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Resolution Number: 1991-C045
Title: Encourage Patronage of Entertainment That Avoids Gratuitous Violence
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Substituted and Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That this General Convention of the Episcopal Diocese go on record that:

  1. Episcopalians be encouraged to choose entertainment options for themselves and for their families which do not promote, depict or exploit gratuitous violence or bloodletting; and
  2. The Education for Mission and Ministry Unit of the Episcopal Church be requested to evaluate and promote materials for diocesan and parish level education programs regarding the negative effects of gratuitous violence and bloodletting in films and videos on viewers; and
  3. That Episcopalians be encouraged to patronize entertainment that represents non-violent themes.
Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Phoenix, 1991 (New York: General Convention, 1992), p. 406.

Legislative History

Author:
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on Communications

House of Deputies

Original Text of Resolution:

(C045)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That this General Convention of the Episcopal Church go on record that:

  1. Episcopalians be encouraged to boycott movies and to refuse to buy or rent videos in which there is mindless violence and bloodletting.
  2. This resolution be implemented through a concerted, publicized effort to inform the movie and video producers and their advertisers of our commitment finally to hit in the pocketbook those who profit from such destructive ugliness.

Proposed Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of concurring, That this General Convention of the Episcopal Church go on record that:

  1. Episcopalians be encouraged to choose entertainment options for themselves and for their families which do not promote, depict or exploit gratuitous violence or bloodletting; and that
  2. the Education for Mission and Ministry Unit of the Episcopal Church be requested to evaluate and promote materials for diocesan and parish level education programs regarding the negative effects of gratuitous violence and bloodletting in films and videos on viewers; and that
  3. Episcopalians be encouraged to patronize entertainment that represents non-violent themes.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #237)

House of Bishops

The Committee on Communications presented its Report #3 on House of Deputies Message #237 on Resolution C045s (Resolution on Violence)

and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #414)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 20.

Abstract:   The 70th General Convention encourages Episcopalians to choose entertainment options which do not promote, depict or exploit violence or bloodletting.