Our culture has certainly been shaped by the media over the course of time. Think about the many ways our lives have changed since the invention of the television set. Consider also the desensitizing process we have undergone since we first started watching the TV screen. Things we may have found objectionable forty years ago are now easily accepted and welcomed into our hearts and homes. Whether we like it or not, our lives have been influenced by the Hollywood elite.
For instance, according to www.brainyhistory.com, it was on this date (May 14) in 1998 that the last episode of Seinfeld was on NBC. Commercials were selling for $2 million each! That may look like a bargain compared to Super Bowl advertisements in 2014, but that is a chunk of change for attempting to market one’s product. What does the cost of advertising on TV during a particular show or sporting event say about us as a culture? What impact did the show Seinfeld have on our society? It is probably difficult to quantify the response to such a generic question, but we can be assured that many people were tuned into the show to draw that level of advertisement revenue. The characters on Seinfeld influenced American culture.
Another example listed on www.brainyhistory.com marks an anniversary tomorrow. It was on May 15, 1989 that Maxwell House Coffee ran advertisements during the “Roe vs Wade” movie despite the threat of a boycott by pro-life individuals and organizations. Cultural and moral values, or a lack thereof, are sometimes highlighted during a controversial topic being addressed in a TV program or movie. As we watch the continued escalation of sexual promiscuity, profanity, and a belittling of Christian values in contemporary programming, it is little wonder that we are faced with many of the social problems that are plaguing our communities today.
The questions I pose to you are simply these:
1. What is the predominant factor shaping the moral values in your life?
2. Which is more influential in your life--the cross of Christ or the television set?
3. What gets more time--prayer or TV watching?
For instance, according to www.brainyhistory.com, it was on this date (May 14) in 1998 that the last episode of Seinfeld was on NBC. Commercials were selling for $2 million each! That may look like a bargain compared to Super Bowl advertisements in 2014, but that is a chunk of change for attempting to market one’s product. What does the cost of advertising on TV during a particular show or sporting event say about us as a culture? What impact did the show Seinfeld have on our society? It is probably difficult to quantify the response to such a generic question, but we can be assured that many people were tuned into the show to draw that level of advertisement revenue. The characters on Seinfeld influenced American culture.
Another example listed on www.brainyhistory.com marks an anniversary tomorrow. It was on May 15, 1989 that Maxwell House Coffee ran advertisements during the “Roe vs Wade” movie despite the threat of a boycott by pro-life individuals and organizations. Cultural and moral values, or a lack thereof, are sometimes highlighted during a controversial topic being addressed in a TV program or movie. As we watch the continued escalation of sexual promiscuity, profanity, and a belittling of Christian values in contemporary programming, it is little wonder that we are faced with many of the social problems that are plaguing our communities today.
The questions I pose to you are simply these:
1. What is the predominant factor shaping the moral values in your life?
2. Which is more influential in your life--the cross of Christ or the television set?
3. What gets more time--prayer or TV watching?
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