It is not that unusual to find the entertainment industry denigrating Christ and Christianity and promoting a value system that is diametrically opposed to Biblical values. As Christians, this should not surprise us. The Bible clearly indicates that the world system and those who follow it will be against Christ and Christians.
James reminds us that being a friend of the world (as in the concept of the world-system) is to be an enemy of God
James 4:4 - Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Jesus told us that the world hated him and that likewise the world will hate us.
John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
The most recent attack of which I am aware is a new show that is debuting on NBC TV tonight called "The Book of Daniel." All one has to do is to see the commercials promoting this show to know that this show is designed to ridicule Christ and is taking the entertainment's long standing war against Christ even further than before.
In this show, the main character is an Episcopal minister with a prescription drug problem who has dysfunction surrounding him in the form of a pot-smoking daughter, a fornicating son, a adulterous father (also a minister), and a lesbian church secretary. So far, it seems about normal for your typical Hollywood portrayal of a minister and his family.
The writer, Jack Kenny - an open homosexual, apparently did not think that was enough, so he adds in a generous dose of a "Jesus" character (white robe, long hair and all) who speaks to the minister and repeatedly gives him unBiblical and unChristian advice. An example of that advice has the character of "Jesus" telling the minister "He's a kid; let him be a kid" when dealing with the 16-year old son's fornication.
Belief net comments on more of Kenny's religious beliefs.
Kenny "is, as he puts it, ‘in Catholic recovery,' is interested in Buddhist teachings about reincarnation, and isn't sure exactly how he defines God and/or Jesus.
"I'm a spiritual person," he says. "I don't know specifically what's going on up there. I think there must be something going on, whether it's an energy we're all connected to or an old white man with a beard and a robe.
The full story can be found here.
As a society, we have moved past the point of things like this being "shocking." In a sense, we have come to expect it. As Christians, we understand that the hatred and mis-portrayal of Christ by the world stems from a rejection of His person and a rejection of His salvation. I wonder, however, if we are failing to be salt and light when we don't take our objection to such a blasphemous show to the powers that be in charge of our local affiliates.
According to this story and this story, it appears that just such a response worked in Terre Haute, Indiana, as the local affiliate there has decided against broadcasting and promoting this blasphemy.
On a tangential note, can you imagine the outcry if NBC had decided to do the same type of show centering on a Muslim Imam with Mohamad showing up and giving advice contrary to the Koran?
Information about this show can can be found at CitizenLink and BeliefNet. Even Tom Shales of the Washington Post has some things to say about this latest venture of "entertainment."
Just my thoughts,
Frank
File under Culture_War
2 comments:
I agree with the writer's point about one matter. Network TV would never take cheap shots at Islam -- because that would provoke a violent reaction. The reaction to the "Satanic Verses" by Salman Rushdie should prove that.
Christianity is always a target for the most ridiculous distortions. I was watching a TV drama the other night. A woman attempted to murder her son -- while quoting Scripture.
But Christianity is not alone in being distorted. Buddhist monks are often show touting products such as facial tissue. Jews are not favorably shown either. The TV industry just doesn't get it that the U.S. is a religious country -- with an overwhelmingly Christian majority.
I would like to know why pastors are lowering their standards to meet todays inflow of younger people? shouldnt the same standards be kept? what are your views on women wearing tight pants in the church?
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