Sam Meier is the consultant for the My House Initiative. For more information about protecting fam- ilies from pornography, go online to: www.archkck.org/myhouse.
by Sam Meier
Royals general manager Dayton Moore recently brought in Clay Olsen from a dynamic group called Fight the New Drug, to give a presentation to Royals players, coaches and staff about pornography’s negative effects.
Second baseman Whit Merrifield described the presentation as “very informative” and “pretty eye-opening.”
Moore said that “as a college coach and in my 25th year in professional baseball, in dealing with 16- to 25-year-olds my entire life, this is a major issue that exists.”
Royals strength and conditioning coach Austin Womack expressed his excitement at being part of “the first organization in professional baseball to actively fight against porn.”
Along with the Royals, Fight the New Drug (FTND) is reaching millions of teens and adults with research- based messages about the negative effects of pornography on the brain, relationships and society. Their top-notch videos, media and articles based on peer- reviewed research have created an international movement.
I was excited to hear Olsen from FTND recently speak at several Catholic schools in our area, including a presentation for the 7th- and 8th-grade classes at St. Michael the Archangel School in Leawood.
Olsen’s presentation was the most dynamic talk I have seen for teens on pornography. Father Brian Schieber, pastor of St. Michael, seemed very impressed with the presentation, and I hope that many more Catholic teens in our area will hear future presentations from FTND.
Olsen from FTND also serves on the advisory council for Kristen Jenson, the author of “Good Pictures Bad Pictures.” This short book is very effective and popular for protecting young children from pornography. It has become a best-seller on Amazon with over 400 five-star reviews.
A local parent named Amanda Khemraj recently started a new position as a Catholic representative for “Good Pictures Bad Pictures.”
She provides bulk discounts for “Good Pictures Bad Pictures” and the junior version of the book for churches, schools, parent groups, Scout groups, etc. She can be reached by email at: amanda@glencove press.com or by calling (785) 224-6071. She also provides presentations for church leaders, school leaders, parent groups, etc.
Since the average age of exposure to pornography is 8-11, it is good for parents to read “Good Pictures Bad Pictures” with their children around the ages of 7-8.
Prince of Peace Parish in Olathe, St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Leawood and St. Therese Parish in Parkville, Missouri, have already distributed this book to all parents of second-graders in both the school and religious education program.
I pray that this simple and effective book will be provided to parents at many more schools and churches throughout the area!
