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Christians and Amusements

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 7, 1911

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 88, No. 36.

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Christians and Amusements

By F. M. W.

IN settling the question as to what amusements should be indulged in by the Christians, the Western Recorder (Baptist) of August 3, thinks that the difficulty may be largely settled by honestly asking a few vital questions:—
First of all, Is the amusement of a doubtful character? The very fact that a thing is of doubtful propriety should be sufficient reason for the Christian to shun it. Certainly Christian conduct should not be predicated upon a question mark.
The next and very necessary question concerning any amusement is, “Does it help or hinder my Christian life?” For example, does the dance give one a clearer vision of Christ and duty? As a rule, are the dancers in a church looked upon as leaders or as examples of piety? Will those who attend theaters claim that the stage is a friend of grace or a help to right living? Is it customary for those who attend dances and theaters to ask God to bless the theater and the dance-hall? Is it conceivable that if Christ were on earth, he would attend the theater or dance-hall? and if not, why not?
The child of God must consider not only the influence of the theater and kindred amusements upon his own life, but the effect of his influence upon others. No man liveth unto himself. One might feel that he could safely attend some worldly amusement, although this of course would be untrue, but he must consider also the effect which his conduct would have upon the weaker brother. Possibly he himself might escape being drawn into continued snares; but the weaker one, following his example, might be led on to final destruction. No wrong course of conduct can be safely tolerated in the slightest degree. If we are faithful to avoid the appearance of evil, and refuse to take the first steps in a downward course, however slightly they may appear to deviate from the right, we shall be saved from the fateful ending at last.
F. M. W.