On Sunday, October 27, many churches throughout the St. Louis area will be participating in the annual White Ribbon Against Pornography Campaign (WRAP). White ribbons will be distributed to anyone requesting a ribbon, who will then be asked to display it in some manner to reflect their abhorrence to pornography and obscenity and their stand for morality and decency. Ribbons may be tied to car antennas, mailboxes or the front door of your home or apartment. Most people wear the ribbon on their shirt or dress and others have been known to make white armbands to show their support.

Sunday, October 27 to Sunday, November 3, has been designated as Pornography Awareness Week by Morality in Media, the national sponsor of the WRAP Campaign. For the St. Louis area the coordinating organization is known as Citizens Against Pornography (CAP). Ribbon material will be made available at no charge to area churches and other organizations that wish to distribute the ribbons the weekend of October 26 and 27.

CAP is an interfaith community organization endeavoring to educate and alert the public to the problems, scale and dangers of pornography in our community and across the nation. Consisting of ordinary citizens, CAP advocates a return to the neglected standards of decency and morality in print, television, film, and music. The organization meets regularly on the third Thursday of each month at Mary, Mother of the Church, 5901 Kerth Rd. in South St. Louis County.

In addition to participating in the WRAP Campaign, CAP holds an annual essay contest for young people to encourage them to think about the dangers of pornography and the consequences of its use. Periodically, it hosts community educational forums to educate the public about aspects of pornography use. Last year’s program, Porn and the Internet, was directed at parents and grandparents who may be unaware of the dangers lurking on the Internet.

Pornography is a powerful and pervasive cancer in our society that must be eliminated. The consequences of this cancer are not only deadly, but also far-reaching. Aside from the debasing way women are characterized and men are mocked, pornography has been linked to the sexual abuse and molestation of children by pedophiles, homosexuals and other sexual predators who utilize pornography as a stepping stone in their quest to satisfy their lusts. And, this is just the tip of the iceberg. A case can certainly be made which links teen pregnancies, venereal disease and abortion to this sickness as well.

It's past time for those in the Church to take a stand. As Christians we are to flee from sexual immorality. We are commanded to take a stand for righteousness -- not just during this campaign -- but 365 days a year. Get involved and find out what you can do to help in the fight against pornography.

Anyone wishing more information or to participate in the St. Louis area White Ribbon Against Pornography Campaign should contact CAP Chairman, Carl Hendrickson, at (314) 892-6451.