October 10, 2006 | Sex & Society

Prayer against porn

Bibles aren't often thought of as weapons. But in Myrtle Beach, S.C., that's exactly what they are for six devout churchgoers who are using them to fight the local sex industry.

Led by Elva Martin, a pastor from neighboring Anderson County, the six Myrtle Beach residents have created a "prayer task force" to stop the spread of strip clubs and other adult businesses that have become popular among tourists.

To accomplish its goals, local newspaper The Sun News reports, these soldiers for Jesus will pray in front of strip clubs and City Hall -- exactly what Martin did in Anderson County when she threw Bibles in front of bulldozers that were building a strip club, construction on which was eventually stopped.

"One nude club came and we rose up in arms," Martin said of her first uprising.

Martin's task force has created a list of 75 businesses that it hopes to shut down with its prayers and help from the county, which recently shut down an adult spa and an adult video store for being "public nuisances."

"A good army practices reconnaissance, then you train, then you go out," Martin said, likening her efforts to a war on sex-for-sale.

All wars have casualties: in this one the wounded are freedom of speech and freedom of association.

• Prayer task force takes on porn [Myrtle Beach Online]