TV Yesterday and Today

As I was reading some news articles online this morning in the background the TV was on. An old episode of the Andy Griffith Show was showing, and Christmas was the theme. The episode was a take on Charles Dickens "A Christmas Story" with local shopkeeper Ben playing the part of Scrooge. Now, I've probably seen every episode of the Andy Griffith Show 30 times, including this one. But something stood out this morning that gave me great joy. As the people were gathering to celebrate Christmas Andy and his gal Ellie sang a beautiful rendition of "Away in a Manger" proudly proclaiming and using the name of Jesus. Even crotchety old Ben joined in. In this episode Jesus was the center of the celebration. Their was no thought of the name of Jesus offending someone and His name was shown great respect. What a difference between TV yesterday and today.

On network or cable TV using the name Jesus today in it's proper, respectful context is almost unheard of. When Jesus's name is uttered today, rare as that is, in a formal, scripted show, it most often is used in vain or in the context of mocking our Lord or Christians. Compare this to the treatment of the name of Mohamed and Islam by mainstream TV.

Recently on the show South Park, a show that is the antithesis of the family oriented show from Mayberry, the prophet Mohamed and Islam were mocked as part of the show. Now I don't watch South Park but a media firestorm has erupted over this episode, so it's easy to follow the reaction of those who believe it's wrong to mock the so-called prophet of Islam. A jihadist Islamic website basically endorsed physical harm for the producers of South Park. The media, even someone like Bill O'Reilly, said it was not a wise move by the show. Why? Because many of those who follow Islam believe that any depiction of Mohamed is sacrilege and deserving of judgment and death. This happened a few years ago in Europe when a newspaper cartoon depicting Mohamed resulted in the death of the one who drew it, and the producer of a movie on Islam met the same fate. Jesus is regularly mocked on South Park, as are most other religions, but the network that airs South Park has no problem with that. However they've pulled the episode regarding Mohamed. Why? They do not wish to offend, never mind that South Park may be the most offensive show on TV.

The Andy Griffith Show, believe it or not, is 50 years old now. It's amazing to notice the differences in our culture today as compared to then. On the AGS, church and God were a regular theme. Sunday was honored as a day dedicated to God. The name of Jesus was revered. Compare that to today. It should come as no surprise to us that the name of Jesus is now considered offensive, not because Christians will retaliate, but because His declaration that "none shall come to the Father" except through Him is. It's not politically correct to declare Jesus as God, as our nation has for most of it's history. In fact, Christianity and Jesus are regularly a target of ridicule, mocking and disrespect. God forbid that Mohamed receive the same treatment as Jesus though. Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 53:3 that Jesus "is despised and rejected by men." Never has that been more true than today.

I live in a small town that is very Mayberry-esque. Chesterfield has a quaint, historic downtown and the people are generally Christian and friendly. Yet even here controversy has broken out because a group of local ministers wished to have a week dedicated to Jesus by the county council. Across the nation the "National Day of Prayer" has become a target and Franklin Graham is under attack by the military and Islam because he dares to declare the biblical truth about Islam.

I often wonder what it must have been like to live when the name of Jesus was honored and respected in America, a time when God and country were still held in the right perspective and order. The TV of today is simply a microcosm of our society at large. Jesus is no longer God, but a prop for humor and mocking. He is no longer the Savior of the world, but one of many gods. His name is an open target, while false gods are elevated above Him. Both TV and our world have changed dramatically. Thank God for TV Land and Nick at Night, so we can still get a glimpse of what the United States used to be like, a nation that honored God and cherished Jesus. Keep on singing Andy and Ellie, and you too Ben, our nation needs Mayberry now more than ever.