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.
Since when? The IRS seems to think it is their business. And Grassly is holding Senate investigations into TV evangelists.
I usually end up being the least polite person in the conversation, but it looks like you've cornered that market preemptively
I assume from your question that you agree with the OP that Christians are the victims of persecution in this country. I think that is a silly notion, advanced by a small subset of people that want to be both powerful and pitied. I have no use for that.
No, the Constitution is a one-way street. It tells us what the government can and can't do. The Constitution is not a document that can be used to regulate what a Church says or does.
So what are you trying to say? Do you want more or less government involvement with religion?
I believe you misunderstood my point. I am pointing out that when you allow for a greater role in government by religion, you are inevitably allowing for a greater role in religion by the government. That’s the way things have always worked, and I see no reason to think that’s going to change any time soon.
I want the government to treat religion like any other speech. That means government should not discrimination against religious speech like it currently does. Why do gay lobbyists get to come into schools and advance an agenda that is hostile towards the religion of most people, but if someone wants to present an argument based on religious reasons, they are prohibited. The viewpoints of people with a religious viewpoint are being suppressed by a court system that has taken a hostile view of religion.
Be sure to say it with a smile, not in a snotty tone of voice. It really works.
I agree, and I’d add that I don’t like to see the holy name of Lord Jesus amidst the grime of the road on a bumper sticker, even by the well-meaning. I also don’t like some “Christian rock” that substitutes the sacred name of Christ for that of a romantic paramour in a poorly adapted “love song”.
Bosh Flimshaw’s posts all read like troll postings to me, his posting history is 100% consistent.
Thanks for you input. Your opinion is very valuable to me, and I appreciate that you took the time to add to the discussion.
I think the is more of a libertarian mindset than a troll. Although I think he feigns concern for religious freedom.
ping for later
“I think the is more of a libertarian mindset than a troll. Although I think he feigns concern for religious freedom.”
I read his entire posting history, and he looked like a retread to me (at best), or simply a troll.
How ‘bout “Swine of Mohammad?”
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It is isn’t a hidden agenda. It is an overt agenda.
Isn’t it normally considered bad form to discuss someone without pinging them?
I don’t have to feign any concern for religious freedom. My religious freedom is one of the most important things to me, and one of the primary things I love about this country.
It scares the hell out of me when people don’t consider the ramifications of injecting their own particular religion into government, and I find nothing “conservative” about eroding the protections for religion our founding fathers put into the Constitution.
If you don’t mind the government poking its nose into your church, then you should have no problem arguing for greater religious involvement with government.
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With the new technology available, the internet, and netflicks....the old Hollyweird movie machine just might grind to a halt.
For example, the Mormons have a little Mormon movie industry. Were you aware of that? Individual Mormon movie makers are making movies that appeal to this niche Utah and Mormon market. And,,,Am I correct that the hit movie “Napoleon Dynamite” was made by BYU students? Surely this is not going unnoticed.
Do you have a problem with the IRS determining what churches can do or say to maintain their tax-exempt status? Do you have problems with the Greesly dragging pastors in the front of the Senate Committees to rectally examine everything the churches do? I am much more concern with the power of the government being used against churches. What churches do to influence the government is of little concern to me from a freedom stand point. They have as much right as anyone to try to influence public policy.
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Education is NEVER religiously neutral, and the mention of, or prohibition, of the name of Jesus is merely one example among thousands.
It is just as much of a religious statement to forbid the name of Jesus as it is to include it. However,,the government school is in a Catch 22 because there is no middle ground. The government must either allow the name of Jesus or forbid it. Either action upholds and ESTABLISHES the religious worldview of some, and actively trashes that of others.
Solution: Get government OUT of the education business!
Government schools are a freedom of conscience and First Amendment abomination!
Al Gore! That car almost hit me!”
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My husband and I are sitting here laughing and laughing.!!!
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