An Orthodox View on Child Abuse by Fr. Stanley S.

Harakas An apparently new social concern has risen in our days which highlights the abuse of children. Child abuse is generally understood in our day in broad terms including the physical mental and spiritual harassment of children. Specifically child abuse is often understood as inflicting physical harm on children such as striking. punching whipping depri!ing them of physical needs or sub"ecting them to sexual per!ersity. Also included in the understanding of child abuse is the psychological and emotional harm caused by excessi!e criticism denigration constant !erbal maltreatment psychological abandonment or hatred. Child Abuse in History #one of these e!ils howe!er is new or unknown in history. $n the period when Christianity first began to spread throughout society the place of children oftentimes was !ery precarious. Fathers had in %oman &aw the right of life and death o!er their children. Abortion infanticide and the exposure of new born infants was a common practice. 'oung children who were exposed were fre(uently rescued by those who would use them for immoral purposes such as pornography homosexuality and prostitution. Christianity reacted strongly to these attacks against children and de!eloped a widely)based and coherent moral teaching and practice reacting to wide)spread child abuse. *he Heart of the +atter At the heart of Christian teaching and moral !alues concerning child abuse is the whole Orthodox Christian understanding of marriage and family. One of the essential purposes of marriage is procreation. Spouses become parents not only in a physical way but also spiritual since Orthodox Christianity understands procreation as the cooperation of husband and wife with ,od for the continuation of the human race not only in a physical sense but also morally and spiritually. For the Church children are a gift from ,od who complete and fulfill the communion of husband and wife in the image of the community of -i!ine .ersons which is the Holy *rinity. /thically children are re(uired to obey and respect their parents 0/xodus 123415 and parents assume the responsibility for the physical moral and spiritual nurture of their children. *he lo!e of parents for their children is assumed by the teaching of the Church as natural and proper. $t expresses itself in affection for children and concern for their welfare. 6esus asked 7$f a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father will he gi!e him a stone87 assuming the good will and intentions of the parent. *he Church expects as well that parents will guide direct and discipline their children including appropriate punishment when necessary. For not to discipline offspring is to treat them 7as illegitimate children not as sons7 0Hebrews 4139)445. :ut discipline and punishment for the sake of correction must be moti!ated by lo!e and genuine concern for the child so the teaching of the Church also places limits3 7Fathers do not pro!oke your children to anger 7 0/phesians ;3<5 7lest they become discouraged7 0Colossians =3145. *he ma"or task of parents is to direct their children in the paths of the &ord that they may know Him and in Christian faith obedience and Sacramental life grow in the image of ,od toward *heosis. $n addition parents are obligated to educate and train their children to be good and useful members of society to earn their li!ing so as to contribute to the general welfare and assist the poor and to de!elop a consciousness of ser!ice to humanity as well as to prepare them in turn to become husbands wi!es and parents in the future. Abortion and /xposure >ith this background it become e!ident why !ery early in its history the Church sought to protect children from abuses of all kinds. +any of those early concerns are still pertinent today and unfortunately some new concerns ha!e been added. *he war against the child begins with abortion. >hat the Apologist Aristides said in the 1nd Century continues to be true today3 7it is not permitted to destroy the fetus while it is still in the womb. *o pre!ent birth is to be beforehand with murder? and it makes no difference whether one kills a life already born or suppresses it at birth. He is already a man who is about to be one? and e!ery fruit already li!es in its seed.7 0Apology $@ ;5 Orthodox Christians will oppose abortion in principle and practice and will struggle to change the immoral legaliAation of abortion as a legaliAation of murder. *hough exposure of children in a physical sense does not happen too often in our society it still occurs elsewhere throughout the world. $t should also be noted that moral emotional and psychological abandonment is becoming more wide)spread among us. +orally the ancient practice led to the sexual abuse of children. 6ustin +artyr writing about the year 499 noted that Christians 7hold it a crime to expose newborn infantsB because we see that almost all of them are dragged into prostitution not only the girls but also boysB people raise adolescents for the sole purpose of abusing them obscenely7 04st Apology @@V$$ 45. An alarming increase of child pornography child prostitution and child homosexuality is now being reported in the press and the Church must oppose it. /!en more widespread in our society is the emotional abandonment of our children. Children are not 7wanted7 they are a 7burden7 it is not 7fashionable7 to ha!e children. *he neo)paganism of our times repeats the attitudes of the enemies of the child of e!ery age. A pagan work called the 7Satyricon7 ad!ised that one ought not to ha!e children for whoe!er does ha!e any wonCt recei!e party in!itations and wonCt be esteemed. $n imitation our day speaks of 7mere motherhood7 and denigrates parenthood which the Church sees as cooperation with ,od. How can these be reconciled8 Orthodox Christians in precept word and deed will affirm both parenthood and childhood. Abandonment Another concern uni(ue to our time is that children are isolated from the rest of the social fabric with their own music styles !alues heroes etc. Among the chief culprits in this 7abandonment7 is tele!ision. .arents use *V today to 7baby sit7 their children. :ut it has taken o!er the family. *he ,reek Orthodox Archdiocese -epartment of %eligious /ducation

pamphlet on *V refers to 7the way the *V subtly gets control of our li!esB *V casts out the natural experiences of the family the daily gi!e and take the con!ersations and the personal sharingB $t reshapes family life. $t influences the raising and growth of children. $t shapes and molds peopleCs attitudes and world !iew almost without their realiAing it.7 0*ele!ision in the Christian Home p.95. *his psychological abandonment of our children allows all sorts of un)Christian !alues to enter the hearts and minds of our children something no Christian parent may properly do. For it is the responsibility of parents to nurture educate and guide their child in the ways of faith moral !alues and spiritual life. A Christian writing from the earliest period of the Church instructs Christian parents 7-o not neglect your son or daughter? but teach them from childhood the fear of ,od.7 0-idache $V D5. $t is abuse of our children to. permit the secular society to imbue them with materialistic secularist and immoral !alues denying to them the 7waters of life7 0%e!elation 143;5 which come from ,od for we deny to them in fact their true light and life7 06ohn 43<? 