Causing Little Ones to Sin

A new movie features pornographic perversity, wall- to-wall obscenities, and blasphemous references to God--and the film is aimed directly at young people. I'm talking about the cartoon movie "South Park," based on the TV series, and it's perhaps the most extreme example of the way Hollywood deliberately corrupts our children. To give you an idea of just how foul this movie is, it was originally given an NC-17 rating--what used to be an X-rating. Only after intense negotiations with the Motion Picture Association of America was the rating reduced to an "R." But if you've heard anything about this film, you understand why the rating should have stayed NC-17. One scene shows a little boy searching for porn sites on the Internet. When he finally finds one, he discovers that it features his own mother. Another third-grader refers to God using profanities. And believe it or not, the film even features graphic homosexual activity involving Satan. This is "undoubtedly one of the filthiest mainstream films ever released," says New York film critic Rod Dreher. Keep in mind that we're talking about a cartoon, and that the TV series on which it's based has a huge following among adolescents and even pre- teens. Almost certainly, says Dreher, many of these underage children will get in to see the film--and will then emulate the depraved characters in it. In fact, that seems to be the filmmakers' intention. The movie plot features a gang of eight-year-old kids who sneak into an NC-17 rated film and afterward spout curse words incessantly. The children's parents are portrayed as hysterical prudes, hopelessly out of touch with reality. And in the end, it's the parents--not the children--who see the error of their ways. The film mocks the very idea of childhood innocence and the idea that parents should try to protect that innocence. As cultural critic Neil Postman explains, commercial institutions today view young people as markets to be exploited, not children to be protected. In his book, Saving Childhood, film critic Michael Medved says "this careless cultural assault on the innocence of small children can be directly connected to the development of more dangerous behavior in maturing adolescents:" suicide, drug use, and promiscuity. And entertainment that includes "crude language, vulgar scenes, and steamy sexuality" tends to make children "more aggressive and insensitive," Medved writes. In the wake of Littleton, Hollywood promised to clean up its act. And yet, just a few weeks later, they're offering up unspeakable filth like South Park to our kids. That's why it's up to parents to be more vigilant than ever. If you call BreakPoint, we'll send you an article written by Christian film critic Ted Baehr, about the moral agenda of Hollywood elites. We'll also send you the phone numbers of Paramount and Time-Warner, which are distributing this foul assault on childhood innocence. These entertainment executives should hear from parents. And while you're at it, make sure other parents know about the content of this movie. Many parents may assume it's just another cartoon. Finally, pray that God will have mercy on those who seek to profit from the corruption of the innocent: They will surely need it.

07/12/99