Ron Jeremy, Chris Gross Debate the Ethics of Pornography

Porn superstar Ron Jeremy and porn pastor Chris Gross debated over morality, addiction and pornography at the University of Missouri, St. Louis, campus to a packed room of more than 500 in Century Rooms in the Millennium Student Center. The crowd was split nearly evenly with men and women.

Jeremy has starred in more then 1,800 XXX films along with a stint in reality television with the Surreal Life in addition to many legitimate Hollywood films such as Boondock Saints. He was a teacher in New York City before starting his career in porn. Gross is a youth pastor and founder of the website XXXChurch.com

"It's the number one Christian porn site only because there is not a number two site," said Gross.

Gross was set to start the debate, and asked Jeremy to explain why he must always go first. Jeremy explained, "Chris is on the attack and I'm on the defense. If I went first it would just be, 'Chris is against porn, I'm all for porn, thank you and good night.'"

"Kids find porn too easily now thanks to the internet, I remember messing with the remote trying to give it the magical touch to get the adult channel to come in clearly," says Gross.

"This is their sexual education. It creates unrealistic fantasies," says Gross.

"If some guy sees porn and asks their girlfriend 'Why don't you do that?' he's a nitwit!" said Jeremy.

Jeremy did agree kids should not be viewing porn, "Lots of kids watch porn while they are supposed to be doing their homework, parents need to be part of the solution too," said Jeremy. According to both debaters' research 11 years old is the when most people first view pornographic material, "I'm not happy with that fact," said Jeremy. When Jeremy asked the audience how many had seen porn before turning 17 nearly everyone raised their hands. "And you're all well off, intelligent people despite the evil of porn," said Jeremy.

Gross pointed to films "Barely Legal" and "Exploited Babysitters" push for young people to watch and be thought of sexually. Jeremy mentioned the Child Pornography Protection Act makes it illegal to not only have a minor in any films sexually but also can't have an adult pretend to be a child in sexual acts.

The discussion of women in porn was a hot topic. Gross says how it is degrading to women, "they are paid more but $500 for a sex scene is not empowering." Jeremy recounted how many women are making large amounts of money from porn. He pointed to Jenna Jameson as the biggest example where she makes about $30 million a year. "Women are the main attraction in porn. They can run their own websites and make all the profits except what they pay the webmaster, many become their own webmaster and skip the middle man," said Jeremy.

Gross discussed what the XXX Church was all about, saying they help people with porn addiction and assist people hurt by pornography return to a healthy life. "We help with insurance, education, and physical needs before ever talking about the spiritual with those who need help," said Gross. Gross and his church often attend porn shows with their own Bibles, the covers of which say "Jesus Loves Porn Stars."

"I don't think Jesus would yell or picket against porn. He was all about love," said Gross. He does feel that porn should not be viewed and that sex is intended by God to be between a married man and woman. "Chris acts like Jesus would. He comes to porn shows and spreads the word but never tries to force people to change," said Jeremy.

Despite being pro pornography, Jeremy has helped out the XXX Church participating in commercials and more to help out. Jeremy says it is good to help people who aren't suited for the business or addicted to porn.

"It's not how often you watch porn that is bad, it is what you're supposed to be doing instead of watching porn. If you're supposed to be studying for the bar exam and spend the day watching porn instead, your addicted," said Jeremy.

Jeremy does point out you can be addicted to many things and if it's porn Gross' church can help. "But there's no reason to blame all of the porn industry because of some idiots," said Jeremy. "People get in car accidents but don't blame the automobile industry. Many priests have done wrong but no one is attacking the church nor should they."

The questions and answers portion of the debate dominated the time. Many of the questions had to be reconfigured by the debaters so they could be answered and understood.

One man took the time to insert himself into the debate. He brought up the topic of pornography on cell phones that Jeremy earlier commented on, telling how it was illegal to have porn on a cell in the state of Missouri. Moderator Jennifer Siciliani, affiliate associate professor of psychology at UMSL, tried to keep the man in check but Jeremy insisted he be given more time saying, "We're taking notes on this! Let him go."

Another brought the biggest laugh of the night, a woman asked, "I have something personal to ask about Ron..." while she hesitated Gross said, "9 and ¾ inches!" (size of Jeremy's "unit") The whole audience roared with laughter. "I don't know which is worse that you know the size or that your exactly right," said Jeremy.