Which movies meet with God's approval is a problem for many church-goers. No one probably would object to movies such as; "Little House On The Prairie," "The Waltons," "Father Knows Best," "Andy Griffith Show," or "The Bill Cosby Show." However, movies with ratings of "PG", "R" and "X", should be considered as dangerous to one's spiritual health.

Satan has always been a "Master" at getting people to follow him. Se Genesis 3:1-24 for first deception he planted in minds of Adam and Eve. Also, note penalty which they suffered due to their falling prey to Satan's temptation. Satan is so very "slick." He sneaks up on one slowly and before a person realizes it, he has fallen into his traps.

The traps, which Satan sets for mankind are varied, but we will just look at - "questionable" movies. When movies first became known to man, they were wholesome and very helpful. Due to censorship, curse words, obscenities, profanities, vulgarities and "off color" jokes and comments were unheard of. But slowly, censoring process has "lowered" its standards. Satan always works like this, very slowly.

Today most conservative church-goers will note rating a movie has (theater, TV or VCR rental), prior to viewing it themselves or permitting their children to view it. The ratings are:

"G" - General Audience (Nothing questionable)

"PG" - Parental Guidance Suggested (Obscene language, suggestive scenes, etc.)

"R" - Restricted (One must be 18 years of age, or accompanied by an adult; obscenities, nudity, sexual scenes, etc.)

"X" - This is pornography in various forms (Scenes of graphically depicting sexual encounters; man/woman, boy/girl, group sex, homosexuals, anal, oral, "Sadomasochism" - which is men beating on women with rubber hoses or whips for sexual kicks, lesbians, etc.)

Now some folks may say, "We are living in 'UP AGE' and need to come out of Puritan Days." That sounds good, however, God's Word is still God's Word, and it still says, "Avoid every kind of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:22).

If a person cannot watch a movie when fellow Christians are present due to its low moral standards, it should be avoided. Well, that is conclusion one would have to draw, if he is going to allow God's Word to guide him (see 1 Peter 2:11). Is this not right?

At my home congregation, we recently viewed video series called "Children At Risk" by Dr. James Dobson and Gary L. Bauer. There is a companion book by same title which is available at local Christian book stores. The subtitle is "The Battle for Hearts and Minds of Our Kids." I highly recommend this book and video series to anyone who has same concerns for our nation as I do. As I set there and listened to Dr. Dobson and Mr. Bauer talk about excesses which are so prevalent in our nation today, I kept asking myself, "Where are Christians?"

When I was growing up in Ohio in 50's, I can remember going to school as a first grader and listening to my teacher read a Bible story each morning. I know for sure that my first, second, third and fourth grade teachers read Bible stories each morning. We also recited Lord's prayer as part of our opening exercises. I can remember Thanksgiving programs, Christmas programs, and Easter programs all having Christian themes. I recall as a high school student in early 60's my English teacher reading from Bible as part of class. I became a teacher myself in 1969, and I too had students recite Lord's prayer in opening exercises. The United States Supreme Court decided that to have prayer in classroom was a violation of separation of church and state. And since then, things have gotten exceedingly worse. Today, in 1993, it is evident that humanists are determined to eradicate all evidence of Christian values and practice in both public education and government. Every time a new attack is made on church by humanists, I wonder, "Where are Christians?"

I recall when I was a youngster one never heard profanity on television. Nudity on television was simply unheard of. The television programs in 50's and early 60's were wholesome. Programs like "Leave It To Beaver," "Ozzie & Harriet," and "Mr. Ed" were norm. Now you can not turn on television without being exposed to profanity of grossest nature and nudity is commonplace. Extra martial affairs are promoted every day on "soaps." Violence of every kind is exhibited night after night on almost every channel. The talk shows which are on every evening exploit most bizarre subjects, all in name of educating public. Again, as I set in my family room and flip through channels with my remote control trying to find something decent to watch I wonder, "Where are Christians?"

When I was a teenager and learned what homosexual meant, it was something that was scorned as a perverted life style. I can recall how people would talk about various movie stars that were reported to be homosexual, and how terrible it was that a person that was looked up to by so many would live like that. I did not personally know anyone who was homosexual. Now it seems that homosexuality is not only openly accepted by "establishment," it seems as if it is being promoted daily. Program after program on television is designed to tell us that homosexual behavior is just an alternative life style. The President of United States is promoting homosexual behavior by attempting to force armed forces to openly accept homosexuals. "Gay Rights" groups are being treated by media and many in government as "good guys" while Christian opponents are painted as "bad guys." Whenever I get opportunity, as an educator, I speak out against homosexual behavior, and I find that these comments are received with contempt more and more often. Again I wonder, "Where are Christians?"

Pornography is known to cause serious psychological problems later in life when it is available to and used by children. Yet these books and films are extremely easy to get, even by children. Not only are women exploited in this perverse material, but children as well. It is truly a sick mind that will take innocent children and photograph them in this manner, and an equally sick mind that gets pleasure from seeing those photographs. Need we ask, "Where are Christians?"