44319 123=45. >hat greater abuse can there beE >e must support all efforts of the Church mo!ements in society and ci!il efforts to pro!ide a spiritually and morally wholesome en!ironment for our children and wage a !igorous struggle against all that pollutes and distorts their li!es what e!er form it may take. -rug and :odily Abuse One of the greatest abuses of children is the diabolical spread of drugs. 'oung people are systematically introduced to !arious drugs and made psychologically and physically dependent upon them. *his fearsome addiction attacks their whole being destroying their moral freedom and spiritual growth. $f abuse of alcohol is condemned by the Church 0%omans 4=34= ,alatians 93145 how much more so does the Orthodox Church oppose in!ol!ement with illicit drugs8 As a Church we are unalterably opposed to drug use by our own people with special concern for our children as well as all persons in our society. As a Church we support efforts by our go!ernment in its war against the traffickers in drugs. $t remains to be noted that the Orthodox Church utterly condemns those who physically do bodily harm to children. Children are to be treated with lo!e concern patience and understanding. *he tenderness of 6esus toward children is the source of our opposition to child abuse. 7And He took a child and put him in the midst of them? and taking him in his arms he said to them C>hoe!er recei!es one such child in my name recei!es me? and whoe!er recei!es me recei!es not me but him who sent meC7 0+ark D3=;)=F5. *hus the remarkable conclusion3 to treat a child with lo!e is to show lo!e for ,od. :ut the opposite is fearsome3 to abuse a child is to abuse ,odE %eprinted from Fr. Stanley HarakasC Contemporary +oral $ssues Facing the Orthodox Christian +inneapolis +inn.3 &ight G &ife .ublishing 4DH1 pp 441)44<. I 4DD; by Orthodox Family &ife and the original author0s5. J%&3 http3KKwww.theologic.comKoflweb. *his web site is donated and maintained by *heo&ogic Systems which pro!ides software and information tools for Orthodox Christians and parishes world wide. ))))))))))))))))))))) Setting a #ew ViewE >hen $ married se!en years ago $ was surprised to disco!er that my new husband a !ideo producer was a closet *V freak. :ill doesnCt like prime)time sitcoms or dramas but heCs hooked on science fiction historicalKmilitary documentaries and home impro!ement shows. He buys a *V ,uide and looks for his shows on the cable channels and records them for later consumption. *he !ideo tapes are stacked knee)highE 0$tCs got to be genetic3 his father is the same way with +agnum .$ and Autoweek.5 $n the first fi!e years of our marriage $ also learned to 7watch7 things for recreation 0good ad!enture mo!ies AG/Cs :iography reruns of any Star *rek or Lorro5 and often left the *V on for companionship when :ill was working late or when $ was working on the computer in the li!ing room. .ersonally $Cm not a crusader against *VB $ belie!e it has its place. 'es the !iolence is disheartening? there is more sex in *V car ads today than there used to be in .layboy? and extended *V use kills brain cells and robs us of !aluable $M points. $ keep telling myself that discrimination is the answer. Since our daughter Natie was born two years ago though :ill and $ ha!e tried to plan the *V we actually watch and turn the *V off when not in use. *his is our weekly habit3 Sunday3 +artha Stewart &i!ing +onday3 Star *rek3 Voyager Friday3 @)Files 0adults onlyE5 Saturday3 *his Old House and #ew 'ankee >orkshop >e get our daily dose of news on the car radio while dri!ing to work. Our three and a half hours of planned *V !iewing is usually supplemented with a special mo!ie each week usually *hursday e!ening. >e do plead guilty to occasional 7surfing7 usually to History Channel or Food *V. Natie doesnCt really like *V and ignores it completely most of the time. *here are three exceptions weC!e found3 animal shows on -isco!ery Channel especially those with lions tigers and teddy bears 0oh myE5? gymnastics or cheerleading competition co!erage? and the classic >iAard of OA. She s(ueals with delight when she first sees the animals or hears the li!ely music but within 49 minutes is off pouring pretend tea for her animals or tumbling on the floor trying to stand on her head and begging her -addy to lift her in the air. $f we time it right sheCll watch one of these shows "ust long enough for us to !acuum and dust the house or fold a load of laundry without 7help7. >hat do we do when weCre not watching *V8 >e cook our meals together and eat on the deck whene!er itCs nice. :ill

cuts the lawn and Natie and $ weed and water our flower borders smelling each and e!ery one of the 7rosies7. >e all read. >e walk to the public library and get more things to read. >e walk to the park and !isit with our ,od)families. On rainy days we rent newer !ideos or borrow classics from our library or put on shows with NatieCs animal puppets. :ut $ am concerned about our familyCs *V future3 the peer pressure on Natie will start soon enough. Her friends at the park will be singing :arney songs and doing karate kicks like the .ower %angers. She probably wonCt know these characters and will feel left out. $ pray that she will tell her friends about her book)friends Curious ,eorge :rown %abbit and +adeleine and the animals she sees on -isco!ery. $ hope sheCll show them how to use puppets and plant flowers. $ donCt want Natie to feel awkward with her friends for her lack of *V experience but $ donCt want her to watch *V for its own sake. &ike many parents $ think this is an issue $Cll struggle with for (uite a while to come. Vegging out is so easyE Fall is here and the tele!ision networks ha!e worked all year to produce new dramas situation comedies and ad!entures. :efore you tune in and get hooked for another season take some time to read the articles in this section. *hey explore many of the aspects of balancing *V in your familyCs life. *here are some wonderful shows on *V which can support your hobbies expose you to far)away places and gi!e you great starting points for discussions and family acti!ities. Jncontrolled *V !iewing can contribute to spiritual emptiness intellectual stagnation and serious muscle atrophy 0except that remote)control thumb5. by #ichola *oda Nrause I 4DD; by Orthodox Family &ife and the original author0s5. J%&3 http3KKwww.theologic.comKoflweb. *his web site is donated and maintained by *heo&ogic Systems which pro!ides software and information tools for Orthodox Christians and parishes world wide. )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) Heroes !s. $mpostors &ots of 7heroes7 such as :art Simpson the +ighty +orphinC .ower %angers and +ichael 6ordan !ie for our kidsC attention on tele!ision and from the store shel!es. $n this media)dri!en era children ha!e a hard time telling the difference between celebrities superheroes and real)life heroes. How can parents help kids know the difference8 'ou can start by asking your children some of the following (uestions about their heroes based on those ad!ocated by -a!e 6ackson in Christian .arenting *oday. >hat made your celebrity hero famous positi!e actions or negati!e ones8 Cal %ipkin and Albert :elle are both sports legends and top)notch ball players. Cal is praised for his absolute professionalism and great lo!e for the fans while Albert is infamous for his hot temper and abusi!eness. >hat