Resisting Mind Manipulation, Lesson 18

Resisting Mind Manipulation, Lesson 18
Trinity Bible School Courses In Theology And Apologetics

Two Brief Experiments

“Test all things; hold fast what is good” 1st Thessalonians 5:21 (NKJV)

Experiment I: Commercials (Desensitization Through Repetition)

THEORY:

Are Christians becoming desensitized through repetitious commercials? Many who have been exposed after a period of time would say no. However, researchers have determined that not only adults are desensitized, but their children are as well. In addition, these commercials have stuck in the viewers’ memories, due to catchy jingles and fantasy-creation.

DATA AND METHOD

Four (4) Christian women between the ages of 25 and 50 watched four different television networks, for two hours, around the same time of day for three days. They each were given written instructions and a questionnaire.

They were asked the following:

1. Type of Commercials Viewed?

2. How many times it aired within that two-hour period?

3. Were the commercials informative or persuasive?

4. Were they sex related? If yes, how so?

5. Would you be inclined to purchase any of these products? If yes, why?

6. Were you offended by any of these commercials? If yes, how so?

7. Any catchy jingles stick in your mind? If so, which ones?

Subject A: Latisha

Latisha watched television between 6:00 – 8:00 AM (Early Morning). She viewed commercials like: tax return, money investments, local newspaper subscription, weight loss, pharmaceutical sales, hospital recruitment, trade school recruitment, computer services and mortgage company advertisements. She recorded that they were equally as persuasive as they were informative. During that two-hour period, the majority of the commercials viewed were the weight control and health related advertisements. Latisha claimed that most of the weight control/health related ads she viewed had sex-related content. There were women wearing bathing suits or a man posing to be sexy to a woman.

In answering questions 5-7, Latisha stated that none of the commercials offended her and none of the jingles were catchy enough to stick in her mind. However, she was inclined to try the weight/health related products that peeked her curious to know whether they really work or not.

Subject B: Paula

Paula watched television between 3:00 – 6:00 PM (mid-late afternoon). She viewed commercials like: informative, educational, lingerie, cell phone and diet soda advertisements. She recorded that they were very much persuasive. During that two-hour period, the majority of the commercials viewed were the lingerie and diet soda

advertisements. Paula claimed that the lingerie and cell phone ads she viewed had sex-related content. Naturally, the lingerie commercials were sex-related, but surprisingly the cell phone ad exploited sexual-related content.

In answering questions 5-7, Paula stated that she was offended by the cell phone commercials and that the diet soda commercial jingle stuck to her head because she use to her the song when she was a child. She was very much inclined to buy the lingerie, because she likes lingerie, yet, she did not like the exploitation of the women.

Subject C: Vanessa

Vanessa watched television between 8:00 – 10:00 PM (Primetime). She viewed commercials like: furniture (viewed 10-15 times a night), automobile (in excess of 20 a night), and food/fast food restaurants (average of 20 per night) advertisements, among some others. She recorded that the majority of the ads she viewed were very persuasive. Only one advertisement about a learning institute was boarder line informative. No jingle stuck in her head she claimed; none of the commercials were sex-related and nor was she offended by any of them. However, one evening, she admits that she was enticed to eat after seeing so many food commercials. “The later I stayed up, the more hungry I got. The “KFC” and “McDonald” commercials were very enticing.” Another night the furniture store commercials nearly had her running to buy: “I would be inclined to buy some furniture. I like (love) Haynes and I need some new furniture. The more I saw the

commercial, the more I wanted to go to Haynes and purchase something.”

Subject D: Jada

Jada watched television between 10:00 PM – 12:00 AM (Late Night). She viewed commercials like: food/restaurant, household items, pet food, personal hygiene and medication for STD advertisements. She recorded that they were equally as persuasive as they were informative. During that two-hour period, she viewed a variety of commercials. None of which appeared to be sexually related to Jada.

