July 10, 2005
As I am writing this on July 7th, news is coming in of the terrorist attack on London and the fact that there are a number of casualties. This is very sad and deplorable; but not by any means a surprise. However, while we are being shocked at the terrorist attack, we ought to be aware that very serious damage is done every day in American homes by obscene and seductive television for young people. More and more people are complaining to me about the horrors of obscene and provocative sexual music and material on television – and especially television aimed at children and teenagers. The same is true for the Internet and some publications. Believe me; it would take a lot of terrorist attacks to do as much damage as the American media does every day to family life and personal morality. Ask any parent of teenage children and they will tell you that they are aware of the enemy that comes into their house or into their child’s life through the media.
I hope to begin a real push this Fall getting people to write to advertisers of commercial products who use obscene programs to sell their wares. Some of the best-known companies in the United States, they tell me, are the sponsors of this garbage and poison on television. What I don’t understand is why there is not a class action against the entire obscene part of the communications industry for the corruption of the morals of minors.
If you read this little column, you are probably a devout Catholic or Christian. Get on your computer, your email, or just use snail-mail like I do and start bombarding them with protests and promises that you will not patronize them as long as they keep up this wretched abuse of the young.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could get all the religious voices in America to join in the chorus against the destruction of the morals of minors? I suppose that’s too much too ask, but it is unquestionably what we will be held responsible for when the Lord comes.
Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR
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