A searchable, downloadable PDF of the original article appears below. Robert Campbell lives in Willowdale, Ontario.
Do you know that the “good” and “bad” experiences encountered by a developing child are chemically imprinted on the brain and dictate lifestyle, morality, and attitude, among other things, throughout adult life?
Do you know that it is legal to publish pictorial magazines, etc. which display children, of any age, either naked or wearing erotic lingerie?
Do you know that the only printable response to a request, from a popular rock group, asking young girls to write a letter telling what they would do to be invited on stage with the group said. “I would give you my mother. She is very beautiful.”? This came from a 13 year old. Most of the responses came from girls between 12 and 15 years old.
Do you know that it is legal to publish photographs of naked women, or men, tied up in ropes, chains, or leather straps; depicting them in positions of torture, or being led about like animals, on a leash?
Do you know that the average North American child watches 6 hours of television, per day?
Do you know that, by age 18, the average North American will have seen some 800 murders depicted on television? This says nothing of the countless portrayals of violent acts which will also be seen.
Do you know that there are 540 different pornographic magazines distributed for sale in Canada and that 10% of them portray children and youths?
Do you know that overwhelming evidence has been collected, in recent years, which shows that continued exposure to pornography and/or violence, desensitizes the person exposed to a state wherein they perceive nothing wrong in what they see?
Do you know that, while at a party, in Newfoundland, a respectable 14 year old girl was gang-raped by four equally respectable male peers and that this is not an unique occurrence in North America?
Do you know that many children “enjoy” sexual relations, knowing it to be safe because they have not yet reached puberty?
These questions have been framed around a few of the many issues discussed at the 3rd Annual Toronto Seminar on Violence and Pornography, held on February 2, 1985. Collectively, the issues paint a picture of a morally unhealthy society in which to live, to say nothing of in which to raise a family. Individually, these same issues paint pictures of human tragedy, degradation, shame, immorality and humiliation around each of the many personalities who have been touched by them. It appears that, inch by inch (25.4mm by 25.4mm) the values of Christian society are being eroded, with little being done, on our Lord’s behalf, to reclaim his losses.
Christians are active in the struggle to combat these affronts to our beliefs; but they are comparatively few and are financially ill-equipped to do battle with the corporate purveyors of obscenity. Much more outspoken and at least as active is the feminist movement who argue, with much justification, that pornography and portrayals of sexual violence are degrading to women. The feminist argument is meeting with measurable success. Little is heard of the moral argument, and here one would expect that the church would be most outspoken.
It can be argued that violence and pornography are only two symptoms of a diseased society. What, then, is the church doing to cure the disease? Are we forever doomed to sticking “band-aids” on the open wounds of society, or are we prepared to do something to bring about the healing process? If our Lord, the Great Physician, means anything to us, should we not be about His business, with all the means at our disposal? Is it not time for us to drag corruption from the dark side of the moon; then, in the light of God’s wisdom, fight it for the evil that it is?
Federal and provincial legislators and review (or censor) boards are hard pressed to stem the flow of obscene material into the country. Similarly, material which is produced in Canada is extremely difficult to control. Offenders must be caught and brought to justice. To do this places an additional burden on our already overworked law enforcement agencies and adds to their operating costs. The judicial system is similarly hard pressed. It must function within the framework of laws which at once attempt to be restrictive and at the same time allow freedom of expression. For example, suppose an offender is charged and brought to trial for the publication, or distribution, of obscene material. Naturally, the burden of proof lies with the prosecution. So many areas of proof must be satisfied. From the actual percentage of material considered to be obscene in the entire publication, through the minute details of each individual item which is considered offensive. Now, suppose the prosecution proved several of the required points, but perceives a weakness in the case. With this in mind the prosecuting council introduces “community standards” to support the case. Even here, unless it can be proved that the number of people who object to the sale of the publication, in the community where the charge was laid, is significantly greater than the number of publications sold, the prosecution has no case. This is exactly what happens, in many cases, for community standards are, often, not as high as might be expected, especially where so-called “soft porn” is at issue.
“Soft porn” is the glossy girlie magazines and XX rated videos, etc., which are available at local convenience, drug, or home video stores, or on your hotel news stand. Many find it offensive and object to its sale. Just as many, if not more, see no harm in it. Think again about the questions asked at the outset. Where this material is available to young people, their exposure to it is imprinted for life and as the exposure is repeated, they become desensitized to it. Also, take a look at the programme synopsis for some of the pay-TV channels. There you will find such descriptive terms as, “Adult Themes”, “Sexually Explicit”, “Adult Language”, “Explicit Violence”, etc. Remember the 6 hours of TV watching, per day, for the average child? Some of that time is spent watching “explicit” movies, if they are available. Not only is it children who are affected by exposure to obscenity. Studies in the U.S. have shown a direct correlation between violent sexual crime and the criminal’s exposure to pornography.
“Hard-core porn” is for those who have gone beyond the, so-called, “soft porn”. This stuff is not usually available in convenience stores. Yet, the market for it seems high, as the stores which rent and retail it proliferate the less salubrious corners of most major towns and cities. Much of the “hard core” is illegal, yet prosecutions are relatively infrequent. This is most likely due to the “cut and run” policy of the store operators, for they are seldom in one place long enough for the law to catch up with them. Illegal pornography crosses national and provincial boundaries. It is carried, unwittingly, by Canada Post. It is available, from stores and mail order catalogues, for all who want it. What you have just read may disgust you. It may anger you. It may even depress you. It is to be hoped that you will be motivated, even in some small way, to join the struggle against this social disease. Pray for those who are already actively involved and pray, also, for the minds and souls of those who are the victims of violence and pornography. Support the organisations that are already fighting the disease. Form a group to heighten awareness in your own community, or to actively seek ways to combat violence and pornography. Write to your MP or MPP. Write to the TV networks and programme sponsors and advise them of your displeasure with the material to which you have been subjected. Advise store owners of your displeasure with the explicit publications which you observe on their display racks. An excellent starting point is to contact existing organisations and invite them to send speakers to your women’s or men’s groups. If no such group is known, contact your session, or minister, or presbytery, or the Board of Congregational Life office in Toronto. One or more of these sources will be able to recommend resource materials and provide the names and addresses of organisations which will be able to assist you.
For the Christian it is not enough simply to say, “I don’t read that stuff!”, or, “I don’t watch that stuff, so why should I bother about it?” here is an opportunity to witness to the Gospel of our Lord. Here is an opportunity to help eliminate a corrupting influence from the minds of young and old, alike. As the Psalmist says, “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world and those who dwell therein.” Is it not time for Christians to help win back, for our Lord, that which is rightfully His?