Artwork

Many charismatic illustrations can be found in SDA artwork, such as individuals with uplifted hands, a dove, and flames. The three angels disappeared from the SDA Church logo and now even the current logo is disappearing from SDA church websites. If church members are ashamed of the SDA name and the three angels’ messages, they are not true SDAs. It is also interesting to note that emergents tend to use the same type of artwork, particularly the swirl pattern (resembling the pagan spirituality symbol), spirals, a compass, rainbow colors, and modern sketchy-type font.

By the 1960s, illustrations of people began to change into what does not even resemble the image of God, such as the comic style, which we see so often now in SDA artwork. Animals are also made to look unrealistic, and worst of all, the depictions of heavenly things and Jesus Himself.

http://www.gracelink.net/article.php?id=16
Here is a question and answer from the GraceLink website regarding their children’s Sabbath School curriculum.

Question: “Why don't the new materials use the traditional style of art that we're used to from the old Sabbath School lessons?”

Answer:

1. Traditional SDA art is “not known for being culturally inclusive.” Since the lessons are used worldwide, “it is not appropriate for them to depict only Caucasian children. The non-realistic style of artwork allows race/ethnicity to be ambiguous.”
2. Another issue is “time-sensitivity.” The traditional style looks “dated to the current generation. Clothes, hairstyles, etc. have changed.” “A non-realistic style is a lot less subject to fashion detail.”
3. Illustrations have been selected “that will appeal to children.”

These are poor excuses for using cheap artwork that is condemned by the Master Artist. Comic-style illustrations have degraded over the years. What we see used today is far removed from illustrating God’s image in mankind. Why would children have a problem relating to normal pictures of people, since that is what they see in real life? As far as cultural or time-sensitive artwork, there is no reason why a good artist could not depict those qualities. Furthermore, with the availability of much online artwork, there is no excuse. If availability is a problem, why not use fewer illustrations but those of higher quality, rather than using much inferior artwork?

Counsels to Writers and Editors, pp. 167-168

Pictures to represent Bible scenes must be no cheap designs.... With these cheap, common productions, the sacred lessons of the Bible disdain comparison.... God forbid that we should please the devil by lowering the standard of eternal truth by using illustrations that men, women, and children will make sport of.

Ibid., p. 172

I hope our publications will not come to resemble a comic almanac. I would not altogether condemn the use of pictures, but let fewer be used, and only such as are good illustrations of the subject. ... If you choose to have a few pictures and good ones, I do not object. Let illustrations be choice rather than numerous.

Books

Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 204

Books of a new order would be written.

Buying books from “Christian” bookstores can be very dangerous. An example is the Harry Potter series, based on witchcraft. These are popular by not only the world but with some SDAs. Unfortunately, we also must be cautious when purchasing books from the ABCs. These stores are now in the habit of selling books by non-SDA authors. Even books by SDAs must be examined first before purchasing.

http://www.ministrymagazine.org/books-worth-reading.html
Ministry magazine has a “Books Worth Reading” section that at one point listed 34 non-SDA books. It was stated that the Society of Biblical Literature meets each year, so they asked one of their colleagues to visit the book displays in order to make a list of books he thought were “worth looking at.” It was then stated that Ministry is “not necessarily endorsing these books” but rather that these “may be worth looking at to see if they might be of help to you in your ministry.” When SDAs continue to read books from authors who do not have the same belief system, they will gradually come to believe what they are reading.

Why do individuals waste precious time and money with writings by infidel authors when there is so much in the Scriptures and Spirit of Prophecy? God’s truth is full of treasures unfathomable that we need today to keep us on the path leading to eternal life. The arch-deceiver will deceive the most through what are called “spiritual” books. Yet these are filled with light as well as darkness. The following from God’s books will help in making the right choice on proper reading material.

Christ Triumphant, p. 342

The Lord will not lead minds now to set aside the truth that the Holy Spirit has moved upon His servants in the past to proclaim. Many will honestly search the Word for light as those in the past have searched it; and they see light in the Word. But they did not pass over the ground, in their experience, when these messages of warning were first proclaimed. Not having had this experience, some do not appreciate the value of the truths that have been to us as waymarks, and that have made us as a peculiar people what we are. They do not make a right application of the Scriptures, and thus they frame theories that are not correct. It is true that they quote an abundance of Scripture, and teach much that is true; but truth is so mixed with error as to lead to wrong conclusions....

