|
|||
|
Christianity was supposed to be about becoming like Jesus. | |
We went in the wrong direction. |
| Blog Archive Home | |
|
Christian Pioneer - eBook for Cell Phone The Traditional Christian's Guide to the Family in Modern Times |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Media Some say the Spanish American war was provoked through “yellow journalism” by which is meant that newspapers in particular incited people to demand a war. The control of information allows people to be directed fairly easily. At its core the media present themselves as dispensers of “truth”. Even fiction (books, movies, radio, and TV) create believable scenarios that influence how people see “reality”. As familial and other relationships diminish, being surrounded with imaginary characters becomes a sort of substitute for real relationships. An interview of one reporter referring to the election campaign of 1960 commented that he had been assigned to travel with the Kennedy campaign while his friend had been assigned to travel with the Nixon campaign. In teasing his friend about his poor luck being stuck with Nixon, his friend had replied, “I think I can do Jack (Kennedy) more good there”. One might see these “change agents” in terms of Communist conspiracy, agents of Satan, or arrogant manipulators. However, a more accurate assessment might be seen by considering how people view truth. For the Christian, truth is absolute, unchangeable, and is found in God and the bible. For those who do not believe in God, truth is a little more fluid. Often it is found in what needs to be done or said to get what one wants. This accounts for the increasing popularity of relativism. A historian once described political liberalism as secularized Christianity. One is left with the idea that one should be “good” without an idea of what that is or how to do it. Most of the people in the media are notoriously atheistic. It should not then be a surprise that the information they disseminate is done in such a way as to accomplish their objectives. For Christians the best defense against misleading information is the ability to discern truth. This skill is one that has to be exercised (Heb 5:14). The danger with fictional media is that warm welcoming environments are intentionally constructed that can seem much more attractive than the real world. If one identifies with the protagonist, one can overcome obstacles and reach a happy conclusion. In a way, these characters and adventures influence how we see life. Real people can seem disappointing after associating with invented ones. Children in particular can fail to develop some of the social skills necessary to deal with difficult people. Like with news media, the negative effects of fiction can be greatly reduced if one makes progress in cultivating discernment. Music is a form of media that can also have negative effects. Music evokes emotion and for those more sensitive it can almost be addictive. The bible describes a healthy direction of music stimulated emotion with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Eph 5:19). Marijuana was called a “gateway” drug because it was believed that its use led people to harder drug use. Perhaps a better understanding can be found in those who are given over to self-stimulation of any sort (including music) representing a spectrum of indulgence. For these, an emphasis in childhood of developing self-discipline would have been helpful. Christian parents can see that helping their children develop discernment and self-discipline is essential to have a chance of resisting some of the worldly forces Satan has set loose targeting their family. Of all the forms of attack, media can be the most pernicious. It can disguise itself as truth, seduce one with flattery, or offer pleasurable indulgences. It can twist one’s thinking and exploit one’s emotions. |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
|
Information about Christianity and the Christian life. |
Pictures and views of our farm | Some of our animals | See some of the old-fashioned crafts we are trying to relearn | ||