In answering questions 5-7, Jada stated that she was quite offended by an “Aqua Velva Man” commercial, because men and women were kissing and touching too much. She does believe that the advertisers promoted their products in such a way that appear beneficial if purchased. The jingles to “Burger King,” “Oscar Meyer” and “Applebee’s” (all food/Restaurant) commercials stuck in her head.

FINDINGS

In examining the four Christians ladies, it is evident that these ladies are either desensitized or becoming desensitized by repeated exposure to certain commercials. Although, Subject A: Latisha found that most of the weight control/health advertisements had sex-related content, she was not offended; in fact, inclined to try the advertisers’ products to see if they really worked. Since Latisha was not bothered by the sex-related content, it is apparent that she is insensitive to sex-related material exposure, therefore

being desensitized to repeated exposure. Also, fantasy-creation was obvious, since she desired to try the products to see if they would work for her as they worked for the actors.

Subject B: Paula expressed that even though she did not like the exploitation of the women in the lingerie ads, she was still inclined to purchase the lingerie because they appealed to her taste. In addition, she shared that a jingle to a diet soda commercial stuck in her memory, because it was a familiar tune.

Subject C: Vanessa watched so many food commercials in a two-hour period, until she was driven to eat. Although it was late, her emotions bypassed reasoning and desired to indulge. Also, Vanessa developed a need to purchase furniture after being exposed repeatedly.

While, Subject D: Jada stated that none of the commercials appeared to have been sex-related, one commercial did offend her due to excessive touching and kissing. This would appear to be a contradiction. Speculative, they may have been other commercials sex-related, but were unnoticed due to desensitization. Jada also stated that three food commercial jingles stuck in her mind.

Experiment II: Programs (Desensitization Through Exposure)

THEORY

Are Christians becoming desensitized through the exposure of decadent programming? More and more programs are crossing the line of immorality. They are designed to expose little by little the world’s view, while it poisons innocent minds and unsuspected minds that enjoy television. People are being desensitized by these exposures and in fact willing to watched them again without complaints.

DATA AND METHOD

Four (4) Christian men and women between the ages of 25 and 50 watched four (4) different television networks, for four (4) hours, around the same time of day for three days. They each were given written instructions and a questionnaire.

They were asked the following:

1. Type of Program (Drama or Situation Comedy)?

2. What was the length of the program?

3. Was there moderate or excessive profanity?

4. Was there casual or crime related sex?

5. Were there any drugs or alcohol presented in a casual or criminal manner?

6. Were you exposed to homosexuality? If so, was it accepted or rejected by the actors?

7. Were any of these programs offensive to you? If so, which ones?

8. Did any of these exposures affect you?

9. Are you accustom to these exposures?

10. Which programs you watch weekly?

Subject A: Valerie

Valerie watched television between 4:00 – 8:00 PM. She watched a total of eleven (11) sitcoms and four (4) dramas. Out of the eleven sitcoms, two (2) had moderate profanity; five (5) had exposure to casual sex; and four (4) exposed her to drinking alcohol in a casual manner. Out of the four dramas, Valerie was exposed to one (1) excessive profanity; two (2) exposed her to moderate profanity; two (2) also exposed her to casual alcohol consumption; one (1) exposed her to sex crime and one (1) program also displayed acceptable homosexuality.

In answering questions 7-10, Valerie stated that some of the programs viewed appear to glorified casual sex. Another program glorified gangster and crime life and the display of disrespectful children to their parents. She was affected by the fact that casual sex, profanity and homosexuality are so acceptable: “This makes me angry.” She claimed that she has grown accustom to these moral violations, but is very much displeased with the portrayal of the parents being naive and the children as being witty and worldly. She does watch the majority of the sitcoms weekly.

