From disgust to acceptance

By: American Decency Staff

Written by Lisa Van Houten Television has been and is one of the most effective forms of indoctrination – used to persuade, influence, deceive.  It affects the buying habits of millions and has contributed greatly to the change in beliefs and downfall of morals of an entire generation within a matter of years. This hit home recently when dining with my sisters and mother at an area restaurant.  As we settled into the booth and were perusing the menu, I couldn’t help but hear the conversation of the middle-age women in the booth behind me. These women were discussing the cable network show, “Sister Wives.â€ÂÂ  If you don’t recall from our previous monitoring reports, the TV show “Sister Wivesâ€Â is a reality show documenting the lives of a polygamist family while attempting to portray this so-called family of one husband with four wives and 16 children as “just like any other American family.â€Â The show is one long infomercial for polygamy as they try to convince the viewer of the wonderful “blessingsâ€Â and benefits of group marriage. As I overheard bits and pieces of the animated conversation in the booth behind me, I could tell these ladies were avid fans of the show, “Sister Wives.â€ÂÂ  They excitedly discussed the dynamics of the polygamist “familyâ€Â – talking about the personalities of the different “wivesâ€Â and the husband of this harem. I would guess that if these women had been asked about their view of polygamy before ever watching an episode of “Sister Wives,â€Â they in all likelihood would have answered as I think the majority of Americans would – that polygamy is repugnant and morally wrong.  Would they welcome their husband bringing home a second wife? Yet here were these middle-aged ladies drawn into a program showcasing an actual polygamist “family,â€Â being entertained by it, identifying with the “familyâ€Â members, and accepting polygamy as a “normalâ€Â lifestyle – at least for others. Last year I came across a blogger writing about “Sister Wivesâ€Â stating: “… I've talked with a lot of people about the Sister Wives phenomenon. Everybody seems to have a similar progression of disgust-curiosity-entertainment-acceptance-critique. After watching the show, it's hard to argue that these women aren't happy and getting positive benefits from polygamy. … hey, this is how their faith dictates it works, and this is how they elected to raise their family.â€Â As people are inundated with a mantra of “tolerance and acceptanceâ€Â of any and all lifestyles – no matter how perverse – they obviously lose their capacity to distinguish between right and wrong.  Notice the blogger above claiming she (and others) were initially disgusted, but then came to accept polygamy from watching “Sister Wives.â€ÂÂ Â  This is how we get to the point where the definition of marriage and family is undermined. One by one people – believers and non-believers alike – are desensitized to Truth.  And as hearts and minds become undiscerning gay marriage, polygamy, etc. become accepted as “alternativeâ€Â lifestyles instead of what they are – sinful lifestyles. It can begin with a group of middle-aged ladies being drawn in to a television show.  Or a public school elementary student being taught “Heather has Two Mommies.â€ÂÂ  Or it can begin with a pastor neglecting to preach the full counsel of God – standing by while his flock is also swayed by the cultural deceptions of the day instead of warning them about what God says about such wickedness. Yet we can also make a positive difference – one by one.  Lovingly engaging, challenging, teaching those around us, taking opportunities to counter false teaching in all its forms – including that of shows such as “Sister Wives.â€Â We urge you to be that salt and light not only within your circles, but also to the advertisers that sponsor the lies of “Sister Wives.â€Â Take Action!  Click on the link below to send a message to the corporate sponsors of polygamy on “Sister Wives.â€Â Click here: https://americandecency.org/take_action_form.php?message=128 ========================================================== Your support is important to our ability to make a difference. Donate online at: https://secure4.afo.net/ada/donate.php American Decency Association is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. American Decency Association Bill Johnson, President P.O. Box 202 Fremont, MI 49412 ph: 231-924-4050 www.americandecency.org http://www.twitter.com/billwjohnson

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