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"The last taboo"
"Pornographic images, erotic paraphernalia, and raunchy sexual talk are reaching a near-saturation point in the daily lives of Americans, through television, movies, magazines, and the Internet," reports The Christian Science Monitor. "And the target market is an increasingly younger audience." PBS's Frontline documentary program will also examine the subject tonight. "With adult movies, magazines, retail stores, and the growth of the Internet, business is booming," says the show's introduction. "But the leaders of the adult entertainment industry are worried. They see the election of George W. Bush and his appointment of Attorney General John Ashcroft as a signal that there may be renewed interest in mounting obscenity prosecutions."

The proliferation of pornography apparently isn't enough for one Polish priest. He allowed a "fashion show" in the church that included "see-through blouses with embroidered crucifixes and small tops featuring portraits of Jesus." "Priest Marc Scheerens said he was challenging the last taboo of nudity in church," says the Ananova news service, quoting the Dutch paper Het Nieuwsblad. "A church is not the house of God," Scheerens reportedly said. "A church is the house of everyone, fashion designers included. And God couldn't have been shocked by it, since he was not invited. All guests knew exactly what they could expect. There was no churchgoer present who could take offence."

Not yet?
Contrary to media reports, Martin and Gracia Burnham were not freed yesterday, says Philippine military spokesman Major Noel Detoyato. Meanwhile, a letter from the Burnhams has reportedly been found. "To be honest, we do not want to be rescued as they come in shooting at us," Martin says. "If someone can't give somewhere, we will die."

More on freeing the Burnhams:

• Between hostage and captor, an unlikely bond | In the Philippines, a U.S. couple endures captivity—but also gets cheese, peanut butter for lunch. (The Christian Science Monitor)
  
  
• Kidnap group Abu Sayyaf renews ransom demand for US hostages: report (AFP)
  
  
• U.S. role in Philippines highlights religious divide (Reuters)
  
  
• Greed of Philippines Army elements may be a security hazard for U.S. troops | Probe into hospital siege offers grim portrait of Abu Sayyaf and AFP collusion (Helsingin Sanomat)
  
  
• Legal challenge to US troops (BBC)
  
  

Life ethics:

• Student, anti-abortion group sue Texas college | Lawsuit claims University of Houston violated students' First Amendment rights by restricting location of graphic display (Associated Press)
  
  
• Davis ads have Riordan on defensive over abortion issue | Latest spot shows GOP candidate saying, 'I think it's murder,' in '91 interview (Los Angeles Times)
  
  
• Major support for mercy killing | Most people in the U.K. think it should be acceptable to help a person suffering from a painful incurable illness to commit suicide, a study shows. (BBC)
  
  

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February (Web-only) 2002, Vol. 46