Influence of Amusements in the Church

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 4, 1915

Influence of Amusements in the Church

RESPONDING to a request that he write something with reference to the influence of amusements on the spiritual life of the church, the editor of the New York Weekly Witness for Oct. 28, 1914, makes these sensible and timely remarks with reference to the question:—

Any amusement, no matter how innocent it may seem, becomes sinful if it is allowed to interfere with duty, or if it tends to create a distaste for prayer or for Bible reading or for serious thinking. When any amusement fascinates the mind to such an extent that the desire for it becomes stronger than the desire to please God, then that amusement comes between the man and God and causes a sense of alienation, which makes communion with God impossible: that is a sinful condition.

These are the principles involved in the question whether any amusement is lawful or not, and it follows from this statement of principles that the lawfulness or unlawfulness of an amusement must depend in some cases upon the character of the individuals concerned, and upon the circumstances in which they are placed at the time. What might be quite innocent and beneficial in one case might be very harmful or dangerous in another case. Paul, writing under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, teaches us very plainly that circumstances alter cases in regard to practical questions of this nature. . . .

It is the will of God that his children should be joyous, and not go about with long faces. Innocent pleasures are helpful morally as well as physically, if they are kept well under control, and always subordinated to the more important matters of life; but even the most innocent pleasures become foes instead of friends to the spiritual life when they are allowed to dominate the mind and absorb time and thought and energy which should be devoted to other objects.