Subject B: Brenda

In watching from 6:00 – 10:00 PM, Brenda summed up her viewing in an essay to express her frustrations after being exposed to particular programs: “It seems to get more disturbing to find a decent program on television. As I flipped through the channels about 60 percent of the programs are inundated with sex, homosexuality and everything else you do not want your children to be exposed to. Even this reality show called ‘Fear Factor’ is to expose you to your worst fears. How inhuman to subject your mind, body and spirit to this treatment. This type of exposure can harm you more, permanently, than cure you from your fears, especially if you do not have God. On another program, I was repulsed by two women who were kissing and then later exposed to men openly expressing their homosexuality on a show called ‘Queer Eye For The Straight Guy.’ Another night I decided to watch the music video channel (the channel 90 percent of our children watch) and discovered that they are literally having sex with their clothes on, while others look on. Another day I watched a network that was just for kids, and they were promoting that it is okay to be gay and experimenting with kissing the same sex will help you decide whether you are gay or straight. Teenagers have a lot to contend with and it is not getting any easier. We can only pray that they have a close relationship with their parents to discuss these issues if they should come up. These television programs are also promoting the use of strong language. For some, it is natural.” Brenda

Subject C: John

John watched television between 6:00 – 10:00 PM/ 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM. The first night of his viewing, John watched the “Super Bowl” although, much was not happening on the field in relations to desensitization, a great deal took place at every break and at half time. The “Super Bowl” for a little over four hours was overflowing with advertisements. The “Super Bowl” perhaps the only time on national TV where a single 30 second commercial can cost an advertiser millions of dollars. John stated that the commercials were filled with the exposure of casual sex and casual drinking. However, he was not affected by the exposure, but was offended by one commercial. The next two nights he watched four (4) dramas and one (1) sitcom. In viewing the dramas, two (2) had moderate profanity and three (3) exposed casual sex and alcohol. One (1) drama was over the top; it had excessive profanity and both crime related sex and drug/alcohol abuse. The single sitcom revealed the acceptance of casual sex.

In answering questions 7-10, John was highly offended by the movie with the excessive sexual content and language. Although he was accustomed to this type of exposures, he was very much affected by the movie.

Subject D: Jasmyn

Jasmyn watched television between 9:00 PM – 1:00 AM. She watched a total of ten (10) dramas and four (4) sitcoms. Out of the ten dramas, five (5) had excessive profanity; six

(6) had exposure of casual drinking; and two (2) exposed her to sex in crime. Out of the four sitcoms, Jasmyn was exposed to one (1) excessive profanity; three (3) exposed her to moderate profanity; two (2) exposed her to casual alcohol consumption; one (1) featured homosexuality as acceptable. In fact, a gay couple was getting married. “‘Will and Grace’ had a gay wedding and it made me feel sick to where I could no longer watch.” Jasmyn claimed that she was offended by seven (7) out of fourteen (14) programs. “The language in these shows were too much and unnecessary. They usually are pretty good shows.” She is not accustomed to profanity and she finds it irritating.

FINDINGS

All of the participants found an excessive amount of profanity; sex of a casual and/or crime nature; alcohol/drug consumption both casually and in an abusive way; and the exposure of homosexuality. Two out of four stated that they were accustomed to such exposures. However, all four complained of the severity and the extremity of such exposures. Will they no longer watch television? I think not, for it is a great source of information and entertainment.

From these findings, it can be determined that either commercials or television programs will have sex-related, alcohol or homosexual content all day long. There is no way to escape them, unless you shut the television off and vow never to turn it on again. No matter how unrealistic this may sound, it becomes the genuine solution. Less TV and

more family time, sit down dinner discussions, home Bible studies and other godly projects will make for a healthy and happy life together as a Christian family. TV, video games, Internet and other activities that cause solitary or family separation are designed to sever the family bond, so the enemy can destroy.

Test Questions:

1. What is desensitization?

2. Explain the sequence of desensitization?

3. What does it mean to “Bypass Reason?”

4. What manipulative technique where titillation and teasing is the heart of propaganda

and how?

