Sam and Beth Meier had the opportunity to speak at a Catholic conference along with a former pornography photographer, a former pornography star, and an Ivy League psychologist.  The event was organized by Steve Bollman, who founded a large Catholic ministry called That Man is You, which is thriving in our area and throughout the country.

A brave man named Donny Pauling had filmed over 1,000 hours of pornographic videos and over 1 million pornographic images as a producer for several pornography companies before he experienced a dramatic return to his faith.  He spoke about brutal and body-punishing ways that women were sometimes treated, which were edited from the final version of the videos.  Donny admitted that he would sometimes threaten to not pay women until the pornographic scenes looked convincing.  He said there were times when women had to be taken to the hospital after being filmed to surgically repair the damage that had been done to their bodies.  Donny also gave an amazing story about his personal conversion experience and the classes he was taking to become a Christian pastor.

A beautiful woman named Christina gave a heroic testimony about her modeling in pornographic movies along with her inspiring conversion story.  Christina said that she would drive home sobbing after being filmed in pornographic scenes, and broke down crying during the conference and said: “I wanted someone to rescue me.”  Christina spoke about her powerful conversion process, and the current ministry that she is involved with to help rescue other women from the pornography industry.

Dr. Mary Anne Layden, an internationally respected psychologist from the University of Pennsylvania, discussed pornography’s effects on the brain and marital intimacy.  Dr. Layden compared the damage to the lungs from even moderate amounts of smoking to the increased callousness in people’s hearts from even moderate exposure to pornography.  Dr. Layden had inspiring words about the power of counseling and 12-step groups to help people break free from pornography as well.  

Sam and Beth Meier described what Sam’s pornography addiction did to their marriage.  Thankfully they found help at one of the best counseling centers for pornography addiction in the US that has given them incredible hope and healing in their marriage.  They continue to receive support and healing in the marriage, and have devoted their careers to helping others heal from pornography and experience the joy and beauty of God's plan for sex and marriage.

A 2-hour DVD of the conference is available by calling or emailing the staff at That Man is You. 

The video from the confernce helps people understand that they are not "missing out" on anything with pornography, and is helping many to heal from the effects of using pornography.  The video can also enocurage us to pray for the many wounded people who are in the pornography industry, who are often being re-traumatized while being filmed.  Many people are beginning to understand that the pornography industry is actually the sexual exploitation industry, and we need to help rescue people from the lifestyle. 

We need more stories from people who have broken out of the industry, along with practical ways to protect families and heal marriages.  One of the best antidotes to pornography is a collection of positive and new teachings on sex, love, and marriage.  Catholic resources about sex have exploded in the last 10-15 years thanks to Pope John Paul II, who wrote nearly two thirds of what the Church has ever taught about sex and marriage in the Theology of the Body (TOB). 

Many couples are experiencing a new level of sexual intimacy that is incredibly meaningful, affirming, pleasurable, personal, joyful, healthy, and beautiful!  Check out this quote from TOB author, Christopher West: Fun is not the right word for marital (sexual) union.  Sublime ecstatic bliss is more like it.  It’s not merely a cliché to say that true, honest sex is a little taste of heaven right on earth. – Good News about Sex and Marriage, pg. 99. 

There are TOB classes at many local Catholic Churches, and many parents and youth ministers are using TOB resources to help their teens understand God’s amazing plan for love, life, and human sexuality.  God loves us soooooooo much and wants us to have a life of joy and incredible love!  We have put several links on our site to incredible CDs, books, and websites including www.ChristopherWest.com, www.ImagoDei-TOB.org, www.PureLoveClub.com, and www.TheologyOfTheBody.net, and click here for a list of local TOB classes.