Letters

Classification Guidelines

Mrs Carol V. Phillips

Contents - Nov 2001 - Buy a copy now Editorial: Synod of Oceania document imminent - 'Ecclesia in Oceania' - Peter Westmore Tenth Synod of Bishops: Bishops called to courageous witness to the Faith - AD2000 News: The Church Around the World A young Catholic's views on the state of the Church in Australia - James Connolly Brisbane liturgy director calls Vatican document "a betrayal" - Michael Gilchrist Pastoral letter: Taking up John Paul II's concerns about the Sacrament of Penance - Archbishop Barry J. Hickey Cardinal Ratzinger's latest book-interview - 'God and the World' - Zenit News Service Winter school: Evangelising in a "post-pagan" culture - Fr Anthony Mastroeni Opinion: Catholics before and after Vatican II: separating fact from myth - John Young Letters: Forgotten teachings - Fr John Speekman Letters: Catholic women - Errol P. Duke Letters: Immigration policy - George F. Simpson Letters: Classification Guidelines - Mrs Carol V. Phillips Letters: A response on the Creation of Man - Gerry Keane Letters: Catholic teaching - John Schmid Letters: St Thomas Aquinas - Valentine Gallagher Obituary: Lew Bennett R.I.P. Books: 'The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Jewish Origins of Christianity', Carsten Theide - Anthony Cappello (reviewer) 'Those Terrible Middle Ages', by Règine Pernoud - Christopher Quinn (reviewer) Books: My Dear Young Friends: Pope John Paul II Speaks to Teens on Life, Love, Courage - Mary-Jane Donnellan (reviewer) Books: 'Pardon And Peace: A Sinner's Guide to Confession', by Fr Francis Randolph - Christopher Quinn (reviewer) Tapes: Thomas More Center Brisbane Winter School, July 2001 Books: 'The Glenstal Book Of Prayer: A Benedictine Prayer Book - Mary-Jane Donnellan (reviewer) Books: 'STICKY THE DOG', by Robert Wheeler - Catherine Sheehan (reviewer) Bookstore: New Titles from AD Books Reflection: All Souls Day and a Christian response to bereavement - Fr Dennis W. Byrnes PP

If you've wondered, like many others, how it is that material of such low moral standards is able to get into Australia, then hearken to some basic assumptions used by the Office of Film and Literature Classification, regarding audio recordings, films and video games.

The first principle assumed by the Australian Record Industry Association Ltd (ARIA) is that "Adults in a democratic society should be free to listen to what they wish." At the same time, it is acknowledged that "audio recordings which advocate suicide, violence, sexual violence, necrophilia and other abhorrent or criminal activities should not be available to children."

It seems to me that no person, of any age, should have access to any of this abhorrent or criminal material. How has this so-called freedom to indulge in the viewing or listening to material with abhorrent or criminal activities, been allowed to happen?

Regarding the Classification Guidelines for publications, films and video games, the first principle of the Code is that "adults should be able to read, hear and see what they want." Alongside this principle, the Code states that "the standards or morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults" must be taken into account.

As far as I can see, this means a contradiction of the Office's first principle. For someone who demands the "freedom" to have access to anything he wishes, principles of common decency would only be seen as a denial of his rights.

It is obvious that the principle which gives adults the freedom to read, hear and see whatever they wish is clearly flawed, and is therefore a spurious "freedom" when viewed in the light of common decency, common sense and the acknowledgment of the results when this "freedom" is taken to its logical extreme.

Goodness and decency should regulate everything that Australians do or have access to, and it is time that good, decent people had their say. These things have been too long left to a few. "Evil can only succeed when good men do nothing."

The Office of Film and Literature Classification can be contacted by phoning (02) 9289 7100 or faxing (02) 9289 7101. Their internet address is www.oflc.gov.au

C.V. PHILLIPS (MRS)
Queens Park, WA

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 14 No 10 (November 2001), p. 13