Virginia church to hold "Porn Sunday"

CHESAPEAKE, Virginia -- A Virginia church is raising eyebrows for what it's calling "Porn Sunday."

Pastor Joel Brown of Church at Hampton Roads plans to preach this week about the dangers of pornography.

"Pornography baits and switches you," Brown told CBS affiliate WAVY in Portsmouth, Virginia. "It's an addiction that will kill your business, your family, and your relationships."

The signs promoting the event, with former porn star Shelley Lubben discussing her experiences, are attracting plenty of attention.

"It's weird. Who would advertise like this?" asked Chesapeake resident Sarah Jorgensen.

The signs themselves were also a target -- each one put up by church members last Friday had disappeared by Sunday.

"It's a four-letter word," said Bonnie McManus, a member of the church. "It's one of those four-letter words that people immediately see and are put off by or appalled by."

McManus added that on his blog, Brown explained to church members why he felt the need to raise the issue.

"My wife, starting at the age of 5, was sexually abused and forced to watch pornography every day for 10 years," Brown told WAVY. "Personally, I was addicted to porn throughout my teenage years."

Church at Hampton Roads meets every week at a local high school. Officials said the church was approved to use the venue but have expressed their concerns about the event.

Brown said the controversy didn't surprise him.

"I think you get the responses from the parents who might be fearful of the subject," Brown said. "The perception might be that we are just trying to get attention, we're just trying to build a church. It could not be farther from the truth."

"It might be uncomfortable," he added, "but I think the best thing for us to do, if we truly love our kids, is to equip them before they go and see the collateral damage of an addiction."