Church in America

Just Turn It Off

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Rev. R. J. Rooney
Senior Pastor, Verona (MS) UMC
May 24, 2002

"I am so sick and tired of you right wing extremists blaming the decline in our society's standards on the media. If you don't like what's on TV, in the movies or on the radio, then don't watch it or listen to it...it's as simple as that."

Wouldn't it be grand if the solution to the intellectual, moral, and spiritual free-fall America has been undergoing for decades was as simple as the above oft expressed sentiment? The person who wrote that and all those who embrace the idea that America (or the world) would be a much better place if people would only tune out and ignore offensive material on television, radio, or print, whether intentionally or knowingly or not, are promoting selfishness at best or blatant and dangerous irresponsibility at worst.

To begin with, if I find something objectionable enough that I feel I have to turn it off or shield my (or my family's) eyes or mind from it then it goes without saying that I believe the material is dangerous and/or hazardous. It is not a matter of being merely offended. It is a matter of being hurt. Our nation is writhing in agony due to the unchecked flow of gratuitous sex and violence from all forms of media. The degradation and dehumanization of men, women, and children is not merely a matter of conscience. I have to live in this society with people who find depictions of gang rape entertaining and scenes of murder and mayhem enjoyable. And that means my silence puts me, my family, and others at risk.

There was an important scene in the recently released movie Spiderman in which Peter Parker was cheated out of some money for winning a wrestling contest. As he was walking out of the promoter's office a robber walked in. Parker (aka Spiderman) watched as the robber stole all of the promoter's money at gunpoint. He did not lift a finger to stop the robbery because the promoter has just cheated him. Little did he realize that only a few moments later that thief would car-jack his uncle's car murdering him in the process. Had Parker/Spiderman intervened in the robbery his uncle would not have been murdered. Thus, Spiderman was born not when Parker was bitten by an experimental spider but when he realized that his refusal to intervene in that which was bad had hurt someone else and that he had a moral obligation to use his power and ability for the sake of others.

To suggest that I should simply tune it out, turn it off, or put it aside is analogous to suggesting that if I were walking on a hiker's trail in the mountains and stumbled upon a spring loaded bear trap I should simply walk away from it and count myself lucky that I did not step on it and have it snap closed on my leg. Common sense says that I should either attempt to disable the trap or at the very least expose and mark it clearly so that other hikers do not injure themselves on it. Sure, I could go merrily along counting my blessings that I did not fall prey to the trap but only at the expense of my conscience which screams to me that I have an obligation as a human being to others to deal with the trap. What kind of a person would I be if I made no attempt to disable the trap or at least warn those who are surely following me of the danger? Yet that is exactly what those who suggest I should just turn away from gratuitous violence and sex in the media are proposing I do.

Too many studies have shown a link between the wanton sex and violence on television, in the movies, on the radio, and in video games and violent and dehumanizing behavior in society to simply dismiss it for myself. As a member of this society I owe it to my fellow citizen and neighbor to either attempt to dismantle the system that legitimizes it or at the very least mark the trap and warn others to beware. To turn away from it would be the height of selfishness. It would be like saying, "I have evidence to believe that someone has poisoned the public water system but I will let everyone else find that out for themselves. I'll just buy bottled water for my own protection." I cannot force others not to drink but I have an obligation to everyone to speak out concerning what I know and believe about the water.

Isn't this why Americans are up in arms now about how the Roman Catholic church has handled its own pedophile priests for the past two or three decades? There was clearly evidence to suggest that children were being exploited by pedophile priests. But rather than address the problem, those in authority tuned it out by sending those problem priests to other parishes. More children were unnecessarily put at risk and subsequently harmed. Those children grew up and finally did what the Bishops and Cardinals refused to do: lifted their voices in public outrage and opposition. Because of the courage to make their nightmare public for the sake of the next generation of children the Pope himself was prompted to address the issue. I do not know what will come of it all but already several priests have either resigned or been arrested. We will never know how many children were spared the calamity of sexual abuse because of the willingness to buck the silence of the system that allowed them to be abused.

I find it quite interesting that many of those who advocate "turn if off," "tune it out," or "look away" are quite selective about what things to tune out and look away from. If it is sex and/or violence that offends just turn off the television. Why then is there any need for campaign finance reform? If you happen to be a Democrat and find a certain Republican ad campaign offensive then why not just change the channel? Interesting isn't it? If it is sex and violence that offends just turn off the television but if it is a political opinion that offends stop the commercial. Everyone has the right to view lewd sex, hear profanity, and watch someone being disemboweled but not to hear a dissenting political opinion? That is frightening.

While we are at it why not just tell everyone who is offended by Christian symbols at Christmas to look away from them. Or why not just tell any student in any school that is offended by school prayer to simply not bow their head or listen while the prayer is being prayed? Many Christians would like to do that (and have been) but it is just as intellectually unproductive and wanting as telling those who don't like a particular violence ridden or sex laden program to turn it off.

America is a republic that provides its citizens with built-in means of changing the environment. It is not only intellectually unfeasible to tell people that if they do not like something they should just ignore it but un-American. It is my right and privilege as an American citizen not only to register complaints with and against those who fund sex and violence in all forms of media but to lobby lawmakers to put an end to its blatant disregard for standards of decency. Although I disagree with those who successfully lobbied Congress to institute campaign finance reform I support their right to do so. Apparently, the advocates of "just turn it off" not only want me to ignore the danger I believe is inherent in programs that dehumanize people with sex and violence they also want me to agree to abrogate my own rights as an American citizen. Sorry, no can do.

There is one more angle to assess and address. The Christian perspective. It truly amazes me that a substantial number of Christians fall readily into line with those who promote "just turn it off." Some fall into line by helping to promote the fallacy while others simply follow their advice. By not watching or listening to offensive material they never feel and ounce of remorse or conviction that they have done nothing to stem the tide of raunchiness and filth overspreading the nation leading untold multitudes into bondage to pornography and lifestyles that unnecessarily expose people to a myriad of sexually transmitted diseases and a high risk of incarceration or even early death due to violence.

Wasn't Cain wrong when he facetiously responded to God's inquiry about his brother's whereabouts with "Am I my brother's keeper?" Didn't Jesus instruct us not to hide our light under a bushel? Isn't the heart of Christianity to love your neighbor as yourself? Do I love my neighbor while I watch him shoot up cocaine? Do I love my neighbor while I watch him drink himself into oblivion and get behind the wheel of his car with nary a word of warning? Then how can I feel comfortable that all is well in my relationship with God as I sit quietly by doing and saying nothing while my neighbors expose themselves and their children to forces that have the potential to destroy their marriage and ruin their children?

Jesus said, "everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28). James said, "when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death" (James 1:15). No Christian can, in good conscience, turn away from the outpouring of filth flowing full bore from media outlets any more than he or she can turn away from their responsibility stop wanton littering along city streets and highways. Actually, there is a great deal more at risk.

And so, I have a message for all the "Just turn it off" crowd. As long as people continue to put money over the welfare of their fellow man and as long as media outlets demonstrate no responsibility or accountability for their contribution to the moral and spiritual decline of the United States of America I will continue to raise my voice in protest and support those organizations that are willing to combat the soulless media moguls who are selling out their fellow man and their country for a dollar. It's as simple as that.