"COMICS"

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 84, 20 August 1948, Page 4

"COMICS"

Sir, —Your article in the Beacon for Monday (9th) on the deplorable effect of comics is to the point, especially as your authority states so clearly: "comics accustomed a whole generation to cruelty and violence and destroyed healthy sentiments of pity; they stimulated unhealthy sexual attitudes; they contributed to juvenile delinquency; they interfered with education; they were the greatest mass influence on children, and also on a considerable part of the adult population." So comics develop an increase in crime. This is accompanied by a lowering of personal restraint. In childhood we learned the principles of personal restraint through the "Thou shalt nots" of the eternal law of God, the Ten Commandments. The accumulated effect of frequently hearing the Ten Commandments read comes to mind. And the response "Lord, incline our hearts to keep this law," repeated so often since childhood has had its effect. This is still my. prayer. It provides a restraint that I still need. This still is the true life foundation, but today we find a new spirit coming in; a spirit of rebellion against-this very law of God and its restraints. Even certain ministers here and there are taking it upon themselves to tell people that this eternal iaw is "abolished", is "no longer binding , is "done away", is "finished with." This is just how restraint is thrown to the winds; by believing that there is nothing to restrain; that that which did restrain is "abolished," "done away," "finished with" and so opening the way for a flood of crime and. iniquity. In placing the responsibility for this deplorable state of affairs, "no ltw" teaching must carry its share of guilt along with the comics, and other known influences for evil. Yours etc., ■ THE OLD PATHS.