Kids need positive goals, not filmmakers' messages
The movie industry seems less and less sensitive to family interests and
concerns. Why?
I suppose the obvious reasons have to do with the love of money
and a decline in values. Sex and violence sell movie tickets and
there are plenty of filmmakers ready to exploit people starting with
children - especially teen-age children.
Most of today's films offer short-term excitement, but an uneasy
feeling replaces the excitement soon after the movie ends. Why?
According to the sacred writings of the Baha'i faith, souls are
created by God "to know him and to love him". For example, souls feel
far from their true Beloved when watching people kill each other.
How do we develop better viewing discretion in our children?
Children need to know who they are from their earliest years and
beyond. This Baha'i prayer is for a new born child. "Verily, thou
hath come by the command of God. Thou hath appeared to speak of him.
Thou was created to serve him, the dear, the Beloved."
Each child is potentially "the light of the world and at the same
time its darkness." The more children know and love God the happier
they become and the more they illumine the world.
Children become darkened and unhappy souls when they are led to
believe the messages offered at the box office: "Premarital sex and
violence is cool." "Parents and people in authority are fools."
"Children and their peers know best."
Children need to have positive life goals such as improving one's
character, serving others, fostering healthy loving relationships,
eliminating prejudice and knowing when to "just say no" to things
that lead to unhappiness - like unhealthy movies.
Want to know the contents of a movie prior to deciding whether or
not to view it? See www.kids-in-mind.com .
David Crenshaw
Eureka
©Copyright 2001, Pantagraph (Bloomington)
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