The Family Commission – An Observatory
The Family Commission is an observatory in the Catholic Church of Seychelles. The Family Commission is made up of all groups, movements and services in the Catholic Church who have the mandate and mission to be at the service of human and Christian, and who accompany all the aspects of family life. These procedures are on a voluntary basis, inspired by the conviction of faith, the Word of God and the teachings of the Catholic Church.
The Commission is composed of the following entities : Marriage Preparation
Centres (CPM), Equipes de Notre Dame, Chemin Neuf, Cana-Seychelles,
Association for the Promotion of the Solid and Humane Family (APSHF), Couples for
Christ (CFC), Holy Family of Nazareth Parish, Fiat Seychelles Community, Regard
de Jésus sur la Femme Seychelloise, Neo-Catechumenal Way, Zezi Vre Zonm,
Faith and Light, (Les Li Viv)…
Introduction
The Family Commission is very concerned that the Cabinet of Ministers has launched a proposal for the commercialisation of erotic/sex toys to be considered.
The Family Commission, through this document, wishes to highlight its concerns and ask questions about the survey that the Department of Commerce has launched on social media.
The Family Commission wants to reaffirm that the beauty, greatness and dignity of human love, expressed in sexuality, is a sacred gift from God.
The Family Commission encourages the family in its irreplaceable mission and vocation of marriage.
I Questions on the subject: Sex toys
1. The Family Commission has noticed that the proposal that has been launched on the commercialisation of sex toys does not fully include and involve the agencies that are most concerned with this issue:
the Ministry of the Family, Youth and Sports, NGOs and other civil institutions. This approach raises many questions.
2. The Family Commission believes that the Church, other agencies and groups dealing with physical, social, moral and spiritual health who are in the field among people in their moments of joy and sorrow, hope and anguish, have an important perspective on this subject. They should be consulted and listened to, and their testimony and insights should be considered important in this debate on sex toys.
3. Sexuality is a precious treasure that expresses the value of human love in all its depth and dimensions. Sexuality does not deserve to be approached as a mere product, a commodity, a convenience on the shelf that is considered only in economic terms. Sexuality is that deep area of human love which, in its splendour, surpasses all products, profits and material benefits.
4. This subject of sex toys touches a sensitive and fragile point. It involves long-term risks. It may cause precedence that may affect the moral, spiritual and ethical development of our nation as a whole. Therefore, this debate should not be approved only through individual opinion or the public opinion of the media.
5. The Family Commission wonders why sex toys should be a priority at this time, amongst other more alarming issues of concern to the Seychelles nation (e.g. instability of families, child abuse, addictions: games, telephone, smartphone, television, internet and social media, smoking… alcohol consumption, drugs, gambling and other games involving money).
The Family Committee noted that this debate on sex toys excludes other urgent and important issues that should be addressed in order to facilitate the development of citizens. This debate raises questions about the choice and criteria for giving the topic of sex toys a priority place in the national debate.
6. If the subject of sex toys is not addressed in an educational way, it can create more confusion in the minds of young people, children and the weakest people in our society. The consequences can be very destructive and irreversible.
II. Survey on social media
The Family Commission questions the survey that the Trade Department has launched, through social media, on the commercialisation of erotic products / sex toys in Seychelles.
1. If this questionnaire is anonymous, and accessible to everyone, even people who are abroad, what guarantee do we have that the answers to this survey will not be distorted, manipulated…? Will the result of this survey be truly objective and credible? How valid will it be? Is it reliable? (validity / credibility)?
2. We wish that everyone, even those who do not use social media, has the chance to express themselves in this survey.
3. The purpose of this survey is not clear: who is the target audience? what age is it aimed at? who has full control over the outcome of this questionnaire?
4. Why is it only the Trade Department that decides on the number, quality and wording of the questions?
5. The Family Commission finds that the way this questionnaire is formulated is very narrow. This method has the tendency to reduce human love as sex, sex as a toy and the toy as a commodity (a product, a convenience). Is it right to limit human love only to a commercial act?
6. The format of this survey is a YES/NO question and answer format. The question – answer YES/NO does not allow us to deepen the truth about sexuality in its entirety. YES/NO is not the best way to explore the subject in depth and in all its aspects.
7. The Family Commission feels that, through this survey, people do not have the possibility to make serious and deep reflections and to participate in a true and
sincere debate.
8. There are points in this questionnaire that are presented as a fact of truth. The Family Commission feels that these points influence the opinion of the public instead of informing and educating them.
9. In this survey, question 3 is as follows: “Is there enough information about the health benefits of sex toys (such as safe sex and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases)? (Yes or No)”.
By question number 3 in this survey, sex toys are presented as a health benefit and a way to practice safe sex.
The Family Commission wonders whether the sex toys campaign, through the distribution of condoms, has really :
- prevented the increase of early pregnancy in our country?
- reduced the number of abortions?
- prevented the increase in abuse of children and other vulnerable people?
- reduced the transmission of HIV / AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases?
- Reality and research have shown that the campaign for condoms as safe sex has not improved the situation, but has made the problem worse. So, is it true that the promotion of safe sex is a valid reason to justify the marketing of sex toys?
10. Also question 5 of this survey presents sex toys as a method of reducing infidelity. The Family Commission wonders on what basis this information is true and credible? This survey gives no scientific evidence to support and prove this point.
11. The Family Commission believes that this social media survey needs to be more transparent. That the information and truth be clearer to everyone and that no decision be made based solely on opinion and information that is neither credible nor justifiable.
III Conclusion
The major decisions that commit the future of a nation are a great responsibility, not only economically (trade), politically but also ethically, morally and spiritually.
Otherwise, our country may find itself on a precipice where we have to suffer, in the long run, heavy consequences, damages and wounds that will be difficult to manage, correct, heal and rehabilitate.
The example of the abortion law is very important. Today, reality shows us the serious consequences of the law to legalise abortion.
Young people and children, at the very moment when they have to go through the phase of physical, mental, psychological, moral and spiritual development, are exposed to influences that can stigmatise and traumatise them. They often suffer this in silence and fear.
Children’s rights also involve the protection of their space by law against rape, which threatens their childhood when they cannot defend themselves.
The Seychelles that we want is the Seychelles that we must choose today. St. Paul says: “…let your minds be filled with everything that is true, everything that is honourable, everything that is upright and pure, everything that we love and admire –
– with whatever is good and praiseworthy.” (Philippians 4:8).
The Family Commission invites all Christians and all people of good will, with wisdom, to say Yes to true love. Yes, we can live love!