GC20 Control of Indecent Literature (1962C535)

WHEREAS The United Church of Canada, through its Commission on Christian Marriage and Divorce, has encouraged frank discussion of such subjects as sex, marriage and relationships between men and women, on a high level of respect for the dignity of these relationships as given of God to mankind, and particularly in order that youth may be properly instructed in such matters; and

WHEREAS there is a marked decline in standards of decency in literary works such as novels, picture magazines and pocket books, so that references to sexual and other physical details of life are often made in terms of coarse vulgarity, obscenity and sensuality; and

WHEREAS the Criminal Code of Canada prohibits the dissemination of obscene literature:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT this General Council:

1. Urge the government of Canada to enforce the provisions of the Criminal Code in this matter;

2. Urge our church members, working through our church courts, to exercise vigilance and lay complaints against distributors of literature which they believe to be obscene.

Criminal Code of Canada, Section 150

1. Everyone commits an offence who

   1. (Obscene matter) makes, prints, publishes, distributes, circulates or has in his possession for the purpose of publishing, distributing or circulating, any obscene written matter, picture, model, phonograph record or other thing whatsoever.

2. Everyone commits an offence who knowingly, without lawful justification or excuse

   1. (Selling obscene matter) sells, exposes to public view or has in his possession for such a purpose any obscene written matter, picture, model, phonograph cord or other thing whatsoever.

GC20 1962 ROP, pp. 72-73, 431