of action are suggested.
Child and Family Protection Institute
The Free Congress Foundation
721 Second Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20002
Citizens for Decency Through Law (CDL)
2331 West Royal Palm, Suite 105
Phoenix, Arizona 85021
Telephone: (602) 995-2600
Contact America
717 Second Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20002
Telephone: (202) 546-3444
Contact America is a syndicated radio broadcast
concerned with American family life.
Mastermedia International
2102 Palm Avenue
Highland, California
Telephone: (714) 864-5250.
Mastermedia is a ministry of evangelization to film and television
leaders. The group also provides information to the Christian community
about media-related issues.
Morality in Media
475 Riverside Drive
New York, New York 10115
Telephone: (212) 870-3222
Morality in Media is a watchdog organization
that seeks to impede or halt the distribution of pornography through
education and the vigorous enforcement of existing laws. The group also
provides legal information to prosecutors and other interested attorneys.
Additionally, Morality in Media publishes a 15-page booklet entitled "Cliches"
that debunks the 33 most popular arguments advanced by pro-pornography
activists. The booklet can be ordered from the address listed above.
Movie Morality Ministries
1309 Seminole Drive
Richardson, Texas 75080
This group publishes a monthly movie guide
entitled Preview, which rates current movies on their treatment of
obscene language, violence, sexual intercourse, nudity, drug and alcohol
abuse, and homosexuality. Primarily for parents who want to know how these
topics are presented in current films.
National Coalition Against Pornography
800 Compton Road, #9248
Cincinnati, Ohio 45321-3822
Telephone: (513) 521-6227
The National Coalition Against Pornography is
an alliance of religious and private organizations that fight hard-core
pornography with education and legal action. The group also offers a wide
range of educational materials.
National Coalition on Television Violence
Post Office Box 2157
Champaign, Illinois 61820
Parent's Music Resource Center
1500 Arlington Boulevard, Suite 330
Arlington, Virginia 22209
Telephone: (703) 527-9466
The Parent's Music Resource Center educates the
public about violent, pornographic, and pro-drug messages in popular
music.
References: Anti-Porn Activism.
[1] "Turning the Screws on Skinvids." National Catholic Register,
October 8, 1989, page 2.
[2] The Wanderer, March 23, 1989, page 5.
[3] The Rutherford Institute Action, January 1990, page 4.
Further Reading: Anti-Porn Activism.
American Family Association. "Anti-Christian Bias in America."
Excerpts from the proceedings of the American Family Association's
March 1990 Conference on Anti-Christian Bias in America. Printed in the
May 1990 issue of the Journal and available as a 24-page reprint from the
American Family Association, Post Office Drawer 2440, Tupelo, Mississippi
38803. Papers include Congressman William E. Dannemeyer, "Christianity
Under Attack By 'New Bigotry';" Larry L. Crain of the Rutherford
Institute, "Anti-Christian Bias in the Law;" Columnist Cal Thomas, "News
Media Biased Against Christians;" Editor Joseph Farah, "Anti-Christian
Bigotry in Hollywood;" Paul C. Vitz, "Religion and Traditional Values in
Public School Textbooks;" and H. Wayne House, Th.D, J.D., "Anti-Christian
Bias in Higher Education: Problems and Solutions."
American Family Association. Talk Back.
Softcover. Order from the American Family Association, Post Office Drawer
2440, Tupelo, Mississippi 38803. This book shows how to get your opinion
across to television advertisers and producers who seem to be totally
indifferent to the Christian point of view. A strategy for fighting
pornography and violence on television for both individuals and
organizations, written by the AFA, which has many years of experience in
this field.
Leo A. Brodeur. Hell's War Against Our Children.
Order from Keep the Faith, 810 Belmont Avenue, Post Office Box 8261,
North Haledon, New Jersey 07508, telephone: (201) 423-5395. The author
describes the various weapons that Satan uses to target our children,
causing them to lose faith, patriotism, respect for their parents, and
even their desire to live. Special emphasis is given to Satanic and
violent rock music.
Journal of the American Family Association.
Formerly the Journal of the National Federation for Decency,
this excellent monthly primarily addresses pornography in the media and
the arts and the many instances of media pro-abortion, pro-homosexual, and
anti-Christian bias. To subscribe, write to the American Family
Association, Post Office Drawer 2440, Tupelo, Mississippi 38803.
Telephone: (601) 844-5036.
Morality in Media publishes a 15-page booklet entitled "Cliches"
that debunks the 33 most popular arguments advanced by pro-pornography
activists. The booklet can be ordered from Morality in Media, 475
Riverside Drive, New York, New York 10115.
Donald E. Wildmon. The Case Against Pornography and The
Home Invaders.
Victor Books, Order from the American Family Association, Post Office
Drawer 2440, Tupelo, Mississippi 38803, or from Victor Books, Post Office
Box 1825, Wheaton, Illinois 60189. Mr. Wildmon, a former pastor and
currently Executive Director of the AFA, is the world's most experienced
pornography fighter. These books outline his strategies for fighting
pornography in general and the violence that permeates television
programming. He also shows how you, as a concerned Christian and parent,
can fight it too. Mr. Wildmon explains exactly how damaging porn and
violence can be when it is allowed to spread unchecked. These are not
off-the-wall books; they are heavily documented with convincing evidence.
© American Life League BBS — 1-703-659-7111
This is a chapter of the Pro-Life Activist’s Encyclopedia
published by American Life League.
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