moral positions ha!e they taken and do they reflect the way Christ directed us to li!e8 -irector Ste!en Spielberg abandoned and di!orced his wife actress Amy $r!ing after ha!ing an extramarital affair and fathering a child with actress Nate Capshaw on the set of $ndiana 6ones and *he *emple of -oom. Actress and entrepreneur 6ane Fonda who is acti!e in many worthwhile charities is !ehemently pro)choice and sympathetic to foreign go!ernments known for their human) rights !iolations 0i.e. #orth Viet#am5. &ook at the whole personE -o your fictitious heroes exhibit traits you wish to de!elop in yourself8 F:$ Agent Fox +ulder on @)Files seeks to expose go!ernment conspiracy regarding unusual occurrences. Hercules a pre)Christian character battles with the pagan goddess Hera and recogniAes her e!il influences but will not fight 7dirty7 e!en to win3 the end does not "ustify the means. >hat personal sacrifices ha!e your real)life heroes made8 Astronaut #eil Armstrong dedicated years to his training and risked his life to ultimately walk on the moon. Olympic medalist +ary &ou %etton often practiced 4< hours a day. >hat obstacles ha!e they o!ercome8 Following a serious auto accident ,loria /stefan pushed herself through a difficult reco!ery to sing again. Christopher %ee!es 0Superman5 who was paralyAed following a riding accident is still acting and has become a spokesman for others who ha!e suffered se!ere spinal in"uries. Help your child distinguish between pretend *V superheroes and whatCs real. Superhuman strength heat !ision and ability to fly are not ,odCs usual gifts to us. +usical talent the ability to draw or paint athletic skill being !ery good at math or science or languagesB these are some of the talents ,od has gi!en to us which he expects us to use in a 7super7 way for his glory. .rotect kids from disillusionment by being honest about your own abilities and failures and helping them to recogniAe their own. So how do we help kids emulate positi!e heroes8 Control *V use. /!aluate your familyCs habits by keeping a log. :efore turning on the tele!ision ask3 7>hat will $ learn by watching8 >hat example is being presented87 .re!iew an episode of a program your children want to watch. ,i!e your child good books about heroes. &ook for biographies of the saints /uropean explorers pioneers who opened the >est great in!entors astronauts and athletes. *each your children about !irtues and !ices. Help your kids learn Christian !irtues such as faith hope and lo!e. Help them to look for these !irtues in their media heroes. Honor heroes yourself. Help kids recogniAe the difference between people who arenCt what they seem and people who fail but repent and go on to do great things. :ased on 7Heroes !s. $mpostors7 ChildrenCs +inistry +agaAine 6anuaryKFebruary 4DD;. by #ichola *oda Nrause

I 4DD; by Orthodox Family &ife and the original author0s5. J%&3 http3KKwww.theologic.comKoflweb. *his web site is donated and maintained by *heo&ogic Systems which pro!ides software and information tools for Orthodox Christians and parishes world wide. )))))))))))))))))))))))))) *ele!ision in the Christian Home $ntroduction Hypnosis is defines as 7a trance)like condition that can be artificially induced characteriAed by an altered consciousness diminished will power and an increased responsi!eness to suggestion.7 $t sounds like a psychoanalyst swinging a watch or other shining ob"ect and asking a patient to concentrate doesnCt it8 :ut isnCt this also an alarmingly accurate description of what tele!ision does to so many of us8 >atch your children the next time theyCre watching tele!ision. According to the :oston ,lobe the a!erage American child watches 19 to =2 hours of tele!ision weekly. :y the age of eighteen a child has !iewed some 49 222 hours of tele!isionE *his compares to 44 222 hours spent in the classroom. *he only thing a child does more than watch tele!ision is sleep. :ut numbers donCt tell the entire story. $mmediate /ffects Social. $tCs no exaggeration to say that tele!ision is an established member of the American household. $t is seen and heard almost e!erywhere making its way into our li!es almost unchecked. %ecently there has been concern about certain aspects of tele!isionCs effects ) the superficiality of commercials the manipulation of children for the sale of toys and cereals and especially the stark portrayal of !iolence. *he main problem howe!er is the o!erwhelming capti!ation of peopleCs minds by the 7tube7. $t is not so much what we watch but the fact that we watch. *he a!erage American watches tele!ision three or four hours daily. >hat does all this watching replace8 *he most important acti!ity replaced by tele!ision is the interaction of family and friends. *ele!ision can slowly control our li!es and cast out the natural family experiences of daily con!ersation and personal sharing. As a di!ersion it depri!es parents and children of meaningful relationships. $t offers an easy way out of family conflict by eliminating opportunities for family members to get to know each other better. Friends and relati!es !isit less often or if they do there may be little communication as e!eryone sits and watches. *he tele!ision set indeed hypnotiAes and silences e!erybody in a room when it is on. Once this kind of thing is allowed to happen the character of a home can actually change. >hen communication falters a social !acuum is created? the home is only a place of residence. $n it each person is still alone isolated centered on self. *he spirit of sharing of mutual acti!ity and lo!e and help ) all the things a family should be ) get lost or weakened. .sychological. Children especially are !ulnerable to the effects of tele!ision. *hey de!elop through their interaction with the people and en!ironment around them. *he research psychologist Jrie :ronfenbrenner has said that 7theB primary danger of the tele!ision screen lies not so much in the beha!ior it produces ) although there is danger there ) as in the beha!ior it pre!ents3 the talks the games the family festi!ities and arguments through which much of a childCs learning takes place and through which his character is formed. *urning on the tele!ision set can turn off the process that transforms children into people.7 >e may assume that when we watch a program about sports for example we are in some sense participating in that acti!ity oursel!es. :ut that is an illusion. >e ha!e not run climbed or perspired. >e ha!e not mo!ed anywhere. >e ha!e stayed in our chair. >e may ha!e learned some things 7about7 mountain climbing hiking or camping but the main thing we did was watch tele!ision. *he tele!ision !iewer is essentially passi!e. For adults this passi!ity may be helpful in small doses but for children hea!y tele!ision watching is a step backward. >hen a child is watching *V he does not need to explore learn be corrected or experience anything unpleasant. He can curl up with his fa!orite blanket or stuffed animal 0or a beer when he gets older5 and return to the comfort and security and undemanding passi!ity of infancy. $n contrast to the child who is watching tele!ision the one who is ha!ing a story read to him 0or is reading himself5 is fairly acti!e. He can ask (uestions and interrupt with comments. His mind is stimulated to relate the story to his own experience. *he tele!ision watcher can turn off his mind and become mentally as well as physically passi!e. His imagination does not