When I was four my uncle took my brother and I to see the movie ‘Raiders of the Lost  Ark’ without letting my parents know.  Upon return he asked my mom if it would be okay if we went, to which she replied, “You can take Joe but there are scenes that will be too scary for Dan.”  He looked at her and said, “Oh… we just got back.”

I do not remember much about the movie as a four year old.  I do remember piling all of our jackets on the seats as I was too short to even see the screen, and I remember the scene where the ark was opened and faces began to melt off.  Yes, I cried.  In my defense, that is a graphic scene even by today’s standards, yet Raiders received a PG rating.  Why?  Is it because the movie was seen as unrealistic that people would not be as disturbed by it?

MPAA ratings are designed to give viewers an idea of what is in the movie so they can decide if anything may be inappropriate.  Ratings however have changed with cultural trends.  At one time smoking was something everyone did in the movies.  Then it became one of the tools to designate the villain of the story, but it never really impacted the rating.  Now, you can see movies rated PG or PG-13 because of “smoking.”  At the same time, movies that glorify smoking marijuana, like Cheech and Chong’s ‘Up in Smoke’ (1978), were rated R, while ‘Dude, Where’s My Car?’ (2000) received a PG-13 rating.

It seems that ratings are a reflection of what society says is acceptable, but why is it that movies that reflect true life situations receive the stricter ratings?  ‘Saving Private Ryan’ (1998) and ‘We Were Soldiers’ (2002) present an accurate, non-glorified picture of war yet are deemed unsuitable for certain audiences while ‘Die Hard 4‘ (2007) was rated PG-13.  Is real life that scary?

Our movie this month is ‘Trainspotting’ which takes a look at heroin addiction and what it can do to an individual… and it is rated ‘R’.  So…unrealistic movies that make drug use funny and perhaps normalize it, receive a lower rating than a movie that shows the horrors in heroin use?!  Would it be such a bad thing for our youth to see such films? Ok, so gratuitous sex and violence is not something everyone should see, but can certain movies serve to educate about life?  Christians are told to think on things that are pure and commendable (Phil. 4:8) but should this be done by ignoring or avoiding the reality around us?

What do you think?  Post your ideas here, or even better, come to our movie night on August 25^th (remember that it is R-rated) to discuss this even more.

15 years ago it was a 68 automag paintball gun; 10 years ago it was a Calphalon cooking wear set; 5 years ago it was the New International Commentary Series set for the New Testament; now it’s a Trek equinox Triathlon Bike.  I am amazed how my dream list has changed over the years.  I wonder how my dream list will change in 5 years.  Will I
even care about the Triathlon Bike 5 years from now?  I am amazed at how strong my desire for a certain item is in the moment, but if I just give it time I end up wondering what the big fuss was all about for that material item.  It doesn’t take a columnist, an economist, or some pious pastor to inform us that materialism has a strong pull on
us within American culture.  The question remains: if we know we will lose interest in an item over the years, why don’t we invest in something that will have a long lasting effect?

The facts of American materialism are pretty dismal: Americans spend more money on Nike shoes and personal fitness trainers than on all federal elections combined.  In 1968 the average American’s personal debt was equal to 63% of their disposable income, and in 2000 it had risen to 106% . Our giving to humanitarian aid such as digging wells overseas, money for malaria vaccine, educational books for those who can’t afford them doesn’t look good either.  America gives about .32% of its national income (private and government aid) to overseas aid. That is less than half of the world’s wealthiest countries, and that is only counting those countries government aid.

Before I start sounding like Sally Struthers (that actress from All in the Family who tells us to give money to needy children in Africa)  and you change the channel and start feeling guilty and kicking yourself and your fellow suburbanites for being so selfish, know this.  We do admit we have a problem.  In fact 69% of Americans think materialism has become a serious problem in our culture.  This still leaves me with a nagging question: If we know we have a problem and we know things will not last, why are we as a culture driven by having stuff?

Whether you are poverty stricken or living the high life, giving all your money away or keeping it under the mattress, admitting you  have a shopping addiction or don’t, join us in discussing this topic of materialism in the suburbs. To discuss this more, post your comments, or better yet, come to Theology on Tap – a monthly gathering of people that meets to discuss topics pertaining to the “The Meaning of Life” at the Exchange Tavern in Bradburn. Any voice and opinion is welcome while we enjoy some Irish Food and Drink while listening to opinions and views from all types of religious, non-religious, and theological backgrounds.

