Posted on 01/28/2008 12:05:56 PM PST by Dr. Carl S. Parnell
The media and entertainment industry is spearheading the anti-Christian persecution in America. Christians have been belittled and have been looked upon as second-rate citizens. As a result, Christians have been misunderstood by many nonbelievers of the Christian faith. Therefore, Christians, according to the Media Research Center in Washington, D.C., are considered to be “cold, intolerant and oppressive.” (1) As a result, media bias has become a serious problem in the Christian community.
Thomas Friedman in his article entitled “The Real War” practically declared war on Christianity. According to Joseph Farah in his counter article entitled “The Unreal War,”
“Whether he realizes it or not, what Friedman actually did in his essay is declare war on Christianity – including the very biblical Christianity responsible for the true pluralistic society America established under the authorship of the founders. More specifically, he declared his own humanistic jihad on Jesus Christ Himself. By Friedman's definition, Christ would have to be characterized as a 'religious totalitarian,' because it was Christ who said in John 14:6: ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.’” (2)
It is appalling that Mr. Friedman has labeled the Savior of Mankind as a religious heretic who wants complete control over his followers like the late Jim Jones. Also, according to Thomas Friedman,
“We're fighting to defeat an ideology: religious totalitarianism. World War II and the cold war were fought to defeat secular totalitarianism... and World War III is a battle against religious totalitarianism, a view of the world that my faith must reign supreme and can be affirmed and held passionately only if all others are negated....” (2)
Therefore, the comparison of Christianity to any form of totalitarianism negates all the good that Christian believers have done for America and the world. With all the death and carnage in the world at the hands of Communist and Socialist leaders, the classification of Christianity as a similar entity is an abomination to all Christians and to God.
It is also an abomination to God when members of the media and the entertainment industry use Jesus Christ’s name in vain. Unfortunately, this is happening on a regular basis. There are several examples that come to mind. First, the motion picture industry is definitely anti-Christian. This can be seen in the themes of the movies that have been produced in Hollywood during the past thirty years. In “The Last Temptation of Christ,” Christ was depicted as a sinner who needed Judas for strength instead of God the Father. Christians are ridiculed in “Poltergeist II since Christians were outdone by a pagan Native American medicine man. In “Monsignor,” the late Christopher Reeves portrayed a priest who seduced nuns. A young nun in “Agnes of God” has an illegitimate baby and then kills it. The movie “King David” has the king, portrayed by Richard Gere, rejecting his religion and his God. (3)
Therefore, it is obvious that Hollywood does have a hidden agenda which is to degrade Christianity in the movies that are produced. This can even be seen in the movies produced by Christian ministers such as Billy Graham. In “The Prodigal,” Dr. Graham’s 1984 film, the Motion Picture Association of America showed their anti-Christian beliefs in the rating that it was given. The MPA rated it PG because it mentioned the word “Christianity” throughout the film. The Motion Picture Association was so bold that it gave the following disclaimer in its review: “Pre-teenage children should not be exposed to Christianity without their parent's consent.” (3) Considering the immoral issues of sodomy, infidelity, obscenity, and many other perverted activities that are included in made by Hollywood movies, it is absurd that a disclaimer such as this would be given. But, such is Hollywood!
