Improving American Culture
Monday, August 17, 2015
Improving American Culture: What a joy it is to hold a culture inhigh esteem. ...
Improving American Culture: What a joy it is to hold a culture inhigh esteem. ...: What a joy it is to hold a culture in high esteem. American popular culture though has its deficiencies. Listen to what Carl Bernstein (b...
What a joy it is to hold a culture in
high esteem. American popular culture though has its deficiencies.
Listen to what Carl Bernstein (b. 1944), an American investigative
journalist and author reported with Bob Woodward at the Washington
Post on the Watergate scandal observed, “The lowest form of
popular culture – lack of information, misinformation,
disinformation and a contempt for the truth or the reality of most
people's lives – has overrun real journalism.” People find many
of these deficiencies in the sensationalism of the tabloids, pop
music, and bizarre displays in other forms of artistic culture.
All however is not lost. It'll take
the acceptance of the Christian faith for these cultural peddlers to
truly live according to what's right, and just, by pursuing events
that will uplift our souls. Strange as it may seem, many in the
media's audience buy into this fare which is presented them. Even
Christians may fall victims to these ubiquitous displays. They may
say, “Everyone is reading or watching salacious material in
tabloids, films, on TV, or, the Internet, so why can't I? It'll
bring me joy to join the their ranks.” Little do they realize that
they are falling victims to sin knowingly perpetuated by the media.
As for media officials, they may well enjoy such ready-made
popularity, for it will boost their ratings and mean more money in
their pockets.
Music in Our Lives
Cultural appreciation goes way back to
the Egyptians, Greeks, Italian Renaissance, and Reformation. In the
Western world, Europeans are loved for their classical tradition.
Classical masters like Beethoven, Handel, and Mozart are held in high
esteem for their outstanding works. Presently we enjoy the age of
the automobile, highways, airplanes, airports, nuclear power, and
weaponry systems, to the delight of many makers and shakers. In the
pop music world, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Billy Joel, Beatles,
Supremes, Temptations, Abba of Sweden, and Jamaican Bob Marley have
made their mark on our consciousness. Their music represents
different genres, e.g., rock 'n' roll, country, western, Christian,
jazz, etc.
Billy Joel (b. 1949), an American
pianist, singer-songwriter, and composer, a best selling recording
artist believed, “I think music itself is healing. It's an
explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched
by. No matter what culture we are from, everyone loves music.”
Different music genres appeal to people in unique ways, but some
music lovers appreciate music for what it truly is. Others may
disagree about what some genres have to offer. Rarely is secular
music sung in churches, synagogues, or temples. What is known
though, is that with hymns, and songs praising God, are often held in
high esteem by Christians. Some sinners have been converted to
Christianity by the singing of hymns like “Amazing Grace”, “Bread
of Life, hope of the world”, “Holy God, you raise up prophets”,
“Song of the body of Christ”, and “We Shall Overcome”.
The American Dream
Immigrants land on the shores of
America with hopes of achieving the American dream. Often when
people reflect on this dream, they mostly think in terms of worldly
and material benefits, that will make them sit pretty for the rest of
their lives. This may take the form of acquiring their own home,
finding a job they love, having a caring family, a station wagon, or
sports car, and being able to live in a wonderful neighborhood. It's
true such a dream will look somewhat differently to every new
immigrant in the United States.
In the world of art, architecture,
music, sports, and churches, rarely it may seem that many an
immigrant may see living a life in Jesus Christ a top priority. If
he or she does, this will be a unique blessing for their soul. Walt
Disney (1901 – 1966), an American entrepreneur, cartoonist,
animator, voice actor, and film producer thought that “all our
dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”
Undoubtedly, since a Christian's life is about living, loving, and
serving his or her fellowmen, it'll therefore be wise for them to
embrace Christian values, since they will realize these will be
essential in shaping a truly worthwhile American dream.
Their Conduct in America
To improve American popular culture
people have to develop higher moral standards. H. L. Mencken (1880
-1956), an American journalist, satirist, cultural critic, and
Scholar of American English said that “I believe that it is better
to tell the truth than a lie. I believe it is better to be free than
to be a slave. And I believe it is better to know than to be
ignorant.” Immigrants to these American shores should greatly
consider Mencken's perspectives as a way of life, for they will
empower them. One thing expressed is to know the reasons for doing a
task, rather than be ignorant about it. It's implied here, that all
Americans – immigrant and non-immigrant alike, ought to pursue an
education, for it's liberating. In this case, such knowledge will
have amazing benefits for the American culture - not every sort of
education, but one which is based on Christian values.
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