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The Entertainment Culture:
How Does It Grab You?

by Jim Auer

(A summary of this month's Youth Update)
If you would like to preview a future edition in Youth Update's private online chat room, contact CarolAnn@AmericanCatholic.org.

You've heard of the Corinthians—not a Greek basketball team, but a Christian community to whom St. Paul wrote at least two long and serious letters. Why?

The citizens of Corinth believed in Jesus, called themselves followers of Jesus and did many of the religious things that followers of Jesus do today. They celebrated the Eucharist. They prayed. They shared their treasures with the poor. They did what we sometimes call "holy things" or "Christian things."

Many Corinthians, however, believed that they could be Christians and still have group sex with neighbors and strangers—or at least be amused by the idea. Some believed that they could be Christians and still bow to an idol or two here and there. Some had talked themselves into believing that they could be Christians and still make other Christians feel like dirt. Paul wanted to give them an ideal of real love to pursue and to help them realize that some things just cannot be a part of a Christian believer's life.

This Youth Update applies Paul's words to today's world. How will you embrace your faith yet live in a Corinthian-like culture? This Youth Update does three things: First, it assumes as fact that there really are very un-Christian things in our culture which are nevertheless widely accepted and considered harmless and amusing. Second, it invites you to question some things that are widely assumed to be true—when the light of our Christian faith may say otherwise. Third, it invites you to see the good that exists side by side with the not-so-good—just as Jesus did.

1. Is something O.K just because it's funny and gets a laugh?

2. Is something O.K. because it's just a show (or a song or a game)?

3. If entertainment reflects "real life," and shows the way things really are, does that make it all right?

4. The film/CD/TV show has some good parts to it. Does that make something mostly crude suitable as a whole?

These four questions attempt to probe the limits of what's acceptable and the possibilities of making excellent, Christian choices in today's media environment. The questions are here. Some ways to get at the answers are in the print edition.

Jeff Binkowski (18), Katherine Mayrhofer (18) and Mauri E. Underhill (18) gathered at Christ the King Parish in Cincinnati, Ohio, to preview this edition of Youth Update and ask the author the questions which follow. Mauri is a member of the parish who invited her high school friends to join her.

 

Q.

I've heard rap artists argue that their lyrics come from experiences they had growing up, just as other artists use kinder, gentler experiences. How do you respond to this defense?
A.

I don't question their honesty in saying their lyrics come from things they've experienced or seen. In growing up, many people experience violence, hatred, tons of foul language and some of the abusive ways in which people misuse their sexuality. But I don't see that as a workable defense for lyrics which may easily mislead the listening audience. Many people do many wrong things in real life. That does not automatically make these things legitimate topics for mass listening by impressionable young people. The question is: Will these lyrics on this topic actually help listeners to make better choices? Or could they entertainingly draw listeners into thinking the actions—-or lesser but similar ones—aren't really so bad.

Q.

Do you blame the creators of violent movies and vulgar lyrics for producing what some people apparently want to see and hear?

A.

Not always. Saving Private Ryan, for example, especially in its first half hour, was an immensely violent movie. But it displayed the horror and agony of war in a way that leads viewers to conclude, "We must never let this happen again." In many other cases: Yes. It's simply not true that if some people want it and I can make big bucks providing it, then it's fine to do so. Many people would willingly pay for several joints, several lines of cocaine or several senseless sexual experiences. Does that make it O.K. to sell it to them.

Q.

I think we do need films that show the effects of evil. Aren't you really talking about the way it's shown?

A.

You've said it perfectly. Whether the evil is violence, drugs, hatred, or selfish and abusive sex, the question remains: Will most listeners and/or viewers see evil and its effects as they really are—or will they grin, giggle and be entertained by it? Will they feel disgust—or amusement.
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