Catechism on the media

[Darrel]

In section 2496 of the Catechism it states “users should practice moderation and dicipline in there approach to the mass media”. Does this mean that a “user” should practice particular abstinences from regular media outlets or practice moderation and discernment of the material?

Does the term mass media in this part of the CCC refer only to the news media or all forms of media in it’s application?

-D

 

[MEP]

Well, “users” should always be discerning in what “material” they accept into their lives. Even if the Catechism didn’t have a special section dedicated to media, I’d wager that porn would still be frowned upon. So I don’t think that’s what this particular section is referring to (that’s already covered).

I take the statement you posted to mean that the Catholic church recognizes the potentially addictive nature of mass media and recomends that Catholics consume media in moderation the same way they would with any other possibly addictive influence, like alcohol.

I would also think that the term “media” refers to all forms of mass communication since all of them share the same dangers. I also think that they want this part of the Catechism to be meaningful long into the future when we really have no idea what forms of media will exist. Just like how we didn’t have TV less than a century ago, who knows what we will have a century from now. Seeing as catechisms aren’t written every day (or every century for that matter), using language that can remain applicable far into the future seems like a good idea.

 

[Darrel]

I take the statement you posted to mean that the Catholic church recognizes the potentially addictive nature of mass media and recomends that Catholics consume media in moderation the same way they would with any other possibly addictive influence, like alcohol.

I would agree,

Thanks for the reply I was having a mild debate on this issue. Does anyone know if the CCC talks with specifics about music and movies?

-D

 

[MEP]

How specific do you want to get? Again, I don’t think it serves the Catechism’s purpose to go into really deep specifics because it is a document meant to stand the test of time (it was 400 years since the last Catechism was written to give you an idea). They’re not going to mention rock and roll because that’s just a genre of music that will likely be dead before we’re midway through this century let alone last as long as the Catechism needs to.

What kind of specifics specifically are you asking about? Maybe the Catechism isn’t the best place to look.