By Mary Beth Marino

“Parents, if you don’t show your children love and affection, the pornography kings will. They are just waiting to snatch these kids and sexually abuse them, molest them, or exploit their bodies for pornography films or sex acts…just one incident can ruin your child for life.”

This was the message delivered to approximately 200 laity, clergy and representatives at the Pornography Confrontation Workshop held Nov. 3 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Atlanta.

The workshop was sponsored by the Archdiocese of Atlanta and co-ordinate by Father Dan O’Connor, the workshop director.

The main objective of the workshop was to propose a five-year plan that brings about the enforcement of federal and state obscenity laws. The goal is to seek involvement from the Catholic community in Georgia in promoting passage of cable television laws and tie them in with federal regulations regarding the broadcasting system.

The program began with the viewing of a film narrated by actor Efram Zimbalist entitled, “Pornography: You are its victim.”

The film dealt with the issues involving children and pornography rings. The industry makes about seven billion dollars a year while children are being used, abused and sexually exploited.

Father Morton Hill, S.J., co-founder and president of Morality in Media, was the main speaker at the workshop and proposed the national plan to involve Catholics in the fight against pornography.

Father Hill informed the audience about the deluge of pornographic material that is sweeping the country that needs to be stopped. It is being made available through the film industry, video cassettes, radio and television media, book stores, cable television, to name some.

Father Hill emphasized that pornography traffic is “way out of control” and that citizens have the responsibility to do something about it. He said children and adults are being victimized and, for the most part, are involved in the treadmill of pornography before they really realize what they are getting into.

Father Hill explained that pornography is phased in gradually. The first stage can be introduced when an adult feels it’s alright to look at a few pornographic magazines. They soon become addicted to the pictures and their fantasies grow. The next phase is the “escalation stage” where they need more explicit material to further stimulate them. The third phase involves the de-sensitization process. This process no longer allows the person to experience guilt or conflicts of conscience at the use of material or fantasy. It’s just an accepted part of their thinking pattern.

The fourth stage is the final step where the offender must “act out” sexual fantasies.

He said that in a short period of time an adjusted person can become affected to the point of needing to act out and feed their perversion. He said children are often the victims of this perversion.

According to Father Hill the laws are on the books but are not being enforced. He said the U.S. attorneys are not accepting pornography cases in Los Angeles or New York, the two largest cities plagued by pornography rings.

“Postmasters are also lax in allowing the material to go through the U.S. mail service,” Father Hill informed the participants.

Hinson McAuliffe, former solicitor general in Fulton County, spoke in regard to the obscenity fight in Fulton County.

“Studies indicate that children see 20,000 murders on television before the age of 13. How can we expect our children to appreciate the sanctity of life when they see such low regard for it?” he asked.

Mr. McAuliffe added that the studies showed that children spend 45 hours per week watching television. He pointedly asked where the heaviest influence is felt…in children’s education or in what they are seeing on television?

The morning session broke with a question and answer period. Lunch followed with Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan giving the keynote address. Archbishop Donnellan talked about the priorities of the church, stating that pornography falls under the Catholic Church’s responsibility of protecting the worth and dignity of all human beings. He stated that Catholics must be sensitive to the extent of the problem, and accept their responsibility in dealing with the issue.

In the afternoon session, George M. Weaver, an attorney for Sibley and Weaver law firm, spoke on the Georgia Obsenity Law and the First Amendment.

This was followed by Father Daniel O’Connor and Mr. Cheatham Hodges, executive director for the Georgia Catholic Conference, laying the groundwork for “the Atlanta Plan for Catholic Involvement in the Fight against Pornography.”

A blueprint for diocesan and parish involvement in confronting the multi-billion dollar pornography traffic, is a part of a five-year plan organized by the Morality in Media organization. The plan has been endorsed by Cardinal John Krol and Archbishop John O'Connor in New York City and copies were sent to all American bishops.