Worldly Living              (David, Christian College student, USA)

I am one of the few who have abandoned the entertainment industry of TV and movies for the sake of Christ. I did not abandon it because I thought it was corrupting me, but merely because it was a hindrance to my Bible reading and prayer time. I found that every time I wanted to read my Bible or pray I had to limit my time in order to watch my TV shows. Therefore, with this out of the way, I had more time on my hands for God. However, at this time, I began to realise the influence that the media had previously had on me, so I abandoned TV and movies.

I found that my relationship with Christ drastically grew. What I had come to realise is how powerful the allurement of TV and movies had been in my life. . . And, well, their undeniable corrupting effects on me as a Christian. People often do not realise the effect something has on their lives until they abandon it. Here are a few facts I have received from a theologian who specialises in pop-culture. The statistics can be found at Barna Research Online:

• Born-again adults spend an average of seven times more hours each week watching television than they do participating in spiritual pursuits such as Bible reading, prayer, and worship.
  
• Born-again adults spend roughly twice as much money on entertainment as they donate to their church.
  
• Born-again adults spend more time surfing the Net than thy do conversing with God in prayer.
  
• There is no significant statistical difference between Christians and society as a whole [on these matters?]
  Another issue concerning the entertainment industry that has struck me hard... is the stimulating joy of violent video games played among the young men. To watch these Christians play their 3-D, first person, realistic shoot 'n' kill games vexes my spirit. It's violent, and it bears no good fruit. But the common reply that I hear is 'Don't worry, I can discern those things that could affect my faith,' or 'It's just a game... it's only for fun.' Just about anything is said to preserve the indulgence. Ninety-five per cent of rooms here contain either a Xbox, or Playstation, or Nintendo. If not, then the students still have their computers. But when they're tired of their games, they go back to movies and TV.

The other day, we had Songs of Praise (chapel) here in college, but to my surprise, two-thirds of the chapel was empty because no one wanted to miss the next episode of 'Survivor.' Some common things that I've noticed among most Christians here are these: they all play video games, watch TV and movies, stay up until 2 a.m., listen to 'Christian' heavy metal/punk music, like to prank people at night, listen to secular music over Christian music, seek to be popular and known among their brethren, but avoid-gently and subtly-the low-class.

I relate these as easily observable facts, not as a way to feel good about myself by bashing others. I love these people and wish for them to be good witnesses of Christ. One thing I must say is that I am distraught by this emerging generation. Colossians 3:2: 'Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.'"

(David, Christian College student, USA)