In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Matthew 6:24). It seems pretty obvious that the god of Hollywood is the money and power that is to be made from the pictures, television shows, and even commercials they make. That being said, it also seems obvious to this writer that they have a very liberal cultural agenda too. Things are carried more to the extreme in dress (or undress), profanity, explicit sexual scenes and violence that seems to get even more realistic with every passing season! Nearly all the network sitcoms now have their homosexuals and homosexuality is never portrayed in a negative way. On the other hand, the traditional family with a father/husband, mother/wife and children is usually portrayed as irrelevant, unnecessary and antiquated. Instead of the father being the head of the house, he is silly, foolish and often portrayed as a bumbling idiot! Mothers/wives are usually the wise, stable, decision-makers and in charge of the finances and family. The Bible says, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. . ." (Proverbs 23:7). Sociologists and others have long taught that we are a product of that which we take into our mind or heart. Again we are warned, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23). How many times have you heard and read of "copycat" crimes. What we see and hear does become a part of us, and we must eliminate the harsh detrimental influences. Pornography is addictive, and so many websites today lead one into the so-called "soft porn" whatever that is, and the transition to the hardcore is an easy step, particularly among those dissatisfied with their present partner; as well as those who are young and have raging hormones. The result is the multiplication of unfaithfulness, self-abuse, incest, and even violent sexual crimes. 

If it seems too harsh to describe Hollywood generally after the mighty dollar, it seems to me to this writer that much of Hollywood have a definite agenda against certain principles. Michael Medved published in 1992 a book called Hollywood VS. America, (HarperCollins Publishers, NY, NY). Medved is Jewish, he is a film critic, and columnist for a number of papers. He believes there is a definite agenda in Hollywood. One of the problems Christians face today is that many of the radical left-wing "hippie" types of the 1960s find themselves in places of authority. Not only do they seem to have a very liberal agenda, but they have by their very mindset conditioned themselves to question everything authoritative! They are also determined to push everything to the extreme to not only make money, but to enrich themselves and their ilk in places of power and authority! This mindset ought to be evident to most after observing our congress! Many in our congress from the Executive office, to the House and Senate, and even some in the Supreme Court seem to feel that our Constitution, biblical Christianity, the traditional family and morality are all to be challenged and changed! They ignore in many cases, their own constituency! 

One indeed would have to be deaf and blind not to recognize the vicious attacks on the Bible and Christianity in much of our media today. The Bible still teaches that eternal salvation is only in Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). It teaches also we will be judged by the things done in this life (2 Corinthians 5:10), and that every responsible person will stand before the judgment bar of God (John 5:28-29). Let's all wake up and smell the stench coming from Hollywood, it's later than you think! 

Ed Rodgers, De Leon, TX edanddj@yahoo.com