Wait, Aren’t you a Theology Student?
My taste in media is not exactly what you would expect from a theology student. I enjoy music rap, R&B, hip-hop, and although I enjoy movies that have a slight art-house mood, I’m always down for a good superhero or sci-fi movie. So that begs the question: why do I, a Theology student, enjoy these things?
Sci-fi movies do not usually incorporate the theory of evolution into their stories. Rap has a reputation for being misogynistic and violent, but the media I enjoy often has a negative reputation. For example, when I bring up Kanye West you may have a preconceived notion of what his music is like. While much of his music is misogynistic, he also has some amazing songs with good messages. While I was writing this article, I was listening to Kanye’s song “Ultralight Beam,” which is a gospel song. His next album is going to be gospel.
I am not condoning media that promotes negative ideas. I focus on what a song or a movie has to say. If a song, TV show or movie is anti-religious, I will stop consuming it.
Being raised in an Adventist home, I was somewhat sheltered. Eventually, I realized what I exposed myself to was my own choice. I decided to not expose myself to poor messages. I made my own decision about my media and my entertainment.
What is your criteria for what you watch and listen to? Why do you like what you like? Is there some media that you feel you shouldn’t expose yourself to? If you are more liberal with your criteria, that’s okay. If you put stricter limits on yourself, that’s okay too. Either way, I encourage you to think about why you consume the media you do.
TJ Pittinger is a freshman studying theology.