They Sold Their Souls for Rock N' Roll

Have any of you ever seen the documentary from Fight the Good Fight Ministries titled, "They Sold Their Souls for Rock N' Roll"? You can check out a clip of it and check out the other stuff they have at http://www.goodfight.org/.The reason why I'm bringing this up is because after watching quite a few movies lately, I'm noticing that in more and more movies, there's a reference to homosexuality or there's a gay character. I think on the documentary they quoted some ancient Greek philospher that talked about how to change a society's standards. I think he said something to the extent of slowly and gradually introducing an idea, and eventually that society would end up accepting it as a way of living... something like that. So I was just realizing, or I have been, that they keep slipping this gay stuff in the media. It's pretty scary to think that pretty soon people aren't going to be shocked anymore if they see two people of the same sex kissing in public, or something to that effect.So what do you guys think about this? And I don't just mean homosexuality, but our society's morals in general. And I do realize that you all aren't in the US. It would be interesting to hear how it is in other parts of the world.

Hey kids, it seems to me that this country is just going to Hell in a handbasket. At this point it wouldnt suprise me in the least to see things get worse. I think all we can really do is pray and keep our eyes focused on the King and not get caught up in worldy entertainment. Hopefully hearing and seeing things like this will break our hearts seeing Gods creation destroyed by the enemy and move us to pray, Jesus died for the sinners to bless his Fathers heart.

I agree, that we need to pray. I think us as Christians need to also be careful that we don't get watered down in standards with the rest of the world. I mean, I'll be honest, I find myself laughing at gay people on movies like "Father of the Bride" or "Win a Date With Tad Hamilton", just to name a couple. But should I be entertained by that? Should I laugh?A good thing to remember is... okay, I can't find the verse. I've been looking forever and I don't have the convenience of PC Study Bible. Well, parapharased, love the world, but don't be a part of it. What verse is that?

umm sorry dude not sure i think it says we must be in the world but not of it. also i was listening to leonard ravenhill one time and he said something just phenomenal. Entertainment is a substitute for the joy of the Lord. Man it steals our time, we can never that back. it is our most precious comodity, and when we give it to God his heart leaps because we have freely chosen to give something to Him. I am not going to pretend that i don't liek to be entertained. I love baseball and video games and movies, but these things are fleeting and passing away.

The wonderful thing about growing in Christ and becoming 'more of Him' and less of ourselves- is that we lose a tast or desire for the world's ways. The world's entertainment, the world's views, the world's political stances, the world's everything. You get to the point where your only really concerned with the His kingdom and how 'such and such' affects it.I have probably seen 2 movies at the theatre this year- don't care if I ever go again. We ruled out all 'R' movies 2 years ago. And now we are finding ourselves buying and renting old movies like 'The Hiding place' and old Bible movies, etc...I still have to say that I did see "Gladiator" and even though I hid my eyes during the violence- it was an awsome movie with some wonderful parable-type messages.I really noticed that when you're away from all of that for awhile and then go back to it- at first your appalled- and then it is easy to lower your standards a little bit again. It seems to blur the lines you've let the Holy Spirit draw for you.Just some thoughts.But as for the whole gay issue and moral decline-I would say a great big (with tears) "watch out Sodom- here comes the U.S.A."In Him, Chanin

Andy,Entertainment is a substitute for the joy of the LordI think of this all the time and it's really true. I remember about a year or so ago, we would go see movies because we were bored and wanted to escape reality for awhile. That's just a crutch though. We really should go straight to the Lord for these needs. Spend time with Him, de-stress in Him, relax in Him, escape with Him.It's still a temptation sometimes because we have given so much other stuff up. It's seemed like the only thing left to do that we could just relax and unwind. Well, we're learning to relax and unwind in His presence amidst our little family.

if you want to access the bible on your PC, just go to www.gospelcom.net/bible (it's a bible gateway sight) it really a quite versatile sight that is a great resource to me...I think the verse(s) you were thinking of are 1 cor 5:9-11I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people-- 10not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. or maybe...John 17:10-1710All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one. 12While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. 13"I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.matthew

I have found that esword works really well and is free!!! it also has a daily devoitional written by spurgeon.

