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Through our research, Fishnett has identified the root causes for our cultural problems:
- Sex
- Substance Abuse
- Violence
Our Mission is to provide alternative lifestyles for youth who would otherwise engage in these harmful activities. We believe that when considering youth, one of the main
things that drive their lifestyles is what they see when they go home and what they see in the Media (TV/Cable Programming, Radio, Magazines, Internet Web Sites, and
Video Games).
Based on current trends, we believe that mainstream entertainment promotes Sex, Substance Abuse, and Violence. As Proverbs 23:7 says "As a man thinketh so shall he be." What is not so clear is the extent to which marketing campaigns that deliberately maximize profits using repetitive videos, commercials and programming can drive the way the youth "thinketh."
We applaud the Jeremiah Project at the Manhattan Institute, whose research found that religiosity has a consistent direct effect on delinquency independent of the effects of other social and economic variables. The study also found that the indirect effects of religiosity through delinquent attitudes and peer associations to be significant and substantial.
Fishnett believes that "culture" is what must be addressed and applies concepts from a book by Pastor Terry Crist "Learning the Language of Babylon: Changing the World by Engaging the Culture."
While God calls His church to change the world by renewing hearts, many Christians are not comfortable venturing out into a world whose values are often hostile. In this book, Pastor Terry Crist explains how the spirit and ideas of Babylon pervade the world today - from the White House to the schoolhouse. Crist provides evidence of cultural breakdown and offers ways for us to reconnect with our community. He asserts that Cultural Relevance must become the mission of the church. Crist provides a blueprint for Christians who want to effectively understand and transform their youth culture.
Based on the repetitive nature of commercial advertising and marketing, the exploitation of women images to make music and videos more sexually entertaining, and other research we've conducted, we believe that Media Product available to the mainstream (radio, TV, movies, etc.) should be more balanced. For every rapper that raps negative content, there should also be one with positive content.
Fishnett believes that the best way it may serve youth is to produce and promote the Holy Entertainment Alternative. The pictures below are examples...from left we have the Weapons of Mass Destruction (World Fellowship Church International) doing the "War Cry" dance, Gospel Rap Evangelist Nova for Jehovah praying for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina, and Angie B, Cinammon Murray, and Shameka Lloyd in a praise dance for a recent wedding. Shameka is also part of our Modeling and Dance Subnett and will be playing a leadership role in building this new part of Fishnett. She recently graduated from Barbizon and models with a confidence that comes from her faith and has nothing to do with her body.
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