Sharing the Blame
February 19, 2004
By Rev.
Todd Crofford
Sr. Pastor
Laurel Wesleyan Church
Two weeks ago, broadcast television hit a new low with the now infamous Janet
Jackson halftime show. However, lost in the outrage, apologies, and finger
pointing is an incredulous statement made by Mel Karmazin, president of Viacom.
Karmazin said this, “No one at Viacom, no one at CBS, no one at MTV, and
certainly no one at the NFL could have known what would have happened.” He went
on to refer to himself as “shocked and appalled.”
Mr. Karmazin certainly is too intelligent to believe we are that stupid. I
seldom follow what is going on in the current market of entertainment, but even
I know clearly what type of performance Janet Jackson will put on. I didn’t get
stuck seeing the embarrassing incident because I knew better than to even
consider watching her. Do we really believe that CBS, or even the NFL didn’t
suspect that this show would be sexed up, lewd, and questionable?
Therefore, it is completely reasonable to lay considerable responsibility on the
shoulders of these entertainment companies. However, as surprising at this may
sound, the real problem was not the halftime show. The problem is with us as the
consumer.
The primary reason this downward spiral in entertainment values has taken place
is simple; it sells. Americans can act shocked all they want about the content
of the halftime show, but if our consumer dollars hadn’t made Janet Jackson
popular, she would never have been on stage in the first place.
Let’s face it; our human nature is easily turned on by the sexual content of our
day. Jesus told us that our nature worked like this, “The eye is the lamp of the
body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your
eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.” (Matthew 6:22-23)
So the bottom line is this, we must begin by demanding a standard of decency in
ourselves; then we will have the authority to command that standard from those
who sell us our entertainment.
As I guard my own heart, I also oversee how my children are entertaining
themselves. If we are counting on the likes of Karmazin to watch out for our
kids, then there’s no hope. While I will admit it is a daunting task to monitor
what my children might desire to watch, surf to, or listen; it remains a
responsibility I dare not shirk. Children will ask for some things they just
shouldn’t have. We are all tempted to give in at times. It is so much easier
when you are popular than when you are right.
Granted, everyone is up in arms about this Super Bowl stunt right now, but if
something doesn’t change in how we choose to entertain ourselves, you can bet
much worse is soon to come down the pipeline. The only way to respond is to say
“no” to it for ourselves and in turn refuse to buy it for our kids. Then the
likes of Karmazin can choose between changing their programming or filing for
bankruptcy.
The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of Site One
Networks, Inc, the congregation of
the Laurel Wesleyan Church or the Wesleyan Church International. You may respond
to the author directly by E-mailing laurelwesleyan@siteone.net
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