Seriously?

I am speechless.  That doesn't happen often!  What happened that brought on this amazing phenomenon?  A discussion on Facebook of all things.

A friend asked a question about a performer that is very popular right now.  Lady Gaga.  ugh, Even her name is stupid.  (Robin, I know you like some of her stuff!)  The question was posed if her music-if you can call it that-is appropriate for teenagers.  I'm thinking that that is a no-brainer.  Right?  Apparently not.

The comments were more of the line of thinking that we can not shield our children from society.  And if they have good influences then this kind of thing will not influence them.  WHAT????

I'm pretty sure that that is one of the reasons that our children are turning away from the Faith when they get older.  If parents are letting them listen to this kind of thing long enough, their thinking is going to become twisted to the world's standards.  It won't matter how strong the parents influence is; in the end sin has been given a foothold.  But, why would we as parents' want to let the world influence them in this way if we can prevent it?

Isn't it our job as parents to shield them from things for as long as we can until they are mature enough to handle it?  Aren't we supposed to guard and monitor their lives so that they are protected because we have experienced things they haven't?  Isn't that the point of having someone more experienced in your life; so that you can learn from their mistakes and successes?

Saying that worldly music and movies won't have an effect on our children if they have other Godly influences to counteract them is ludicrous.  If that were true, then why does the Bible say that "Bad company corrupts good morals"?  1 Cor. 15:33  That seems to tell me that if you are in the 'company' of bad things long enough, you will be changed for the worse.   Can a man watch pornography as long as he is going to church and doing a Bible Study?  He has Godly influences, doesn't he? 

Sounds stupid, doesn't it?  That's because it is worldly thinking.  The world says that it doesn't matter what you watch or listen to or read as long as you have other interests that are 'good'.  That is clearly wrong.

The Bible doesn't say to fill you mind with all kinds of things, good or bad, it says to fill them with good things.  "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."  Philippians 4:8  That seems pretty clear to me.

I am a little worked up about this, as my dh will attest!  Our children rely on us to guide them and protect them.  Even if that means from themselves.