Banning Christmas

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things." - Philippians 4:8.

*The topic of this post is mature and is not intended for younger readers*

Recently, I've noticed increased debate around several Christmas songs, specifically the classic, "Baby, It's Cold Outside." Many feel that this song encourages rape, referring to the phrase "Say what's in this drink," as well as the consistent back and forth of a woman saying she must leave, and a man convincing her to stay.

This debate is nothing new, only it has become increasingly poignant through the lens of the #MeToo movement. But at one point, it was championed by many as a great win for women.

So what's the real story? And how should we really be treating this song and others like it?

Well. For other millennials like me, you may not be aware that this song is actually from a movie titled "Neptune's Daughter," a rather goofy and endearing romantic comedy starring Esther Williams and Ricardo Montalban. The man who wrote the song, Frank Loesser, was also the writer of Guys and Dolls.

In the 1940's, if a woman stayed the night at a man's house, it was considered scandalous. So Esther Williams' protests are more related to what others will think of her, and her own inner debate between what she desires and what is considered to be right.

But even from this mindset, is the song actually good? Of course consent is better than the alternative. There's no argument. However, this song was championed for so long because it promoted a woman's ability to sleep with a man without taboo. But from a truly Christian perspective, shouldn't the desire be the pursuit of purity?

Purity does not have to be a terrible cage that enslaves women. I've discussed this idea in the past, but that's not my focus here.

My only comment is that there is a parallel in this song similar to that of our own struggles with temptation. Maybe your personal struggle is with other temptation, such as gossip, drinking, or lying. But each of us has wrestled with the choice between our own sinful nature and choosing Christ and the best that he has for us.

Let us set an example for others, not because of some incredible righteousness we possess on our own, but because of the manner in which we are being changed daily by grace and love. "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity," 1 Timothy 5:22.

Some make the argument that if this song is to be banned, then other songs on the radio discussing sex, drugs, and other indecent topics must be banned first. To say that because one thing is not as bad as another, and therefore okay, is actually a logical fallacy, moral equivalence. It is saying that, this song is not about rape, so it is not so bad as contemporary songs. It is excusing one action by focusing on another, but does not address the topic at hand.

My goal is not to advocate for the banning or the protection of a song. Rather, I want to bring up other ideas for discussion. Instead of taking everything we hear or read at face value, what if we thought critically? What if we analyzed the source, considered context and other meanings?

 My challenge to others is that we test everything, analyze both what the bible has to say and the world's response. Know what you believe and why, but be willing to listen to another's perspective. Don't compromise truth, but don't shut someone else down. You could win a well-formulated argument, and lose a friendship and drive someone away.