Sermons and Talks, Vol. 2, pp. 166-167

Where do you get your mental food? Do you get it from the newspapers of today, which are filled with the most disgusting and horrible representations? We have something better than this, and we are to show to the world that we know the Source of power and efficiency and hope and comfort. The grace of God which passes knowledge is imparted to us and to all who will believe His Word.

The Adventist Home, pp. 412-415

What shall our children read? This is a serious question and one that demands a serious answer. It troubles me to see in Sabbathkeeping families periodicals and newspapers containing continued stories which leave no impressions for good on the minds of children and youth. I have watched those whose taste for fiction was thus cultivated. They have had the privilege of listening to the truth, of becoming acquainted with the reasons of our faith; but they have grown to maturer years destitute of true piety and practical godliness.

The readers of fiction are indulging an evil that destroys spirituality, eclipsing the beauty of the sacred page.

The world is deluged with books that might better be consumed than circulated. Books on sensational topics, published and circulated as a money-making scheme, might better never be read by the youth. There is a satanic fascination in such books....

The practice of story reading is one of the means employed by Satan to destroy souls. It produces a false, unhealthy excitement, fevers the imagination, unfits the mind for usefulness, and disqualifies it for any spiritual exercise. It weans the soul from prayer and from the love of spiritual things.

Works of romance, frivolous, exciting tales, are, in hardly less degree, a curse to the reader. The author may profess to teach a moral lesson; throughout his work he may interweave religious sentiments, but often these serve only to veil the folly and worthlessness beneath.

Another source of danger against which we should be constantly on guard is the reading of infidel authors. Such works are inspired by the enemy of truth, and no one can read them without imperiling the soul. It is true that some who are affected by them may finally recover; but all who tamper with their evil influence place themselves on Satan's ground, and he makes the most of his advantage. As they invite his temptations, they have not wisdom to discern or strength to resist them. With a fascinating, bewitching power unbelief and infidelity fasten themselves upon the mind.

In the education of children and youth fairy tales, myths, and fictitious stories are now given a large place. Books of this character are used in schools, and they are to be found in many homes. How can Christian parents permit their children to use books so filled with falsehood? When the children ask the meaning of stories so contrary to the teaching of their parents, the answer is that the stories are not true; but this does not do away with the evil results of their use. The ideas presented in these books mislead the children. They impart false views of life and beget and foster a desire for the unreal....

Never should books containing a perversion of truth be placed in the hands of children or youth. Let not our children, in the very process of obtaining an education, receive ideas that will prove to be seeds of sin.

There are few well-balanced minds because parents are wickedly negligent of their duty to stimulate weak traits and repress wrong ones. They do not remember that they are under the most solemn obligation to watch the tendencies of each child, that it is their duty to train their children to right habits and right ways of thinking.

Cultivate the moral and intellectual powers. Let not these noble powers become enfeebled and perverted by much reading of even storybooks. I know of strong minds that have been unbalanced and partially benumbed, or paralyzed, by intemperance in reading.

Readers of frivolous, exciting tales become unfitted for the duties of practical life. They live in an unreal world. I have watched children who have been allowed to make a practice of reading such stories. Whether at home or abroad, they were restless, dreamy, unable to converse except upon the most commonplace subjects. Religious thought and conversation was entirely foreign to their minds. With the cultivation of an appetite for sensational stories the mental taste is perverted, and the mind is not satisfied unless fed upon this unwholesome food. I can think of no more fitting name for those who indulge in such reading than mental inebriates. Intemperate habits of reading have an effect upon the brain similar to that which intemperate habits of eating and drinking have upon the body.

