The Sin of Entertainment: Explanation or justification.

In the face of unfilled dreams (the death of the vision) and the disintegration of our once proud civilization, one could justify seeking escape. This idea of escape is often sited as the reason many choose drugs, excessive reading, or [any addictive behavior]. I remember society being 'up in arms' about some of us in school playing role playing games like D&D because we were told that it might cause us to confuse reality with fantasy; perhaps the same rationale was used to criticize comic book reading, etc. But I have always contended that reality sucks too bad to ever be confused with fantasy. But in contrast to seeking escape, my motivation might have included some elements of that but I, like most Americans, have sought entertainment because it was fun and we could get away with it.

I think even the most hardworking among us still have a need for recreation. In some ways this is why God gave us the Sabbath (of course the recreation had to be tempered by worship of God first). Americans probably overdo it in the area of recreation, but we do it because of prosperity. As our prosperity disappears, it will be interesting to see if our levels of entertainment and recreation decrease. Of course those in economics straights will not have any choice but to exist in their grinding poverty. So, we must have guilt and criticism for having the temerity to enjoy entertainment. As one of the greatest sinners, I too have committed the sin of entertainment.