Secondly, television is the other major area in the entertainment industry that degrades God on a regular basis. According to Don Feder, a syndicated Jewish columnist, “Christians are the only group Hollywood can offend with impunity, the only creed it actually goes out of its way to insult. Clerics, from fundamentalist preachers to Catholic monks, are routinely represented as hypocrites, hucksters, sadists, and lechers. The tenets of Christianity are regularly held up to ridicule.” (3)
Corbin Bernsen, one of the stars of the old L.A. Law series, stated, “Religion has become an outdated mode, an outdated answer to some of our problems ... I tend to think that people have to start thinking on a logical level. You have to follow your heart, and your heart is not guided by anything except what is in us as thinking animals. If it means dismantling religion, we might have to do that.” (3)
Mr. Bernsen’s statement about religion is basically the same belief of all those who produce television programs. They believe that their purpose in life is to promote ungodly social change. Everything is permissible, especially abortion, divorce, dysfunctional sexual orientations, and pornography. In an effort to promote their agenda, they attack and ridicule anyone or any group that fails to support them. This includes Christians and the Church. (3)
The final area of concern to Christians is the blasphemy that occurs regularly on talk shows and award programs. Three prime examples have occurred within the last year. During the September 8, 2007 Emmy Award’s Program, comedienne Kathy Griffin made an extremely blasphemous acceptance speech. Ms. Griffin stated, “A lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus. Suck it, Jesus; this award is my god now!” On January 11, 2008, an ESPN anchorwoman Dana Jacobson made even more blasphemous statements than Kathy Griffin. At the time, she was speaking at a celebrity roast banquet in Atlantic City, New Jersey. During her speech, she went on a verbal rampage using several profane words addressed at Jesus Christ. Ms. Jacobson said “F---Notre Dame,” “F---Touchdown Jesus,” and “F---Jesus.” Finally, actress Diane Keaton said the F-word four times on Good Morning America with Diane Sawyer. Therefore, it is obvious that Hollywood has little or no regard for Jesus Christ and His teachings.
How can Christians fight back against the tactics of the news media and Hollywood? According to Michael J. McManus, Christians are finally fighting back against the anti-Christian media and Hollywood. They have actually won several recent battles. Two of the more recent wins occurred in early 2006. They relate to the proposed new series “The Book of Daniel” and an episode of “Will and Grace” with a guest appearance by Britany Spears. These two programs were anti-Christian and blasphemous. However, after over six hundred thousand emails from Christians were sent to NBC and the added pressure put on its sponsors, the “Book of Daniel” was cancelled and the “Will and Grace” episode was changed from the original anti-Christian skit. (4)
But, why did these two programs create such uproar in the Christian community? Basically, as usual, the anti-Christian and immoral content was the reason for the uproar. “The Book of Daniel” did not have a Biblical theme. Instead, the main character, Daniel Webster, was an Episcopal priest who was addicted to drugs. To make things worse, his family was definitely not a typical Christian family. He had an alcoholic wife. His own son was a homosexual, and his adopted son had sex with the Episcopal bishop’s daughter. Then, to make things even worse, Daniel Webster’s sister-in-law and her husband’s secretary had a lesbian relationship. The association of the Prophet Daniel’s name with the characters in this television program would be considered an abomination to Christian believers. (4)
In the “Will and Grace” episode, Britany Spears portrayed the sidekick to a homosexual television talk show host. Her assignment was to cook a dish called “Cruci-fixins.” This anti-Christian theme the day before Good Friday was another blasphemous attempt to ridicule the Christian faith. Fortunately, the uproar in the Christian community prevented this event from happening. This script was changed, also. (4)
What would make NBC and other networks so offensive to Christians, especially since 8 out of 10 Americans claim to be Christians? The main reason is that most network executives do not believe that Christians will retaliate against them. Therefore, they willingly attack evangelicals and conservative Catholics. But, fortunately, Christians are finally becoming upset about the anti-Christian propaganda in the media industry. Needless to say, the attack by the media on Christians is not over by any stretch of the imagination. (4)
However, you who blaspheme Jesus Christ on a regular basis, please give Him a rest from all the defamation to His Holy Name. You could blaspheme another religion’s god for awhile. Of course, you know that you would not be irreverent toward any other religion’s god. Any other religion, such as Islam, would fight back immediately. If you were to blaspheme Mohammad, you already know what the consequences would be. Therefore, don’t use profane words toward anyone’s god, especially Jesus Christ. He Needs a Breather!
References
1. Bilson, Vic. “War on Christianity” Jeremiah Project. 17 May 06.
2. Kjos, Berit. “Media Bias Matches UNESCO Intolerance” Crossroad. 18 May 06.
3. “Chapter 125-The Media: Anti-Christian Propaganda Corp” American Life League. 19 May 06.
