Had a conversation with a young man… an incredibly intelligent one…regarding reading “The Sandman”. I said that it was a little creepy and I struggle with my conservative Christian values. His reply – its only a comic book.
This is a constant retort. Its only a book, its only a movie, its only a song. Is this really true? Is anything ever only an “Its only a…” The bible did say that what defiles a man is not what he eats, but what comes out of his mouth – for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Does this mean that if we do not give conscious pride of place to things we read, watch or participate in, that these have no impact, no significance on our behaviours or spirituality?
I disagree. Nothing is an “Its only a….”
Years ago, a popular series was Beverly Hills 90210. I seldom watched this but from the few episodes I did catch, it appears to revolve around teenagers and their raging hormones. It made me uncomfortable. Learning to manage sexual urges was deemed as something funny. Years later, Friends became massively popular. Sleeping around was “normal”. Having one night stands, changing partners within one’s closest clique was not only acceptable, it can be hugely funny and heartwarming. I banned the show from my then teenaged kids. To me something as serious as sex is not an appropriate subject of a comedy. It makes sex cheap and permanent, faithful relationships Jurassic. As the public became more tolerant of such shows – since its not erotic – just very witty, more surfaced. American Pie hits the screen, Desperate Housewives, and of course Sex in the City were released. By the way my kids are grown and I do not stop them from watching anything any more. The foundation has been laid, my job is done.
Then there are the magazines. I grew up reading Her World and Female. They were always a great source for fashion ideas, make up and bargains. There were the occasional articles re relationships and break-ups. But generally speaking, the magazines had lots of interesting information, a good no. of adverts and nothing risqué. Now its all different. I no longer read them because probably 80% of the magazine is Advertorial. I can barely get a good, non-commercial article and if the article were there, I cannot find it. Its always stuck between pages and pages of adverts. To make matters worse, many articles talk about sex. Front page will feature the teaser titles – How to have sex with the boss and not let his wife know it” or something like that. Err… I thought that the idea is how not to indulge in such activities that not only brings you emotional angst, but damages lives? Is it only a magazine?
Coming back to what this young man was saying… Its only a comic book… I have not read enough of The Sandman to comment on the content. However, I do not agree that it is only a picture book. For a start, it is popular and therefore is out there influencing minds and perhaps inspiring other would be writers, animators. It will start a trend. Just because most can process the content as just a comic book does not mean that others will not be affected by it. And how our spirits are affected, I do not know. I mean we have heard how computer games can affect the psyche so badly that some have turned violent, while others have become withdrawn from the real world. I just read that AVATAR, the highly acclaimed animated movie has sent many into depression. For crying out loud – even playing an innocent game like Mousehunt have people crying foul over not catching a prize mice or buying the newest Ronza trap. So is it only a….
The subconscious is one area that we often downplay. Marketers know this. Creative writers know this. To say something “is only just a …” can be as foolish as over stating its power. So what will I do? Run from what is obviously wrong – which is sometimes not so obvious any more, and for the rest, acknowledge the possibility of influence and actively screen out the undesirable and retain the good. Can be done? With the power of the Holy Spirit yes, but, being human, very likely I will fail as subsequent actions will reveal. When that happens – its back to asking for the grace of God to redeem and to restore.
