Wednesday January 24, 2007
Pope condemns violent or sexually explicitly video games and films aimed at youngsters
VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday condemned violent or sexually explicit video games and animated films for young people as a repulsive perversion, saying he was concerned that media could have more influence on children than their family or teachers do.
In a message to mark the church's World Communications Day, Benedict said the media's "pervasive influence'' makes them a strong force in the education of children, possibly rivaling the roles of school, church and home.
"Any trend to produce programs and products - including animated films and video games - which in the name of entertainment exalt violence and portray anti-social behavior or the trivialization of human sexuality is a perversion, all the more repulsive when these programs are directed at children and adolescents,'' Benedict said.
"How could one explain this 'entertainment' to the countless innocent young people who actually suffer violence, exploitation and abuse?'' he asked.
The pope said children should be introduced to classic literature, fine arts and "uplifting music.''
Efforts by parents, teachers and the church in educating children can be supported by the media industry "only to the extent that it promotes fundamental human dignity, the true value of marriage and family life, and the positive achievements and goals of humanity,'' Benedict said.
"Again I appeal to the leaders of the media industry to educate and encourage producers to safeguard the common good, to uphold the truth, to protect individual human dignity and promote respect for the needs of the family,'' said the pope.
On Sunday, the pope expressed support for campaigns to discourage children from playing with toy weapons, saying that childhood should be spared what he called the "contagion'' of violence.-AP
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