need to work. /ducation. From the ages of three to fi!e the a!erage preschooler put in more hours before the tele!ision set than he or she will spend in a college classroom. For many older children habitual tele!ision watching continues as an exercise in passi!ity at a time when they should be acti!ely mastering skills and learning about the world. As a result hea!y tele!ision undermines one of the goals of Christian education which is to raise children into wholesome alert adults who can acti!ely ser!e ,odCs Ningdom on earth. %esearch indicates that programs which seem to be educationally sound such as Sesame Street may in fact teach such things as letter recognition but his doesnCt necessarily mean growth in broader educational skills. A childCs listening !ocabulary may be enlarged but more acti!e learning ad!ances may not be made. Of great interest is the disco!ery that groups of children who are temporarily depri!ed of tele!ision become less withdrawn earn better grades display more imagination and impro!e concentration ) all of which are associated with greater learning. Since 4D;1 national a!erage SA* scores 0indicators of !erbal and numerical readiness for college work5 ha!e steadily dropped a decline that authorities claim is not related to changes in the tests. +any claim that it partly results from studentsC o!er)dependence on tele!ision. $t would seem that young people of e!ery age are ad!ersely affected

by too much *V. &ong)%ange /ffects +oral. *ele!ision may be an effecti!e tran(uiliAer for noisy or arguing children but the temporary 7peace7 it brings can ha!e long)range side effects as children begin to accept what *V presents as right and real. %esearch confirms the common)sense assumption that we tend to imitate what we fre(uently see. *his applies to !iolence as well as generosity. $f watching !iolence leads to !iolence and watching generosity leads to generosity then what are the results of watching the numerous un)Christian ways of thinking and acting that tele!ision presents8 $s there a connection between tele!isionCs portrayal of daily relationships family life and youth and the noticeable changes in society regarding the decline of honor the breakdown of family ties the glorification of youth8 *ele!ision as well as the other mass media subtly but surely molds our attitudes and world !iews. :ehind tele!ision charactersC actions and attitudes there are underlying assumptions about life. *ele!ision communicates a loosely coherent world !iew which makes certain ways of thinking and certain aspects of reality prominent and others absolute. Some are ignored while others are made relati!e. *his is done without Christian perspecti!e. *he media world of fact and fiction considers right and wrong in humanistic terms ne!er in terms of ,odCs Ningdom and His lo!e for the world. $t defines freedom in material and political terms rather that as the liberty from the domination of sin and e!il. $t insists on knowing only the natural world while ignoring the supernatural or spiritual. Spiritual. $n the long run tele!isionCs success in de!eloping un)Christian world !iews may be more crucial than its immediate impact on beha!ior and attitude. Our basic perspecti!es on life may not cause us to do anything but they will determine what kinds of things we will or will not do. *his conflict between world !iews becomes clearest when tele!ision looks directly at Christianity. $n their inter!iews with Christian leaders networks consistently emphasiAe the importance of (uestions about di!orce artificial contraception priestly celibacy and ordination of women. *hese are certainly important issues but tele!ision co!erage implies that they are the only crucial (uestions facing Christianity today. *hey are not. Other issues such as the role of the :ible in the Church spiritual renewal and e!angelism the sacramental life and the persecution of the Church are also !ery important but are generally ignored by the media probably because they deal with things spiritual and supernatural. OSince this article was originally written the situation has gone from bad to worse3 Christians as a group regardless of denomination are portrayed as pedophiles 0%oman Catholic priests who ha!e abused their acolytes5 thie!es and schiesters 06im :aker5 narrow)minded bigots 0neo)#aAi hate groups NNN5 or right)wing political extremists 0.at %obertson 6erry Falwell5. >hen the media labels man woman or child 7Christian7 it is not usually meant as a compliment? the term is not e!en applied ob"ecti!ely. Christian groups which are spotlighted by the media for their in!ol!ement in the community are seldom acknowledged as 7Christian7. $ heard a '+CA e!ent debriefed on our local news referred to as sponsored by the 7'oung +enCs Community Association7. >hen did you last hear about the good works of the Christian ChildrenCs Fund Jnited Catholic Charities or $nternational Orthodox Christian Charities 0$OCC5 in the mass media8 :oth of these latter organiAations work side)by) side with the $nternational %ed Cross and if you look closely at the nightly news clips you will see the Christian crosses on the trucks and around the necks of the relief workers in :osnia. Further network tele!ision is spending a great deal of time on the spiritual and supernatural these days catering to a 7spiritually seeking7 audience. *he context is entirely un)Christian though and most !iewers are unaware of the genuinely e!il picture the media is presenting numbing them into apathy then imitation3 *ales from the Crypt /ncounters e!en my fa!orite @)Files explore the ugly per!erted side of the supernatural realm in explicit detail. *he power of ,o0o5d and the grace and beauty associated with the Spirit are ne!er mentioned. ) #*NP #etworks look at Christianity in terms of tradition !ersus progress. *he Christian needs to e!aluate contemporary Christianity not with respect to its progress according to human standards but with respect to its faithfulness to ,od)gi!en truth and the Christian tradition. >e cannot ask when Christianity will 7catch up7 to the twentieth century but rather we people li!ing in the twentieth century will begin to deal with all issues in a way pleasing to ,od. $f tele!ision "ournalismCs approach to religious news is inaccurate tele!isionCs entertainment portrayal of Christians and Christianity is downright libelous. +ost Christians portrayed on tele!ision fall into one of three types3 the gentle slightly muddled and highly ineffectual preacher 0Father +ulcahey on +QAQSQH was once stunned when one of his prayers actually worked and a sick patient reco!ered.5? the fast)talking :ible)thumping and probably money)grubbing /lmer ,antry)type e!angelist? the spaced)out cult member. *he first is nice but scarcely challenging. *he second is ridiculous. *he third is !icious. *he world of tele!ision is a world in which Christians are either dim)witted dishonest or dangerous. For someone taking cues from tele!ision as many do a Christian would not be someone to emulate. *here are in real life undoubtedly those who profess to be Christian and fall into one of the abo!e categories but our good example should make it not only difficult for these portrayals to continue but easy for a fourth type to be presented ) that of a real Christian showing a strong but humble witness. ,i!en the effect on beha!ior attitude and perspecti!e that tele!ision has let us look at the (uality or clarity this effect brings with it. ,erbner and ,ross from the Jni!ersity of .ennsyl!ania ha!e disco!ered that hea!y tele!ision !iewers ha!e opinions about the world that differ from factual reality. *hey see the world as ha!ing more professionals athletes entertainers and detecti!es than it really has. *hey think society is more affluent than it really is. *hey see the world as