Before accepting the present truth, some had formed the habit of novel reading. Upon uniting with the church, they made an effort to overcome this habit. To place before this class reading similar to that which they have discarded is like offering intoxicants to the inebriate. Yielding to the temptation continually before them, they soon lose their relish for solid reading. They have no interest in Bible study. Their moral power becomes enfeebled. Sin appears less and less repulsive. There is manifest an increasing unfaithfulness, a growing distaste for life's practical duties. As the mind becomes perverted, it is ready to grasp any reading of a stimulating character. Thus the way is open for Satan to bring the soul fully under his domination.

With the immense tide of printed matter constantly pouring from the press, old and young form the habit of reading hastily and superficially, and the mind loses its power of connected and vigorous thought. Furthermore, a large share of the periodicals and books that, like the frogs of Egypt, are overspreading the land are not merely commonplace, idle, and enervating, but unclean and degrading. Their effect is not merely to intoxicate and ruin the mind, but to corrupt and destroy the soul.

If one finds the reading and studying of God’s words boring or meaningless, it indicates a needed change in what the person reads as well as what is seen and heard in the media.

Acts 19:18-20

And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

The Review and Herald, July 19, 1906

Dear youth, cease to read the magazines containing stories. Put away every novel. In the days of Paul, those who were converted at Ephesus burned their magical books. We would do well to clear our houses of all the story magazines and the publications containing ridiculous pictures -- representations originated by satanic agencies. The youth can not afford to poison their minds with such things. "What is the chaff to the wheat?" Let every one who claims to be a follower of Christ, read only that which is true and of eternal value.

Counsels for the Church, p. 169

My dear young friends, question your own experience as to the influence of exciting stories. Can you, after such reading, open the Bible and read with interest the words of life? Do you not find the Book of God uninteresting?...

Resolutely discard all trashy reading. It will not strengthen your spirituality, but will introduce into the mind sentiments that pervert the imagination, causing you to think less of Jesus and to dwell less upon His precious lessons. Keep the mind free from everything that would lead it in a wrong direction. Do not encumber it with trashy stories, which impart no strength to the mental powers. The thoughts are of the same character as the food provided for the mind.

The Youth’s Instructor, November 16, 1893

What a mass of fictitious reading is there in the world, to fill the mind with fancies and follies, thus creating a disrelish for the words of truth and righteousness! The mind is thus unfitted for solemn thought, for patient, persevering investigation of the Scriptures, which is the guide book by which you are to be directed to the paradise of God.

Media ministries

http://www.adventistcommunicator.org/article.php?id=56
A guest at the Saturday night Awards Banquet for the Society of Adventist Communicators Convention in October 2010 featured comedian Joey I.L.O. who tours the U.S. and Canada “with his high-energy, charismatic, clean comedy act.” He previously performed as a musician, releasing two albums in 2001, and touring nationally with a “wide variety of performance groups and has enjoyed great success.” However, at age 26, “he retired from his thriving music career to focus his energy on the comedy scene. After his first comedy show, he had found his niche. His energy, charisma, and rapport with the crowd made him an instant sensation. Since that day, many national personalities have requested Joey to perform at numerous events all over the country.”

There is actually no such thing as a “clean” comedy act as far as God is concerned. What are the SDA communicators thinking when they include such nonsense at their convention?

Super Bowl ad
http://www.goallpower.com/superbowl
This website, by an SDA pastor, includes a “Sabbath Reminder Super Bowl ad petition,” with the following information:

 “YES, I pledge to donate $20 toward this Super Bowl commercial after we have 144,000 signers.”

“So whether you are an American football fan or not, this is a way to begin the Sabbath conversation among a massive audience of over a 100 MILLION people who desperately need to hear the truth.”

Sabbath reminder Super Bowl commercial (Text draft #7):

The commercial begins in a living room with a big screen television, drinks, snacks, and “three guys & 2 girls sitting on a couch yelling and totally engaged in the game.”

Jesus walks into the house where they are watching the Super Bowl game and stands next to the television. “Man One Ring Leader,” appearing amazed and shocked, says, “Jesus?”

Jesus responds, “Hello everyone, did you all go to church today?” The group of five look at each other sheepishly, and the ringleader states, “Umm, Yes Jesus, we all went this morning!”

Jesus now asks, “Did you forget the fourth commandment says to keep the seventh day holy?"

The ringleader looks at Jesus in disbelief and asks, “Huh?”

