popular occulture #6 basic principles for discerning occult themes in popular entertainment...

Popular Occulture #6

BASIC PRINCIPLES FOR DISCERNING OCCULT THEMES IN POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT

PaganizationCountering

within our culture

Popular Occulture #54 PRINCIPLES FOR DISCERNING OCCULT THEMES

“AMUSEMENT” (A + MUSE + MENT), n., “a” meaning “without”, “muse”

means “to think”

DEFINITION

“… without thought or careful conscious deliberation; to be

diverted or engrossed in the unimportant


“Americans no longer talk to each other, they

entertain each other. They do not exchange ideas, they exchange

images. They do not argue with propositions; they argue with good looks,

celebrities and commercials.”

― Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business, 1985


“Television is our culture's principal mode of knowing

about itself.”

― Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business, 1985

Films and TV are the new literature. They are powerful, culture-shaping catalysts and the leave an indelible imprint upon future generations. We

now have had four generations that have grown up dazzled and dazed by the small and silver screen – all of them effectively “narcotized” by the flickering flurry of images and ideas uncontrollably streaming

at them for hours from the family room TV.


“For as he thinketh in his heart,

so is he…”~ Proverbs 23:7 KJV ~


“For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you

wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.”

~ Romans 16:19 ~


“And they shall teach my people the difference between the

holy and profane [unholy], and cause them to discern between

the unclean and the clean.”

~ Ezekiel 44:23 KJV ~


Countering

Paganizationwithin our culture

CRITIQUE CHARACTERS

~ Look at the hero (protagonist)

~ Look at the villain & supporting characters (antagonist)

• Contact the “spirit world” to obtain supernatural abilities and powers

• Acquire an advantage by tapping into a “universal force”

• Appease “force” or “deity” by some sacrifice (loss) to restore order, balance, or peace.

• Exhibit special connection with natural elements (wind, fire, water, earth, etc.)

• Does “good triumphing over evil” justify viewing the practices of the occult?

• The skewing of absolute good & absolute evil

• What about “good or white magick” vs. “evil or black magic”?


Countering


SPOT SYMBOLS

~ Identify Important Symbols

~ Look at the Costuming

• Symbols are very important in the occult, because of the power they represent.

• Do the characters wear dark, occult-looking, gothic costuming?

• Notice “clues to contents” on movie trailers, book covers, and packaging.

(pyramids, moons, pentagrams, inifinity, runic lettering, backwards writing, anhk, zodiac signs, hieroglyphics, lightning bolt, peace symbol, scarab, serpent, spider, sphynx, tao, etc…)


Countering


PONDER PLOTS

~ Choices • Watch how the characters make key decisions or plans throughout the story.

~ Goals

~ Escaping Trouble

• Decisions are value judgments and reveal much about personal ethics and morals.

• Pursuing after some magical power? Some charm or valuable & powerful object?

• You are enlisted to join the protagonist(s) on their quest; your sympathy is required.

• Pay special attention to how the character behaves when in trouble.

• Resort to ones own powers, looking within, or guiding spirits and supernatural powers?

• Remember that these goals become fodder for your children’s imagination.


Countering


MAJOR ON MORALS

~ Pagan Worldview • Who we are? (identity)

• How did we get here? (origins)

• What is our true potential? (nature)

• Where are we going ultimately? (destiny)

• How do we get there? (ethics)

~ Immortality • Pay close attention to what is presented about immortality.

• Characters often die then reappear as guiding spirits, wise sages, or aiding in the quest.

• These alternate “afterlife” ideas are contra-biblical and create confusion about the truth.

Popular Occulture #6

BASIC PRINCIPLES FOR DISCERNING OCCULT THEMES IN POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT

PaganizationCountering

within our culture

popular occulture #6 basic principles for discerning occult themes in popular entertainment...

Documents

popular occulture

culture slide

basic principles

unimportant slide

good looks

good triumphing

culture spot symbols

culture critique characters