Soaps,that is soap operas, are such a part of the TV wallpaper of life that it's difficult to imagine TV programming without them. They provide simple, straightforward entertainment that does not demand much from the viewer nor do they profess to be anything much in the way of art.
I am a fairly keen viewer of soaps: Coronation Street, Home and Away and Neighbours. At this point I pause and reflect on the confession I have just made. Anyway, until recently, I watched then waited for the next episode, without having much recollection of the one I had just watched. That's the way to do it. But a recent episode of Coronation Street made me think and realise that these apparently harmless, vacuous programmes are possibly quite the opposite.
Soaps are story driven and characters swap from situation to situation and relationships are changeable to say the least. One female character in an Aussie soap has had three sexual relationships-or "taking it to the next level" as they euphemistically say- and she still hasn't left school. Dread to think what her exam results will be like.
The episode of the Street had a storyline about a middle aged woman having a casual affair with a married man and the criteria for deciding whether she continue this was "if it makes you happy". This seems to sum up society's attitude to so many things: the pursuit of personal gratification rather than any reference to subjective let alone objective moral standards.
People watch these people on their TV and, in the absence of any other reference point, might adopt the values they see portrayed there. TV is a very powerful medium, hence the power of advertising. As Chrisitans we should be more aware of the negative influence of soaps and TV in general. If you want to win the war, know your enemy.
Monday, 9 July 2007
Sunday, 1 July 2007
Divine retribution. My contribution
I have just been reading Ian Dales Diary blog and he was facetiously apologising to the flooded people of Sheffield, because his decadence has brought down the wrath of God. It seems that the Bishops of Carlisle and Liverpool have linked the floods to Britain's decadence, in particular the issue of gay marriages etc. Apart from the gobsmacking idea that Church of England Bishops actually mention God (clearly some must even believe in Him or her as the case may be) I'm not sure what to think.
I read Ian Dale's blog daily, the best of the bloggers, and he seems to me to be a decent man with much to say that is worth listening to. I can understand his being offended at the Bishop's comments and I can understand his thoughts that it shows the Cof E is not really in touch with modern Britain. But I also understand the Bible's view of human behaviour that is contrary to God's plan for mankind and I understand that we do live in a culture that is clearly, in many ways, contrary to the way God would want it to be. I'm not really sure that God smites individuals or communities for their disobedience in such a direct way, but there clearly are consequences, though I do not profess to understand the dynamics of the process.
My problem is that my Church has clear and very strong views on gay marriage etc and I subscribe to those views. I do find the blatant exhibitionism of Gay Pride marches and the sometimes evangelical zeal of some gay people offensive; but there are many decent, loving people in committed gay relationships whose example of love and devotion shame many in heterosexual relationships. I am not a liberal Catholic and do not believe that the Church should conform itself to modern values and mores. It should lead not follow. But I am troubled that decent people are offended by our beliefs, which does not invalidate them, it simply makes it absolutely necessary to have what I call a compassionate disagreement.
This is a bit of a ramble but it illustrates the dilemma I feel.
I read Ian Dale's blog daily, the best of the bloggers, and he seems to me to be a decent man with much to say that is worth listening to. I can understand his being offended at the Bishop's comments and I can understand his thoughts that it shows the Cof E is not really in touch with modern Britain. But I also understand the Bible's view of human behaviour that is contrary to God's plan for mankind and I understand that we do live in a culture that is clearly, in many ways, contrary to the way God would want it to be. I'm not really sure that God smites individuals or communities for their disobedience in such a direct way, but there clearly are consequences, though I do not profess to understand the dynamics of the process.
My problem is that my Church has clear and very strong views on gay marriage etc and I subscribe to those views. I do find the blatant exhibitionism of Gay Pride marches and the sometimes evangelical zeal of some gay people offensive; but there are many decent, loving people in committed gay relationships whose example of love and devotion shame many in heterosexual relationships. I am not a liberal Catholic and do not believe that the Church should conform itself to modern values and mores. It should lead not follow. But I am troubled that decent people are offended by our beliefs, which does not invalidate them, it simply makes it absolutely necessary to have what I call a compassionate disagreement.
This is a bit of a ramble but it illustrates the dilemma I feel.
More Old Time Religion
A few posts ago I mentioned prayer practices which had , to some extent, gone out of practice. I have just completed a novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and found it helpful both spiritually and practically. A novena is, firstly, an act of discipline where you determine to follow a course of prayer for a period of time. This involves an act of will and a committment to fulfill the intention. The will is strengthened having made the committment to, in this case, the Mother of God.
If the novena is for remedy of a personal weakness it has the very practical effect of creating a period of time during which it is less likely that you will allow that particular behaviour to occur. For example, an irritable person might use the period of the novena as an opportunity to practice control of that weakness, whilst at the same time seeking the help of Mary to overcome it. It is good both psychologically and spiritually.
There are many forms of prayer which too often lie unused. They give a form and framework to prayer time and, through repetition and familiarity, can instill the truths they represent deep into our hearts.
Give it a try.
If the novena is for remedy of a personal weakness it has the very practical effect of creating a period of time during which it is less likely that you will allow that particular behaviour to occur. For example, an irritable person might use the period of the novena as an opportunity to practice control of that weakness, whilst at the same time seeking the help of Mary to overcome it. It is good both psychologically and spiritually.
