“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat…And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.” (Gen. 3:6, 13)
In 1989, long after the modern sexual revolution was underway, Michael Rubenstein noted that, “Sexual harassment is a new term for an old phenomenon. For generations of women, unwanted sexual attention has been an inescapable part of working life. Yet, until recently, this behaviour had no name. Without a name, it was not recognized as a problem suitable for discussion. As it was not seen as a problem, there were no solutions. Once sexual harassment was given a name, it rapidly became clear that the problem was commonplace.” The operative word is, commonplace. That was in 1989. Fast forward 28 years later.
In the year 2017 it seems the world is suddenly waking up shocked, and horrified to the realization of just how “commonplace” sexual harassment is in Hollywood. Harvey Weinstein is the current poster boy for the depraved and despicable behavior that is so well known in Hollywood. Other names are soon to follow, being accused and exposed as chauvinistic male “pigs”, to include Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Oliver Stone, and Russell Crowe. Not to be left out is former president of the United States, Bill Clinton. Then, there is the comedian Bill Cosby. The list of sexual harassers and predators is endless.
The roll call of female executives, producers, and actresses, who have harassed aspiring male and female workers to engage in unspeakable deviant behavior, has yet to be discussed. For now, that is fine. Everything will be revealed in due course.
These men and women are not just products of their times, as Harvey Weinstein has asserted, as a defense no doubt. “I came of age in the 60′s and 70′s, when all the rules about behavior and workplaces were different. That was the culture then.” (New York Times, Thursday October 5, 2017)
No, these men and women are products of fallen humanity. By birth, and by nature they are the children of their father, the devil, and the lusts of their father they will do. (John 8:44)
Their social fathers include men from the famous, and sometimes infamous, Greatest Generation, such as Hugh Hefner (April 9, 1926 – Sept. 27, 2017), founder of Playboy magazine, and Bob Guccione (Dec. 17, 1930 – October 20, 2010), founder of Penthouse. Their social mothers include Betty Friedan (Feb. 4, 1921 – Feb. 4, 2006), an American writer and feminist activist, and Gloria Steinem (b. March 25, 1934), who has stood before countless college audiences to boast about having an abortion, being a Playboy Bunny, and modeling as a sexual libertine.
Therefore, what is hard to hear, and read about, are all the men and women in the entertainment industry, and in politics, who are shocked, surprised, disgusted, and appalled at the inappropriate sexual behavior in Hollywood. To use a modern jargon, “Give me a break!”
No one who has reached the age of ten in the modern western world can honestly say they do not know about the dark side of the human soul. No one is safe, not even those in the home school movement, or children in Christian private education. The age of innocence is a cultural myth. Every person is born with a bent towards sin. “The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.” (Psalm 58:3)
When pressed, about the Harvey Weinstein story, some Hollywood personalities, such as Jane Fonda (b. 1937), admit they know what Hollywood is like in general, and they knew about Weinstein in particular. Ms. Fonda has engaged in questionable behavior herself as “Hanoi Jane.” And she has made her fair share of soft pornographic movies, such as Circle of Love (1965), and Barbarella (1968). Other leading feminist, such as Hillary Clinton, and Michelle Obama, have been strangely quiet on the cesspool of sin in Hollywood.
All of this brings us to the Eve Syndrome. Here is the truth of the matter. Many women go to Hollywood to seek fame and fortune. Like Eve, they take a look at the apple of life, and they desire a big bite. However, what they discover is that all of Satan’s apples have worms, and the worms do not taste good. Some regret biting into the apple and so they begin to shift blame for their own choices. “The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.” That is the basic defense of every alleged, and real victim, of Harvey Weinstein, and his type.
This is not to justify the behavior of any man who acts in an ungodly, and unkindly way to a woman. It is to say that when a woman, of any age, goes to swim in Hollywood’s cesspool, she is not naïve, or innocent. That is the simple and honest truth that must also be addressed, for only then can steps be taken to correct unwanted sexual advances.
Here are a few practical suggestions for those women who aspire to be an actress, or work in the entertainment industry, with class, and dignity, while remaining a true lady.
First, decide what foundational moral values you are committed to. Answer this question, “What am I willing to do in order to be in this industry?”
Second, be honest with everyone. If you are “not that kind of girl”, then say so on your resume, and by word of mouth.
Third, reinforce a wholesome image with a wholesome portfolio. Bikini shots are not contusive to an image of modesty and personal honor. Good women simply do not undress for the public and for the camera. Sensual photos only serve to send the wrong signal to producers, directors, and film makers. Nude and seminude photos will inflame natural lust. Bob Guccione built his godless pornographic magazine and movie empire on the simple premise that men, by nature, are voyeuristic, and women are implicitly, and explicitly, exhibitionists. Each will exploit the other for self-interests. Count on it.
Fourth, be aware of the type of people you are working with. There is a culture of moral corruption that permeates Hollywood, and the entertainment industry. Do not believe that “the devil made me do it” is a justifiable defense. It is not. Eve was not guiltless, and neither is anyone who works in Hollywood.
With all of the Hollywood scandals dominating the news cycle, for the moment, it must not be forgotten that Christians have a mandate to redeem the culture, including the arts. It is good to see more faith based movies on the silver screen. It is wonderful to be able to go to a movie without being compelled to view gratuitous sex, or hear profane language that adds nothing to the narrative.
It is good not to have to expose children to politically correct positions on abortion, homosexuality, or gun control. God wants Christians to redeem the culture. More godly screenwriters, producers, directors, actors, and actresses are needed. May the Lord send His people to clean up the cesspool of Hollywood, and drain that swamp full of human depravity freely expressed. The time is now for this to happen. However, remember to avoid the Eve Syndrome. Be honest. Be responsible. Be careful. Be glorifying to God.
