Family Advocates Push for Treaty to Curb Worldwide Distribution of Obscenity
by James L. Lambert
July 17, 2006
(AgapePress) - - Led by a request from the president of Morality in Media, a number of prominent pro-family groups have recently asked President George W. Bush "to take a leadership role in addressing the international dimension of the ever-expanding obscenity problem."MIM leader Bob Peters explains that new technology has made it practically impossible for U.S. obscenity laws alone to deal with the new international frontiers of the expanding explosion of obscene material through electronic transmissions. "In a single year, one in four children between the ages of 10 and 17 is voluntarily or involuntarily exposed to pornography," says Peters.
In the letter to President Bush, Peters points out that "international treaties on obscene publications were signed in 1910 (and amended in 1949) and in 1923 (and amended in 1947)." Those treaties are clearly outdated, he says, adding that every effort must be made to secure a new round of agreements.
The letter also reminds the president of a statement he made in 2002 in which he acknowledged the problem of international pornography. In his remarks to Federal Criminal Enforcement officials, Bush recognized the danger of trans-border Internet obscenity, observing that "we've got a widespread problem" and concluding that his administration "will deal with it."
Peters also noted in his communication that Muslim populations from across the world take great offense to infusion of pornography on the Internet. He cited a 2002 Gallup poll taken from surveys conducted in several Muslim-dominated countries (i.e., Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan and Turkey). Peters continues by saying that the "worldwide flood of commercialized obscenity is enslaving individuals young and old in sexual addiction ... damaging marriages, contributing to sex crimes against children and adults ... and debasing cultures."
Joining Peters in his request in asking the president to taking a leadership role in developing new international agreements in regulating obscenity are many high-profile, family advocacy groups. The list includes an impressive list of pro-family organizations including: Concerned Women for America, Coral Ridge Ministries, American Family Association, Focus on the Family, Traditional Values Coalition, Family Research Council, Citizens for Community Values, National Religious Broadcasters, Liberty Counsel, Enough is Enough, Center for Reclaiming America, and others.
James L. Lambert, a frequent contributor to AgapePress, is the author of Porn in America (Huntington House), which can be purchased through the American Family Association. He is a licensed real-estate mortgage loan sales agent and can be contacted through his website.
