The Blog: ministry, music, media

Media and Faith: More questions than anything posted on August 14, 2009

What is your commitment to engage with popular culture, arts and entertainment through the lens of your faith?  How do you see putting your faith in front of what the children you love consume in media?  Is there a place in your faith journey where there can be a conversation to why we allow ourselves to be entertained by popular culture and its drivers?

Arts have been used to tell the stories of faith and be the context of experience of faith for many, since expression of faith was valued (i.e., the beginning of human history).  To tell the stories of our lives and to engage the populous it the delight of entertainment, we create books and myriad digital media expressions.  The children, as digital natives, do not know a world without movies, television, digital music and plenty of video cameras in their faces.  Can we help children use the tool of media selectively, in order to inform the best of what you desire them to understand, like embracing good character as natural?  Is it important to try?

I wonder if it is possible to really decide that you will communicate your values to the children by diligent care of what they observe you consume regarding popular culture?  For example, if you have said to your son/daughter that they cannot see play video games with violence, do support the value with your behavior?  Do you play violent video games when they are awake and aware of your playing? Do they aspire to be like you and be able to wander into the room to catch a glimpse of the forbidden?  How does your example effect the children you love?

So, how much courage of conviction and reassessment of everyday life do you think we must embrace to pass on the best of our intentions in faith, to the children?

I can always relate stories to metaphors of food.  Suppose you have told the kids that a little dessert is okay, but too much is too much because you have concern for their health and well being. 
Secretly, you head for your private candy bar stash as they go to sleep.  Granted that grown-ups get to have privacy from the kids.  But if something directly relates to a value you are trying to impart, like physical health and well being, is compromised by your example, does it effect the integrity of your efforts?  Is there a faith issue coming to light? 

How is the above very different from media consumption and well being?

More questions than anything today, love to hear your thoughts.
blessings for the common good,
Pastor Robin

There are 8 comments “Media and Faith: More questions than anything” was posted by Pastor Robin

Comments

Your Comment*

Remember my personal information
Notify me of follow-up comments?

Your Name*

Your Email*

Web site (URL)

Please enter the word you see in this image,

here:*

Post Your Comment

Blog Archive

• January 2012
• December 2011
• April 2010
• March 2010
• February 2010
• January 2010
• December 2009
• November 2009
• October 2009
• September 2009
• August 2009
• July 2009
• June 2009
• May 2009
• April 2009
• March 2009
• February 2009
• January 2009
• December 2008

Next →

“Kids Make Music”

← Previous

“What technology at what age for kids?”

RSS Feed