I just ran across this, seems fitting to post it here........
Something for parents to think about
A father of some teenage children had the family rule that they could not attend PG-13 or R rated movies. His three teens wanted to see the particular popular movie that was playing at local theaters. It was rated PG-13.
The teens interviewed friends and even some members of their family's church to find out what was offensive in the movie. The teens made a list of pros and cons about the movie to use to convince their dad that they should be allowed to see it.
The cons that it contained ONLY 3 swear words, the ONLY violence was a building exploding (and you see that on the TV all the time they said), and you actually did not "see" the couple in the movie having sex-it was just implied sex, off camera.
The pros were that it was a popular move-a blockbuster. Everyone was seeing it. If the teens saw the movie then they would not feel left out when their friends discussed it. The movie contained a good story and plot. It had some great adventure and suspense in it. There were some fantastic special effects in this movie. The movie's stars were some of the most talented actors in Hollywood. It probably would be nominated for several awards.
Many of the members of their Christian church had even seen the movie and said it wasn't "very bad." Therefore, since there more pros than con the teens said they were asking their father to reconsider his position on this ONE movie and let them have permission to go see it.
The father looked at the list and thought for a few minutes. He said he could tell his children had spent some time and though on this request. He asked if he could have a day to think about it before making his decision. The teens were thrilled thinking: "Now we've got him! Our argument is too goo! Dad can't turn us down!" So they happily agreed to let him have a day to think about their request.
The next evening the father called in his three teenagers, who were smiling smugly, into the living room. There on the coffee table he had a plate of brownies. The teens were puzzled. The father told his children he had thought about their request and had decided that if they would eat a brownie then he would let them go to the movie. But just like the movie, the brownies have pros and cons.
The pros were that they were made the finest chocolate and other good ingredients. They had the added special effect of yummy walnuts in them. The brownies were moist and fresh with wonderful chocolate frosting on top. He had made these fantastic brownies using an award-winning recipe. And best of all, the brownies had been made lovingly by the hand of their own father.
The brownies only had one con. He had included a bit of a special ingredient. The brownies also contained just a little bit of dog poop. But he had mixed the dough well-they probably would not even be able to taste the dog poop and he had baked it at 350 degrees so any bacteria or germs from the dog poop had probably been destroyed.
Therefore, if any of his children could stand to eat brownies which included just a "a little bit of crap" and not be affected by it, then he knew they would also be able to see the movie with "just a little bit of smut" and not be affected.
Of course, none of the teens would eat the brownies and the smug smiles had left their faces. Only Dad was smiling smugly as they left the room. Now when the teenagers ask permission to do something he is apposed to the father just asks, " Would you like me to whip up a batch of my special brownies?"
I guess that's zero tolerance.....
