New Ethos Theological Principles

Importance of Entertainment:

“God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work he had done in creation.” [Gen. 2:3].  when God rested, he created entertainment.  True and good entertainment is not merely senseless escapism or a throw away activity that has no substantial use to our cultural development.  True and good entertainment is a divine and holy activity.  Entertainment is activity, whether passive or active, that gives pleasure or relaxation to its participant.  Entertainment is a form of leisure, and leisure is characterized as a “state of being.”  Entertainment is significant to our cultural an personal development because it can be intrinsically motivating to the culture and person who experience it.  Entertainment “moves” people and that is important!

The Spiritual Conflict the Current Entertainment Environment Presents:

St. Paul writes about the human person's constant battles over the desires of the flesh or the spirit [Romans 7: 14-25].  The fallen nature of our human condition, called concupiscence, contributes to a vicious downward spiral of toxic entertainment media supplied to our culture (i.e., gratuitous violence, sex, egoism, materialism).  Entertainment can be a great source for uplifting the human spirit, if grounded in the truth, beauty, and goodness as embodied in the gospel.  The current toxic downward spiral trend in entertainment is difficult to break.  The artist is naturally concerned about expressing themselves or their world view through the entertainment they produce.  However, the Church has recently had a tendency to “box in” artists, placing boundaries on their creative process.  This repelled many in the artist community, who consequently and ironically seek to create outside the Church.  This break in relationship leaves a grave void in how artists can be informed to give shape and meaning to reality.  Entertainment executives naturally are concerned about revenues, and will even market and distribute media to audiences that may not be “good” for them, as long as it makes money.  Given this environment, where the entertainment industry’s creative environment lacks the gospel, and a materialistic commerce, the consumer (especially the easily influenced youth) are easily prey to the potentially toxic diet of entertainment feed to them.

Spiritual Conflict is Resolved Through a Personal Encounter with Jesus Christ: 

Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body lectures and writings indicate that the resolution of each individuals spiritual conflict with his/her fallen nature happens through our encounter with the person of Christ - a “New Ethos” encounter whose beauty transforms.  This encounter holds the power to awaken hearts from the darkness they embrace and transforms their desire for that which is true, good, and beautiful.

Responsible entertainment can be a vehicle for this “New Ethos” encounter.  Further, the entertainment industry provides an opportunity for reaching mass audiences, catalyzing a transformation of culture – i.e., “The Passion of the Christ” factor. Many priests can attest to people returning to Church and confession after years of being away.  One individual, driven to compunction by the film, turned himself in and confessed to a murder.

Scriptural Foundation for New Ethos Logo: Signifies God Presence through Entertainment to Humanity

Theology of the Selection Criteria for “New Ethos” Logo: Wheat Amongst the weeds [Matt. 13:24-30]