I was asked to do a review on the documentary, Captivated. I hadn’t seen the movie yet, but I had seen the movie IndoctriNation and absolutely loved it. Colin Gunn, who produced IndoctriNation, was the associate producer of Captivated, so, I was excited to learn more about it. I was willing to do a review and host a giveaway only if I agreed with the content of the movie.
Blog Break ?
That same week, while I was waiting to receive the DVD, my husband asked me if I would be willing to stop blogging – at least temporarily. My first response was, “No!” When I start something, I give it one hundred percent, I don’t quit before I finish. But, as I thought about it, I wondered – when would I be “finished”? Surely not right now. I have an A – Z Bible Verse series that only goes up to “Y”. I have promised a part two on “Spanking,” “How to observe the Lord’s Day,” and “Why Children should go to Church.” And, I never did the series on adoption that I said I would share. Not to mention all the other blog posts rolling around in my head.
Yet, I couldn’t ignore my husband’s suggestion. He thought it would be a good idea for our family to take a break and regroup. We have gone through major trials in the last few years, including the death of my dad, my best-friend, two friends, one relative, a grandpa, and my mother-in-law, who was like a mother to me. We had our money stolen in a Ponzi Scheme by a man who claimed to be Christian, and have moved five times including moving from Minnesota to Florida. We have gone through a church split, unemployment, and being disowned by a parent because of our Christian beliefs. These are just the highlights.
Suffice it to say, we are weary. This is in no way a complaint. Through all our trials, God has not forsaken us, but has been our only hope. He has drawn us closer to Him and to each other, and has showered us with mercy and grace. Our love for Him has increased as has our desire to live a life fully pleasing Him.
So, back to where I started. Captivated.
Throughout the week I was praying for wisdom. God answered my prayer, and I told my husband that I would take a short break from blogging. That day we received the DVD and immediately watched it. As we watched, my husband looked at me and chuckled. Some of the people who were sharing their stories talked about how they did a “media fast,” and encouraged others to do the same.
My husband and I have never been “extreme” media people. We don’t use the computer much, watch a minimal amount of TV, have tracfones which we seldom use, and neither we nor our children play electronic video games. When someone recently asked my husband to send a text and he said that he didn’t know how, the person replied, “Which cave did you just crawl out of?”
Although we don’t use media very much, the thought of doing a “media fast” scares me. As much as I would like to think that I am immune from the addiction of media, I am not. So, to take a break from it will be a bit of a challenge for me. Yet, I know that the benefits will be worth it!
CAPTIVATE – What does it mean?!
One thing I have discovered, while studying history, is that the definitions of words can change over time. This appears to be so with the word Captive or Captivated. From what I could discover using the internet, (I really need to get an old dictionary), was that the older version of the word has a slightly different meaning than the newer version. The older definition sounds like a bad thing – something you don’t want to happen to you. However, the newer definition sounds rather pleasant. Below, the older version is listed second and described as the Archaic version.
Captivate
- To attract and hold by charm, beauty, or excellence.
- Archaic – To capture. To take prisoner. To subjugate. Ensnare.
Are the different definitions really a big deal? I think so. If you were told someone was about to captivate you, and you applied the first definition, you might be a bit excited. However, if you were to apply the second definition, you may become somewhat fearful. Which definition would you apply, or like to apply, if you were told that media is captivating your children?
“The media does more than affect public opinion –
it alters the consciences and worldview of entire generations.”
~John W. Whitehead
The Bible tells us what we are to fill our mind and heart with, “Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Phil. 4:8). There is not much that fits into these categories regarding today’s music, television, movies, video games, or even in many conversations, or text messaging. Yet, that is what most Americans fill their mind with all day, everyday. We live in a face-paced, over-stimulated world, bombarding our minds and hearts with the thoughts and ideas of other people.
God says to muse – the world says to amuse. When we are filling every moment of our lives with the clutter of the world, we don’t have any room left for the things of God. This should concern us. Scripture says to “bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). How can we do this if we are filling it with things that don’t pertain to God or godliness?
“Have we entered a techno utopia or a virtual prison?” ~ Media Talk 101
I and my whole family thoroughly enjoyed this documentary. Some of the information we were familiar with, while some of it was new and eye-opening. The movie walked you through the history of “social media” and shared how it has influenced society. It has definitely had an impact on all of us. Families are disconnected. Friends sit in a room with each other and text instead of talk. Relationships are surfacey and superficial. Without a doubt, there are benefits to social media; however, the negative effects cannot be denied or overlooked.
In the documentary, there was a middle-aged woman who shared her addiction to the video game “Farmville.” She told how it controlled her time, thoughts, and life. She was not someone I would have thought would become addicted to such a silly game. But, none of us are immune to addiction, whatever form it takes. The movie shares the devastating effects that media is having on children, families, communities, the church, and our country. It is an epidemic!
The movie gave helpful ways to “deprogram” from our use of media. Although the film pointed out the dangers media has had, and is having on people and society, it was presented in such a way that you didn’t feel attacked or belittled, but instead, you felt encouraged and hopeful to make changes.
I thought this documentary was wonderfully done. The video quality was excellent, and the overall production was professional. I appreciated all the interviews which were done with both experts and “regular” people. Every family in America would profit from watching this documentary. Even if baby steps were taken to stop the media mania, we would all benefit. I highly recommend this film – it was eye-opening!
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Except for taking time to promote this giveaway, for the next two weeks, (maybe more) I will turn off, un-plug, and step away from the blog, Facebook, and Twitter (which I only use for the blog).
Linking up with:
I grew up in the seventies with a mom who was addicted to soap operas. She centered her days around them. My siblings and I knew full well that we were not to disturb her during her “programs.” When she first started watching soap operas, they were only half hour shows. However, as the popularity of television grew, so did the demand for longer shows. In 1976, several of the shows morphed from a half hour into a full hour-long show. According to a 1976 Time Magazine’s article, daytime shows were “TV’s richest market.” TV executives capitalized on this, and made daytime soap operas into hour-long shows. This was a great way for the networks to generate more advertising income – longer shows, more advertisers. More advertisers, more money!
Our verse is found in sixth chapter of Matthew, right in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount, where Christ is teaching about the Kingdom of God.
