Media Alert!
April 2024
BLOG #54
Sue Summers
MediaSavvyKids.org
“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” Romans 12:2 (The Message)
“Being Counter-Cultural!”
Items that are news-worthy today would have been deemed beyond the sensibilities of prior generations of American adults. The current American culture has deviated from the standards from our past. It wasn’t long ago that the home, school, church, community, our legal system, and various components of society embraced the same values. Of course, not all followed – or even agreed with – those values, but the general consensus was that behaviors like stealing, infidelity, and murder were wrong and should not be tolerated.
Today we are increasingly de-sensitized to attitudes and events that should, in truth, be seen as shocking and beyond the bounds of American beliefs and values.
• Shoplifting (stealing):
“Why is shoplifting so rampant? Because state law [in California] holds that stealing merchandise worth $950 or less is just a misdemeanor, which means that law enforcement probably won’t bother to investigate, and if they do, prosecutors will let it go.” (www.hoover.org/research/why-shoplifting-now-de-facto-legal-california)
• Infidelity:
“Easy to do in today’s culture, where surveys indicate that adultery is no longer the major reason for divorce, and it’s increasingly accepted.” (www.huffpost.com/entry/why-an-affair-can-be-psyc_b_1604018)
“Cheating in relationships is common in the United States among all age groups. The internet makes this phenomenon easier than ever, expanding opportunities for different types of cheating. And getting caught.” (https://psychcentral.com/blog/how-common-is-cheating-infidelity-really)
• Murder:
“There were more than 1 million abortions in the US in 2023, the highest rate in more than a decade and a 10% jump from 2020… The latest trends also suggest that medication abortion is a more common option than ever.” (www.cnn.com/2024/03/18/health/abortion-data-guttmacher/index.html)
NRLC (National Right to Life Committee) states that 63 million abortions have been performed since the Roe v. Wade decision was handed down in 1973.
Bill Maher said recently: “They [pro-lifers] think it’s murder and it kind of is. I’m just OK with that. I am. I mean there’s 8 billion people in the world. I’m sorry. We won’t miss you. That’s my position on that.”
That’s rather blatant!
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Our perceptions are manipulated by entertainment media, news reports, and social media posts that announce the times have changed, and so the pillars of America’s ideals must change, too. We, as Christians, are told to march along with the current trends and not get stuck in “the old ways”.
It’s time to be counter-cultural!
“A commitment to being counter-cultural rather than being removed or ‘relevant’ isn’t always easy. Living differently can be hard. Going against the ebbs and flows of culture can create friction and sometimes provoke a hostile reaction to the good we are trying to create.” (https://preachitteachit.org/articles/christians-and-culture-what-does-being-countercultural-look-like)
And what about the influence of the church?
“A clear majority of adults in the Seattle area — around 64% — never attend church or religious services, or go less than once a year… Seattle ranked the least religious, edging out San Francisco, where 63% never attend religious services, or go less than once a year.” (www.seattletimes.com, Feb. 29, 2024)
Does church attendance matter? Research shows that it does. Is the Bible still God’s Word? He says heaven and earth will pass away but not His words. (Matthew 24:35)
“To you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:27-28 (NIV)
That’s definitely counter-cultural! Jesus is definitely counter-cultural!
Here we are in 2024:
• Antisemitism is on the rise.
• Confusion about gender identity has resulted in counseling, surgeries, medication, family upheaval, and suicides.
• Lying has become a regular part of today’s political landscape.
• Drug use has been normalized, and some dangerous drugs (marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms, etc.) are now legal.
• Our open border situation, without any vetting of incoming migrants, is out of control.
• Using the wrong pronoun can get a teacher fired.
• Disrespect for authority and civil norms is rampant.
“The word ‘culture’ refers to the way people and people groups do life. The people of Jesus will do life much differently than others do, that being ‘counter-cultural.’ They will think differently, they will talk differently, and they will live differently, and in doing so, they will bring the culture of the kingdom of Christ into the present world, making this world a better place.” (https://backtobasicsradio.com/christian-counterculture)
Jesus stated: “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” James 4:4 (NIV)
Teens who are going along with today’s trends are embracing worldly ways; they are unknowingly estranging themselves from God.
So how can we help teens become media-savvy about the culture that surrounds them?
It’s good to realize that parents are still the most important voices in their children’s lives. If we abdicate our roles as guides and boundary makers, our kids struggle with – and become confused by – all that they see, hear, and read. It is essential to take time to talk with our teens. Focus on describing and modeling moral biblical foundations that will result in good choices.
• Ask, “What is happening in our American culture right now that seems upsetting to others? What about these events or perspectives upsets you?”
• Ask, “If you immigrated from another country, what would you believe about the United States based just on the media’s messages, including TV news and movies?”
• Ask, “What news items have you seen or heard that seem to prove the selfish nature of people?”
• Ask, “Why did God give specific laws to His people, such as the Ten Commandments?”
• Share, “There is a definite rise in shoplifting, antisemitism, drug use, crime, lying, and disrespect.” Ask, “What do you think is causing these trends?”
• Talk with the teens about Jesus’ counter-cultural viewpoints, and which particular view might be the best starting place for them to begin being “counter-cultural”.
• Have the teens read and discuss “The Beatitudes” (Matthew 5:1-12). Together create a list of the people Jesus says are blessed and their rewards. Have teens compare this list with our current culture’s values.
• Read this scripture and discuss what it says about you and the culture:
“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” Romans 12:2 (The Message)
• Share that being counter-cultural is a choice made within each of us to refuse to accept all the behaviors and values portrayed in the mass media – whether in entertainment or in real life. Discuss specific ways we can be counter-cultural in a winsome way, and perhaps win others to Christ’s way.
Note: Share this blog with your church’s youth pastor as a lesson for youth group gatherings.
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Sue Summers is a Christian media analyst, teacher, author, and speaker.
She is the Director of Media Alert!
Contact Info:
Blogs: MediaSavvyKids.org
Website: http://www.MediaAlert.org
Email: Sue@MediaAlert.org
#MediaSavvyKids, #ChristianParenting, #ChurchAndCulture, #YouthPastors, #YouthGroupCurriculum, #HelpForChristianParents, #TeensAndCulture, #AChangingCulture, #CriticalThinkingAndTeens, #IAmNotDefinedByTheCulture, #BeingCounter-Cultural, #JesusWasCounter-Cultural, #TeensAndToday’sTrends
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