[1]KENNER, La. (BP)– . . . after the movie “Bambi” came out, deer-hunting purchases in the USA dropped off by twenty-five percent the next year?
… after Clark Gable took off his dress shirt in a movie and was not wearing an undershirt, sales of undershirts the next year dropped off to nearly nothing?
… after a movie in which a teen stood in the middle of a busy street with cars zooming by on both sides, several kids tried to do the same and paid with their lives?
… after the movie “Natural Born Killers” at least thirty people have been murdered by young people influenced by what they saw on the screen?
… after the movie “Titanic”, more than one youth lost his life trying to stand on the outer bow of a ship the way the stars did in the movie?
… after the movie “E.T.”, sales of Reece’s Pieces soared into the stratosphere?
[2]… movie-makers take in big money from companies that want their product shown on the big screen?
… and did you know that these same movie people want us to believe movies do not influence young people negatively, so they should not be subject to censorship or be held to any kind of community standards erected for the protection of our people. Go figure.
… finally, did you know that responsible parents do not buy that argument and do not allow their youths to buy those products. The mother who teaches her children to wash his hands and brush her teeth will safeguard their minds also. The father who would not allow a child-abuser into his home will likewise protect his family from abusive monies, dirty books, and harmful music.
Not because you are a right-wing activist or a reactionary nut, but just because you love your children. Period.
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McKeever is pastor of First Baptist Church, Kenner, La.