Why not pray with John Paul II? HONDA
OCTOBER General: That young people may follow Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life with generous enthusiasm and be ready to bear witness to him in all the situations in which they live.
Brian Gardner’s
HONDA NORTH 432 Scarborough Beach Road Osborne Park 6017 Phone: 944 99 000 new@hondanorth.com.au www.hondanorth.com.au
Missionary: That for the Church, God will not fail to provide Pastors who are rich in wisdom and holiness and ready to defend the light of the Gospel to the very ends of the earth.
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WA’s only Catholic weekly newspaper Perth: 30 October 2003 Price: $1
Stand against sex “Sell the product not our bodies”
A group of young people led by Jing Ping Wong (fifth from left) stand in front of an example of a sexually provocative ad that they are asking the advertisers to remove.
Against “sex sells” ads
Live Clothing Response Thank you for your email re the catalogue shot of Gemma and David. Whilst I am sure that your concerns are genuine we cannot agree with your request. I think you are severely underestimating the intelligence and maturity of our customers and blowing this episode out of all proportion.
Firstly this is one page of a 72 page catalogue which you have not seen and therefore to judge a whole campaign on one image of 72 is premature to say the least. You mention nudity but Gemma is fully clothed and David is wearing jeans with a bare chest. I would suggest you watch MTV or Channel V or pick up and read Vogue, Cleo, or even Woman’s Weekly and you will see images far more provocative than the one we are discussing. Regards Bradley Caswell
In Jing’s view the advertising companies are more concerned about profits than portraying a 15 year old as a sex object. “The ads are saying lust fulfils you,” he said. However, with the guidance of Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, Jing believes he knows the truth. “The Pope said the human body alone is capable of making God’s mystery visible. This type of raunchy advertising and images displayed in the media quickly tears down the standard of modesty and sexual morality. It ignores the dignity of
people and the true meaning of sex. Not to mention that she’s only 15,” he said. Jing realises that as a young male he could be considered the least likely to campaign against such advertising, but says he’s learnt from experience. “I don’t want people to fall into the same trap,” he said. He feels obligated to reach out to others and share the truth about the human body as shared by the Holy Father. “Inside their hearts, young people know better. Ultimately, we want young people to see the light of the truth,” said Jing.
By Debbie Warrier
A
group of young people are taking a stand against a sexually provocative advertisement by LIVE Clothing company and want others to join them. The advertisement depicts a 15 year old female model lying provocatively on the ground, as a 23 year old male model lies on top of her. Sick of the crass “sex sells’ approach, Jing Ping Wong decided to take a stand on behalf of all young people. Rallying his sisters, friends and like-minded youth groups he held a meeting at the Edel Quinn Centre in Perth, on Monday October 27. Together those assembled produced a media release voicing their objection. They have written a protest letter to LIVE Clothing Marketing manager Mr Hayden Marchetto. LIVE Clothing representative Bradley Caswell responded to their concerns in an email which is printed here in full. In light of the response, they plan to approach the Advertising Standards Bureau to voice their concerns that the LIVE Clothing’s advertisement breaches advertising codes.
Dear Jing
Photo: Carole McMillen
Such sexually overt advertising is degrading, in Jing’s view. He thinks it would surprise advertisers to know that young people are looking for leadership and positive role models.
“Inside their hearts, young people know better. Ultimately, we want young people to see the light of the truth,” said Jing. The images used by LIVE Clothing, Lynx deodourant and Windsor Smith adverts are not positive, he said. They lack integrity, respect and honour. Acknowledging this may the first time young people have taken a stand on this issue, Jing seems unfazed. He encourages those who support him in this stand to reflect their values in their every day life. “Both women and men need to live modestly, to present themselves as more than a physical object. They are also spiritual, physical, intellectual, communicative and emotional,” he said. Enquiries, contact Jing Ping Wong at adihs7@yahoo.com.au or on 0422 229 232.