more dangerous than it is and as a result are more fearful than light !iewers or non)!iewers. $f this pattern is true what will be their thinking about how OtheP real ,od cares for people how wrong sin is how important genuine life with Christ is and how to deal with difficulties triumphs and failures8 *he $ssue *he issue doesnCt seem to be whether or not tele!ision can be well)used. $t can be. %ather the issue is one of its control. /!en if the political action against ad!ertisers networks and go!ernment to free tele!ision from its portrayal of !iolence and sex succeeds what would result8 .eople would still be spending three to four hours daily watching tele!ision instead of doing other things. *hey would still be seeing mostly un)Christian !iews of reality. How will the slight and !ague control we exercise o!er tele!ision today stand up to the tele!ision of the future as it becomes e!er more present and e!er more subtle8 Christian leaders need to pay more attention to this issue because it has such a profound effect on children family and society in general. *hey need to make it a pastoral priority to encourage discussion on local le!els and in the home. Christians need to replace tele!ision !iewing with Christian duties Oand acti!ities such as 3ser!ing as a soup kitchen !isiting shut)ins attending church youth group meetings en"oying the CreationBP. $f and when we do watch we need guidance in putting reasonable limits on time. .ractical *ips .roper use of the tele!ision set like proper use of any modern con!enience depends on the entire range of !alues and personal circumstances of the !iewers themsel!es. $t cannot be simply dictated by someone outside the family. $n the Christian home family members can help each other to recogniAe that turning to ,od their commitment to Christ prayer spiritual growth and genuine in!ol!ement in their local church enable them to face and sol!e this or any other issue. 6ust as with bedtime hours table manners and household chores guidelines must be set up and parents must set a good example. Here are some suggestions3 Find healthy alternati!es to tele!ision. %ead from the :ible or other good books. *ell stories. -e!elop handicrafts. .lay educational games. $nsist on (uality homework. -o pro"ects together as a family. Jse the public library not only for books but for magaAines records and programs for the children. $f you do watch insist on good shows from producers and sponsors and let your Congressman know about the good shows. *hey do listen to feedback. $f possible ha!e only one tele!ision in the house. -o not keep it in a prominent place 0certainly not more prominent than the :ible or an icon5. OAn Orthodox monk from a monastery in the +idwest encourages families to place an icon of Christ abo!e the tele!ision. ) .+OP >hen not being used co!er the set or put it away if itCs portable. .ut a sign by the switch that reads3 7Caution ) tele!ision may be harmful to your health.7 O>hen $ was in college $conographer #ick .apas kept his familyCs small tele!ision set in the hall closet. *he family !oted on one show to watch each week as a group and the *V was set up with great ceremony. F'$ the show was almost always Star *rek3 *he #ext ,eneration. #ick and his family fed me on weekends (uite often and in!ited me to watch with them. ) #*NP Carefully select programs that will be interesting and informati!e to the whole family. -o this ahead of time to eliminate random spontaneous selection. -onCt rely on the set as a di!ersion too often as it will become habitual. -onCt let younger children turn on the tele!ision without permission. O*he %yAners an e!angelical family $ knew as $ was growing up had two simple rules3 anyone under thirteen could not watch *V without an adult? anyone o!er thirteen could watch pre) appro!ed shows only according to a set number of hours per week. $f you wanted 7extra7 *V for a special show you had to attend youth group or do some type of !olunteer work to earn the pri!ilege. +y best friend and $ worked !ery hard to earn the right to watch Shogun. ) #*NP After watching a program discuss what was seen with the family. /ncourage Christian discernment by asking whether or not the show would ha!e been pleasing to ,od. Show your children that they ha!e a right and a duty to e!aluate not "ust passi!ely accept what *V offers them. *heir standards are those of 6esus Christ and His Church an this as in e!ery other aspect of their li!es. %eprinted from the OCACs *he %esource Handbook 4DH1 #o. 1. I 4DD; by Orthodox Family &ife and the original author0s5. J%&3 http3KKwww.theologic.comKoflweb. *his web site is donated and maintained by *heo&ogic Systems which pro!ides software and information tools for Orthodox Christians and parishes world wide. )))))))))))))))))))))) >hy #ot 6ust Shut $t Off8 Hundreds of studies ha!e pro!en that *V helps shape what kids think and do. And most people agree that a lot of what is on commercial *V these days isnCt likely to help shape kids into the kind of people we want them to be. $f *V can ha!e a negati!e influence on kids should we turn it off8 >ell thatCs neither practical nor realistic. *o think about the (uestion consider this3 Should we keep our kids inside all day because there are cars on the streets and cars can be dangerous8 'ou canCt keep a child inside fore!er. At some point they need to learn how to safely na!igate the world around them. >e do that by teaching kids to a!oid danger by crossing the street properly first with adult super!ision 0holding hands5 and e!entually ) when theyC!e mastered looking both ways

and crossing at corners with the light ) by themsel!es. $tCs the same with tele!ision. 'ou canCt keep kids away from it fore!er. *hereCs at least one *V set in e!ery American home Oaccording to statisticsP so kids are going to watch. *he best solution is to super!ise tele!ision !iewing when you can teach your children to be 7media literate7 not "ust indiscriminately soaking it all in. Children must learn to be acti!e and critical !iewers. 'ou can teach them how by communicating your feelings about the content of *V shows and asking your children to share their feelings. And that goes for both positi!e and negati!e content. $f you see beha!ior modeled in a *V show that you really like let your child know. %einforce the good messages and discourage the bad. Acti!ely watching tele!ision ) responding to its content ) is one of the many ways you communicate your !alues to your children. %eprinted with permission from *he Ones to ,row On3 O.:SP Channels <9K<DCs %eady to &earn #ewsletter Vol. 1 $ss. 4 pp =. I 4DDF by Orthodox Family &ife and the original author0s5. J%&3 http3KKwww.theologic.comKoflweb. *his web site is donated and maintained by *heo&ogic Systems which pro!ides software and information tools for Orthodox Christians and parishes world wide. )))))))))))))))))))))) Family *ime #inety /ight percent of families eat dinner together once a week or more. :ut only 94R of families go to religious ser!ices together according to a .arents magaAine sur!ey. Other traditional family acti!ities3 %eading books or helping with homework D4R >atching tele!ision D4R *alking to one another as a group H2R .laying games at home F;R ,etting together with neighbors or friends =DR *aking part in !olunteer community ser!ice 44R I 4DD; by Orthodox Family &ife and the original author0s5. J%&3 http3KKwww.theologic.comKoflweb. *his web site is donated and maintained by *heo&ogic Systems which pro!ides software and information tools for Orthodox Christians and parishes world wide. ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) >hat the Orthodox Church Could &earn from +ickey +ouse >alt -isney >orld and -isneyland are money)making machines and create significant profitable interest in -isney mo!ies !ideos clothing and other merchandise. -espite the blatant -isney self)promotion howe!er millions of fans !isit and then return to the >-> and -isneyland resorts time and again smiling and satisfied with their experience. *his o!erwhelming success hinges on the way the -isney 7cast7 treats e!ery guest who passes though the turnstiles. Silly as it may seem the Orthodox Church could learn (uite a bit about attracting con!erting and retaining 7faithful fans7 from the >alt -isney organiAation. 6ust think what would happen if Orthodox Christians used some of these basic -isney) tested methods3 %emember >ho youCre working for... +ickey +ouse is far more than a figure head for -isney employees? he is a role model someone to be emulated. >e saw a -isney medic ob!iously dressed for a special e!ening on the town and eager to be on her way after a full day of work S*O. *O H/&. a guest who had twisted an ankle while walking. She wrapped the ankle called for a fellow employee to bring a golf cart to take the guest and get family to their car got the in"ured guest something to eat offered her card and a list of local medical facilities in case the ankle still hurt in the morning... far abo!e the call of duty and showing a great deal of kindness and compassion. *he guest thanked the medic and praised her? the medic "ust smiled and said itCs 7"ust what +ickey would ha!e done7. *he medicCs beha!ior was guided by 7the +ickey expectation7 taught to all -isney cast members3 do what you think +ickey would do in that situation. :e truthful kind and thoughtful. .ut yourself in the guestCs place and treat him as you would like to be treated. 6esus Christ should be far more than a figurehead for the Orthodox Christian as well? He is %/A& 0and much more inspiring than a man in a fake)fur mouse costume5 and present in our li!es e!ery day. He taught us to emulate Him in word and deed to be compassionate and kind and to lo!e our neighbors as we lo!e oursel!es. +aintain constant communication with your fellow workers. Almost e!ery -isney employee we saw from street sweepers to hot)dog !endors wore ear pieces or carried walkie)talkies. *hey listened carefully to recei!e their instructions for the mammoth *oy Story .arade and called to re(uest assistance from specialiAed support staff as soon as it was needed. *wo polite -isney staffers arranged for my husband and $ to take turns on the Star >ars !irtual roller coaster so one of us could stay with our apprehensi!e two)year old who didnCt like

-arth Vader. Orthodox Christians are fortunate to ha!e two different communication networks a!ailable to them. .rayer and the teaching of the Scriptures allow us to speak with ,od directly and hear His instruction. /!erything technology has to offer from bulk)mailed newsletters to teleconferencing and the internet allow us to speak with our fellow Orthodox and the non)Orthodox Christian community both across town or across the ocean. *he coordinated communication needed to first inspire and then execute efforts like starting a pan)Orthodox parochial school in your community or pro!iding medical supplies to under)stocked hospitals in :osnia or Serbia rely completely on both of those networks being used to their fullest. ,reet e!ery guest with a smile and a handshakeE +ake them feel welcome in the Ningdom. -uring peak arri!al times -isney staff members are out in full force at the parkCs main gates where they greet e!ery guest personally offer ad!ice on the best attraction to see first point out the nearest restrooms lockers etc. *hey smile so much their cheeks must hurt by lunch time but their friendliness seems !ery genuine. *hey are happy to see families pouring through the gates enthusiastic to en"oy what the park has to offer. Orthodox parishes unfortunately are notorious for not greeting !isitors. :efore my husband and $ married we !isited se!eral parishes in our area to decide which we would begin attending. >e chose the parish that made us feel the most welcome on that first !isit. A smiling man opened the doors for us said hello and told us that the left side of the church was usually less crowded. $n the pew before &iturgy started a college student leaned o!er and welcomed us and introduced herself pointed out her father and told us the name of the priest. How nice to be noticedE How good to see a friendly faceE .ro!ide maps and attraction guides at the door and gi!e something to the children. At -isney maps are a!ailable at the turnstiles and at stands within 122 feet of the entrance... the greeters 0mentioned abo!e5 often hand them out too. *he guides are updated each week with new shows 7impro!ement7 areas being worked on hours of operation and so on. +y daughter Natie looked forward to getting her sticker of +ickey +ouse each morning as we entered the park and was thrilled when she got more than one. She showed them to e!eryone we passed3 7See my sticker. $tCs +ickey +ouseE7 Visitors to an Orthodox parish may not be familiar with all of the customs obser!ed in that particular church or may ne!er ha!e experienced +atins Vespers or the &iturgy at all if they are "ust beginning an exploration of Orthodoxy. Ha!ing the text of the ser!ices as a guide and music if there is congregational singing is !ery helpful. Some parishes $ ha!e attended e!en passed out their bulletins .%$O% to ser!ices and included the text of the /pistle and ,ospel for the day for those who did not bring a study :ible to follow. Our parish offers 7childrenCs bags7 in the !estibule stuffed full of 7props7 to help younger children participate in the ser!ice as much as they are able by holding a toddler prayer book or looking at an icon collection. *he bags also contain :ible story books paper and crayons a small (uiet toy and other things to amuse little ones when their attention begins to wa!er during the ser!ice. *he children feel special. +ore importantly !isiting parents know that their children are welcome in the ser!ices and not expected to be sent to a nursery. .ut on a great show. +ake an impression. *he -isney resorts and cruise ships use all the showmanship at their disposal to tell their stories3 Costumed characters wander the streets posing for photographs with young and old. 6apanese)style puppeteers make the undersea world come ali!e behind and indoor waterfallKcurtain for 7*he Voyage of *he &ittle +ermaid7. An entire mo!ie theater is mo!ed through dinosaur !alley to illustrate the origins of fossil fuels as /llen -egeneres and :ill #ye 7*he Science ,uy7 explain alternati!e fuel sources on wrap)around ten)story mo!ie screens in /.CO*Cs 7*he >orld of /nergy7. #o expense is spared. *here is ne!er too big a celebrity too