5. Along the way of training Christian children, what interloper has injected worldly

desires into their minds?

6. Do commercials and television programs affect the behavior of our children? If so,

how?

Resisting Mind Manipulation, Lesson 18
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15 Comments on "Resisting Mind Manipulation, Lesson 18"

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  1. Rev Charles Carter says:

    Outstanding, and very insightful for CHRISTIAN GROWTH.

  2. Rev Charles Carter says:

    WE ARE WHAT WE AET. WATCH WHAT YOU PERMIT YOUR MIND TO ENTERTAIN.

  3. Rev Charles Carter says:

    SATAN IS A WONDER…A LYING WONDER

  4. lucia Harry says:

    We are dealing here with dangerous situation.
    Every Christian need the full Guidence of God
    Answer to Questions
    1.The mental sensitivity of a christian repeated exposure to sin and evil

    2.Exposure to sinfull habbits,than repeated in small doses,they overlook evil, they condoning the evil,then disering the evil

    3.before a person take action the person will analyze a piece of informatio before taking action.Emotions can be manipulated in a way that will take over reason.manipulation can cause reason and roles of emotions to reverse.
    Emotions dominate resoning then emotion dominated analysis and finally emotion controlle action meaning reason is over taken by emotion.

    4.fantasy manipulation
    a way of paying with the human,sexual,deesires

    5.television

    6.yes, because it contains sex related programs, alcohol,homo sexual content all day long.

  5. Test Questions:
    1/ In psychology, desensitization (also called inurement) is a process for mitigating the harmful effects of phobias or other disorders. Yet in the case presented here, we see that people from caring Christian background has responded in response that thy have been thought by rejecting. Which makes me recall one of my comparison .If we throw a frog in hot water, it will jump out immediately. Yet if we place a frog in cold water and heat it slowly the frog will not notice it till it is too late. Meaning in response as Christians we should avoid to be exposed to dirty TV-commercials.
    2/ By exposing a viewer to sinful hobbits first , second action is by repeated in small dose’ s of same , in order to create an environment in human mind which is designed to overlook evil and at same time except such as normal habit please relate to frog in cold water , they condoning the evil ,then desiring the evil
    3. What does it mean to “Bypass Reason?”
    In Response to question ,the person if he/she is exposed to viewing or ,wording will take immediate action the person will analyse a piece of information before taking action . Reaction to emotions can be regulated and controlled in a way that will take over reason to react .Personal inner feeling or emotion controls our response in answer in to reaction of our rezoning.
    4.The “King of Air “ will use any means in awaking sinful desire of the flash and planting it in our mind in such way that if we allow to be exposed to it till our” guard” drops of and eventually by pass our guards-hip in Christ. Yet let us recall Joseph, who was sold to Egypt?. You remember how he reacted when his boss’s wife wanted to lay down with him? If a person is brought up in God’s word he –she will have strong automatic rejection.
    5. Too much junk food, Tv which are awaking loaded with immorality and lack of respect Early awaking of sexual desires in kids, riches of the world, opposition to the truth. You name it western Tv and culture indeed has it which creating a generation that has simply pushed God and with it godliness. Yet I say out there are many dissent young Christian youth that indeed has and have relate to real Christian upbringing. Let us congratulate all those parents who have worked hard indeed to bring their children up is such way .Yet Gods word says as it is written “Bend the tree till is young”. Meaning teach it to follow the Gods path .Let us recall Lot and his daughters. Thy where untouched

    6. Promoting desire for flash, new cars, speed on the road that looks cool, unhealthy food ,and immoral living ,and trough this many foul in pit of borrowing money from banks .And from desire for riches creates a slaves to other thinks which indeed can lead in to dark side of life. Tv can promote commercials that looks innocent yet with mind that is young and untrained in proper moral living can be manipulated .

