To Christians: Why have we allowed our culture to sink to the point of Californication?

Question

This question is to the 83% of of Americans who claim to be Christian. Those with a hate message or mockery for Christians, please do not reply.

Californication is the name of a new Showtime TV show. It comes with the warning, "Adult content, graphic language, nudity."

Is the church so completely apostate that Christians have lost the Bible's moral compass? Or maybe a better question is why do so many people call themselves Christians?

These shows are created because they are what the public wants. Yet the public claims to be mostly made up of Christians. We all know what's wrong with this picture, so how did it happen? Are we a much, much smaller group than claimed?

dead-elves: Is that what democracy is about? The right to televise pornography because one can turn it off anytime you choose? I don't think so. I think it's about the right to vote, hold a job, worship in a faith of your choice, etc.

Answer 1

Take the 'much, much smaller group than claimed' that you speak of, and cut it in about half, and then maybe half of those are saved. This is no cake walk, it's a 'pick up your cross, and follow Christ' walk. Although this path looks difficult, and it is perilous, it is not burdensome to those who are in Christ. The ones fortified by the Holy Spirit are the ones who will make it through, because it will not be of their own accord, and they will readily admit it.

The others just put Christ's name upon the worldly things they will not give up. Christ's name is on their lips, but their hearts are far from Him.

Tis a most exciting time to live, and easy to see prophecy being fulfilled all around us. I praise God that He has not left His elect defenseless!

Answer 2

Paul said it: we get carried away by the vainglory of life, the desires of the eyes and the flesh. We want it all, and we want it now. And the most dangerous words on the planet are "it's no big deal!"

When I was growing up in the 70's there was a TV series called "Love American Style" which already glorified divorce, sexual adventuring, infidelity etc. It was presented as "funny" and even "cute" and at least once per programme someone would be heard to say, "Oh, come on--who's gonna know?" The message was that if it's between consenting adults it's "OK".
Well, it may be OK by worldly standards, but the line is drawn in the Word, and the line doesn't move.
If you're not a Christian, that's one thing, but if you claim to be a Christian, act like one--or don't claim to be. Sin all you want, if that's what you want to do-- just don't bring shame on the Name by pretending to be something you're not.

Answer 3

True Christians would be more like aesthetics or act a lot different, they are VERY far from what Jesus said. Also the problem is these pastors who promote materialism in their own lifestyle and says God wants everyone to be rich and drive Benzes.

Because they forget:

Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

Matthew 6: 20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Matthew 6:21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

'Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. Ezekiel 16:49 NIV

Answer 4

As a seventh-generation native Californian whose ancestors helped settle the state, I am offended by the characterization of this land and this people as corrupt and immoral.

When I've lived in other parts of the country, I've borne the California jokes by people who didn't know what they were talking about. The California dream is about freedom and opportunity, as the dream of the rest of the country is supposed to be.

People from all over the world are drawn here, not because of sensationalism, but because here is where there is opportunity to learn and grow and think your own thoughts in freedom.

Suzanne

Answer 5

Well, I think that is changing and I hope that it is. Christians need to be less tolerant of such things. We have had 40 years of leftwing, liberal ideas inserted into our culture and it is time we tried to reverse that trend.

But with the help of people like Rosie O'Donnell many people are beginning to see just how absurd our country is getting. Even non-Christians can see how absurd she is and others like her.

We have been lead down a path by so-called "intellectuals" who believe that people have the freewill to do anything they want, and when the behavior leads them to drug abuse, crime, and other bad happenings in their life's, the same intellectuals call them "victims."

Planned Parenthood, NOW, and other leftwing groups have deluded our society into a culture in which anything and everything should be tolerated. And their failed views are becoming more evident everyday.

Answer 6

This isn't hate or mockery. I would just like you to consider that there are sizable portions of the population of the US and the world who are not Christians, and should be given the respect to determine their own beliefs. It's easy enough to switch off the TV if you prefer not to watch something, but respect another's right to watch it.

If you hold to democratic beliefs, you will understand the Tyranny of the Majority is as much against a free and equitable society as the worst dictator. The only way to maintain the hard-won freedoms you have is to protect those freedoms for all your people.

Enough sermonising now. Please feel free to thumbs-down.

Answer 7

Quite frankly because Christians are for the most part law abiding tolerant people.

We can't drag an adulteress or pornographer out in the street and stone them. We can't prosecute the lawyers and and put them in debtors prison for their robbery. We can't execute murders or child molesters or rapist. We can't hang meth makers from the nearest lamppost.

It is as the scripture says, because justice is lacking evil prevails.

I think most Christians have moral outrage at what is going on but our hands are tied.

I realize this makes me sound a bit radical but that's the real truth. We just have all been trained only to say "nice" Loving things because our picture of Yahshua is from the movies and the Sunday go to meeting preachers who picture him as an effeminate strung out hippy who went around singing Beatle songs ( All You Need Is Love) and never show him as he was, taking it to the hypocrites of his day and a very outspoken man not afraid to rock the boat.

Answer 8

Shows like this exist because people watch them and buy things from the sponsors who adverstise during the show.

If you truly want to have an influence on what is on TV, take the time to identify the sponsors and refuse to buy any products from them. If enough people do this, the show will be removed from the programming.

Answer 9

You have hit the nail on the head. It is the media which is large part is to blame for the downfall of society. Shows like the one you mentioned and hundreds of other programs have removed the moral backbone from this country, and laid waste to God and Christ. How can people not realize that these programs have a profound impact on our children?

Answer 10

Interesting question. If we know what the right things to do are, then what keeps us from doing them?

Human Nature, I think. The constructs of morality, justice, propriety, always seem to give way to the baser cravings of men. Man's moral reach exceeds his carnal grasp.

Many people perceive a motion, a downward direction to the moral status of our nation, or even humanity as a whole. I do not see this. I see every generation as just about the same in this regard. This "sinking" or "decay" "going to the dogs" etc etc., that some people see, is really the individuals own need to see their values reflected in the larger pool of humanity.