Are You Aware of the Religious Content in Children's Movies?

Going back as far as The Lion King, there are some disturbing trends in children’s movies. At first, as in The Lion King, they were fairly subtle. Most people hardly would have noticed the African traditional religion in it. I believe it only surfaced in one song and in a scene with a witch doctor. Of course, the whole idea of the “circle of life” leaves God out of nature, and one little character referred to homosexuality as he danced.

I saw a few minutes of Madagascar and was shocked at all of the religious content—curses, a kooky “witch doctor,” traditional religious dances, music, etc. It was a thread throughout the snatches I saw. The theme song, “I Like to Move It” adds some non-essential innuendo. A character says, “Christmas, Hanukah, and Kwanza” in one breath. (As a Christian, I find that offensive, since the birth of Jesus is about my Savior coming to earth, and it puts it in the same basket with unbelief.)

I watched Kung Fu Panda 3 with my grandchildren. I was amazed at all the “spiritual” content. Incredible! Yin and yang, Zen, Chi, spiritual exercises, prayers, purifications, shrines, symbols, offerings . . . and the philosophy of the movie is almost purely Taoist. It’s spelled out in the script like a Taoist propaganda piece!

Even more troubling is the goat-headed Beast in the new Beauty and the Beast movie. It looks exactly like the Satanic figure, Baphomet. Why did they choose that image? Why are the producers  introducing it to today's children? The human falls in love with a satanic image . . . . The directors are all excited about an "exclusively gay" moment, as well (something about Le Fou and Gaston). Do we really want to take our kids?

I once watched Frozen on an overseas flight and was surprised about its lies and hiding the truth. It makes lying look okay. I was also surprised that when Elsa decides to “Let It Go,” she gets sleazy and lets go of her sweetness as well. But, these offenses were not actually teaching false doctrine to children!

What’s going on?

When the setting is Africa, the movie producer wants it to look and sound African. When you have a panda who does martial arts, you’ll have some Asian culture in there, too. I don’t have any issues with those.

But, when a child sees a movie more than once, and it’s actually narrating false religious philosophy into his mind and feeding him visual symbols pertaining to another religion, I think Christian parents need to be aware.

Now, I don’t think the average five-year-old would understand any of this in one sitting. The real danger comes from the “indoctrination” that he would get from repeated viewings.

What can Christian parents do?

1. Read reviews before you decide to watch a movie. Most will tell you if there are religious overtones. I read several secular reviews that pointed out the Taoist themes in Kung Fu Panda 3, for example.
2. Watch movies along with your children. If something unbiblical, untrue, vulgar, crude, or false teaching happens, you are there to correct, comment, or even turn it off.
3. Make sure you know the Truth. You cannot be discerning about philosophies that are anti-God and biblically wrong if you don’t know your Bible. Make sure you know what sound teaching looks like. Then, when you hear or see contrary doctrine, you’ll know it’s wrong. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life (1 John 5:20).
4. Pick old movies. My husband and I usually look at the date. As a general rule, if a movie was made before 1970, the language is okay, and it will be free of innuendo and graphic violence. It doesn’t always work, but usually, it does. Look for classic movies for children: Swiss Family Robinson, The Parent Trap, The Apple Dumpling Gang, Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, Treasure Island, etc. You can also look for good, old TV shows: Leave It to Beaver, Andy of Mayberry, Gomer Pyle, etc. Our six-year-old grandson loves those!
5. Teach your children the Bible at home, so that they’ll have discernment in the future. They need to understand that Jesus is the only Way to salvation: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). They need to understand God's moral law as well (The Ten Commandments, love for God and others, obedience, etc.)

We want our children to grow up to love God and people. We want them to be sweet and respectful. We want them to value home and family. Be careful that your entertainment choices encourage them to grow up with these values. Protect them from false doctrines.

But, beloved, remember ye the words which were

spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

How that they told you there should be mockers

in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith,

praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God,

looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

 (Jude 1:17-21)

Blame Your Parents?

A father walks out on his wife and children. The mother works hard to support her children, who pretty much raise themselves.

A little girl grows up hearing her parents’ arguments day after day. She’s afraid when they fight, and she tries to decide which of her parents she would choose to live with, if they were to split up.

Six children watch as their parents divorce. They don’t understand what went sour, but they know it wasn’t a good thing that their parents went their separate ways. Now, some live with mom, and others live with dad.

A young man never knew what it was like to have a father. His father left the family about the time he was born. He only saw his dad a few times in his life until well into adulthood.

A girl’s mom worked in a bar and lived loosely. She tried to do the best she could for her family, but the girl grew up ashamed of her mother.*

All of these children can point to their past and say, “I suffer because of my mom (or dad, or both).” Some say, “I can’t help the way I am, because of what happened when I was a child.” Some determine in their hearts never to be like their mother, father, or both parents. They make up their minds to live differently, to guard their own marriages tenaciously, and to be better.

Those who determine they're going to be different are my heroes.

You see, all of these scenarios happened to my friends. And, I’m glad to say that most of these children grew up to be wonderful adults. They’re overcomers.

Oh yes, every child was affected, but not every child let his parents’ decisions define him.

Modern psychology plays the blame game. No, they don’t call it that, but that’s what it is. Look back into your childhood. Bring out your hatred. Feel your frustrations. Dig it all up and rehash your childhood, blow by blow.

As a result, children become victims. They blame their parents. A troubled home defines people.

But, that’s the opposite of God’s perspective!

It’s true that one’s home life affects children. No one denies that! If it is happy, children grow up carefree and well adjusted. When there are tensions, children may suffer emotional damage. It is sad that more and more children are growing up in broken homes. More and more kids hear their parents fight. Many children only know one parent. They are hurting, and my heart goes out to them. Especially where there’s abuse in the home, children can be deeply damaged. The good news is that God can help every child who has suffered.

In one post, we can’t address every scenario, of course, but let’s look at three basic facts:

1. God cares. When we understand God’s great love, it becomes a beautiful and precious fountain from which to draw. God’s love is greater than any other.

• Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you (1 Peter 5:7).
• The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee (Jeremiah 31:3).
• For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).

2. You’re not responsible for your parents’ decisions or actions. They are. Parents are responsible for their children, not children for their parents.

• So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God (Romans 14:12).

3. You are responsible for your life. Ask the Lord to help you forgive those who've hurt you and help you move forward. This is a process. It involves learning to trust the Lord. It’s about doing right, even though your role models didn’t. It’s about making adult choices. With the Lord’s help, you can bring God glory through your life.

• For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Matthew 6:14-15).
• For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's (1 Corinthians 6:20).
• Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God (Philippians 1:11).
• But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).

If you have grown up in an abusive, conflictive, or a one-parent home, get the help you need. Go to a Christian counselor. You can also memorize Bible verses that address your particular challenges. Make sure you study the Bible about others with similar situations to yours. How did God take care of them?

And will be a Father unto you,

and ye shall be my sons and daughters,

saith the Lord Almighty (2 Corinthians 6:18).

No matter where you came from, you can thrive!
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* All are true stories with a few details changed in order to protect anonymity. Most occurred many years ago.