I am really feeling these days that if we are going to call ourselves Christians we need to really check ourselves and think should we be watching TV and movies? Why should we entertain ourselves with the things people who are unsaved, dead in their sins, and on their way literally to hell?Amen brother! I am starting to hate more and more TV and secular movies,as my walk with God growing! I believe that this is a work of God in my life. I am convienced in my heart that He is sad when His children are watching such dirty stuffs, directly inspired from hell!Cor 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.When you are to watch something ask yourself: Is this will make me more closer to God? More holy? Will cause me to hate sin more? If not.. turn it off!

Andrew James,Yeah, I think there should be a balance with entertainment. I know what you mean though. So many nights I crave to watch a movie I can relate to rather than read more of God's Word, write in my journal to Him, pray, or just think about Him. I rather be distracted. Yeah, something to work on.[laughs] And just a side note, what's up with guys calling girls "dude"? Just wondering. I'm not a dude by the way [laughs]. It's all good though.

Chanin, my fellow sister :-)!I totally agree with you concerning losing a taste for entertainment when you grow in Christ and then when you go through those phases of going back to it.Right now I'd have to say I'm in the "back to it" phase. I've found myself watching a lot of movies lately for social reasons. It is kind of sad. I'm sure I'm distracted right now, and I've been praying about it. Especially because I'm going on a mission trip to the Ukraine in June and July. It's like, when God wants to use you, you know that something's going to be right there to distract you from that, to keep you from being effective for Christ. But you know, I think it'll do me good to go to another country and get pulled out of this American culture for a time. It's easier to notice things from the outside looking in, than being in the midst of everything.Let's hope though, that when watching movies, I never stop cringing at cussing, anything against God, or anything morally bad. I hope I will always let the Holy Spirit keep me sensitive.

As it was pointed out, some of these movies with some horrible, unnecessary, immoral content (Gladiator, I believe, was mentioned) have otherwise wonderful, even Christian, values in them.What we have to decide (hopefully following the Spirit) is, is the good in this movie worth the swearing/violence/sexuality?Side note: You're going to the Ukraine? Where? I've been there on a missions trip myself, to Dnepropetrovsk. (nee-pro-peh-trovsk)

Sermonindex,Hmmm... well, I see what you're saying. I remember coming home from a youth summer camp once and being annoyed that my mom was watching Lassie. I had been away from the TV and everything for a week and I was upset that the TV was on. I didn't want to be in the same room because I felt like it was such a big distraction, so I went up to my room.BUT, in this being sensitive to the Holy Spirit... I think we need to be careful that we don't let ourselves get separated from other Christians who are walking with the Lord because we have different convictions. You know, I think it's like that repeated example of food being sacrificed to idols in the New Testament. There's those who were super sensitive to that and those who weren't. Did that make one person more or less of a Christian? No. Now how you act around those who are sensitive to certain things, that's different. You don't go flaunting your freedoms. Like, if I were to hang out with you, I wouldn't be like, "Hey, let's go catch a movie?" I'd probably be like, "Hey, let's just hang out and fellowship." But if I were to hang out with another Christian who invited me to go over and watch a movie with them, I would (depending what movie of course) because it doesn't bother me.Be all things to all people to win the more, right? Paul said that somewhere, didn't he?I do hope that I didn't offend you. I do see where you're coming from because I have been there. I have just come to a different place. I am a really extreme person most the time, but I have personally felt that I need to find a balance to all things. I have struggled with spiritual pride and not so fun stuff like that, so that's where I'm coming from with the balanced thing. I do respect your views though and thank you for your input.