When: Tuesday, August 17th 7:30 – 9:00PM
Where: The Exchange Tavern 11940 Bradburn Blvd. Just west of the church (we will be in the coffee house section or the back patio depending on the weather)

When stepping into the Westminster Recreation Center there is a 48’ inch plasma television that scrolls a list of over 100 activities going on each week; from yoga, to basketball, to retired swim aerobics. You name your athletic or hobby interest and your age demographic and they’ve got it. The choices in our suburb don’t end there; take the bars in just a 2 mile radius from where I live.  There is a pub for the rougher crowd,  the bar for your typical 30’s and 40’s middle class, then you’ve got the Irish pub where everyone knows your name… and then there are also the other two dozen bars in a two mile radius. Like the rec. center there is a bar that fits you . . . even if you are a 37 year old mom with 4 kids . . . there is sure to be another mom that same age with the same amount of kids (probably with one named Ella) at your preset demographic bar.

With so many social activities and so many social places to hang out how can loneliness be a problem in the suburbs? However it seems to be a trend that is only getting worse.   Sociologist from Duke University observed disturbing data in 1985 that 1 in 8 American’s had no one they could confide in and the average American said they had only 3 intimate friends. In just 20 years since that research the trend has gotten worse, now it is 1 in 4 American’s that have no one they can confide in and the average American now says they have only 2 intimate friends.  The research is not far from the anecdotal stories I hear from people. “I don’t get it . . . I have 500 friends on Facebook, I have 200 contacts on my phone, and I am a part of two book clubs and I still don’t have anyone that really knows me.” Why with more of an ability to find friends and keep in touch with friends in the American suburbs, are people lacking from intimacy and are lonely?

Whatever category or demographic you fall into, join us in discussing this topic of loneliness in the suburbs. To discuss this more, post your comments, or better yet, come to Theology on Tap – a monthly gathering of people that meets to discuss topics pertaining to the “The Meaning of Life” at the Exchange Tavern in Bradburn. Any voice and opinion is welcome while we enjoy some Irish Food, and Drink while listening to opinions and views from all types of religious, non-religious, and Theological backgrounds.

When: Tuesday, July 27th 7:30 – 9:00PM

Where: The Exchange Tavern 11940 Bradburn Blvd. Just west of the church (we will be in the coffee house section or the back patio depending on the weather)

Did you decide to read this blog because you are interested in arts and culture?  Or did you choose to read it because you know me?  Was it, perhaps, the suggestion of a changed life that enticed you?

In one episode of The Simpsons, Homer is driving home from work and he is excited because it is the day that all the new billboard advertising comes out.  As he drives, he dutifully stops at each billboard, writes down what he is ‘supposed’ to buy and drives on.  Finally, he sees a billboard advertising clown school, which he rejects as a waste of time.  Yet this is the billboard that stays on his mind until he announces that he is going to become a clown.

Billboards are an interesting form of advertising.  These signs have only a few seconds to catch our attention and make the product appealing in that short time.  Most of them seem ridiculous.  Everybody knows the drinking that beer from the vortex bottle will not make life better than if it were out of a normal bottle.  So why advertise?  How much of advertising is capitalizing on a supposed need, like the need to be liked and accepted?

 Could it be that advertisers are creating idols in our lives by telling us what we need to be happy, popular, sexy, or even educated?  In Homer’s case, he became convinced that the way to a fulfilled life was through Krusty’s Clown School.  Christian’s claim that the only way to a truly fulfilled life is through Jesus.  If a life in Christ is what we need then does being filled and guided by the Holy Spirit make us immune to advertising?  How should we respond to the ‘wants’ communicated by the billboards?  How do billboards impact your desires and wants?

When England and the Yanks collide for the World Cup some of us might contemplate the rivalry and differences that still divide two tightly wound countries who over 200 years ago battled on American soil instead of the pitch.  Are we that much different?  Is it simply bad teeth, fish and chips, and an ocean that divides us?

