Pope Speaks Out Against Offensive Media

Video games have finally gone and offended the church, and this time, the Pope himself has called violent or sexually explicit games a "perversion" and "repulsive."

During the annual papal message for World Communications Day, Pope Benedict XVI voiced his distaste for such controversial entertainment, briefly talking about the possible negative impact media can have on children. In doing so, he specifically singled out movies and video games, both of which are commonly in the public eye for pushing the entertainment envelope.

"Any trend to produce programs and products--including animated films and video games--which in the name of entertainment exalt violence and portray antisocial behavior or the trivialization of human sexuality is a perversion, all the more repulsive when these programs are directed at children and adolescents," said the Pope.

However, at least there's hope. He says the media can have a positive impact on kids and can support family education if it "promotes fundamental human dignity, the true value of marriage and family life, and the positive achievements and goals of humanity." Pope Benedict than called on leaders of the entertainment industry "to safeguard the common good, to uphold the truth, to protect individual human dignity, and promote respect for the needs of the family."

Well, we say just get rid of all reality TV, and that should go a long ways to appeasing the main main over in Italy.

1/24/2007 Ben Dutka