If You’re Not Part of Solution, You’re Part of Problem
Once upon a time, parents could sit their children in front of a television and not worry about the messages they received via media.
Shows like “The Cosby Show” and “Family Matters” often focused on hot-button issues, but never became so risqué that what they promoted conflicted with the values that they wanted their children to embrace.
However, we now live in a society in which immorality has become the new norm and influence in the media often reinforces immorality and not anything nurturing to the soul.
As Christians celebrate Good Friday and Easter, it is time that people of all religious faiths become less apathetic about the dangerous course mainstream media is traveling and encourage the next generation of entertainers that they can be cutting edge without cutting the moral values out of their message.
On March 7, 2007, the Culture and Media Institute (CMI) of the Media Research Center released the National Cultural Values Survey.
The report stated that the media continues to “singularly promote” secular values while ignoring religious and moral values.
The National Cultural Values Survey stated, “Americans who care about the nation’s moral condition should insist that the media strive to more fairly represent all views, including those of the orthodox.”
While many will disagree on what American moral values should be, according to statistics, many across the political spectrum believe that America has a moral problem.
According to a 2004 Gallup poll, 82 percent of Republicans and 78 percent of Democrats at the time believed America had a moral values problem.
Nevertheless, a 2012 article in The Economist stated that despite the belief that there is a moral crisis in America, the homicide rate has been cut in half since 1991, the abortion rate declined by eight percent from 2000 to 2008 and that charitable giving is up after a decline during the recession.
Despite the numbers from The Economist, it does not take a rocket scientist to see that we live in a society that is now favoring the secular over the sacred, especially when it comes to the media.
Many religious people see the decline in morals as a reason to avoid getting involved in the media and entertainment industry.
However, I find that line of thinking counterproductive and contrary to what God calls His people to do.
I would never tell another media professional what type of programming to develop. On the contrary, I enjoy shows that some would call immoral to an extent.
But if people of the Christian faith or other faiths see a problem with the morals that are promoted via mainstream media then they should get involved and promote shows that provide an alternate perspective.
If there are no morals left in the school system, then people of faith should get involved and try to make a change.
If politicians are promoting immorality, then more believers should run for office and change the way business is done in government.
If judges are not promoting the values that you stand for, run for a seat on the bench and give a voice to those with the same moral values.
Our beloved President Barack Obama once urged his supporters to be the change that America needed.
That advice is beyond wise and should be heeded by all, even those in the religious community.
