Danger of the American Culture Part 2

         In my previous article, I explored the dangers of the American interests in the media. However, there is another thing about America that concerns me, the American culture. Many aspects of this is in pop culture, television, and advertising. The American media and other things for entertainment such as cell phones, and even some books, are endangering the minds of today’s teens. These things aren’t necessarily bad, but they can be. A lot of teens will imitate what they see on television, and what America is showing us may not be exactly what teens need. We see these shows (and sometimes read books) with inappropriate jokes and bad influences, and we always want all the hottest stuff because society tells us we should. Is this what God wants? (More on this subject in my next article). We sometimes listen to music with good beats and bad lyrics. I use to listen to country music, which is ok; in fact I still like it, but there are some bad words and even a song on drinking that I use to enjoy because of the beat. This goes back to Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.” This verse basically means to focus on pure things, and some of those shows and songs aren’t exactly what God calls pure.

        One thing I noticed really saddened me. I got a new phone a few months ago, and it is a Rumor Touch. It’s a nice phone and I like it, but think about that name. Are we proud of rumors? Are these good things on our eyes? I surely hope not. And along with teens imitating others, are the phone companies actually encouraging us to rumor? The cover of the box had a girl covering her mouth (as if she must be quite about the rumor) and on the picture of the phone it actually refers to a “rumor”. I am against rumors, but that is another subject. The point is that the American culture actually has a phone named after it. This is only one example of the American Culture’s fallibility. This saddens me, and I hope that this is not the direction America is headed. The truth is, America produces many things that are unhealthy for us. We as Christians should not watch movies that are unpleasing to God or listen to dirty music, even if the beat is good. I know some people who judge music based on the beat, and there is nothing wrong with that, we just must be wary of the lyrics, because some will be unpleasing to God. This is not a theory or opinion, it is a harsh reality.

          We as American Christian teenagers must be aware of an even more dangerous concept that is present in America. We say to the above paragraph, “well, I do not watch movies like that are against God or have a lot of cussing”, but we are referring to outright terrible things, like those that despise God. There is something else, however, that is just as bad, if not worse. This is the subtler dangers, those found in “acceptable” movies or songs or any other kind of media. These things are accepted, and are even accepted among Christians. We must guard against subtleties in Christianity often, but this is one that slips by in America. I always see my Christian people indulging in things of this world that I do not think God favors. We must guard against the things of this world, but America has made is very hard to do that. For guidance from very wise men to help guide you through this jungle known as the media, go to www.pluggedin.com.    

          More on the American culture in my next article.