Back in the Battle Again

By: American Decency Staff

Autumn is here and with it a change in focus for many.  Perhaps it’s back to school or sending children off to college, for others it is harvesting the last of the crops, or perhaps closing up the family cottage, while some are preparing to follow the geese to warmer climates. Here at ADA the fall reminds us of a new season, too – a season of television monitoring.  This week the networks are debuting their new lineups of old and new shows.   While the airwaves are full of promos enticing viewers to tune in, we are determining our own lineup of shows to track – shows that lure undiscerning ones into accepting the constant stream of immorality put forth in the name of entertainment. In our email alert this past Wednesday we referenced a video tribute to Don Wildmon that was shown at the Values Voter Summit.  Included were a few historical clips and interviews of Don Wildmon over the years.  As you may know, the roots of AFA began when, as a then pastor of a local church, Rev. Wildmon got disgusted with the filth on television and urged his congregation to turn off the television for one week.  Don stated:  “Here I am from Mississippi thinking I could influence the networks – not only that, I was a preacher from Mississippi.â€Â Well, his David vs. Goliath battle didn’t stop Don Wildmon from fighting and it won’t stop us, either.   The battle is overwhelming as we determine not which shows are rotten, but are there any that aren’t? Why should we be concerned?  We can follow the counsel of the liberals and “change the channelâ€Â or “just turn it offâ€Â if we’re offended.  However, none of us lives in a fishbowl; we all swim in the same waters.  And just as we should be concerned about our nation’s education system – whether or not we have children in school – we also should be concerned about the values that television is teaching – and there is no doubt that the entertainment industry is one of the most effective instructors in immorality any culture has ever seen. In another clip shown in the video tribute honoring his ministry, Don Wildmon is quoted, saying:  “The purpose of television should be to uplift, to inspire, to encourage, to try to build a better society, not to try to tear down the one we have.â€Â And in a debate from decades past Don argued that we shouldn’t be satisfied if one out of five programs is acceptable, rather “five out of five ought to be good!â€Â The battle is uphill, that’s for sure.  Sadly we fight on two fronts.  Not only to change a mammoth industry, but to change hearts and minds of potential viewers, as well.  For no matter how much a program is lauded by reviewers and promoted by the industry, if viewers don’t tune it, if advertisers don’t buy air time, the show will be cut.  Yet, so many have been raised drinking at the well of Hollywood, they don’t seem to recognize that what they are ingesting is polluting their souls. That is why one of the shows we monitor, one that just returned for its eighth season, one that we deem one of the worst of the worst – is also one of the most popular on television, ratings-wise.   The show is Two and a Half Men on CBS.  A sitcom starring Charlie Sheen whose character, also named Charlie, is a middle-aged, boozing, womanizer who seemingly has a different woman in his bed each week.  Also living in the home is Charlie’s brother and his now teenage son.  The tune may change, but the theme is the same week after week – tired, crude sex talk and foul language. The recent premiere episode of the new season only seemed to up the ante in lewd storylines and dialog.  Now the 16 year old nephew is following in his uncle’s and father’s example having two teenage girls in his room overnight, for which Charlie praises him with a high five, stating how proud he is of him.  The boy’s father states:  “What do you want me to do, give him a merit badge?â€Â And Charlie replies, “Well it is quite an accomplishment.â€Â Without giving the specific vulgar dialog, the episode also explicitly promotes perverse sexual practices and acts.   The themes and dialog are far too offensive to list here – suffice it to say, this show is truly depraved! Remember, this is one of the most popular shows on television!  However, as my mother taught me, just because someone else is doing it doesn’t make it right.  And just because millions of blinded ones call evil good doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be opposed – vigorously! Action Item: Below is a link to contact the sponsors of Two and a Half Men.  Let them hear from you! https://americandecency.org/archives/advertisers-for-cbss-two-a-half-men-9-20-2010/ ======================================================= American Decency Association Bill Johnson, President P.O. Box 202 Fremont, MI 49412 ph: 231-924-4050 https://americandecency.org/ http://www.twitter.com/billwjohnson ———————— Donate online: https://secure4.afo.net/ada/donate.php American Decency Association is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.

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