Jesus now makes the Ten Commandments appear and points to the fourth commandment and reads, “The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” He then asks, “What day is the seventh day?”

The group looks at each other with “quizzical, humorous looks.” “Uhh, the seventh day is Saturday!”

Jesus responds, “That's right. Check out the website [address] to get all the facts.” (The website appears on the screen.)

The ringleader asks, “Well, if Saturday is the holy day for church and worship, then what is Sunday for?”

Jesus gives a big smile, sits down “between the two guys putting His arms around them and says, ‘Sunday can be for football!’ ” [END]

First of all, to do a pledge using the figure of 144,000 belittles the seriousness of what it means to be among that group. Then to say “So whether you are an American football fan or not” and to have Jesus state that “Sunday can be for football!” gives approval for watching and playing competitive football. Worse than that is using an actor to represent Jesus.

Adventist Media Center, Simi Valley, California
http://www.adventistmedia.org
Adventist Media Productions (AMP) is the SDA electronic media production center, which produces television and radio programs for the following ministries of the Church: Adventist Communication Network, Breath of Life, Faith For Today, Hope Channel, It Is Written, Voice Of Prophecy plus La Voz de la Esperanza (Voice of Prophecy in Spanish), and others.

Regrettably, most of the large SDA media ministries (including some self-supporting ones) have begun to pattern after the world’s ways in programming, music, or advertising in the desire to be “culturally relevant.” Focus is placed on worldly success and being entertaining. While we can appreciate the good that comes from these ministries, faithful SDAs cannot approve of the following media practices:

• Special offers/items for sale, resembling a business rather than a ministry. The ABCs are included in this as well.

The Publishing Ministry, pp. 213-214

If you desire to place the work on a paying basis, do not lower the prices by special offers, which are called by my Instructor inducements, bribes. God does not want you to do this. These methods He does not approve. Devise means to create a fund by which books can be placed in families who do not and cannot obtain them for themselves.

• Film festival awards.
• Producing movies that include Hollywood actors, such as “Love’s Pure Light,” advertised by AMP in 2006 as a “Christmas special.” AdventSource advertised the movie as the SDA Church’s fifth Christmas program. The NAD's Office of Communication created a grid to help viewers with show time information. http://www.plusline.org/article.php?id=5627
• Popular music.
• Talking about sports.
• A Hope TV newsletter discusses how its new health program will resemble two different television shows. It also uses popular terms such as “celebration.” At one point a “non-traditional” church is promoted. One mission video showed a group of SDAs placing stones (resembling their burdens) at the foot of a life-sized cross; then prayer was offered. Though this act may seem innocent, it resembles a pagan custom. Not every detail of the programming can be covered, but this should be enough to cause concern.
• Hope TV/Parker’s Puzzle (for children): The parents’ section included a comment by Derek Morris. One mother commented how glad she was to see a children’s program that is entertaining. The “Parker’s Pals” section is loaded with nonsense and untruths being acted out in an effort to attract children of the world. Hope TV is sending wrong messages to the world. If the current leadership and media ministries are to be effective in preaching the true gospel, they have much to change. God’s sincere people of the world do not need more of the world. They do not need to be entertained or see how “successful” we may be. They need to be spiritually fed with a gospel that is pure and undiluted, to hear “heavenly” music, not the popular tunes of today. Hope TV boasts of life-changing programs, but what kind of life changing? Half-way is not enough.

• Spectrum magazine shared the following about the 2009 three-day 7th Annual SONscreen Film Festival (held annually at the Adventist Media Center).
  