One generalization that has been made over hundreds of years is that Americans are the eternal optimists while the British are the realists/cynics but many have observed that difference is waning.  Our perception as Americans that “everything is going to be all right”, “we can keep taking risks now because the future is brighter”, “our kids are going to have a better life” have come into question.  It is hard to think of an institution the majority of Americans do trust: from Wall Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, to Main Street.

While the American suburbs have often ignored or been immunized from the hard realities of American life, over the past 10 years even the suburbs economic optimism has been hit.  Entertainment echoes our underlying thoughts . . . “when is the ball going to drop” from movies like, 2012, Day After Tomorrow, to the invasion of British Films that make us look at the world more realistically: About a Boy, Love Actually, etc.

From bad mortgages, to the work place promising us the world and not delivering, to love not being a fairy tale, has cynicism taken over the suburbs? And if so is that a bad thing?  Maybe you have recently become more cynical, maybe you feel as if you are surrounded by cynics and want to brighten their day, or maybe you want to understand more how the issue of cynicism and theology collide.  Post your thoughts about the invasion of cynicism in the suburbs (stories of what you have observed), even bring your cynicism to a discussion that if you are cynic you think will solve nothing . . . see how you can join the discussion below.
If you are wondering if you are cynic take this quiz and then come join a fellow cynic at our discussion: http://www.i-cynic.com/quiz.asp

To discuss this more, post your comments, or better yet, come to Theology on Tap – a monthly gathering of people that meets to discuss topics pertaining to the “The Meaning of Life” at the Exchange Tavern in Bradburn. Any voice and opinion is welcome while we enjoy some Irish Food, and Drink while listening to opinions and views from all types of religious, non-religious, and Theological backgrounds.
When: Tuesday, June 15th 7:30 – 9:00PM
Where: The Exchange Tavern 11940 Bradburn Blvd. Just west of the church (we will be in the coffee house section or the back patio depending on the weather)

RMPC is a new and growing church in the community of Bradburn Village in the heart of the Denver Boulder Corridor with a vision to see the Rocky Mountain Region transformed spiritually (more and more people becoming worshippers of Jesus Christ), socially (lives, relationships, families, individuals put back together), and culturally (transforming the arts, culture, and impacting the institutions). Whether you are mildly interested, unconvinced, or already committed to the Christian faith, we invite you to discover with us the overwhelming beauty of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

When it comes to culture, how do we as Christians approach it?  Do we create our own?  Do we integrate? Do we engage in the world’s cultures?

Craig Gross, self-proclaimed ‘Porn Pastor’, is one Christian who has sought to engage in culture in a specific way. To help people involved in the sex industry get out as well as help those addicted to porn recover, he has created an online community named XXXChurch.com.  He also rents booth space at adult movie conventions and has public debates with porn stars about the validity of the industry.  He certainly engages culture… but does he cross the line? How far is too far?

Dick Staub, in his book The Culturally Savvy Christian, addresses the issue of evil (read sin) in art.  How do we as Christians approach it?  We cannot expect non-believers to have a Christian view regarding the world, God and lifestyle choices.  This does not mean we avoid commercial movies, but we approach them with caution.  Staub suggests we look at the content of any art and ask whether the sin presented is being glorified, is it being made normative, and is it necessary?

When it comes to movies, is every movie worth seeing?  Should we go see every new release with the excuse of understanding the culture?

I was hesitant to see the movie Knocked Up (2007) because of the movie Superbad (2007), made by the same writers.  Superbad, in my opinion, was super bad.  I did not find any redeeming value in it. It seemed simply to promote underage drinking and the ‘necessity’ that teenagers have sex before going to college.  Knocked Up made $148,734,225, making it popular in today’s culture, but why?  I agree Knocked Up has a good message of accepting responsibility for our actions yet it also contained some explicit scenes that did not enhance its message.  Is this type of film ‘appropriate’ viewing if we consider that despite some graphic scenes, continuous strong language, there was, however, a moral message?

So, the question is, where do we as Christians draw the line on what we support with our time and money?  Do we justify seeing movies like Knocked Up because it is what people are watching?  Do we reject any movie that has gratuitous scenes that do not add to the plot?  Do we only watch Christian movies like Fireproof simply because it was made by, and largely for, Christians?  Where do we draw the line?