Not to push my personal convictions, but I'd really advise anyone with a TV to get rid of it immediately, particularly if you have kids. I'm so thankful I'm not around a TV, it's such a time-sink, snare, and poison.If you have some tapes or DVDs worth watching (i.e. video bible or something like that), that could be a valid use of a TV, just keep it out of the way. Otherwise, out with it.Your decision, of course, but the vast, vast majority of things you can watch with a TV are just awful.Edit:You know, I think it's like that repeated example of food being sacrificed to idols in the New Testament. There's those who were super sensitive to that and those who weren't. Did that make one person more or less of a Christian? No. Now how you act around those who are sensitive to certain things, that's different. You don't go flaunting your freedoms. Like, if I were to hang out with you, I wouldn't be like, "Hey, let's go catch a movie?" I'd probably be like, "Hey, let's just hang out and fellowship." But if I were to hang out with another Christian who invited me to go over and watch a movie with them, I would (depending what movie of course) because it doesn't bother me.I think we should be careful when applying the passage about strong and weak brothers regarding food sacrificed to idols and such. It's clearly referring to non-moral things, things not sinful nor influencing towards sin. An informed Christian could eat food sacrificed to an idol without the slightest ill effect, since they know the idol is nothing and the food is not tainted by the sacrifice. But I don't think any Christian is immune to the sinful influence of the majority of movies out there. There's also the issue of how we should be spending our time...I'm not dogmatic about this, I wouldn't consider someone unsaved if they liked watching movies, but I would not watch a movie with anyone willingly unless (maybe) it were clearly something edifying without any trash.Please, everyone, be very careful what you let in through your eyes and ears, what you let into your mind. The enemy never ceases his efforts to destroy you and/or your ministry, we must never cease to be vigilant against sin.

Regarding the TV:Food Network. It's about the only place I can find anything good.

We watch TV about 2 hours a week. I'm not going to prescribe a rule that you should follow because that could lead to legalism. But the question we must ask ourselves, is does watching TV impact our relationship with our Lord and Savior? If it does, then let's be done with it.Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

remember, one mans Holiness is another mans legalism......When God sanctifies its Holiness--when man attempts sanctification it is legalism...the true dividing factor is Jesus Christ... 8-)

We have small children and a young teen. We are at the point where we have taken our t.v. out of the family room and are getting rid of it. We have kept our t.v. in our finished basement (it's like a family room/play room/workout room) for movies and special shows.We belong to this bible movie club for the kids so we continuously get these great bible stories in the mail (also includes some famous historical people like George Washington, etc...)My kids used to watch cartoons or Disney channel- not anymore. The reason was because of the 'attitudes'. The kids and the cartoons always had an 'attitude' and my kids picked up on this right away. It's bad enough with their friends and school mates and neighbors.So now the only channel we are allowed to watch is the Hallmark channel. They have Little House on the Prairie, etc... during the day and once in a while they have a wonderful family movie about horses or something. There are many days that we never turn the t.v. on and now that it's out of the living room- it's even easier to forget about it and find many others things to do.Oh, yeah, i have to be honest here and say that once in a while Arielle and I stay up late and watch Trading Spaces (a home improvement show) while we have our 'girl time' together and talk. I know it's a good time to let her watch an ok show and I get to spend some one on one time with her too- get to know her and what she is into (like and dislikes, etc..) When they are at this age, you want all the open communication you can get! :)I actually would get rid of the t.v. for good if the kids were not so young. I really feel they benefit from these bible movies- and we get enjoyment out of discussing them afterwards.About the legalism issue- choosing to have or not have a t.v. is definitely one of those things that God deals with each person in his own time about.As we mature, we obviously see less and less need or want for the t.v. But this comes with maturity and growth. We cannot impose this kind of thing on anyone. We must let the Holy Spirit work on each heart. If we encourage growth and seeking the Lord with our all, and surrender to Him- then it will come naturally in time.