A missionary position

It is, I am told, like Dante’s inferno meets the Fall of the Roman Empire. It takes place every year in South Africa and it is commonly known as a “Sexpo”—an exhibition of everything related to sex, sexual deviance and a showcase for the multi-billion dollar global “sex-toy” industry.

In past years, religious groups have written lengthy letters to newspapers decrying this commercial enterprise based so shamelessly on sex. These and other complaints have been ignored, mainly because we live in a modern democracy that espouses commercial freedom.

A record 50000 people attended the exphibition in Johannesburg a few weeks ago, which I suppose is encouraging in a  way, because that represents a mere 0,1% of the population.

However, the reason for my bringing this dubious exhibition to the attention to readers of The Southern Cross is because, this year, instead of writing letters to editors, some extremely brave Christians decided to take the bull by the horns and try some direct “conversion tactics” which seemed to have a quite positive effect.
According to a report in The Times newspaper, three churches decided that “if you can’t beat ‘em, then join ‘em”.
The newspaper reported that “despite opposing the event’s warehouse of pornography, peddled by international porn stars, the churches hired stands to promote healthy sex “within marriage” at the Sexpo.

“The clerics were among “non-sex industry” organisations, from cancer and rhino protection charities to cosmetics companies, drawn by the event.
Elaine Crew, Gallagher Convention Centre exhibition manager, told The Times that the projected 52000 visitors for the four days meant the “adult sexuality, health and lifestyle” show, was probably one of South Africa’s “top three” consumer events.

Following last year’s protest by the Christian Action Network, which alleged immorality and exploitation at the event, Ms Crew said no complaints were received this time round.

Bruce MacKenzie, a senior member of the God First Church, told The Times, that “a lot of stuff is overboard here”, but there was also much to promote a healthy sex life “within the confines of marriage”.

“We’re here to stand for what we’re for, not what we’re against. We will speak about God’s message to those who ask,” Mr MacKenzie said.
Down the aisle, moving past stalls selling Afrikaans porn films and sex toys, the Hatfield Christian Church North offered counselling, books on marriage and a “sexual wholeness” manual.
They told The Times that they “offer hope to those struggling with sexual sins and problems”, saying making love in marriage can “decrease feelings of depression; relieve chronic pain for hours; and strengthen the immune system”.

A few visitors and exhibitors grumbled that this year’s event was “maybe too tame”. This year, Sexpo had virtually no images of sex or nudity in main exhibition areas.
Activists at the “naturist” stand were banned from wandering in aisles without clothes. Naturist Carrington Laughton said he and his three colleagues needed “special permission” to be naked in their stall.
According to The Times report, “now and then exhibitors broke rules with stunts, such as the female cast of a local porn film stripping and cavorting on a sofa at the main entrance”.

Felicity Matladi, 21 and friend Khozi Sibeko, 29, both metallurgists, were among women taking pole-dancing lessons from an instructor in a shirt with the words “Jesus loves pole dancers”. Difficult to judge whether that was pure blasphemy or cunning evangelisation. I suppose that question can only be answered by the person concerned.
Merchandiser Bronwyn de Beer felt “okay” going topless in public as body art was applied.

Beauty Ramela, selling a book on female sexuality, The Cookie Book, said more Africans were breaking with their cultural restraints to embrace the event.
New Miss Nude South Africa, Nydene Human, 23, said she was delighted with her stall adjacent to that of the Rev Daniel Brits of the African Church of Truth.
Whether or not this year’s event was “toned down” because so many churches, animal anti-cruelty organisations and charities were participating is not entirely clear.

But most certainly, it is an extremely clever strategy by those church people who paid good money to hire exhibition space and braved what must have been an extremely intimidating and unnatural environment.
There is no doubt that this strategy has had a far greater impact than merely complaining to people who don’t listen.

It is going to be fascinating to see whether more charities, churches and social welfare organisations will buy exhibition space next year. I think they might really be on to something.

After all, Christ himself showed us that the best way to talk to sinners is to walk among the sinners themselves.
A challenge perhaps, for our brave Knight of Da Gama?