Why? - or, perhaps - Why not?

[Owlswing]

I have been mulling over whether or not to post this since Saturday night and am only doing so now to stop myself going (more) bloody nuts (than I already am)!

A couple of friends, four guys and five girls, and I were having a drink in an almost empty pub and one of those silences that result from running out of things about which to bitch that we haven't bitched to death before fell upon us when one of the girls, well known for her frequent visits to porn web-sites, asked why so many of those performing in porn films, male and female, wore a crucifix around their necks but not the Star of David or the Pentacle or even a St Christopher.

To say that the ensuing conversation offered no sensible answer to the question would be a gigantic understatement.

I have not tried to check the veracity of the statement and have no intention of so doing, but the "WHY" is nagging at the back of my mind and I throw it to the assembled intellect of the Forum to see if anyone has an answer or even a possible reason for the phenomenon.
   

[Shaker]

Off the top of my head:

Probably most porn is US-based, so a de facto though not de jure Christian climate, and in any case crosses are widely seen by many as another item of jewellery - a fashion accessory in some cases - with no religious component.

[Walt Zingmatilder]

why so many of those performing in porn films, male and female, wore a crucifix around their necks but not .......................the Pentacle
   

Maybe those who would wear it lack the necessary tools of that trade?

[Shaker]

Maybe those who would wear it lack the necessary tools of that trade?

You'll have to be a bit less elliptical, Vlad.

[Harrowby Hall]

The majority of porn is staged - or at least stage managed. It is totally devoid of spontaneity. So, here is a suggestion ...

My guess is that the majority of porn watchers are adolescent Americans - many of them not receiving sex education because the redneck Trump-supporting religious boneheads believe that it will encourage these young people to engage in sinful activity. Their only source of information therefore is porn. The shadowy bosses of the porn industry therefore encourage their actors to wear crosses in the expectation that the young will subliminally perceive the actors' activity as being normal and acceptable.

I'm sure someone can produce a better explanation ....

[Owlswing]

You'll have to be a bit less elliptical, Vlad.

I'm not sure if he's trying to take the piss out of Pagans or Freemasons . . .

[Owlswing]

Off the top of my head:

Probably most porn is US-based, so a de facto though not de jure Christian climate, and in any case crosses are widely seen by many as another item of jewellery - a fashion accessory in some cases - with no religious component.

I would agree, except that our informant stated that the same seems to be the case in films originating in Germany, Sweden, Hungary and Russia.

[Gordon]

I'd have thought that porn aficionados would be more interested in the other forms of dangly bits on show.

[Nearly Sane]

It should be little sleighs for the patron saint of porn brokers, amongst other things.


http://www.kinky.com/guess-whos-patron-saint-sex-work/

[Owlswing]

I'd have thought that porn aficionados would be more interested in the other forms of dangly bits on show.

The lady in question has no interest in dangly bits unless they dangle from the chest.

[Owlswing]

It should be little sleighs for the patron saint of porn brokers, amongst other things.


http://www.kinky.com/guess-whos-patron-saint-sex-work/

Nice bit of research there NS!

[Nearly Sane]

In answer to the question though, I agree with Shaker's idea but would add that in terms of those watching (and even adding the other countries) the most culturally transgressive symbol that would resonate with watchers and emphasise the 'naughtiness' would be a cross.

[Robbie]

Very ornate and embellished crosses are worn by all sorts of people with no religious affiliations so I wouldn't read too much into it. It doesn't surprise me one bit that porn stars wear them.

[Owlswing]

In answer to the question though, I agree with Shaker's idea but would add that in terms of those watching (and even adding the other countries) the most culturally transgressive symbol that would resonate with watchers and emphasise the 'naughtiness' would be a cross.

There's a thought - last thing before the cameras roll the wardrobe mistress yelling "Hang on, you forgot your Crucifixs!"

[Harrowby Hall]

In answer to the question though, I agree with Shaker's idea but would add that in terms of those watching (and even adding the other countries) the most culturally transgressive symbol that would resonate with watchers and emphasise the 'naughtiness' would be a cross.

Yes, I like that. It's much more parsimonious than my suggestion.

[Nearly Sane]

There's a thought - last thing before the cameras roll the wardrobe mistress yelling "Hang on, you forgot your Crucifixs!"

Anything filmed in early November when they all have to have poppies attached somewhere is the real nightmare.

[Walter]

Anything filmed in early November when they all have to have poppies attached somewhere is the real nightmare.

I once saw one on all fours sporting a daffodil , not pleasant 

[Robbie]

What a Carry On!
(Isn't it a bit weird that we're discussing porn here as if it is quite OK and a normal subject of conversation over a drink?)

[Walter]

What a Carry On!
(Isn't it a bit weird that we're discussing porn here as if it is quite OK and a normal subject of conversation over a drink?)

its normal to many people . Because you don't think it is doesn't mean it isn't 

[Owlswing]

What a Carry On!

(Isn't it a bit weird that we're discussing porn here as if it is quite OK and a normal subject of conversation over a drink?)

It ISN'T normal subject which is why I held off from posting about it as I did.

It was the combination of the source and the subject of the jewellery that seemed odd enough to make it worth mentioning.

[Rhiannon]

Isn’t the most likely explanation that they are Catholic, or at least Christian? The transgression thing makes sense, and I’m thinking this goes a step further.

[Walter]

Off the top of my head:

Probably most porn is US-based, so a de facto though not de jure Christian climate, and in any case crosses are widely seen by many as another item of jewellery - a fashion accessory in some cases - with no religious component.

this I agree with , however there is a great deal of content coming from the Balkan states and Russia either home made or very low budget productions using mainly amateur people .

These are not slick productions with recognised porn actors , mainly ordinary folk for whom the crucifix is incidental to the film .
They just happen to be wearing it and it becomes evident when they get their kit off.

[Rhiannon]

this I agree with , however there is a great deal of content coming from the Balkan states and Russia either home made or very low budget productions using mainly amateur people .

These are not slick productions with recognised porn actors , mainly ordinary folk for whom the crucifix is incidental to the film .
They just happen to be wearing it and it becomes evident when they get their kit off.

This is what I think too. Catholics who also happen to make porn.

[Humph Warden Bennett]

Russian Orthodox crucifixes are quite different from RC, or Anglican Crucifixes.

FTR I do recall seeing a porn video in which one of the actresses wore a Star of David.

[Walter]

This is what I think too. Catholics who also happen to make porn.

I heard a programme on radio 4 which covered some of this . It has become popular as a very lucrative income stream for normally low paid or unemployed people out in the sticks with a laptop and a video camera .
To be honest it looks far more genuine and real than the stuff 'coming' out of USA and therefore much more appealing , so I'm told