Dear John Doe . . .

[To see the comments Melanie is responding to, visit the Guide Discussion Board.]

Dear John Doe,

Thank you for posting your thoughts. In case you're wondering, I don't think any less of you because you don't agree with me or because of the questions you've asked. In fact, I'm glad you're asking those questions. Those are questions adults have trouble with (even though most of them probably wouldn't admit it).

You might be surprised to know that:

1. I agree with you. I don't think playing Grand Theft Auto is going to make you steal a car. I don't think watching a movie about aliens is going to make you believe in extraterrestrials and UFOs. I don't think that listening to a song with drug references in it is going to automatically make you do drugs. Those kinds of influences probably won't change you a lot (unless you are extremely impressionable, which some people are). But they will change you a little bit, more and more as time goes on. We're all born with tendencies toward doing what's wrong. God wants to gradually change us (with our permission) so that we start actually enjoying doing what's right. It's called "character development." What "character muscles" are you exercising when you're playing Grand Theft Auto? Does it exercise your ability to be a person who is strong enough to stand up for what's right and kind enough to help someone who isn't very lovable? Or does it help you to feel more rebellious and careless toward people and property? Remember, it's not about the rules as much as it is about who God is helping you to be. You are not going to "get into heaven" by not playing certain video games. You're going to get into heaven because you have a relationship with God and you've let Him get you ready to be there.

2. I think you should stop worrying about what "the church" wants you to do. People in church don't always agree, and there will always be conflicting opinions about what you should eat, what you should wear, what you should watch, what you should listen to, or what version of the Bible you should be using. You'll end up with so many different rules you won't be able to keep them straight. Instead, get a real relationship with God and apply His principles to the kinds of questions you're asking. Believe it or not, you can actually talk to God about your desire to play Grand Theft Auto. He can handle it, and He already knows all your thoughts anyway, so you might as well be open with Him. But be honest enough to let Him lead you away from GTA (or anything else!) if it's coming between you and Him. When you have this mindset, there really is no "line" between your relationship with God and your entertainment.

I hope that helps. Take care, John Doe! :)

Melanie