The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1955-01-28
Freedom for the Movies

Much has been written during the past two
years against the laws Of Ohio controlling the cen-
sing OF motion picture films Court decisions render
ed during these past two years have been OF lttle
help in clarifying the situation.
on January TO- Bill was introduced in the
Ohio State Senate by Senator Charles A, Mosher
Of Oberin, which attempts 10 remove all control oil
The state over motion pictures. thereby permitting
The unlicensed exhibition of motion pictures. On
The same evening, Representative Andrew G. Putka
Of Cleveland introduced Bill in the Ohio House
of Representatives. which endeavors to clarity and
tighten existing state laws controlling the exhibition
of said motion pictures. Since much VIII be SAID
and written during the coming weeks concerning
these Bills, il is well to consider the basic issue
involved viz does the control of the State IN the
examining and licensing of motion pictures and
the prohibition of the State of the showing OF OBJ
scene immoral films constitute a violation OF our
rights OF freedom Of speech and expression as those
who are in favor of abolishing our present laws
contend2 Or arc such laws necessary for the pro.
lection OF the morals of youth and the rights OF
all as Is he contention of those seeking TO clarity
and tighten these laws? To understand the issue Is
to understand what is meant by freedom
No one seems TO think it is denial OF individual
freedom when the State enacts strict laws about
the possession and sale of narcotics Everyone real
izes now lack OF restraint in this can lead TO untold
crimes by drugerazed people. Indulgence in drugs
leads to great physical and mental harm. Weak
willed people must be protected from themselves,
lest they do harm to themselves and TO their fel-
bowman
On The spiritual and moral plane the same oh.
tans The failure Of many 10 understand this
only points to the sad fact that secularism and
materialism have penetrated deep into the roots
of American morality Is not morality, or plain old
time goodness 10 be desired and protected? Is
not spiritual decay worse than physical debility
Is not the pure heart of the child to be protected
against the filth now current on the movie-houSe
screen and on the Twp The inability Of youth
OF today TO restrain the sexual urge is due to the
fact that they have already INDUCED too long and
too frequently. Molestings. rape and crimes OF ev-
cry sort which have had their origin in sexual
passion. are already so numerous TO make one
wonder whether ours is a Christian and civilized
society. Intelligent people ought TO understand
this Unfortunately too MANY advise being open
and frank in sex matters indulgence they tell
Us is normal. restraint is abnormal Such tommy
rot These same people would prohibit all use of
alcohol. and are staunch defenders Of the narcotics
laws
License is not freedom II could be expected that
educated and intelligent people would understand
this Men have even greater obligation to pro
tect themselves against moral disease than they
have to prevent bodily decay Almighty God gave
us the Ten Commandments; He did not ask us
whether or not we wanted them And no one thinks Of
Him as thereby denying Us our freedom God knew
what was best for weak human nature It should
be clear therefore that a law to weed out The
ment is but practical application Of the Com.