The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1921-07-12
BAPFfsTs CONDEMN MOTION
PICTURES AND DANCING

Southern Christian Advocate.
The Southern Baptist convention
at its recent meeting in Chattanooga
gave out the following unequivoca1
deliverance on the motion picture
evil:
THAT the motion picture, as now
conducted, is a large factor in break,
ing down the moral sense and weaken
ing the moral sSbre of our people, and
undermining serious regard for mar
riage and the home, there can De no
doubt in the minds Of Informed and
thoughtful persons. Nor is that all,
though that were enough; every crime
and vice ir~the category is displayed
ON the screen of the motion picture
show, and for the most part, in man
ner to make them more inviting than
rePeling. In response to the repeat
ed protests of the moral and religious
elements of our peopole, the pro-
dueers of motion picture films have
proposed various and sundry reforms.
One Of the most sweeping and far
reaching of all their reform platforms
has just recently been published. We
should be glad if we could accept this
at face value, but we are not very
sanguine. It is not easy to hope for
radical reforms from within such a
business. 1t will be recalled that
many times the liquor traffic reform
ed, but always only in response to .
most insistent public demand and
fear for its life. It will be recalled
that all reforms wrought by the traf-
fic upon itself were surface and tenn
porary. We are much inclined to the
opinion that the same will be true of
the motion picture business; not that
it is Inherently as bad as was the
liquor traffic, but that those in charge
of it seem to be willing to degrade the
motion picture and debauch the pub
lie morals for the shekles. It does
not meet the case at all for them to
say that they give the public what the
public wants. 1t is not true that the
majority of the American people want
to see indecency and immortality on
the screen. But if the majority of
the people do so desire, that would
not justify such indecency and i'm
moralit The truth is that the mo-
ton picture, as it has been conducted,
has served constantly to appeal to
and % ate depraved tastes, and then
in turn, has pleaded depraved tastes
Is its justification. The motion pic
ture must be reformed by its promot-
ers, or must be taken under complete
control by the-state and used for ed
ucational purposes, or must be abol-
ished, as has been the liquor traffic
'sUnquestionaDly the motion picture
is one of the most potent factors in
our present-day civilization. 1t an
swers, in a large measure, the ever
present human need for diversion and
recreation; it appeals powerfully and
equally to the sense of pleasure and
to the deeper passions of the soul. We
must not allow this factor to be de-
voted to evil. 1t should be harnessed
for. harmless amusement, for educa-
ton and for the Kingdom of God"
And equally strong was its pro-
nouncement against the modern
dance:
Another gross and growing evi!
must be mentioned. It is the modern
dance. One of the most serious and
menacing by-products of the Worlo
war is the great increase in the dance
evil and the extravagant extremes tc
which it has gone. Accompanied, as
it is, by immodest dress, by close ply
sical contact of the sexes, by its lack
Of restraint, it is undoubtedly doing
much to undermine the morals of our
young people. It is beyond question,
that in many cases it leads to moral
wreck and ruin. The time has come
when, from every pulpit, strong and
persistent protest must be made and
wise and faithful teaching must be
given. The time has come when our
churches, as such, must take posi-
tive position against this corrupt and
ccrrupting evil. Undoubtedly the pa
rents are largely responsible. Your
commission would appeal with all pos
sible emphasis to all our people, es-
pecially. to the pastors and parents,
that this growing menace shall be
checked and abolished.