How far is too far?

One thing that has caused quit a stir in the media once again this week is the channel Ten show, ‘Big Brother’. The controversy involving human rights, freedom of speech and morality has even caught the attention and comment of our Prime Minister.

So what is it about this show that makes people want to watch it? Is it purely because they continually push the moral boundaries? Is it the naughtiness and daring nature of the show that attracts so many young viewers? Whatever the reason it is a huge source of influence to young people as young as 8 years old. Youth idolize certain contestants on the show and, like most celebrities young people idolize, they want to be like them.

Shows like this defend their right to broadcast what they like as long as it fits within the very broad boundaries of classification. So how far is too far and who are the voices who can speak against it and be heard? These days people pull the freedom of speech line as far as possible to be as vulgar and offensive as they like. It all comes down to the individual as to how you interpret my choice verbs. But beware, if you don’t meet the standard of what has been accepted as the ‘norm’ in society, you are labelled as conservative and out of touch.
So are we to relinquish all our morals so our young people can just pick and choose what they like according to the influences of the media, because aren’t the media now setting the standard as to what is normal?

I can’t help but reflect upon the Exodus story, when Moses left the community for a long period of time. The people get restless, created their own gods and fell into moral chaos and disrepair. Moses was so greatly angered by what he discovered that he smashed the first copy of the ten commandments. He later chiselled out a new copy. As for those who would not turn back to God, they met their death that day.

Now, did Moses go too far? How far is too far?

The Ten Commandments were never meant to be a set of rules, or set a moral high ground for the people of God to look down on others. They were commands from God to create the perfect balance for community life. The Jews who inherited this law used it in such a way as to look down on people and exclude them creating a rigid structure for community living. Jesus said he had come not to abolish the law but to fulfil it. Even Jesus in his interactions with people in the community stood up for what Moses began. He said, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, al your mind and all your strength, and love your neighbour as you love yourself.’

So that’s how far we are to go, this is the perfect balance. It is how we show respect and reverence towards God and our fellow human beings. It would solve a lot of our social issues. But as Aaron points out to Moses, ‘You know how prone these people are to evil.’ (Ex 32:22) Aaron was weak in leading the people in Moses absence. So who will stand strong? Who will be the leaders in our community worth looking up to so our young people have a Godly voice shaping their vision for the future? Could it be you? Silence gives permission for our society to fall further and further away from the balance God intended here on earth.

Shalom
Mark