  
  • “. . . best showcase of talent and artistry in Adventism: spirited music, powerful speaking that highlighted social causes, lively discussion, plenty of food, fabulous (sometimes provocative) films, and an awards gala second only to the Oscars...almost.”
  • “Walls are lined with photos of popular evangelist and World Church vice president Mark Finley and other SDA stars.”
  • “Lennox Fleary led worship on Sabbath morning with the praise band from the Hollywood Adventist Church,” which included “praise tunes” and Fleary’s “acoustic fusion: bluesy jazz acoustic guitar stuff.”
  • The “Saturday morning’s keynote address” was given by a “designer and brand management guru” who has provided services for megacorporations, worked for professional athletes, and was the exclusive designer for the Democratic National Convention.
  • SONscreen's sponsors include the NAD of SDAs, Adventist Media Productions, and Adventist Filmmaker (a social networking site for SDA and other Christian filmmakers).
  • Student filmmakers from Central Valley Christian Academy (SDA school in Ceres, California) submitted “God Squad.” That name not only resembles the name of a former television series, but it takes God’s name in vain.
  • The artistic director for the Monkey Butler Comedy Company (non-SDA) and the co-writer of the comedy film “Jesus People” were involved in a panel discussion on stage regarding the “Church's place in Hollywood.” The two discussed not necessarily the importance of Christian comedy, but of comedy made by Christians.
  • During the Q&A, an audience member asked panelists if their “involvement in the Hollywood industry was tantamount to being worldly. The questioner cited Scripture calling for ‘being in the world’ but ‘not of the world.’ Ryan Bell (Hollywood SDA Church pastor) responded that the tension might be described as being an oxygen-breathing creature in the water, but not of the water. Being in the water, he said, requires getting wet. But it does not require drowning.”
  • “The festival ended Saturday night with an awards ceremony to honor the judges' selections for outstanding work in seven categories.”
    http://www.spectrummagazine.org/node/1592


• The SONscreen website included the following information in Facebook comments:
  
  
  • “Seventh-Gay Adventists” to be released in 2011.
  • A “Zen moment” after taping.
  • SONscreen supports the Kingdomwood Film Festival in Atlanta (non-SDA), “the premier Christian Film Festival in the South.” http://www.kingdomwood.com
  • Congratulations were given to the 2010 Audience Choice Award Winning Film.
    http://www.sonscreen.com


• SONscreen also included an announcement for applications with Act One, a non-SDA Hollywood faith-based organization with an executive leadership program to train screenwriters and provide entertainment internships.

Contrary to Ryan Bell’s statement, these examples of our media people copying Hollywood are equivalent to spiritual drowning. Of course, with SDAs watching Hollywood’s movies from the comfort of their own homes, why should the above comments and practices come as a surprise?

The July 2009 Pacific Union Recorder featured an article entitled “Filmmakers Claim Awards at SONscreen VII.” It stated that “films are our parable, and we need our members to learn the state of the art and be able to engage our culture with serious and important stories.” Most of the films submitted came from students at LSU, PUC, SAU, SWAU, and WWU. Other films came from academy students as well as Avondale College. The award winners were listed as anything from “Best in Fest” and “Best Animation” to “Best Comedy.” Adventist World for June 2010 included an announcement about the Worldwide SONscreen Film Festival Showcase that occurs every five years at the SDA General Conference sessions. The annual festival is a gathering for SDAs “who have a passion for using film and video in the creation of timely and relevant productions for social awareness; outreach; and uplifting, creative entertainment.” The showcases “highlight the very best works of the annual festival and bring them to venues around the world.”

The Voice of Prophecy/Faith for Today (VOP/FFT)
These ministries provide a biblical teaching and training program for church leaders, ministers, and members as part of their evangelistic goals. It is entitled “Jesus101 Biblical Institute.” It develops and offers instruction and resources in the areas of biblical studies and spiritual formation/discipleship. The training takes place in local churches, conferences, unions, and academic institutions. Mike Tucker heads the spiritual formation area, and Elizabeth Talbot heads the Biblical Studies area.

Tucker’s academic training includes: Master's Degree in Education, Secondary Guidance and Counseling from Pan American University, Texas; graduate studies at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Texas. Talbot’s academic training includes: Ph.D. (candidate) in Biblical Studies from the University of Glucestershire, UK; Master of Arts in Biblical Studies, Azusa Pacific University, CA; Master of Arts in Organizational Behavior, Phillips Graduate Institute, CA.

Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 355

In pursuing their studies, they separate from the God of wisdom. Some congratulate them on their advance, and encourage them to take degree after degree, even though they are less qualified to do the work of God after Christ's manner of instruction than they were before they entered the school at Battle Creek.

