“Meet people who share the same spiritual beliefs as you!” That’s what it says on the homepage of Christian daiting site BigChurch, but apparently they’re not referring to their ownership. Newsweek revealed that BigChurch.com is operated by the social-networking giant Various, Inc., which was purchased in December by the Penthouse Media Group.
In addition to BigChurch, the Penthouse/Various company also operates social networking sites for swingers, homosexuals, and of course pornography. (See the Newsweek article if you want more details.)
The online match-making industry is very profitable, and the way to successfully get a piece of that action is to create dating sites that focus on a specific niche, such as Christians. Focusing on a niche causes users to feel like they’re among like-minded people, that they can be more open about who they are, and they are more likely to find a person who shares their values.
BigChurch has tried to target the Christian singles in a number of ways. The homepage includes Christian-sounding phrases like “Brining people together in love and faith.” It includes a quote supposedly from a happily matched Christian couple, “I feel blessed to have met Shawn on BigChurch.com. I feel like my prayers of finding a respectable man have been answered! Thanks BigChurch!!” The site even quotes scripture on the homepage, “A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” – Genesis 2:24
It seems to have worked as BigChurch claims to have a half million Christian members worldwide.
In an interview published yesterday on WebProWorld, Penthouse Media Group CEO Marc Bell didn’t seem to see any incongruence saying it was like owning two separate businesses. Bell also apparently dismissed the idea that BigChurch members would take issue with the site’s ownership.
What do you think? Do you have a problem with a Christian dating site being owned by a company that produces porn?
BigChurch members – will you continue or will you cancel your membership?Â
Spread the word by voting for this article at Blogs4God and PlugRug so others can see it as well.
Co-founder & CEO, OurChurch.Com
Paul has been the CEO of OurChurch.Com since its founding in 1996, combining his passion for faith and technology to lead the organization.
An accomplished writer, Paul has authored over 2,000 articles on faith and technology, featured on platforms like ChurchLeaders.com, The JoyFM, and his personal blog, LiveIntentionally.org.
Beyond his professional achievements, Paul serves as an elder at Journey Community Church and is deeply engaged in his community through his involvement with the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch and the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce. He is a contributing author of the book Outspoken! Conversations on Church Communication.Â
22 Comments
Was this a typo?
“In an interview published yesterday on WebProWorld, Playboy Media Group CEO Marc Bell didn’t seem to see any incongruence saying it was like owning two separate businesses.”
I think “Playboy” should be “Penthouse”.
Derlin, you’re right. I’ve corrected the mistake.
It does not surprise me that these people are doing this. The devil has his workers in many places and this is just one of the places he has placed them to get Christians involved. There are so many people that are in the world now that are liars and thieves that it is unbelievable. Christians need to do their research before they decide to go with anything and let God guide them.
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I don’t have a problem with a Christian site being owned by a porn producer. I have a problem with my porn producers owning Christian sites.
Up until very recently I was a member of Big Church.There are some really nice people on that site, and like myself none of us had any idea of its ownership.
Big Church is a horrible deception.
It is not simply a dating site,many are just seeking friends and fellowship.For anyone to find themselves on any website they have fallen prey to loneliness.
Christians are, contrary to the pious, still human.
Big Church lures with its name, and a ” fake umbrella” of Christianity.
I know that there are many B,.C. members who are still unaware of its true ownership; it is a huge website and Penthouse is well hidden.
There is more information available now on line than when I joined, and I am hopeful that there will be more yet.I am also hopeful that the truth will be spread within the site itself,as more and more members do become informed.
God will have His way, and that I believe is one opponent Penthouse have not
considered.
Imagine if the membership demand for BigChurch became larger than any of their other “secular” social networking sites. The owners would then potentially see how great the demand is for God, and it might even lead them to seek him for themselves! Who knows how God can work 🙂 All I know is that we live in a world filled with sin and we can’t really separate ourselves from it until death or the 2nd coming of Christ. Still, some might see using BigChurch as embracing sin instead of rejecting it with the will, and I understand why. Though single, I’ve never considered online searching. I would encourage each person to consider the entire kingdom with every decision made in life…and always remember that God created everything, and nothing is beyond him. So is it possible for a Christian dating site to be a blessing even when non-christians are profitting? Why not? Money is nothing to God, but he does long to fulfill our heart’s desires (he put them there, after all) and he seeks every person like a lost sheep, so maybe this organization’s involvement with a Christian population is meant to open their eyes and hearts as well? Again I say, why not? If I can see it, I know God can 🙂
hi there I could not belive it when I herd about it what ever next I know there are christian web sites which have been taken over by pornsters as my friends have come across christian sites were pornsters have added things and hidden the porn were christians click on a box for christian info yet get SENT some were the christian does not want to go so for penthouse, to buy up big church is big problem now for christians,we all have to be so carefull even more so now all the very best to you all STEVE
That’s right we really have to be careful on what to click and where to go in the cyberspace. I know that those Christian who decided to subscribe online dating services are really serious of looking for true love. So it’s important for them to have nice and good community.
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