much glitter or too many fireworks for a -isney production. *his is one thing we actually do better than -isneyE 0After all the Church has been doing it a lot longer.5 *he natural splendor and pageantry of Orthodox Christian worship ser!ices make the best possible impression to those wanting to glimpse the Ningdom of ,od while still on earth and hear the story of sal!ation. >ith Christ Himself authoring the story and directing the action and Sts. :asil and 6ohn Chrysostom pro!iding the 7scripts7 there is no comparison. *he priests deacons and altar ser!ers are adorned in centuries)old designs of silk brocade colored according to the festal cycle. *he iconostas glitters as hundreds of candles flicker and reflect in the gold leaf. Sunlight streams through the stained glass as the ,reat /ntrance procession makes its way around the church. :yAantine chant or beautifully)sung %ussian)style arrangements fill the air and lift the spirit hea!enward with the billowing incense. /xit directly into a gift shop. +ost of -isneyCs attraction exit lines deposit guests right into the middle of an appropriately)themed gift emporium. Safari hats and rubber snakes are sold from the back of a rusty "eep next to the 7$ndiana 6ones Stunt Spectacular7 and shel!es of model spaceships and rubber Storm trooper helmets are offered at the /ndor Vendor at the end of the Star >ars !irtual roller coaster 7Star *ours7. *his year e!ery gift shop is also offering glossy coffee)table books celebrating the 19th anni!ersary of the +agic Ningdom park along with anni!ersary glasses *)shirts license plates and photo albums. *here is a wealth of popular iconography guests can purchase to remind them of their -isney experience and share with friends unable to make the "ourney with them. Few Orthodox parishes offer their !isitors and own parishioners the same opportunity. Small icons icon greeting cards &iturgy and prayer books crosses censers and incense !oti!e lights and the like are a!ailable at a small case in the lower le!el of our parish. *hose unable to stay for coffee hour unfortunately do not ha!e the opportunity to see these items and

recogniAe that they can help us carry our Faith into the 7e!eryday world7. *hey remind us of the Ningdom and the commitment we ha!e made to li!e our Faith in our kitchens in our cars in our cubicles at work. Se!eral years ago during the celebration of the 122th anni!ersary of the Orthodox Church in America $ scoured the liturgical suppliersC catalogs and parish 7gift shops7 for a *)shirt with the anni!ersary logo to wear while $ worked on the church bulletin. $ ne!er found oneE $ ha!e howe!er ordered an icon of /uphronsynos the Cook to hang in my kitchen. O#ote3 St. VladimirCs .ress &ight and &ife .ublishing Conciliar .ress and many other suppliers issue catalogs and sell by mail to indi!iduals as well as parishes. Ask your priest for a peek at his catalogs if you are interested.P Offer behind)the)scenes tours for interested guests. *he whole -isney)+,+ Studios theme park is built around re!ealing the magic used to make mo!ies and the crowds pour in to learn and en"oy. *hree complete mo!ie sets are broken down and explained in the course of the 7$ndiana 6ones Stunt Spectacular7. After feeling the force of a =.1 %ichter earth(uake and being drenched by an eight million gallon tidal wa!e guests of 7-isaster Canyon7 are shuttled around to the rear of the attraction to see the maAe of pipes and "ets and generators that make the disaster become reality. And itCs not so scary when you know thereCs a switch which shuts it all down immediately. A great deal goes on behind the Holy -oors in an Orthodox ser!ice that many ne!er see3 they hear the muffled prayers of the priest and see the curtains rustle but what goes on is not always explained in &iturgy books. *he priest of the Antiochian parish $ attended as a child held a 7childrenCs &iturgy7 usually on Saturday in which he left the Holy -oors open. He pro!ided simple explanations for e!erything he was doing stepping to the side so we could see the placement of ob"ects on the altar. *he girls were e!en permitted to look behind the iconostas from the acolytesC room before &iturgy started 0the boys were all acolytes so were often in the altar5. :e self)documenting. *he >alt -isney organiAation has its own childrenCs publishing company as well as long)term partnerships with se!eral large commercial publishers and it insists on full editorial control. -isney A to L the biography of >alt -isney the coffee table books of classic -isney animation the childrenCs story books and the !ideos and C-s are all coordinated to tell the -isney story in -isney terms... and with -isney (uality. /!ery "urisdiction in the Orthodox Church has some sort of publishing effort and the ad!ertising and distribution of these excellent materials from &enten cookbooks to hea!y)duty theological treatise is getting better and better within the Orthodox community. :ut you still canCt find the Orthodox Study :ible or a rubrics book in a typical commercial book store 0though $ did find one in a #ew 'ork City shop5. A book of Orthodox saints li!es8 $mpossible. For those interested in learning about the Orthodox faith or in expanding their understanding of it the a!ailability of such study materials in !itally important. .ope 6ohn .aul $$ has had three mass)media bestsellers all exploring %oman Catholic spirituality. $ pray to see an Orthodox catechism with such a wide distribution and check the internet e!ery day for news of its existence. -onCt be afraid to speak up about what you belie!e. >alt -isney was awed by the wonder of 7progress7 and its ability to bring peoples of all creeds and colors together. He personally designed se!eral of the park attractions to share that !ision with his guests from the 7Carousel of .rogress7 in #ew *omorrowland to 7Spaceship /arth7 in /.CO*. He e!en dismantled and mo!ed the 7$tCs a Small >orld7 display from the 4D;< >orldCs Fair to -isneyland then replicated it at >-> because he felt it so perfectly fit with the message he was trying to con!ey 0,ee thanks >altE5 Orthodoxy is the hope of humanity. Christ died for the sal!ation of all who hear the >ord and belie!e regardless of race or ethnic background. >itnessing to the *rue Faith in e!ery aspect of daily life is an honor and responsibility we all share as Orthodox Christians. And the >ord is truly a message that needs to be heardE by #ichola *oda Nrause I 4DDF by Orthodox Family &ife and the original author0s5. J%&3 http3KKwww.theologic.comKoflweb. *his web site is donated and maintained by *heo&ogic Systems which pro!ides software and information tools for Orthodox Christians and parishes world wide. ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) *hereCs a +ouse in the House A Vacation)*ime %eflection on -isney and the *rue Faith As $ was growing up $ li!ed in awe of my best friendCs family !acations. /!ery +arch +elindaCs father 0who ran a large automoti!e parts stamping facility5 would take his family for ten days to >alt -isney >orld. *hey would return with exotic sou!enirs and endless happy stories of their latest encounter with +ickey or ,oofy. :y the time $ finished college and began working $ encountered se!eral more de!oted -isney fans. *he !ice president of research and de!elopment at the professional typesetting and page composition firm where $ started out made a pilgrimage to >-> twice a year. He identified each of our companyCs networked computer stations with a -isney character name and rubber)cemented an appropriate plastic figurine 0purchased at >->5 to the monitor. +y next position was with a science publisher whose lead proofreader was a brilliant =2)year)old -isney addict. She took unpaid lea!e e!ery year so she could spend a week in >-> each with her parents her husband and her best friend. /!ery