The spiritual disciplines curriculum is adapted from Forster Freeman, Readiness for Ministry through Spiritual Direction. The Alban Institute, 1986. The Alban Institute was founded in 1974 “as a major resource for American congregations facing the challenges of a changing society.” It believes that “if you want to move the world, move a congregation.” It is an ecumenical/interfaith organization that supports congregations through education, consulting, research, online activities, etc. Their website as well as the VOP/FFT Biblical Institute use the typical emerging church terms.

Even though “Jesus101” is “adapted” from The Alban Institute, those doing the adaptation had to expose themselves to falsehood. That not only affects them but also what they write and teach. To use the title “Jesus101” takes His name lightly.

Adventist News Network (ANN)
The following information comes from a November 2005 ANN article entitled “Britain: Soap Opera Highlights Youth, Offers Help.”

• The producer and director of the film states that “One Hope Street is a ‘character-driven drama that looks at the lives of everyday Christian youth as they struggle to find their place in the family, society, the church and the world.’ ”
• Don McFarlane, Global Mission/Stewardship director for the SDA Church in the Trans-European region, and a production supporter stated that “The strength of One Hope Street is the fact that it is in the style of a soap opera, which is so popular with various age groups today.”
• They are hoping to make “subsequent episodes where particular issues are being explored in more detail.”
• One Hope Street aired at the New York Film Festival.
  http://news.adventist.org/2005/11/p/britai-soap-opera-highlights-youth-offers-help.html

It is time for SDAs to re-evaluate what they are beholding and what they are listening to. Has it become an addiction too strong to let go? Why are SDAs spending valuable time and funds to make what non-SDA organizations already provide? Where are the messages of the three angels? The fourth angel will pass by unnoticed by those who ignore these messages.

Last Day Events, pp. 192-193

I saw that none could share the "refreshing" unless they obtain the victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action. We should therefore be drawing nearer and nearer to the Lord and be earnestly seeking that preparation necessary to enable us to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord.

It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost.

There is nothing that Satan fears so much as that the people of God shall clear the way by removing every hindrance, so that the Lord can pour out His Spirit upon a languishing church.... Every temptation, every opposing influence, whether open or secret, may be successfully resisted, "not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6).

The latter rain will come, and the blessing of God will fill every soul that is purified from every defilement. It is our work today to yield our souls to Christ, that we may be fitted for the time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord--fitted for the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Adventist World Radio (AWR)
http://www.awr.org/en/home
Sadly, AWR plays the popular music of countries worldwide.

Life Talk Radio
http://www.lifetalk.net
This music includes modern praise and Christian rock music.

Television and theater
Regarding television, it is not necessarily a sin to own one; however, if we cannot control it, we should not have one.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

2 Corinthians 3:18

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Proverbs 21:17

He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man.

Luke 8:14

And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

Following are some important questions to consider regarding the media we watch:

• What do the Scriptures and the Spirit of Prophecy say about it?
• What effect does it have on us?
• Are we addicted to it?
• Does it make us more spiritually minded?
• Do we watch others commit sin which could lead us to do the same?
• Is it educational or just entertaining?
• Does it glorify God?
• Is it a good use of time? Could that time be better spent helping others?
• Does it make you love the world more than Jesus? Would He watch it?

Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, p. 415

The world is teeming with errors and fables. Novelties in the form of sensational dramas are continually arising to engross the mind, and absurd theories abound which are destructive to moral and spiritual advancement.

Manuscript Releases, Vol. 2, p. 246

Those who compose these societies, who profess to love and reverence sacred things, and yet allow the mind to come down to the superficial, to the unreal, to the simple, cheap, fictitious acting, are doing the devil's work just as surely as they look upon and unite with these scenes.

The Adventist Home, p. 516

Among the most dangerous resorts for pleasure is the theater. Instead of being a school for morality and virtue, as is so often claimed, it is the very hotbed of immorality. Vicious habits and sinful propensities are strengthened and confirmed by these entertainments. Low songs, lewd gestures, expressions, and attitudes deprave the imagination and debase the morals. Every youth who habitually attends such exhibitions will be corrupted in principle. There is no influence in our land more powerful to poison the imagination, to destroy religious impressions, and to blunt the relish for the tranquil pleasures and sober realities of life than theatrical amusements. The love for these scenes increases with every indulgence as the desire for intoxicating drink strengthens with its use. The only safe course is to shun the theater, the circus, and every other questionable place of amusement.

