Just think of the films being made these days! What
do you see in the media? Be it music, video films or theatre? Obscenity,
vulgarity and open portrayal of half-naked or even full naked bodies
is becoming so common that it is high time anyone gets up to take note
of it and draws a line before it is too late!
Especially, the recent film 'Girlfriend', promoting
lesbian relationship, made in Mumbai, had provoked so many right-minded
people all over India, that also prompted me to write this artcile.
There is danger ahead for Christians and all others
who want to live righteous lives, who refuse to address the issue of
today's media. It's hard to imagine a sensitive parent who hasn't longed
for the time when the mass media were only in printed form and the most
effective advertisements were painted on the sides of barns. The dark
aspects of our modern culture are clearly and painfully reflected by
the media. Yet, we recognize that being modern isn't wrong in itself.
Today's mass media are an important part of a cultural heritage that
can be used for both good and evil.
The Bible tells us that God sent His Son into the world
as a light in the darkness. The Light of the world didn't flee from
the darkness; He dis- placed it. As the "children of light"
(Ephesians 5:8), we are God's light bearers (Matthew 5:14-16; 1 Thessalonians
5:4-8), called to expose the "unfruitful works of darkness"
and redeem the time (Ephesians 5:11,16).
If we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit and the authority
of the Scriptures, we are capable of judging all things (1 Corinthians
2:15), and we can confidently control the impact the entertainment world
has on our lives. A consistent application of a few simple tests will
provide the guidance we need.
THE MORALITY TEST
While it may be necessary at times for actors to play
a role that suggests immorality, it is always wrong for them to portray
it graphically on the screen. Even though it is their job to act out
a scene, they are real people whose behavior before the cameras has
a powerful moral impact. At a time when more and more "soft"
pornography is being broadcast over the commercial net-works in an attempt
to boost ratings, it is crucial for us to understand that there is no
essential difference between fornication that occurs in a rented room
and the portrayal of fornication that is recorded on film for the purpose
of public entertainment. Human sexual intimacy is too precious to be
prostituted by the media under the guise of "realism" or "artistic
freedom."
THE REALITY TEST
Perhaps every Christian family ought to rate what they
watch and what they read on "a scale of 1 to 10" for accuracy
and balance. We need to train ourselves to recognize the "junk"
productions that present a badly warped or slanted view of reality.
Even in comedy, unrealistic plots and stereotyped characters usually
signal a distorted moral perspective. When the painful consequences
of wrong actions are not honestly portrayed by an author or producer,
his product isn't worthy of our family's attention!
THE MOTIVE TEST
If we aren't careful, we may be watching television
out of sheer habit. Each time we use the media, we should ask ourselves
what our motive is for watching. Do we use the media as an escape from
our responsibilities or even from our personal feelings and thoughts?
Are we using the media, or are they using us?
THE VALUE TEST
Television has been called the "plug-in drug."
Are we passive "couch potatoes." or do we consciously make
good use of our valuable time? Can we offer good reasons for devoting
attention to any particular programs or films? What does our use of
the media communicate to our families and friends about our personal
values and priorities?
If we regularly apply these four tests, we'll find
that some forms of the media are more consistently worthwhile than others.
Commercial television, for instance, very rarely passes all four tests.
Even if an exceptionally good program is aired, commercial messages
and ads for other programs are usually so time-consuming and in such
bad taste that they badly pollute the family environment.
A Word of Caution.
It isn't always easy to make decisions about the media. Our ongoing
struggle to maintain proper standards can make us feel like a prophet
of God at one moment and like an opinionated killjoy the next. Errors
in judgment are unavoidable, and perfect consistency or consensus among
family members is rarely attainable. Yet risks and tensions are inevitable
if we attempt to cope with the realities of our culture. We may not
attain perfect control, but we will develop spiritual discernment, and
we will find greater joy in our relationship with Christ.
Remember Daniel who "purposed in his heart that
he would not defile himself" (Daniel 1:8).
And David's prayer, "turn my eyes away from worthless
things..." (Ps.119: 37).
