25: Judeo-Christian Values In Today's Society
By Robert C. Moore

Religion: Part 1 (TV & The Media)
October 17, 1991

25, is about one man's view of the world around him. I don't mean to insult anyone, only to point the way for what's best for America and the world at large.

This installment is in 2 parts: Part 1 deals with the media, Pt 2 deals with schools, society and the future.

In the early years of America, when the Puritans arrived, religious freedom was granted because of their fear of persecution. Many Puritans came here looking for a way to express their religious freedom in peace. Their goals were later achieved through documents like The Declaration Of Independence and The Constitution. These documents gave America the freedom of speech, the freedom of religion, and the right to "live the America dream." In recent years, religious freedom is slowly being eaten away by a small, but growing sect. They claim to see a better way of life for all people. People like Norman Lear, the creator of All In The Family, have a vision to do away with God altogether.

In the media today, the average family consisting of mother, father and two children, are being replaced by a single parent raising two children. Today the family is being torn from its roots.

God is hardly even mentioned in films today. Usually it only serves as character witness, or is made fun of. Movies like Godspell, The Last Temptation Of Christ and Jesus Of Montreal, have painted Christ as a normal Joe. The controversial Last Temptation Of Christ, saw Jesus as a normal people capable of sinning. Although I never saw the movie, I don't think I ever will. If Jesus was capable of sinning, then how could he be God? Since God is all perfect, and all just. Yet society sees nothing wrong with the film. Only sees it as one's view of life. Filmmakers make millions of dollars by getting suckers to see this form of trash. Personally, if you want to see it, go ahead. But don't blame me when you feel you're being robbed.

Sometimes, it takes a step of faith to see that society has bended away from God. And only now are we beginning to reap what we have sowed. We are drifting into a world where right and wrong are often are based on personal preference, not on solid foundation.

Shows like Married...With Children do not shows families as a group of people living together to serve a purpose, but rather as a joke to be made fun of. Al is always complaining, Peggy is too lazy to cook or clean, and the kids are always cracking on everyone.

Wholesome shows like Leave It To Beaver and Dad Knows Best would bomb in today's culture. Most of the plot would be considered trivial and boring. The family never had any problems and everything was just like a fairy tale. But many Christian values were also upheld: there was never violence toward one another or drinking. During the 60's,many of these ideas were discarded, and replaced with those which had no values. Christianity was considered too trite and too strick and not in touch with "reality."

Even movies have turned their backs on religion. At one time, from 1930's to mid 1960's, the Catholic Church had a voice as to what could and could not be shown. They created rules like: no nudity (still upheld today, but only in relative terms), no foul language, no showing of murder of a cop by a bad guy and no indecent exposure. The church would view every picture that was made, and sat on the board of major film companies. When the contract expired, movie companies decided to create films showing graphic horror, like Psycho.

Movies today, like Terminator 2, have no regard for life and seem to care more for the bottom line than up holding values.

Next Time: Part 2 (Schooling)