Category Archives: Media & Society

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December 22, 2014

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Media & Society

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The Lost Art of Saying, “Merry Christmas” Returns

Last week was filled with lots of people sharing important words with me, as they wished me a “Merry Christmas.” In previous years I heard other words like “Happy Holidays” and several more awkward attempts at spreading cheer including “Happy Hanukkah,” “Happy Solstice,” and “Happy Kwanzaa.” But this year I heard “Merry Christmas” more times than not.

It was as if the PC curtain had dropped from filtering the words of those around me. People were more determined to focus their words in the direction of their choice, rather than couching it according to what was PC.

This change was in more than just the phrases that people shared; it showed up in public ways as well. I read numerous accounts of freedoms being restored that allowed people and organizations to verbalize Christmas greetings and display créches in public – Not reported in the national news.

Individuals taking back their rights to freedom of speech and religion were the most important activities our nation saw this past year. No longer being persuaded by the media, we were moved by our hearts and shared our own words. It has turned this season into a true sense of Christmas for me.

The words we choose to share and follow make a difference in the outcome of our lives. Speaking truth rather than passing on someone else’s PC agenda provides us with freedom and strength to live the life we were wired to live. Our lives are transformed away from the dysfunctional and distorted ways that pound against us daily into a grace filled expression of all that is good.

With this tone set in my life as Christmas approaches, I’ve decided to share what I feel is the most important part of Christmas…

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. …So the Word became human and made his home among us.” (John 1:1-5, 14.)

That is what Christmas is all about: God sharing his Word with us through the greatest act of love known to mankind.

I’m now more convinced than ever that a person who shares the joyous phrase “Merry Christmas” is doing it as an expression of whom they are. They no longer need to be concerned about sharing a different phrase that may or may not be received by the person to whom they’re attempting to spread cheer.

We’ve had it backwards these past few years, while being PC was in the forefront. We were too worried about how our words might be received, rather than boldly expressing the truth about ourselves. And, the changes in the words we shared, changed who we were.

But its important that we don’t lose sight of whom we are, as a free people that can express our thoughts and feelings. Our freedom of speech and religion is the greatest innate gift we’ve ever received and we need to cherish it. So, because of who I am…

Merry Christmas!

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December 19, 2014

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Media & Society

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Media Drives Words into Culture

Oscar SelfieEveryone I know is convinced that the media drives our culture. This year saw more people convinced based on the new entries in the Oxford English Dictionary that originated in the media. The following words became a part of our language.

Beatboxer: A performer who uses (amplified) vocal effects to imitate the sounds and rhythms of hip-hop music.

Bestie: A person’s best friend; a very close friend.

Crapshoot: A situation or undertaking regarded as uncertain, risky, or unpredictable.

Hashtag: (On social media web sites and applications) a word or phrase preceded by a hash and used to identify messages relating to a specific topic; (also) the hash symbol itself, when used in this way.

High muckety-muck: A person of high status and influence; an important person, a bigwig.

Hip-hopping: The action of hip-hop. Of or relating to hip-hop; that hip-hops.

Selfie: A photographic self-portrait; esp. one taken with a smartphone or webcam and shared via social media.

Un-PC: Not politically correct.

While some of these words have been around for decades, they all came into such prominence in the media that the dictionary companies had to acknowledge it. The biggest influence of the selfie came from Ellen Degeneres’ Oscar stunt when she got the top stars of the decade to be in her self-portrait.

Earlier generations knew the pound sign “#” from the butcher and later the phone, but this generation only knew it as a hashtag, thanks to social media. Other words used often by the media became a part of the culture and was therefore officially adopted into becoming real words.

Unfortunately, there were other changes that snuck up on many over the past few years. The educational system that was started by churches and seminaries to educate their people, shifted from using the B.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. (Anno domini – In the year of our Lord) to B.C.E. (Before the Common Era) and C.E. (Common Era).

The media played a major role in this influence. Generations ago people respected Christianity and set the calendar by its greatest event. Now that the media says Christianity is politically incorrect, the calendar has changed. Since few conservatives are in the media, it will be interesting to see what new words enter our culture in years to come.

Copyright © 2014 by CJ Powers
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November 14, 2014

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97 Films Recommended by The Church of Satan

Good vs. EvilI’ve written about Christian films in recent days due to the surge in religious films. Some of the films are great redemptive stories for the general market, while others are preachy and intended for the like minded. In both cases, the genre has been difficult to define by production companies and distributors.

Another type of film is also getting attention and it too is hard to capture within a defined genre. Some refer to the films as satanic, while others suggest it is atheistic. In reality, it’s a genre that is more based in “I-theism.” In other words, pictures about a main character that is his own “god” – A person that establishes his own subjective hierarchy with himself as the most valued.

The films might also reflect the strong satanic beliefs followed like:

  • All forms of emotions from love to hate are healthy.
  • Ritual is for self-psychotherapy to purge any sense of conscience or emotion that hinders intelligently moderated pursuit of pleasures.
  • The prime dictate in lifestyle indulgence, over compulsion.
  • Animalistic tendencies and concern for the ecosystem.
  • All forms of sexuality between consenting adults.
  • Societal laws that regulate behavior so that a maximum of freedom might be obtained.
  • Justice where the punishment fits the crime when working to maintain an equitable society.

BladerunnerWhile some of this content sounds fine, like justice fitting the crime, it’s the intent and overarching goal that is self-centered. The purpose of the philosophy is to help individuals take their place, as god in their own lives, which is what Satanism is all about. That’s right, for most followers, it’s not about worshiping the devil, but self.

The list of films is one that Magus Anton Szandor LaVey felt best guided a viewer toward Satanism. While most of the filmmakers didn’t know they were leading their audience down a religious path, some were purposeful in their intent.

There was no surprise reading some films from the list like Rosemary’s Baby, Bedazzled and Svengali. Each of those films had overt satanic elements. However, some films were more of a surprise including classics like Citizen Kane, Metroplois, and Fantasia. Even more shocking was the family friendly film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

The List of Films is NOT to be FearedWhen it comes to films like All the King’s Men, Bladerunner, The Comic, Pennies From Heaven, The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover, Scarface (the original), The Stepford Wives, and Westworld, I can understand how the elements appreciated by the cult can be gleaned from the films, but that doesn’t make the film itself a satanic film.

Depicting a characteristic or a human flaw doesn’t make a film satanic, for it’s how the element is demonstrated that determines how it is received. For instance, a film about a wretched sinner that is later redeemed doesn’t make a film satanic, yet it might get the title onto the list.

Intent and performance determines if the content is redeemable or not. A selfish character may make the list, but if the film depicts a realistic cause and effect of his life, followed by a redemptive outcome, the film does more for the soul than a story steeped in teachings that convince audiences to put themselves above others – Looking out for number one.

The bottom line is that the list of 97 films is not to be feared or avoided, as some would conclude, but can bring an awareness of perspective.

A film like Les Misérables depicted a character that may have made a more recent list. But the story’s realistically portrayed redemptive qualities were far more powerful, putting the character’s original life choices in perspective with love, humility and gracious generosity that overcomes all. There has never been a better movie depicting the redemptive qualities of grace and mercy. Yet, some avoided the film for fear that their character would be negatively affected.

Redemptive stories will always overcome self-centered stories. Call it good versus evil, or God versus Satan, if you will. But, most of the highest grossing films of all time are stories of redemption. And, most satanic films do poorly at the box office.

What’s your view? Can a filmmaker unknowingly make a Satanic film?

Copyright © 2914 by CJ Powers