Culture

1. Culture ~Ayfer

2. Turn on the TV, surf the internet, read a blog, or listen to the radio. Everything that you see or hear is today's media calling out to you. Media has a HUGE affect on today's society. Especially on today's youth. The way you live on a daily basis revolves around the media..

3. So how does the media positively shape our culture? • Trying to figure out what the media is trying to say can sometimes be hard, especially because we all have our own different way of looking at things, but sometimes the message can be clear as a bell. The media can make many positive changes in someone’s life by sending out positive messages. For example the movie ‘Gifted hands’ showed us how Ben living with his single mom (and brother) who hasn’t had any education can change his life around and grow up to be a successful doctor, and save the life of two conjoined twins. Story’s like that can really inspire someone to make a change in their life, because no matter how bad something may be, there is still hope.

4. Continued.. Media has had many positive affects on today's youth some examples would be: • It broadens communication methods and skills, people can now communicate with each other as many times as they want for as long as they want because today's technology allows them to do that, you can now simply pick up the phone and call someone, or text them, you also have the options to skype or face time them. • A lot of people nowadays have ‘blogs’ which allows them to freely speak their mind on various issues, and share their information. • Teenagers using mass media sites have put the spotlight on worldwide issues like bullying, animal cruelty, etc. • Studies show that anti-smoking campaigns online have decreased the amount of youth smokers. • News broadcasts give us updates on what's going on with the rest of the world. • Sites like youtube etc. lets us listen to free music and watch videos.

5. What negative impacts does the media have in our culture? • As we all know media isn't always the best choice for youth because it does also contain a lot of negative messages. Also studies show that less people attend church nowadays because they simple ‘don’t have the time for it’ yet they have the time to spend on social media sites like facebook, twitter etc. In my opinion society is overrun by Hollywood's themes, or by their favorite musician. Media makes you think that you have to dress/act/look a certain way to fit into today's generation, which has many negative outcomes and sometimes in youth it can lead to bullying because a certain individual might not fit the criteria.

6. Continued.. • Shows like ‘Jersey shore’, 'MTV Cribs‘, and 'My Super Sweet 16' give out a message saying ‘you're only cool if you live like them’. Which in my opinion is horrible because all those shows give out negative vibes all over. Unfortunately not everyone lives like a celebrity and can afford those lifestyles, yet teens want to because the media makes it look so easy. Jersey shore shows a bunch of people partying, and drinking, and by watching shows like that teens get sucked into thinking that alcohol and partying is cool. MTV Cribs shows us all the ‘cool’ ‘cribs’ of celebrities, and by watching shows like that we suddenly want the same lifestyle as they do.

7. Continued.. • Most video games today contain a large amount of violence that kids, and teens get sucked into. Games like Call of Duty makes war and death look like a game. In my opinion games like that encourage violence, same with violent shows and movies.

8. Continued.. • Magazines and other adds containing celebrities send out a message saying that you have to look like me to look good. In other words have you ever seen a fat girl in sweat pants and a regular T-shirt on the cover of a magazine?..... Me neither, because in our society its DEFINATLY not okay to look like that…. Or so that’s what the media says. By photo shopping normal people to look perfect, they're lowering the self-esteem of so many people (mostly teens) so they think that if they buy that product they too will look perfect, which unfortunately is not true.

10. If Jesus returned to earth today what would he challenge us to change, and why? • Jesus would probably want us to change a lot of things about how we live today. We have changed in many ways, mostly negative changes though. Sure we are extremely technologically advanced, and have new ways to deal with illnesses. But we have also become more self absorbed, and ‘greedy’ I would have to say. Due to technology and computers, TV's ect. Most people would rather stay indoors and basically do nothing. They don’t even have to go shopping anymore, they can just order online. Which I think is a problem because sure its convenient, but wouldn’t you rather go to the mall with your friends/family, instead of staying locked in your house all day?

11. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. • Being a part of the ten commandments I think that this is very important, and also very true, but unfortunately many people swear in the name of God way too often, which is EXTREAMLY unnecessary, and I think that Jesus would like us to change that.

12. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. • Unfortunately nowadays people will do almost anything to get themselves out of trouble, even if that means falsely accusing someone else. I think Jesus would like us to change that and be truthful about everything.

13. You shall not commit adultery • Unfortunately many people do, and I find that it is so sad that almost 40% of the internet is ‘adult websites’ Jesus would definitely not approve, because that’s not what God wanted, he wanted two people to live together and love each other when the time was right, and not get involved in adult movies.

14. You shall not murder. • Worlds murder rate is always going up, no matter how many law enforcements we have in the field, people will always find a reason to kill each other, and war will always exist. I think Jesus would want to change the violence on earth.

15. As Christians what is our responsibilities to the world? • “Mark 12:31 And the second [is] like, [namely] this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” I think that its easy as this. If you love everyone like you love yourself then the world would be a peaceful place, where war doesn't exist and everyone gets along with one another, I think that as Christians its our duty to be peaceful with one another and live in the name of god, with good morality.

16. What does it mean to be a person of service? • It means to help everyone out who’s in need and not be so selfish, it also means to treat everyone how you would like to be treated.

17. How do your social actions improve the lives of others? • Everything you do leaves an impact on somebody else, and hopefully you’re leaving a good impact with your kind actions and peaceful words. If you do a kind deed for someone then you'll feel good, and maybe they'll be inspired and do something nice for another individual.

18. End 