News-Record.com

Oh great! another marvelous cultural export to the world. This is for the Russians to sort out - but as a biblical Christian (today you have to make that distinction) I would certainly agree that immoral, violent and abusive programs/cartoons should not be available for humans to see. But, they are. And once the cat is out of the bag, or Humpty is shattered, all the Czar's men can't put it back together again - except with great effort.

And so, hats off to the bold souls who are trying to have the most offensive programing deleted from the public media. I know that some see it as censorship; but America is not only a primary exporter of trashy, filthy "entertainment" fare, but is fast becoming a tawdry example of the ultimate consequences of trashing the public mind: sex scandals galore, child abuse, megaviolence, ad nauseam.

In the end, it simply shows how ignorant and blinded the whole world seems to be regarding the nauture and consequences of sin. It is really a spiritual dilemma, not merely a social controversy regarding preferences.

"I would certainly agree that immoral, violent and abusive programs/cartoons should not be available for humans to see."

How could you tell if they shouldn't be allowed if a human doesn't see them first? As for South Park, while they are vulgar, they often make valid philosophical points that people should take some time to think about after they stop laughing or cringing. That has been the whole point of satire since it was invented.

"How could you tell if they shouldn't be allowed if a human doesn't see them first?"

O Come now, my friend, you know exactly what I meant: general public consumption.

I understand the nature of creative satire and biting social commentary. I agree, Namtac: it can be stimulating and incisive. But without the wisdom of a spiritually enlightened mind to assimilate it, it can be more confusing than helpful.

Most of the South Park I have seen is done from a very liberal, non-Christian viewpoint. It has a definite propensity to dis morality and godly inclinations; hence the relgious opposition. I found it transparently preachy and crude; but not very thought-provoking - except to think how spiritually darkened and stupid it was.

If the goal of a work is to drive people toward a deeper understanding of the human predicament, then so far, so good. But then, what does the viewer DO with his new-found revelation? Does it have positive, redeeming value? or merely pose question that have no real answers.

The problem today is that there is a general ignorance regarding the fall of man and the downward spiral of sin. There is a pervasive naivete about the effect that constant exposure to cinical, amoral material can have on a vulnerable mind. In contrast, St. Paul wisely says,

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, THINK ON these things." Phil. 4. 6 ff.

American media are full of effete, humanist nonsense, not to mention the stupid, sexually depraved rot that flows like raw mental sewage from the screen. And we haven't even touched on the ravages of the porn industry in millions of lives and families. And we wonder at Spitzer, Craig and others. That which ye sow, that SHALL ye also reap!

There is good reason for people in Russia (and America) to resist such material, knowing the effects it can have on young people and already confused minds. But I would shy away from heavy-handed government censorship, unless all other methods failed. Next thing you know they'll be censoring your religious material. The real answer is not censorship, but effective love-based effective evangelism. The existence and availability of godless and depraved media offerings is the result of a like-minded media oligarchy and consuming public. Gospel transformation is the ONLY true and long-lasting solution. Censorship has a place in extreme material; but it should be used very carefully.