When your worldview is wrong, every decision you make is wrong.
Cartoon Networks animated Children’s show “The Amazing World of Gumball (a twelve-year-old car) looks up at the sky and asks, “Tell me universe, what is the meaning of life?”
In response, the planets sing a catchy tune. And it’s completely atheistic.
When you think you’ve got a problem and your life is full of doubt Remember in the scheme of things your puny, little, tiny, weeny, meager, futile, worthless…Gloomy, bleak, and pitiful Life just does not count!”
And we wonder why our kids are killing kids?
Actions you can take to protect and teach your kids:
- Become aware of what entertainment your kids are exposing themselves to.
- Teach your kids how to actively engage entertainment rather than passively absorb it. Don’t allow the culture to think for them. Use this list of questions to guide the conversation: What is the main story or overarching theme? How are the characters portrayed? Who are the good guys? The villains? How are the visuals used to illustrate and accentuate the storyline? What’s the central conflict? Whom does it involve? Is it resolved and how? What values are promoted directly and indirectly? What is the good life according to the movie? Are there any religious references? If so, what is said and how is religion portrayed? What worldviews are explored in the movie? How are they portrayed? Are there any historical references? Are they accurate or inaccurate? How do messages match up with Scripture? Do this not only with movies and tv but with song lyrics and books. Help your kids to not only see the truth from lies but also how media can manipulate the narrative. (See Framing by PragerU). The goal isn’t to get them to stop exposing themselves to junk; it’s to get them to understand why it’s junk and they can stop themselves from becoming a sheeple.
- Replace toxic screen time with better screen time. Replace Netflix and Disney Channel with Phil Vischer’s, “What’s in the Bible”. Substitute the mindless media with thoughtful entertainment.
- Create alternatives to entertainment consumption.
- Get your kids outside.
- For younger kids, do t let the screen become the babysitter.
- Help them develop the READING habit.
- Practice what you preach.
Remember that as followers of Jesus, we are to be in the world, but not of it.
(Source: “A Practical Guide to Culture by John Stonestreet and Brett Kunkle)