4. McManus, Michael. “Anti-Christian Bias in Media” Virtue Online. 19 May 2006.
That’s right. He sits in the heavens and laughs are our foolishness.
It's easy enough to break people of that. Just say "He's not going to help you in THAT tone of voice."
Yeah, wouldn’t want kids to learn about other religions now would we?
Woops, I meant laughs AT our foolishness. Sigh.
How about pre-empting having to make that decision and keep them bottled up somewhere with the superiority of our technology (military power) which stems from our religious basis?
(The basic assumptions about our Deity give us the basis for our scientific discovery and advancement - theirs does the opposite.)
I have been using Bill's call sign for some time now.
As in: GDSOB!
Well, yes, that kind of proves my point. If Christians were really the persecuted group portrayed by the article, do you think the leaders of the nation would make a show of professing their membership in that group?
I wonder if insisting that one plus one equals two would be considered mathematical totalitarianism by Thomas Friedman?
Yep, that is why the only words you can't say on a state owned microphone are Jesus Christ. And the only words forbidden in public schools, Jesus Christ. Meanwhile, promotion of teenage sex, homosexuality and abortions is the norm. Yep, a lot of politicians give lip service, but few of them really mean it.
I say "barnacles" whenever I smash my finger.
What is different about Islam is that while there have been a few attempts at such a reformation, none have flowered or found the support of a Muslim state. We patronize Islam, and mislead ourselves, by repeating the mantra that Islam is a faith with no serious problems accepting the secular West, modernity and pluralism, and the only problem is a few bin Ladens. Although there is a deep moral impulse in Islam for justice, charity and compassion, Islam has not developed a dominant religious philosophy that allows equal recognition of alternative faith communities. Bin Laden reflects the most extreme version of that exclusivity, and he hit us in the face with it on 9/11.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C02E1D6113AF934A15752C1A9679C8B63
I can't wait to see the reaction when I try your suggestion.
“It is also an abomination to God when members of the media and the entertainment industry use Jesus Christ’s name in vain.”
I think, that being as Al Gore is now a god of the environmental movement for the left, that his name should be substituted when someone wants to use the Lord’s name in vain. Everytime you hear this happen on TV or wherever, picture substituting the name of Al Gore.
“Al Gore! That car almost hit me!”
Did you see the Exorcism of Emily Rose? The priest in that movie was also portrayed in a heroic manner. Even though the possession scenes were very scary and intense, the movie as a whole was very good. I especially liked the ending.
Not until He comes back. Or at least, that’s what I thought I understood Him to say.
While I understand those are popular urban legends, those statements just don't hold any water.
You can't use a state owned microphone, or a school, to proselytize. That's good. I don't want my local school used to promote Methodism any more than I want the government to have any say in what's in the sermon at my local Methodist church.
You know why it's considered ok to poke fun at Christians? Because they are a hugely powerful majority that dominates a great deal of the government. That's why it happens, and that's why its good that it happens. The powerful should be the target of some mockery. That's good for our system, and it's ultimately good for the church itself.
And what authority does the government have on that? The only authority the government has is to not establish a religion and is specifically forbidden to suppress religious expression. Besides, how is thanking God at graduation proselytizing? How are student lead prayers proselytizing? These aren't urban legends, they are court rulings.
“
This nation is so anti-Christian that only 99% of our elected leaders in Washington are openly Christian, mega-churches wield enormous political and economic influence, and nearly every Presidential candidate openly discusses the importance of his Christian beliefs.”
You can’t be that dumb to believe what you wrote!
The authority that recognizes when you use public resources to advance religion, it creates the appearance, if not the reality, of a government-established religion.
I don't know about you, but I really, really like the fact that I can go to church on Sundays without the government having to approve of what the pastor says. In order to keep it that way, we have to be extremely vigilant in keeping the government's business in the government's hands, and the church's business in the church's hands.
What people often fail to consider when arguing against the separation of church and state is that it is a two way street: you simply cannot increase religions role in government without also increasing government's role in religion. Do you really want your government to become more involved in your church?
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