A number of conservative and Christian groups reacted quickly. The next day, April 12, the American Family Association (AFA) in Tupelo, Mississippi, sent a letter to Attorney General John Ashcroft urging an investigation of Yahoo! “for its direct involvement in the sale and distribution of obscene material and child pornography.”
AFA also recommended that Yahoo! members threaten to cancel their accounts. The day after that, Yahoo! received at least 100,000 e-mail protests about its porn sales, prompting the firm to shutter its many “adult” clubs and group directories (Yahoo! directories enable discussions between people with similar interests).
Incensed by the shutdown, about 11,500 Yahoo! users organized a counterprotest, forming a “Don’t Close Adult Clubs” discussion about their free-speech rights.
In addition, some individuals sent e-mails to the retail partners of Kingdom Buy.com, which has purchased advertising on the AFA Web site. As a result, at least 11 of KingdomBuy.com’s 200 corporate partners announced in May that they had severed ties. Since then, two more retailers—J. Crew Group and Enterprise Rent-A-Car—have cut ties.
Wal-Mart, Avon and ftd soon reestablished ties after talking to Kingdom Buy.com founder and President Gary Sutton, and receiving protests from AFA supporters. Retailers JCPenney and Nordstrom have not.
Both companies deny that any outside pressure influenced them to cancel their partnerships with KingdomBuy.com.
“There were very sound business grounds [for the cancellation],” says Jeanine Connolly, public relations manager for the Plano, Texas-based JCPenney.com. “We review the performance of all our affiliates to make sure they are fulfilling our business objectives.”
Shasha Richardson, public relations director for Nordstrom, says the Seattle chain ended the relationship in order to keep consumers satisfied. “We don’t establish affiliate relations with Web sites that have religious or political content on them,” Richardson says. “By going down the path of supporting one side of the issue, we end up upsetting customers.”
Meanwhile, the Mississippi Gay Lobby has announced a “worldwide boycott” of any companies associated with Kingdom Buy.com and the AFA. “No gay person should spend another dime with these companies as long as they are funding anti-gay ministries,” says Jody Renaldo, the group’s executive director.
Despite the pressure, Kingdom Buy.com’s sales have held steady since the retailers left, Sutton says, with sales generated from the publicity offsetting the loss of businesses. He expects the firm to donate at least $5 million to ministries this year.
“When we lose affiliates,” Sutton says, “the real victims are those who would have benefited from work done by our Christian partners.”
AFA will keep up the pressure on JCPenney and Nordstrom, says executive assistant Buddy Smith. “AFA has never run from a fight,” he says, “particularly when it’s over the traditional values on which this country is built.”
Copyright © 2001 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.
Related Elsewhere
The American Family Association site includes an online petition, which will be sent to Yahoo! and its sponsors.Kingdombuy.com is an online shopping mall that supports Christian ministries with its earnings.
The Yahoo! counterprotest chat group “Don’t Close Adult Clubs” discusses free-speech rights. Beware: there could be sexually explicit comments.
Coverage of the AFA protest of Yahoo’s porn business has included:
After Mere Days of Protest, Yahoo Pulls Out of the Porn Biz — Christianity Today Weblog (April 17, 2001)
The Porn Crusaders — Salon.com (May 11, 2001)
Is Yahoo On a Morality Crusade? — Christianity Today Weblog (May 17, 2001)
Yahoo in Porn Foe’s Sights — Wired News (June 19, 2001)
Yahoo still in porn business outside U.S. — CNET News.com (August 6, 2001)
Focus on the Family’s PureIntimacy.org has areas both for those struggling with online pornography and for those who know someone who is.
Another Focus on the Family site offers a solid overview of how Christians should deal with online pornography.
Christianity Today‘s Weblog earlier noted corporate America’s increasing involvement in pornography (exposed in a New York Times article) and a coalition of religious investors who are fighting AT&T.
Previous Christianity Today articles on pornography includes:
Tangled in the Worst of the Web | What Internet porn did to one pastor, his wife, his ministry, their life. (Feb. 23, 2001)
Resources for the Ensared | Christ-centered help for those struggling with Internet pornography and sexual addiction. (Feb. 23, 2001)
Ma Bell, Madam | Socially responsive investors question AT&T’s trafficking in hardcore smut. (Feb. 23, 2001)
Amazon.com Pulls Book Targeted as ‘Kiddie Porn’ | But critics say other pedophilia books are still offered. (Jan. 24, 2000)
Internet Pornography Use Common in many Libraries, Report Says | Librarian-researcher claims American Library Association thwarted study (March 21, 2000)
Christian Singer Shares Struggles with Pornography | Secret sin of Clay Crosse’s youth reappears in midst of ministry (Feb. 11, 2000)
Smut Magazine Publishers Convert (April 26, 1999)
We’ve Got Porn | Online smut is taking its toll on Christians. What is the church doing about it? (July 5, 2000)
Curbing Smut Legally | Tough ordinances shut down porn outlets. (Feb. 8, 1999)
Christian Leaders Target Cyberporn | (Jan. 6, 1997)
Holding Corporate America Accountable | (Oct. 26, 1996)
Advice and experience from Christianity Today’s sister publication, Leadership magazine:
Hooked | First he turned on the computer, then the computer turned on him. (Winter 2001)
Alone with my lust | Until my pastor held me accountable. (Summer 1996)
The War Within Continues | An update on a Christian leader’s struggle with lust.(Fall 1988)
Battle Strategy: Some Practical Advice | An update on a Christian leader’s struggle with lust.(Fall 1982)
Help with temptation and sex from another Christianity Today sister publication, Marriage Partnership:
Cybersex Temptation | Porn is as close as your home computer—and it’s hooking Christians. (Fall 2000)
Real Sex | By Louis and Melissa McBurney (Fall 1996)
