Cleric says Disney a corrupting influence

LONDON, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- A British Catholic cleric says the Walt Disney Co. is corrupting the minds of children by making its products irresistible.

Abbot of Worth Christopher Jamison said Disney has created a child pilgrimage site out of Disney World and used spirituality to market its various products, The Daily Telegraph reported.

"The message behind every movie and book, behind every theme park and T-shirt is that our children's world needs Disney," Jamison said.

"So they absolutely must go to see the next Disney movie, which we'll also want to give them on DVD as a birthday present."

The cleric said by using a marketing campaign that alludes to some higher meaning to the Disney brand, the global company is misusing spirituality.

"This is basically the commercial exploitation of spirituality," Jamison told the Telegraph.

The newspaper said Jamison offers families advice on how to live a simpler life in his new book, "Finding Happiness."