CHRISTIAN ESSAYS

Southpark

By Richard Gunther

   A flier which I adapted from Charles Colson's article,and made copies of, then distributed to various churches, and the newspaper. This produced the following results: several encouraging comments as feedback, one person at least made more copies of my original flier and letterboxed them, the subsequently theatre brought in admittance by ID only, which prevented young children from entering the theatre.

Causing Little Ones to Sin -

'SOUTH PARK - THE MOVIE

by Charles Colson

A new movie features pornographic perversity, wall-to-wall obscenities, and blasphemous references to God - and the film is aimed directly at young people.

I'm talking about the cartoon movie 'South Park', based on the TV series, and its perhaps the most extreme example of the way Hollywood deliberately corrupts our children.

To give you an idea of just how foul this movie is, it was originally given an NC-17 rating - what used to be an X-rating. Only after intense negotiations with the Motion Picture association of America was the rating reduced to an "R".

But if you've heard anything about this film, you'll understand why the rating should have stayed at NC-17.

One scene shows a little boy searching for porn sites on the Internet. When he finally finds one, he discovers that it features his own mother.

Another third-grader refers to God using profanities. And believe or not, the film even features graphic homosexual activity involving Satan.

This is "undoubtedly one of the filthiest mainstream films ever released" says New York film critic Rod Dreher.

Keep in mind that we're talking about a cartoon, and that the TV series on which it is based has a huge following among adolescents and even pre-teens.

Almost certainly, says Dreher, many of these underage children will get in to see the film - and then will emulate the depraved characters in it.

In fact, that seems to be the film-makers' intention.

The movie plot features a gang of eight-year-old kids who sneak into an NC-17 rated film and afterwards spout curse words incessantly. The children's parents are portrayed as hysterical prudes, hopelessly out of touch with reality.

And in the end, its the parents - not the children - who see the error of their ways.

The film mocks the very idea of childhood innocence and the idea that parents should try to protect that innocence.

As cultural critic Neil Postman explains, commercial institutions today view children as markets to be exploited, not children to be protected.

In his book 'Saving Childhood' film critic Michael Medved says "This careless assault on the innocence of small children can be directly connected to the development of more dangerous behaviour in maturing adolescents : suicide, drug use and promiscuity." And entertainment that includes "crude language, vulgar scenes, and steamy sexuality" tends to make children "more aggressive and insensitive" - Medved writes.

In the wake of Littleton, Hollywood promised to clean up its act, yet, just a few weeks later, they're offering up unspeakable filth like 'South Park' to our kids. That's why it’s up to parents to be more vigilant than ever.

What can you do?

1. Write a letter to your local movie theatre, asking them not to screen the movie.

2. Write to the newspaper expressing your opinion

3. Write to any shops which put this movie on sale, asking them not to sell it

4. Pass this flier on to other parents who may be interested.

If you are a Christian, pray for your city.

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people" - Proverbs 14:34

Distributed by Richard Gunther

Source : The NZ Challenge Weekly, Vol. 57, Iss.26