piece of clothing she owned had some +ickey +ouse adornment? e!en her wedding dress had mouse)shaped pearl buttons. >hen $ flew to &os Angeles to inter!iew o!er se!eral days for the software de!elopment position $ now hold the president offered me Sunday off at -isneyland to test my work ethic 0!ery tempting but luckily $ didnCt bite5. He is now planning a real -isneyland excursion for the software usersC group and staff to celebrate the 49th anni!ersary of the companyCs flagship product later this year. :oth of my daughterCs ,od)families ha!e been to >-> se!eral times and are planning to go back. ,od)sister +ichelle has a -isney :eauty and the :east collection she adds to regularly. ,odfather /ric and his family spent a week in -isney with a grandmother diagnosed with terminal cancer who wanted to see CinderellaCs castle once more. Our parishCs former council president a successful accountant has a di!erse collection of +ickey +ouse ties watches and fancy pens... not to mention golf apparel. #ow that $ think of it e!eryone $ know lo!es that mouse and has been to a -isney theme park or co!ets some piece of -isney magic from 12 222 &eagues Jnder the Sea to 424 -almatians to Fantasia. *he >alt -isney organiAation is masterful in its con!ersion of young and old rich and poor into smiling card)carrying +ouseketeers. And after our familyCs first trip to >-> weCre hooked tooE Animal Ningdom and the -isney +agic cruise line open in 4DDH and we want to be there. Sound a bit obsessi!e8 -onCt worry the red flags ha!e gone up for me too. >hat hole in my life am $ 0and millions of others5 trying to fill that makes a six)foot tall mouse in shiny red pants and a bow tie so appealing8 $Cm !ery worried about my reaction to the -isney entertainment and propaganda machine and the impact it could make on my daughter. *here is a dangerous and none)too)clear line between the -isney experience and outright idol worship $ thinkE *he .rice of Admission *he -isney !acation our family took "ust after the #ati!ity $ am embarrassed to say cost more than we gi!e to our local parish in a year. >hy is it easier to sa!e a bit for !acation e!ery month or dedicate a pay bonus or other windfall toward getting away and unwinding than it is to gi!e to the Church each week8 >e are taught that the F$%S* portion belongs to ,od since he pro!ided e!erything to us3 our skills the materials we use to build things the foods we eat. *he establishment of ,odCs Ningdom on earth is certainly a more worthy use of our familyCs hard)earned money than an admission ticket to -isneyCs +agic Ningdom. /xposure to the /lements +y husband an $ were !ery proud that our two)year)old Natie could pick out the animals baby 6esus +ary and the *hree Nings from the icons and crSches this past Christmas. She could e!en make a clear distinction between the Christian St. #icholas and the secular Santa Claus. :ut how much of an accomplishment is this when she can identify all of the characters from her >innie)the).ooh books the *oy Story and *he &ion Ning8 Natie can say grace 0:less O &ord the food and drink of *hy ser!ants for *hou art holy now and fore!er. Amen5 and e!en cross herself sort of. :ut she can sing e!ery line of e!ery song on the -isney Classics Collection Volume $$ tape we play in the car. >hat are we exposing her to8 >hat are we emphasiAing8 .erhaps we need to sing the troparia more often and read a bit more from the ,ospels. +aybe we should add 7-isney !ideos7 to the items we abstain from during &ent and Ad!ent. *he +oral of the Story $n the -isney uni!erse good still always triumphs o!er e!il. Scar and his hyenas Cruella -eVil and the wicked step) mothers ne!er win no matter which network or audience the -isney production is targeting. 0Adult >arner :rothers cartoons seem to 7gi!e the de!il his due7 with great regularity.5 *he -isney definition of 7good7 howe!er doesnCt always agree with the one $Cm trying to li!e up to myself and instill in my daughter. -isney 7heroes7 are too often not acting on principle but reacting to punishment or the threat of punishment. .inocchio lies repeatedly and only stops when his nose is too long to see. +ickey +ouse as the SorcererCs Apprentice Arial 0the &ittle +ermaid5 and *he &ion NingCs young Simba are all willfully disobedient and must suffer dire conse(uences before reforming their ways usually in the last scene of the mo!ie. Authority figures though always pro!en right as the story unfolds are often mocked as sticks)in)the)mud or blathering idiots from 6iminy Cricket to Sebastian the musical crab and ma"ordomoKbird LaAu. $ am !ery uneasy with the 7you can do anything as long as you donCt get caught7 message that runs through so much of our popular literature tele!ision and film ) -isney included. *he morals are there in e!ery story though and as a parent reading or watching some part of -isney lore with my child $ must take the initiati!e to explain them. $ am the one who will ultimately educate my daughter in Orthodox beliefs and interpret the worldCs garbled messages for her until she can do it herself with what $ hope are Christ)centered principles to guide her. ,reat *opics of Con!ersation $n desperation $ ha!e started looking for threads of Christianity in unlikely places to open con!ersations on Orthodox beliefs with both my daughter and my husband. Surprisingly there are (uite a few you can find in -isney blockbusters if you look. .ocahontas belie!es that e!ery flower tree and animal 7has a spirit has a name7 ) read3 e!erything has been created by ,odE :ut the $ndian princess is not Christian and has ne!er heard the >ord. Captain 6ohn Smith is likely the first Christian she has encountered and how firmly he holds to Christian beliefs is not explored. $s he %oman Catholic8 Anglican8 *here are many people in the world who are not Christian but ha!e 7stumbled upon7 some of the same guiding principles. .ocahontas is an en!ironmentally)conscious young lady? what about ,odCs earth has inspired her to wish to

protect it without knowing Christ8 $n *he &ion Ning the 7ghost7 of the murdered Ning +ufasa speaks to his son Simba3 7'ou ha!e forgotten who you are. 'ou are my son. 'ou are more than you ha!e become.7 *his appears to be a scolding to the adolescent lion who ran away from his home when his father died and li!ed a responsibility)free life with two !agabonds. $t seems (uite secular but doesnCt e!ery page of the Scripture speak to us in the same way8 >e were created to share the Ningdom with ,od but we ran away. Our sins ha!e separated us from the Ningdom but ,od keeps in!iting us back3 through ChristCs death and %esurrection through the /ucharist and confession. >e can become what we were intended to be with His help. by #ichola *oda Nrause I 4DDF by Orthodox Family &ife and the original author0s5. J%&3 http3KKwww.theologic.comKoflweb. *his web site is donated and maintained by *heo&ogic Systems which pro!ides software and information tools for Orthodox Christians and parishes world wide. ))))))))))))))))))))))))))