I learned something last night. A movie that I loved as a child isn't something that I want my children to learn to love. I had these romanticized memories of The Wizard of Oz that somehow left out major components like witchcraft. I imagined plopping on the couch with my kids and seeing the yellow brick road and the Scarecrow dance, and, my personal favorite, the Cowardly Lion's number. Reality was much more disturbing than my imagination (and what my son saw.)
Within the first 15 minutes we were introduced to a charlatan who tries to convince Dorothy that he is reading a crystal ball. Can you say divination, consulting familiar spirits and a good portion of the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy? Yes, I am fully aware of his intent to trick Dorothy into returning home but that really isn't what a kid sees. A kid sees a guy in a funny hat with the power to see things in a crystal ball. Its very attractive to a young mind.
That was a bad enough beginning that I should have turned it off right away. Needless to say I let it run reminding him that "everything is pretend, none of this is real."
When we actually got to the Land of Oz the first person that Dorothy encounters should have been my next signal to turn it off. Instead I let "Glenda the Good Witch" continue to normalize the concept of witches. (For you non-Pentecostals and non-believers out there, yes, people do actually practice witchcraft - none of which is good.) Just as it is dawning on me that neither of us should be watching this a puff of smoke brings on the hideous green-faced Wicked Witch of the West. I begin to see my precious boy trembling and finally he turns to me as the ruby slippers make their instantaneous journey to Dorothy's feet and says, "Momma this is bothering me. Can we turn it off?"
Relieved that I wouldn't be the bad guy I turned off the TV and instantly felt remorse that I hadn't done it sooner. Why? Well, as a family we are considered pretty weird. We have chosen to stand against many things that the rest of the world adores for much the same reason. The exploitation and glamorization of practices and preferences that God clearly abhors.
We boycott Disney because they promote witchcraft, homosexuality, and broken families. In turn we boycott anyone who partners with them. We boycott Barbie because she promotes promiscuity and an impossible image of beautiful. We boycott Nickelodeon, The Cartoon Network, MTV, VH1, and many more because anything less would be an endorsement. And that would be compromising our stand for God.
Can a believer say they follow God if they support or even turn a blind eye to something that God through His Word says is unacceptable? I don't think so. I know from the witness of the Holy Spirit that once something is revealed as contrary to God's ways or will a believer must cut it off and turn away. Otherwise we are marginalizing and compartmentalizing God. We might as well be saying, "God, I know I read that you hate this habit or behaviour but society says its acceptable and that I should be free to express myself so I'll believe You for everything but this."
How many times do we erase the line in the sand before the ocean overtakes us? All Satan needs is a pinhole in our armor.
This is what I'm going to explain to my son when he gets home - God's way comes first no matter how uncomfortable and witchcraft in any form is most definitely against God's will.
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