Article March 24, 1997 Issue

Entertainment—What are we drawn to?

Stephen T. Carlson

Quiet , timeless, sweet, gentle. These were some of the words used by fellow performers in a special television program to describe the humor and nature of comedy legend Jack Benny. Tastes in comedy, of course, are highly individual. But it's always reassuring to hear such qualities associated with someone in the limelight.

Entertainers and other artists often express admirable qualities through their work. We've all been enriched by others' talents and pure creativity. But there's a lot in the entertainment world that's simply not admirable. While entertainment is just that—entertainment—and we appreciate the ways it gives us a lift, the subject raises profound issues. Certainly the images it presents and the values that color it can have a significant impact on people's lives, even if its influence is not always recognized.

As in any area of endeavor, it's important that the underlying tone of what would amuse or absorb us not be undermining to our well-being. Whether or not something is designed to be taken seriously, it should serve a Godlike purpose in order to be most beneficial. That's not unrealistic, even for light entertainment. It's natural, since man is the outcome of God and of nothing less. We're made, then, to express our creator, not influences or elements opposed to His nature. The book of Isaiah represents God as saying, "Bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him" (43:6, 7).

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