Hollywood Myths

Many Christians grow up feeling isolated and different, because their constant exposure to Hollywood movies has convinced them that few of their peers share their values. In fact, the opposite is true: few Americans actually subscribe to Hollywood values.

While moral myths are perhaps the most pervasive and most hurtful to Christian teenagers, there are other myths perpetuated by Hollywood stereotypes - see, for example, the computer hackers example.

Note this page lists general myths perpetrated by the film industry, not specific falsehoods, which can be found here.

Major myths include:

• That promiscuity is common among American teenagers. In fact, more than half of all graduating high school seniors have saved themselves for marriage.^[1]
• That drug use is common and acceptable behavior. Drug use, including marijuana, which is glorified by many comedy films, is not common or harmless.
• That many drug users use only marijuana. In fact, most habitual users of marijuana will proceed to use harder drugs (a fact which was pointed out in early police procedural TV shows like Dragnet but rarely is in modern TV shows).
• That organized crime is glamorous, or that they only deal in drugs, gambling, and prostitution. In fact, every American is hurt by organized crime, because they take a criminal profit on so many common commodities which come off boats.
  • On a similar note, that many organized criminals are "good and religious people" when in reality, it is not uncommon for them to rob churches and other places of worship in order to steal gold, among other things.
• That intelligent design proponents are "stupid" or "crackpots". In fact, intelligent design is a legitimate scientific theory with growing support in the biologist community.
• That most intelligent people believe in evolution. In fact, the majority of Americans either do not believe in evolution or believe it was a God guided process.
• That computer hackers and prank callers are mostly teenagers playing harmless pranks from their parents' basements. In fact, most computer hackers and prank callers are identity thieves associated with organized crime and cost Americans billions of dollars a year, while some are leftist political activists (also known as "hacktivists") who mischievously attack websites associated with conservative viewpoints and agendas (such as the pro-life movement, voting integrity and opposition to the LGBTQ movement) which the activists do not like.
• Onscreen use of cigarettes gives an actor or actress a "cool" persona. It leads to teenagers imitating their heroes, creating a lifetime of related health issues including an early death.
• It's normal for sexual relations between couples who are not married. It may be common but it's not normal and can lead to sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies.
• That drinking beer or liquor makes an actor, actress, or animated character look "tough". Similarly to drugs and tobacco, it causes teenagers to imitate their heroes, have health problems and use the "I saw it on TV or in a movie" excuse to justify their behavior.
• That hunters and fishermen are villainous and uncaring for the environment. In fact, many hunters and fishermen are Christians, devote their time in wildlife preservation and show respect for animals they hunt or fish by using more than just the meat for food.
• That women with blonde hair, blue eyes, and low intelligence are "sexier" and "have more fun". In fact, relationships with both the man and woman having high intelligence are healthier, more productive, and better functioning in society. Additionally, dark haired and dark eyed women generally have more "dramatic features" in reality.
• That America's police, military, and government agencies are a bunch of “white racists”. In fact, unlike most other countries, the United States has people in the military, police, and government agencies from all walks of life. As they say, America is the land of opportunities!

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See also[edit]

• Liberal myths
• Hollywood values

References[edit]

1. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/health/27well.html