"Without the media's support, humanism could not possibly have made such an overwhelming inroad into an entire society in such a short period of time

In his book entitled "Images: Exposing Subliminal Attack in the Last Days," John W. Tranter writes, "Historian James Hitchcock states that the mass media is more responsible than anything else for the rise of secularism in our country.  Without the media's support, humanism could not possibly have made such an overwhelming inroad into an entire society in such a short period of time...When we take a closer look at how our attitudes are altered, we see that the constant saturation of media desensitizes us in certain areas (sex, violence, etc).  Different associations are given that eventually take the place of our previous attitudes.  Things that once startled or offended us may now bring us humor.  This type of conditioning has produced dangerous possibilities for our nation's future.  One author questions, 'What are the symbols that will call forth the citizen's allegiance, devotion, and reverential love?'  We should become even more alarmed when we realize that our children learn more about these types of values from TV than they do from school...

Another powerful tool of the mass media is its ability to define what is real and what isn't.  This has become very important in today's world because there has been a significant breakdown in traditional institutions, such as the family, church, and school.  Mass media is increasingly looked to for definitions of reality.  Far too many people live according to a media image of happiness, and they try to imitate media stars.

We are told what to eat, what to wear, what is news, what is acceptable, what is good, what is bad - and many other values traditionally instilled by the family...More and more, media is usurping the parental role in the education and socialization of children.  And when it comes to training your kids, the media's motives are widely different than your own." (Images: Exposing Subliminal Attack in the Last Days, pp. 43-44).

Remember the decent television programming of the past?  I grew up watching television series such as Petticoat Junction, Lassie, Bonanza, The Rifleman and Bozo's Big Top.  These programs all celebrated traditional values and family.  But those days are gone.  Instead television celebrates promiscuity (both heterosexual and homosexual), graphic violence, obscenity and virtually every form of degradation imaginable.  Preparation for the Reign of Antichrist.  People's minds must be desensitized and manipulated into accepting evils which in the past would have been unthinkable.

Where is all of this going?  Vance Packard, in his important work The Hidden Persuaders, writes, "The goal is mind molding itself.  No longer is the aim just to play on our subconscious to persuade us to buy a refrigerator or a new motorboat that we may not need.  The aim now is nothing less than to influence the state of our mind and to channel our behavior as citizens." (p 166).

How we lie to ourselves today.  We argue that we have "come of age."  We are "smarter and more sophisticated."  But are we?  Or is it that we are just angrier, more cynical and self-important, and desensitized to sin?  Have we become better people or simply immoral people who can no longer recognize truth, goodness and beauty?

I'll stick with the programming of the past.  That which celebrates the very values which so many today scoff at.  For me, Father did know best.  And we were happier.