What Are They Watching?
The World Wrestling Federation (WWF) is the highest rated program on national television. A single episode of “Raw is War,” a two-hour program that airs every Monday night, has a rating of 5.9, attracting 4,537,000 viewers in the first hour, and 4,524,000 viewers in the second hour. The WWF also has other shows that attract large ratings as well!
What is it that makes wrestling so popular? Could it be the cussing? Could it be the immodest clothing? Could it be the total lack of respect for mankind? Yes, all of these sinful activities, as well as others, collide to make the WWF the top-rated program in America. As the owner of the WWF, Vincent McMahon, put it, “The World Wrestling Federation has become the recognized leader in sports-entertainment, attracting half a billion global viewers each week, in addition to enormous live event success.”
The WWF is certainly not suitable entertainment for a Christian to engage in. Let’s look at what the Bible says about the things previously mentioned:
Language: In Ephesians 4:29-30 we read, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” The same point is made in Colossians 3:8 when Paul wrote, “But now ye also put off all these, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.” The WWF promotes what the Apostle Paul said “to put off!”
Clothing: In 1 Timothy 2:9 we read, “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shame facedness; and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or costly array.” (This concept can apply to both men and women.) The WWF wrestlers wear immodest apparel to say the least, and the women are not dressed any better!
Respect for Fellow Man?: In John 13:34 Jesus said, “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” Now I know that clean wholesome wrestling can be fun, but when men are hung on crosses and women get their clothing ripped off, then respect for the fellow man has been lost!
Professional wrestling has gone from “wholesome entertainment” to “sinful garbage!” In walking by a television that was tuned in to the WWF’s “Raw is War” program, I heard three curse words in about five seconds. I turned toward the television just in time to see one wrestler giving another wrestler an obscene gesture! A camera shot of the crowd showed young children making the same gesture! Those same children were wearing shirts that say AUSTIN 3:16, when they should be at home learning about John 3:16!
I was watching a special on the WWF one evening when the owner, Vincent McMahon, was interviewed. In that interview he openly admitted to making Satanic references and denied that he, or any other wrestler, were role models. I would have to disagree with that comment, and say, “Yes, Mr. McMahon you and your wrestlers are role models, and unfortunately this article cannot change that!”
I need to mention one more of the many sinful things that the WWF encourages, alcoholic drinking! I was saddened to see the most popular of all the wrestlers, Stone Cold Steve Austin, come on national television with a beer in each hand? It is my understanding that Austin drinks this alcohol on a regular basis. My friends, drinking is a sin, and your children must not be taught that it is cool or popular to do so!
I would like to close with this statement found in Philippians 4:8. The Apostle Paul says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” So, what are your kids watching?