There are many forms of prayer which too often lie unused. They give a form and framework to prayer time and, through repetition and familiarity, can instill the truths they represent deep into our hearts.
Give it a try.
Saturday, 23 June 2007
why worry?
Today's Gospel has to be the most practical and yet the most ignored bit in the Bible. Jesus tell us not to worry;how we are so much more than sparrows and grass in the fields, yet God looks after them; how we are to seek first the Kingdomof God etc. For a world riven with anxiety and doubt, where a third of school children are reported to be experiencing mental health problems and where adults survive on alcohol, drugs and other dubious support systems, then you would think these words would be as welcome as rain in a drought. Yet how many Christians live by this advice? No, more than advice. Jesus doesn't suggest that we don't worry or obliquely direct us towards non-worrying, like one of those ubiquitous counsellors; he commands us not to worry: "do not be anxious about your life."(RSV); "that is why I am telling you not to worry about your life"(Jerusalem Bible); "this is why I tell you not to be anxious"(Revised English Bible). These are commands or instructions to be obeyed, coming from the Son of God.
In any case they are very good advice, since worrying is utterly pointless and is probably the most destructive cancer of the human spirit. We achieve nothing by it and lose our peace of mind instead.
Our old, Irish priest put it clearly in his sermon today: we have only the moment we are living; we do not know when we are to die and we should live the moment we have. What is gone cannot be re-lived and what is to come will one day not arrive. Worry does not change that one jot.
Christians could be a real witness to a troubled world if they obeyed this command.
In any case they are very good advice, since worrying is utterly pointless and is probably the most destructive cancer of the human spirit. We achieve nothing by it and lose our peace of mind instead.
Our old, Irish priest put it clearly in his sermon today: we have only the moment we are living; we do not know when we are to die and we should live the moment we have. What is gone cannot be re-lived and what is to come will one day not arrive. Worry does not change that one jot.
Christians could be a real witness to a troubled world if they obeyed this command.
Thursday, 21 June 2007
Old time religion
The Church has a treasure house of prayers many of which seem to be well and truly hidden away these days. Apart from older Catholics and those pre Vatican folk, there are probably few now who pray some of the traditional prayers and novenas. Whether these have been actively discouraged in a renewed and more modern church or whether they have just been replaced by other prayer forms is anybody's guess. But generations of Catholics have been sustained in their faith by these prayers and novenas and ,though their piety may be unacceptable to more modern mindsets, it would be completely wrong to dismiss or diminish the faith of those who prayed them as, sadly, often happens today. The fashion for more "personal" and spontaneous prayer seems to reflect our more individualistic age; and it is true that older prayers could be said by rote without much meaning. But such prayers have much to recommend themselves. After all, the Our Father, is such a prayer.
Perhaps we need to go back and look again at the way others prayed and continue to pray. There is great treasure to be found in the prayers of the past. More to come.
Perhaps we need to go back and look again at the way others prayed and continue to pray. There is great treasure to be found in the prayers of the past. More to come.
Saturday, 2 June 2007
God or Mammon?
Our 2 Cardinals have both made robust comments about changes to the Abortion Act, in particular reminding our MPs about their duties as Catholics against their duties as an MP. They clearly face a dilemma; either way offending some element of their constituency. One Lancashire MP, if newspaper reports are correct, works it out along the lines of: I am an MP who is a Catholic, not a Catholic MP. Sounds like the influence of a good Jesuit education or a talent for political spin.
But it won't wash. You cannot resolve such a moral dilemma by choosing a noun instead of an adjective. If this MP chooses to abstain or to take a pro-abortion stance then it is clear which element of the constituency has the strongest call.
Yes it is difficult and we encounter the old arguments about back street abortions etc. all of which were and would be terrible and wicked things; but this MP and all other Catholic MP(or those MP who are Catholic) do not have the luxury of choice. Church teaching is clear and absolute and carries spiritual consequences for not following it.
It is difficult for an MP in this situation but they chose to take the responsibility of the offfice and they cannot trim their consciences when awkward decisions are to be made.
In fact they could take a stand and be a great example for the rest of us, because we are now entering a time in this country where the silent persecution of Catholics and other Christians has begun and will increase. The new religion of political correctness and the hidden agendas of those in power leave no room for the older faiths.
If that last thought sounds paranoid, read your newspaper more carefully and listen to the TV news reporting of religious matters. Battle is joined there are no non-combatants any more.
But it won't wash. You cannot resolve such a moral dilemma by choosing a noun instead of an adjective. If this MP chooses to abstain or to take a pro-abortion stance then it is clear which element of the constituency has the strongest call.
Yes it is difficult and we encounter the old arguments about back street abortions etc. all of which were and would be terrible and wicked things; but this MP and all other Catholic MP(or those MP who are Catholic) do not have the luxury of choice. Church teaching is clear and absolute and carries spiritual consequences for not following it.
It is difficult for an MP in this situation but they chose to take the responsibility of the offfice and they cannot trim their consciences when awkward decisions are to be made.
In fact they could take a stand and be a great example for the rest of us, because we are now entering a time in this country where the silent persecution of Catholics and other Christians has begun and will increase. The new religion of political correctness and the hidden agendas of those in power leave no room for the older faiths.
If that last thought sounds paranoid, read your newspaper more carefully and listen to the TV news reporting of religious matters. Battle is joined there are no non-combatants any more.
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