Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-09-20
N FOR rAE PUN 81 81

"A distinguished member Of one of the great
evangelical. churches criticizes the amusement regu-
lations of his church 40 being nut or harmony with
the spirit OF the times, and As attempting TO apply 8
rigid rule OF conduct in matters which ought 10 be
left to the discretion of the individual, and in which,
in spite of regulations the individual does insist on
Judging for himself. The regulations under discus
sion prohibit entirely, or condemn in terms which
amount to absolute prohibition. dancing, card play
ing, attendance at theaters and ~eircuses, and other
forms Of amusement Of like character which are re-
garded by most people Ms quite harmless, and which
are used by millions Of good people, members of the
church in question included Naturally, the, criti-
cial publications 81 the church does not want tie ban
removed from these particular acts. but denies that
because of its attitude the church is by no means op-
posed TO the entertainment Of it's members. II cites
activities by its church agencies in the direction Of
old, and assefts that the efforts Of these agencies are
in the direction Of providing real recreation instead
Of wanton amusement.
The church whose regulations are Under discus
sion is one Of the largest religious bodies IN America
and in the world. The practical utility Of it's regu-
lations on the subject 81 ampse,nents is indicatedby
the fact that its menberss with very few exceptions,
chcerfully ignore these rules, and entertain them
selves Just as they would If the rules did not exist. II
is safe to say thakmpre than 80 per cent Of the mcin-
bers do not know that ftare are such rules. Willis
they are published in printed>torm, and are access
IDLE to all who wish to study them. they are seldom
if ever read, and not the slightest attempt is ever
made to enforce them. by its attitude toward then,
the church admits their obsolencence, nevertheless
persistent efforts which i,ave been made for sosne
years to bring about their repeal have been success,
fully resisted on the ground that even though its
rules be inapplicable to modern life. the church
should not let down the bars to sin. The idea seems
to be that even a rule to which nobody pays any at
~tention is better than no rule At all.
Aside from the futility Of rules which are mere
words, unread and UNDECIDED, We have an expression
Of a rather familiar attitude in the church papers
declaration in favor Of real recreation as Opposed to
"wat,ton amusement" The primary purpose of en-
t%ertainment is just entertainment. The word "wan-
ton" has taken on q sinister meaning, and is fire.
auently used to apply. to that which is evil in : pos
tive way. The church paper evidently uses It Ia its
earlier sense to describe that which is thoughtless
eHd purposeless. In that sense of the term all arnuse-
ment is essentially Wanton. II it were not SO it might
be any one OF a number Of excellent things, but 1t
would not be amusement. Entertainment Of certain
kinds tends to benefit the physical, mental and NOR
al being. But those results are Incidental. The
'child's laughter increases the ehild's lung capacity
! and benefits its health, But the child does not laugh
for that reason. It laughs from a sense Of enjoyment.
A purposeful laugh would be forced, artificial and
worthless. Entertainment with a purpose is very
tame entertainment, and usually. a~slyseless as It L
tame. Those who have charge Of such matters need
to recognize first Of all that ,there is a place in hui
man life tor entertainment and arausement just for
the fun of it. @