  6. Harold Whaley says:

    Television viewing is destroying America. Instead of getting out and visiting our neighbors, we are being entertained by TV. Not only are the commercials vulgar but the prime time shows have become vulgar and promote all the vices.

    Even the cartoons (supposedly) for the children promote violence and depravity.

    The video games that we use to entertain our childred so they will not bother us are an affront to God. They teach that everything is OK if you win.

    The electronic media exerts tremendous influence on parents. We are raising a generation of questionable character where they come first and love of their fellow man, if it is even considered is at the bottom of the list.

    Lack of consideration for their fellow man, I come first, and rudeness is the norm today.

    The “Christian” commercials asking for help for the poor are always asking for help in foreign countries. The poor in America are forgotten, let the government take care of them. I have yet to see a “Christian” commercial asking for help for the American poor.

  7. Edna Terry says:

    I am blown away. I knew this was part of our lives, but not this broad. I remember hearing the statement “hell-ivision”. Now I wonder… It slowly demoralizes you to the last and final commandment of “love thy neighbor”. Now is the answer no tv or choice tv what?

  8. Pls l want to know where l can find the questions and where to answer them after reading the download books,pls this is my first time so l need directions from you to make my studies earier.

  9. alcohol is an addictive drug.Teenagers with alcohol consumption have caused liver and memory problems.
    When you begin to drink when you are young,you do it because it gives impulsiteit a strong desire for new experiensce,genetic factors.
    Children also be addicted
    -the physical symtoms are,
    scade to organs such as liver,stomach and intestine.
    -hartinfarcten
    -certain types of cerebral.
    -degradation of the nervous system.
    -certains cancers.

    opinions
    ruleas and making oppointments
    -talk about alcohol
    -an example
    -talk about peer pressure
    ageement about entertainment
    -remain involved.

  10. james says:

    In the 1960’s my speech teacher gave her students tittled, “Hidden Persuaders”. This book was written in response to the out cry against the attempt of companies using sub-subliminal methods to sell their products. Today, this selling method of appealing to the subconsciousness while bypassing the conscience mind is necessarily because the audience has become accustomed to being sold inferior products in office manners which would offended them. Now nothing is offense if presented in a manner which bypass’s the mind, which has been numbed by the repeated entombment of increasingly immoral or a moral commercials. Objective, critical thing has become extant.

  11. james says:

    In the 1960’s my speech teacher gave her students tittled, “Hidden Persuaders”. This book was written in response to the out cry against the attempt of companies using sub-subliminal methods to sell their products. Today, this selling method of appealing to the subconsciousness while bypassing the conscience mind is unnecessary because the audience has become accustomed to being sold inferior products in office an manner which would offended them in the past. Now nothing is offense if presented in a manner which bypass’s the mind, which has been numbed by the repeated entombment of increasingly immoral or a moral commercials. Objective, critical thing has become extant.

  12. james says:

    Please delete message no 10, I missed some errors therein

  13. EVANG.Victor ANTHONY says:

    The answers to test questions are. 1.it is a means by which christians are been exposed to sin and to evil deeds.2.it is by over looking and desiring of evil acts.3.To bypass reason,means=Reasons are over taken by emotions,it means when your emotion becomes the landlord and your reasoning now becomes the tenant,thereby having less previledge over the house called the(BODY).4.The technique here is a means of paying in kind with sexual desire.5.TELEVISION.6.YES,it has serious bad effects to our children.(i)engaging into commerce as by hawking makes them to learn all sorts of immoralities like joining to bad friends,too hungry for money thereby leading them to secret cult.(ii).TV,through TV they learn all manner of thricks,and as well exposed to sexual acts.

  14. Muriithi P.Kingori says:

    Great Bible based teachings. TGSAT, thank you for keeping up to the calling.I am blessed by your great lessons.

  15. Agreed, not only the children , but even the adults , are affected by what we see on a regular bases . Most of what we see tends to have control over our actions some times .

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