Come On

An online ministry disguises itself as a porn site to draw in those who need help

Christianity Today November 12, 2001
Crisis hotline Love Lines began taking out ads, disguised as phone sex come-ons, in the Twin Cities’ alternative newspaper. Callers looking to satisfy their lust heard instead testimonies about how former sex addicts came to Christ. They were then referred to a counseling hotline.

The Minneapolis-based ministry is now online, faking a porn site (www.lovelines.org/sex/) that really delivers information about pornography addiction. “We don’t want to close down the porn sites, we just want all their customers,” says director Dan Morstad.

Copyright © 2001 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere:

The Love Lines site includes personal stories, a self-test, and contact information for the ministry’s 24 hour counseling center.

Christianity Today’sTangled in the Worst of the Web” examined what Internet porn did to one pastor, his wife, his ministry, their life.

Also see Christianity Today’sResources for the Ensared | Christ-centered help for those struggling with Internet pornography and sexual addiction.”

Other articles and resources about battling lust and pornography from Christianity Today include:

We’ve Got Porn | Online smut is taking its toll on Christians. What is the church doing about it? (July 5, 2000)

Internet Pornography Use Common in many Libraries, Report Says | Librarian-researcher claims American Library Association thwarted study. (March 20 , 2000)

Christian Singer Shares Struggles with Pornography | Secret sin of Clay Crosse’s youth reappears in midst of ministry (Feb. 7, 2000)

Amazon.com Pulls Book Targeted as ‘Kiddie Porn’ | But critics say other pedophilia books are still offered. (Jan. 24 , 2000)

Smut Magazine Publishers Convert | (April 26, 1999)

Curbing Smut Legally | Tough ordinances shut down porn outlets. (Feb. 8, 1999)

Christian Leaders Target Cyberporn | (Jan. 6, 1997)

Advice and experience from 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 Marriage Partnership:

Cybersex Temptation | Porn is as close as your home computerโ€”and it’s hooking Christians. (Fall 2000)

Real Sex | By Louis and Melissa McBurney (Fall 1996)

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