FROM: Terry Lynch@aol.com; POB 241035; Montgomery, AL 36124-1035
Phone: (334) 277-3582 voice/fax 

DATE:  March 17, 1998 

TO:  Letter to the Editor

REF: Stuart J. Roth's 3/17/98 Montgomery Advertiser Editorial Regarding Books

SUBJECT:  What is pornography?

What is pornography?  Barron's Law Dictionary defines pornography 
as, "books, magazines, films, pictures, and other such material 
depicting sexual acts that appeal to one's prurient interest."  
According to this definition how can Stuart J. Roth, Chairmen of 
the American Center for Law and Justice of Alabama, possibly 
consider "Radiant Identities" and "Age of Innocence" to be 
pornographic?  Neither of these publications depict sexual acts.  
They merely show nude children in natural poses suggestive of 
nothing at all beyond one's own imagination!

If these books are not pornography, are they obscene?  Barron's 
Law Dictionary says obscene material is, "material which, taken 
as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest and lacks serious 
literacy, artistic, political or scientific value," relative to 
contemporary community standards.

A panel of respected community members assembled by the 
"Montgomery Advertiser" recently reviewed "Radiant Identities" 
and "Age of Innocence."  Without any instruction on the law from 
a judge, this panel expressed mixed feelings and seemed to not be 
able to agree if these two books were pornographic or obscene.

No one can predict how an Alabama court will rule upon this 
issue.  Yet it is difficult to see how either of these books 
would be pornographic or obscene, given their artistic merit and 
the fact neither depict sexual acts.  In this case the obscenity, 
what Stuart Roth interprets as, "lascivious, exotic, lustful, 
erotic and sexually provocative poses," of nude children, appears 
to be only in the eye and mind of the beholder.

Sincerely,
Terry Lynch
Montgomery, AL