Pornography produces pain…and that suffering often multiplies.
Such is the case of former porn producer Donny Pauling. He has become an anti-pornography activist and speaker since his conversion to Christianity about a year ago.
But pornography leaves scars. On December 1, Donny was arrested and he faces three charges for alleged sexual misconduct with a child under 14. I know nothing of the details of this case, but it grieves me deeply as I have personally met Donny.
Over the past year Donny spoke boldly, warning people to flee pornography and uncovering the horrors of the porn industry. Early this year my team at Covenant Eyes interviewed him and published the transcript of the interview in our e-book The Hardcore Truth: An Ex-porn Producer Reveals 10 Myths About Pornography.
Donny shared with us a horrific past, closely akin to sex trafficking. In fact, he has led me to understand that commercial pornography is truly sex trafficking. (Fortunately, for the present, child molestation and sex trafficking are taboo in our society—a wretched and despicable taboo. Please read my article yesterday I on this topic.) Donny was a porn producer, working for Playboy and others. Thanks to a Christian encounter, he was able to stop that production and instead spoke out against the industry. Instead of building the myths of pornography, he has shared the truth about the road to pornography and where it leads.
And now, it has evidently led him to jail. He shared in The Hardcore Truth that he started viewing pornography even before entering the porn industry. For him, it has been a downward spiral staircase…first curiosity, then regular viewing, then addiction, then acting out, then actually producing pornography, then actually destroying the lives (in his own words) of girls that he preyed upon. Down, down, down. But then, thank God, he started praying in a different direction and has been able to speak with zeal against the sin.
I don’t know the details of the allegations, and I certainly don’t know if they are true or false. Only time will tell.
I will be praying for you, Donny.
Donny’s discussions with us have reinforced my belief that pornography will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.
I also heard today from Fr. Sean Kilcawley (Director of Family Life and Evangelization of the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska), who recently spoke, along with Donny, at a conference I attended. He told me, “I would ask that we pray for Donny—for the healing of his wounds. Ultimately, it is Christ who heals, and we can only give to others what we first have received from the Lord.”
Yours in the fight,
Ron DeHaas, author
Thanks for letting us know about this development Ron. Appreciate you getting it out there as soon as you found out.
My heart breaks for him. I know how easily it would be to be drawn into the cruising that I used to do. Actually have fought the temptations today. Ever man should pray for him for himself.
Sad for him. The problem is that child sexual predators are in a whole other class. No doubt his involvement in the porn industry lead him to this. However, he is making strides to become a Christian. But let us not forget that even though he has repented, statistics show that it is very very difficult for pedophiles to change. Once you go there it is very hard to change and parents need to be aware of his history. No doubt, he will be labeled a sex offender and will not be able to come near children. And that is probably a good idea. I will pray for him.
When the facts come out please post a follow up. If he is falsely accused it is a moral responsibility to report that as well.
Something to remember here is that ther alleged actions could have taken place some time ago but are being legally processed now. My hope and prayer is that he is still in recovery. His is a loud and powerful voice against the monstrous porn industry. They will try everything to quiet it.