(NOTE: While usually sending the Soulscape e-Newsletter or posting here on the blog only on Tuesdays, this situation arose which I felt required immediate attention. This edition may be disturbing to some, but is intended to help bring light not only to the primary issue discussed, but to the mindset which has allowed it and many other things to happen. This is a commentary, an editorial if you will, which addresses an important spiritual need in this world and in the Church today. Thank you. — Pastor Chris Keeton, Westwood Church of God, Ashland, KY and publisher of Soulscape)
Earlier this week I was contacted by a friend of mine, an editor and reporter covering business and technology for a company called WebProNews. He asked me to comment on a topic about which he was writing a story. This topic shocked me, and provoked a lengthy response. In a nutshell, the basis behind the story is that Penthouse Media Group, the controlling entity behind Penthouse Magazine, is also the owner of several networking and/or dating sites including BigChurch.com. BigChurch.com is used by many Christian singles trying to find suitable matches with which to share their lives. But that Penthouse Media Group is the ultimate owner and thus the beneficiary of membership fees was shocking, and I felt compelled to offer some commentary on the subject.
(To read the entire article by Jason Lee Miller at WebProNews which contains many more enlightening details and more information, visit Mr. Miller’s posting. Soulscape is not responsible for content on that site or any links included in the article.)
Our Christian culture is trapped today, trapped by an interesting, two-pronged phenomenon. One issue is that the “religious right” (evangelicals, Christian conservatives and other popular classifications) is most certainly making more noise, gaining more media attention, spending more money and exerting more influence in the culture. The second issue is that many other entities are now pandering to this group of people for many reasons, chief among them being election and financial.
Unfortunately, we as Christians are allowing ourselves to be taken advantage of, giving into the pandering by choosing to be blissfully ignorant of the truth, thinking we are thus immune from any consequences that may arise. Christians should not allow themselves to be pandered to; we are too often guilty of voting or buying based on a sound bite, some reference to our faith which makes us say, “That’s for me!”
This is what has happened with BigChurch.com. Penthouse Media Group purchased a company that ran the site, but never disclosed their ownership to the hundreds (if not thousands) of Christians seeking spiritual and emotional companionship, people who would never under any circumstances purchase a Penthouse magazine but are doing the equivalent through monthly membership rates to a site supposedly by and for Christians.
It is time we hold others, and more importantly, ourselves, accountable. We need to do more to examine where our money, our time and attention actually go. We can sit back and blame Penthouse Media and others like them, but we often do nothing to discourage such practices, as we are out for personal gain of some kind. It seems people on both sides of the issue have a similar problem: a tendency to stand on capital instead of standing on principle.
There is certainly nothing new to pandering. It exists on many levels, is called by different names. Ultimately it is saying or offering certain things to a targeted audience. With that definition, even this e-newsletter would fall under that category, as I am bringing you an opinion I hope will stir you to action. But this is where it is different: this is for principle, not personal gain. I have seen and heard so many things that appeared holy, things or people that may have even invoked the name of Jesus, yet below the holy surface existed lies and deceit. Many of these things ultimately caused little or no harm, but that is not always the case.
Where is the line drawn? Sometimes the line is drawn at such an outrageous place that we’d never cross it. So compromise is made, the line moved just a little closer to us, and we accept that. But we cannot have a “moving line.” We must stand for principle no matter what the cost.
Undoubtedly such websites based on a person’s religious affiliation, while simultaneously playing to the emotions of the lonely, have the potential to be quite profitable. Yet the lucrative nature of these sites would be greatly decreased if dedicated Christians, most of whom claim to be against such products as Penthouse produces, discovered where their money was going. Unfortunately in America, it seems the almighty dollar takes precedence. Political ads stress “Christian faith,” organizations and individuals speak of unflagging dedication to “family values,” and many times it’s all done to further the agenda of the speaker and nothing more. This takes on an even greater seriousness when we see the hypocritical and two-faced nature of those claiming uber-righteous religiosity (certain members of Congress and influential ministers included) yet living another way.
The basis of the Christian faith is not just adherence to a list of do’s and don't’s, or even acceptance of certain morals and values. It is both a relationship with and an attitude toward a Person, but that message is lost in many of our churches and Christian organizations. For example, a certain lottery winner, known to have been arrested numerous times for DUI, being robbed at a strip club, and having numerous run-ins with the law, made sure to very publicly give sizable donations to a number of churches in his area, donations which were readily and enthusiastically accepted. But what about the appearance of association? The Lord told us to avoid the very appearance of evil. Do we do that? I’ve heard ministers say, “I’ll take all the money the devil is willing to give me.” But Christianity is about more than money, though one would be hard-pressed to actually prove that these days.
If the CEO of a pornography publisher rolled into my sanctuary with a million-dollar check, I would kindly decline the offer on the basis that, for me, it would be “blood money,” earned at the cost of thousands of people’s lives and souls (spiritually, physically, emotionally, and many other ways). That is a cost I’m not willing to pay. But this is exactly what is happening with sites such as BigChurch.com: thousands of people seeking companionship on a spiritual level, yet unwittingly financing that which is greatly contributing to the downfall of the very society these same people are hoping to influence in a Christian way.
Matthew 7:15 says, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” It seems that companies like this are attempting to earn “false profits” by not only wearing the sheep’s wool themselves, but by pulling it over the eyes of sincere yet unsuspecting Christians. They hope we won’t discover the truth, won’t ask questions, will willingly feed ourselves to the roaring lion who is out seeking whom he may devour.
Still, in all honesty and fairness, the reality and the problem goes far deeper than this issue. Yes, this should inspire us to do more personal research, to demand fuller disclosure from corporations seeking to gain from the hoped-for ignorance of its customers. But some of the blame must fall upon us for choosing to remain in ignorance. We as a culture must, MUST look beyond the simple title of “Christian” and seek the deeper truth.
Everyone struggles, everyone fails, and I am chief among them. Still, as Christians we must try and keep trying to go beyond the minimum requirements of our faith. We must strive to be better and do better; we must do all in our power to move beyond the sound bite or even the inflammatory issue and ask, “What does it truly mean for me to be a Christian? What does the Lord really want me to do?” We might never know the full story or the ultimate effects, but woe to us if we don’t even bother to try and find out.
God bless you, and let’s keep praying!
© 2008, Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press. All rights reserved. All material printed on this site is protected by the copyright law of the United States. It may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Chris Keeton and Soulscape Press, obtainable by leaving a comment (with your request) which will be forwarded to Chris Keeton. Altering or removing any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content is not permitted. Any and all portions of material copied from the Soulscape Blog must be properly attributed to Chris Keeton and Soulscape, and cited with original blog web address.
No comments:
Post a Comment