#rebelliouswriting ~ Part 2

For those of you who noticed, I have changed the blog design again. I really did like the previous design, but because I added pictures to head each article, I needed to change the design to one that would display the whole picture instead of a sad, little square. There are a few new things to the blog including the new design and pictures to head each article. I also added a book review link on the sidebar. In that I will be listing all the books I reviewed by article as well as sneak peeks to new book review articles so check back there often.

Here is the second part to my articles on the Rebellious Writing movement. Please refer to the first post if you have no clue what I am talking about. By the way, all verses are in the English Standard Version unless notified because this version states particular words better than the King James Version does. This post is going to combine three requirements which will close up this series:

3. Write a post/rant about why we need good books
4. Write a post/rant against bad books
5. Write a post about why you are rebelling against normal book standards

I mentioned in my first literature article that entertainment in general has the power to influence our thoughts and beliefs. That is why we must choose what we watch/listen/read carefully.  1 Corinthians 15:33 says, "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company ruins good morals.'" The same is true about books. That is why it is dangerous to say to yourself, "I am firm in my beliefs. This book will not influence how I think whatsoever."

The Rebellious Writing movement highlights these main problems in books: swearing, drug abuse, and inappropriate content. There are obviously more problems, but these are the main ones. First off, the fact that all of these things are actual real problems in the world doesn't mean that they should be a part of the entertainment culture. Some people say that these things will make books more "realistic," but honestly, nobody wants to read all that garbage. Here's why.

It's hard to get away from hearing swearing/cussing nowadays. It seems that everyone is throwing profanity-laced comments to everyone else. And I agree that you can't make people stop saying things that you don't like, even if what they are saying is absolutely immoral. But as writers and readers, we can steer clear of books that do include crude language.

The only reason there is a "bad words" category in society is because God gave us a conscience that alerts us to what is right or wrong. Ephesians 5:4 says, "Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving." According to the Bible, "bad words" are obviously sinful for the Christian to fill his/her life with.

Coming back to the fact that what we take into our minds influence us, why would we read something that would only fill our minds with filth and sinfulness? I bet that if someone decided to continuously read books filled with swearing, they would find it extremely difficult to not say those words out loud. Also, on a side note, please realize that although words are bleeped out (the first letter of the word and hyphens to represent the rest of the letters), everyone still knows what the word is. It doesn't make much of a difference at all.

Some people say that swearing makes books more realistic. This does not give anyone an excuse to write down every single bad word known to man in one paragraph. Most Christian authors opt for writing, "he swore" or "he cursed" instead. The "realism" and personality is still there, but not the filth.

Inappropriate content (anything beyond a kiss) is just inappropriate so it should be left out of books completely. No exceptions. Psalm 101:3a says (KJV), "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes." We should not be filling our minds with things like this. Besides, it also degrades the value of men and women by objectifying them.

Lastly of all, drug abuse should be written as a terrible thing. Some books will just add this factor like its a cool thing for teenagers to do when it is actually a life-threatening issue. People die from abusing drugs; this is a crisis in our culture, not a trend. Adults (the main age-group of YA writers) are misleading the next generation by encouraging them to sin.

Matthew 18:6 says, "but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." This verse applies to leaders who lead their people astray. And these authors, the older generation who should be instructing the younger generation in the right way, are instead leading them to a path of sin and misery.

Books should be used to teach Biblical truths, not cultural evils. This doesn't mean that books shy away from mentioning sin at all. Books should use sin as a lesson for the reader. It should highlight its consequences and show it as something terrible. But this is not an excuse to fill books with filthiness that will corrupt our minds.

Readers, rebel against the world's standards. Promote clean reads and boycott those that aren't. Rebellious Writing is all about people who are not rebelling against God's standards in the Bible, but against the world's standards. Stand up for what honors God. Writers, be careful what you write. Don't mislead the next generation by your writings. Instead, write what God wants you to: the truth of Him and His Word.

I am bringing attention to this topic because it matters to me. I want to be able to find clean books to read for centuries (or until I die although I probably could read for centuries). I want the children of the next generation to have clean books to read too. Writing is a ministry of sorts. Although we may not preach weekly like a pastor does or talk to unbelievers daily like an evangelist can, authors can spread the gospel through their writings. That's why watching what we write matters.