Creeping Compromise, Joe Crews, Homeward Publishing, Yorba Linda, CA, 2008, p. 74

Translated into a modern setting [Matthew 5:29] Christ was saying that if we have a television set in the home which we cannot control, it is better to cast it out of the house onto the junk pile than to be led into sin by its influence.

The only way to be pure-minded is to look at, listen to, and speak only the things that are pure. [Philippians 4:8]

Ibid., pp. 106-107

Christ is coming very soon. These final probationary moments are for preparing to meet Him. ...There is no time to waste on the inanities [lack of value] of TV, dancing, theater, and worldly pleasures.

From Rock ‘N Roll to Rock of Ages, Brian S. Neumann, Southern Africa, 1997, p. 143

God did not intend us to use up our sensitivity on an experience that took place in some Hollywood studio. There is enough in this world, in our very own lives, that merit emotional response of a mature, spiritual nature. The evidence against the pretended and sensational is far too concrete to be controverted and ignored. Those of us who insist on giving the precious gift of emotion to the world of fiction will most surely pay the price of emotional desensitization. Our taste will become corrupted and ultimately we will lose the ability to clearly differentiate between right and wrong....

Today, it is more necessary than ever to think twice before getting involved, to trace each action from cause to effect, and then to weight them up against the truth’s of God’s word. The vital ingredient that ties this all together and makes it a success is the power of prayer. The open channel of communication between Heaven and Earth must be kept clear at all times....
Our Hero needs to be Jesus Christ.

Drama and worship

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/worship

Worship: The reverent love and devotion accorded a deity, an idol, or a sacred object; the ceremonies, prayers, or other religious forms by which this love is expressed. Ardent devotion…. Adore…God or any person or thing considered divine.

When we adopt the world’s ways of worship entertainment, we cheapen spiritual matters. Worship to God includes the first four of the Ten Commandments. Worshipping Satan includes the opposite. A person will either worship God or Satan, because man was created to worship. The battle over worship began with Cain and Abel, and it will be a fierce battle at the very end of this world.

Exodus 20:3-11

Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Matthew 4:10

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Beware of anything that is very popular. The entertainment industry is very popular. Satan has worked in a slow, subtle way through entertainment so that mankind will come to worship him. It does not take long for television and the theater to pull a person away from God. It is that type of amusement that affects our thoughts and our feelings, which make up our character. Unless we have a perfect character, we cannot live in a perfect place with a perfect God.

Astrolatry is worship of the stars and has existed for thousands of years. Today we are seeing the worship of the stars of Hollywood. Mankind has gone from the worship of carved idols to human idols.

Deuteronomy 4:16, 19

Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.

Deuteronomy 29:17

And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them.

The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 4, p. 237

Men may not bow down to idols of wood and stone, but all who love the things of the world and take pleasure in unrighteousness have set up idols in their hearts. The majority of professed Christians are serving other gods besides the Lord. Pride and luxury are cherished, idols are set up in the sanctuary, and her holy places are polluted.

It is a known fact that Hollywood is full of Freemasonry and the occult. Aleister Crowley (1875–1947), was an occult leader, mystic, ceremonial magician, and was known in his time as “the wickedest man in the world.” He stated that one method for invoking a “deity” is the dramatic, which is especially attractive to the artist’s temperament since it appeals to the imagination through behavior and outward appearance.

Anton LeVey (1930–1997) who founded the Church of Satan stated that television is a major method for infiltrating the Satanic religion and called the television a “satanic family altar.” He also believed that it is a replacement for real life and has become a “major religion of the masses.”

In other words, to become possessed by demons, join the entertainment industry. Many actors and script writers pray to the “spirits” for help in acting or writing.

Satan laughs because he has succeeded in bringing drama into the SDA Church. If you choose to worship your Creator only, you cannot worship Hollywood or anything that resembles it, including popular music that also promotes mysticism and occultism.