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Hollywood’s Predators

 

Would Hollywood Really Go That Far?

By Amy Swanson, Contributing Writer

It seems impossible that even the most liberal person would condone the rape of a child. It’s unthinkable, but as Hollywood sinks lower and lower in the name of finding new uncharted territory in entertainment, we can no longer ignore the possibility. It’s no secret that the media industry sexualizes children and has been doing so for years. Who can forget Shirley Temple’s cringe inducing dance scene in YOUNG PEOPLE? The child star and movie industry gold mine, who up until that time, had been the essence of childhood innocence, was depicted as a juvenile vaudeville moneymaker who thought that scanty clothes and sultry dancing was just a “normal” part of growing up in a showbiz family.

The movie marked the end of Shirley Temple’s reign as a child star. No matter how loud or often parents have raised their voices against the sexploitation of children in the media; it seems their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. The reasons are simple. Adults are blinded by money, the children are eager and ignorant, and the pedophiles allow and encourage it.

In 2011, Cory Feldman spoke openly about being molested.

He said, “I can tell you the number one problem in Hollywood was, and is, and always will be, pedophilia. That’s the biggest problem in this industry. I was surrounded by them when I was 14-years-old; literally surrounded. Didn’t even know it. It wasn’t until I was old enough to realize what they were, what they wanted, and what they were about, and the types of people who were around me. . . they were like vultures.”

The pedophiles are in Hollywood and they have power, but can they really change the public’s mind about such a horrific crime that inflicts long-term emotional damage on the victim?

It wouldn’t be the first time a social taboo has, over time, been embraced by the public. Think of what characters like George Jefferson, Archie Bunker, and Will Truman, did for the civil and gay rights movement. It was no accident; no innocent attempt at cheap entertainment. It was intricately calculated political maneuvering.

Now Hollywood is deciding whether or not to make a movie about legendary Penn State coach, Joe Paterno. Paterno holds 18 NCAA bowl victories, but that’s not a good enough reason to make a movie about him. Hollywood wouldn’t bother with Joe Paterno if not for his relationship with a man who holds an even more astounding record. Jerry Sandusky, Penn State assistant coach to Joe Paterno, was charged with 52 accounts of sexual assault on young boys over a 15 year period. It was found to be a reasonable conclusion that Paterno had full knowledge of what his assistant coach was doing and made meditated efforts to cover it up. Al Pacino was set to play Joe Paterno, who up until the scandal was a sports icon, but the movie is already receiving criticism. The criticism stems not only from those offended by child sex abuse but by Paterno’s loyal devotees who still stand by him. To them, his many sports wins should not be overshadowed by a decade’s worth of looking the other way while a horrendous crime was taking place. In other words, a sports win is as equal in goodness as a child being molested is in wickedness. I don’t think so.

And yet, as we continue to sexualize our children and blur the lines of who we may and may not be sexually attracted to, we are exchanging Biblical and even rational moral judgment for a new Hollywood golden rule, “If it entertains, then it’s okay.”

Can Hollywood really make pedophilia. . . entertaining? You betcha.

Seth McFarland, writer of FAMILY GUY, a family un-friendly show that has a well known elderly pedophile as a regular character who, in McFarland’s own words, “nobody takes action against because he’s just so darn funny.” Where can Hollywood go from there?

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.