As CPYU always recommends, I watched some of MTV’s Video Music Awards to get a feel for the current trends and status of culture. Dana and I had some other things to attend to, so we weren’t able to watch the whole thing last night, but I recorded it so I can catch up on the rest sometime later.

The part I did see, however, was kinda disturbing, but unfortunately expected. It seems like the world is continuing to follow a downward sexual spiral. It was hard to make it through 60 seconds of the VMAs without seeing women dressed immodestly and sensual dances. Everything from Evanescence’s little talk on having sex with yourself versus group sex to Victoria’s Secret commercials that sold a lot more than just an underwear product. Other prevalent themes I saw were drunkenness, partying and pressure on girls to be physically thin.

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, though, since I can’t expect lost people to act like anything other than what they are.

Still, my heart goes out to the teenagers who watch TV programming like this and unconsciously adopt the hidden worldview being communicated as if it is liberating and carefree. Little do they know the damaging affect it will ultimately have on their lives. As a youth pastor, the need to instill Godly values in the lives of teenagers and develop them to be leaders seems to be more important now than ever before.

Posted on September 1, 2006