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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

The other day my husband and son were checking out the newspaper to find out what movies were showing in town, but they could not find anything which they would wish to see. They usually enjoy a good action picture, and they are certainly not prudes, but the fare that was offered was so obscene or violent, or so favourable to the homosexual lifestyle, that they decided instead to stay home and watch television. This was not much better, but at least there were several unobjectionable movies and programs on the menu.

As noted film critic Michael Medved comments in Hollywood vs. America, "Hollywood no longer reflects - or even respects the values of most American families. On many of the important issues in contemporary life, popular entertainment seems to go out of its way to challenge conventional notions of decency."

There certainly is a dearth of decent family-oriented movies today, and it is a puzzle why they are produced. Certainly it is not the profit factor, because movies with controversial themes do not earn nearly as much revenue as many of the family-friendly films. For example, as one movie writer conceded, as of February, 2006 the five films nominated for major Academy Awards collectively accounted for little more than 200 million dollars, "barely a ripple next to Hollywood's 2005 domestic revenues of $8.95 billion…" The real moneymakers in 2005 were movies such as Star Wars: Episode II - Revenge of the Sith, and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

The traditional family stands for traditional values which fly in the face of the "liberal" Hollywood endorsement of themes which include gratuitous violence, obscenity, pornography, sexual deviation, and outright animosity toward mainstream religious values. Consider, for example, three of the top Academy Award nominees. The highly-touted Brokeback Mountain, which I understand is beautifully filmed, is still basically the story of two homosexual "lovers" whose actions are destructive to themselves and their families. Capote is the story of a homosexual writer who is willing to lie and cheat for the sake of his "art". Transamerica is the story of a transsexual. It was a surprise to many that Brokeback Mountain did not win awards as expected; perhaps the homosexual agenda was simply pushed too hard.

Television is no better. No longer is controversial material limited to late-night viewing. Even in the middle of the day one must be circumspect when channel surfing, especially when children are present, because there is so much graphic sexual content.

One of the "justifications" for outrageous programming and movies is that the producers are willing to take risks in order to protect "artistic integrity". Somehow I doubt this is the real reason. It is far more likely that many of those persons who are in control of the entertainment industry have an agenda to change society in order to reflect their own jaded tastes. Unfortunately, they have to a great extent succeeded.

If you are like me, objectionable movies and television shows are of little account personally, because I simply do not bother to view them. That is fine for those of us who have already developed positive moral values, but what about our young people? They are growing up inundated with visual messages that promote unhealthy sexuality and violence, and they cannot help but be affected.

What can we do to counter this evil? First of all, in an age-appropriate manner, we should have open and honest discussions with our children. There is a lot of garbage out there, and our young people cannot avoid being exposed to it. Help them to recognize when they are being manipulated by the movie or television media. Provide them with solid values, and with well-reasoned arguments to support their beliefs, so that they can stand up for themselves when challenged. So often, when youngsters leave home for college or university, they are ill-prepared to defend the Judaeo-Christian values with which they were raised.

REAL Women of Canada always urges its members to take an active role, if at all possible, to promote traditional values. One way to help counter the anti-family agenda, for example, is by contacting the sponsors of offensive television programs. Recently two U.S. television programs which were downright blasphemous were cancelled, thanks to a powerful letter-writing campaign by members of the public. We can also relay our concerns to the owners of theatre chains. It was due to public pressure that the Famous Players Theatres removed an advertisement promoting same-sex marriage. If enough people protest against objectionable films (and I do not mean by picketing - that seems only to provide unwarranted publicity), then eventually the message might have an effect.

And of course we must continue to pray that there will be a change of heart on the part of those who are presently in control of the entertainment industry.

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