I just saw an online Halloween ad for Busch Gardens. It read, "Evil never goes out of fashion."
Wow. I realize I'm prone to queasiness, and Halloween isn't one of my favorite "holidays," but is that really what they meant?
Their ad campaign, when I visited the website, revealed a video of models walking down the catwalk in strange attire who suddenly transform into vampire-like creatures, leaping into the audience, attacking and biting the necks of observers. While creepy, I can endure it. It's the idea that evil is something to be desired that is disturbing to me.
Dictionary.com lists the following definitions for the noun form of the word
evil:
--
| the force in nature that governs and gives rise to wickedness and sin. |
| -- | the wicked or immoral part of someone or something |
| -- | harm; mischief; misfortune: to wish one evil. |
| -- | anything causing injury or harm. |
| -- | a harmful aspect, effect, or consequence: the evils of alcohol. |
| -- | a disease, as king's evil. |
Now, see the definitions given for
fashion:
--
| a prevailing custom or style of dress, etiquette, socializing, etc. |
--
| conventional usage in dress, manners, etc., esp. of polite society, or conformity to it. |
--
| manner; way; mode: in a warlike fashion. |
--
| the make or form of anything. |
For all the talk of government ideologies of world peace and toleration
(which can't be achieved without Christ, but that's a subject for another day), what this ad states is that humanity doesn't desire those things; rather, what captures our hopes and attention is evil. In spite of all the negative adjectives associated with the definition of evil, what is to be emulated or conformed to in our culture, society and planet is anything harmful.
I know the ad execs were trying to be clever, but is that really what they meant?
The LORD of hosts will be exalted in judgment, and the holy God will show Himself holy in righteousness. . . .Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and clever in their own sight! (Isaiah 5:16, 20, 21.)
God, help me to desire and celebrate good; to think on things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, excellent and praise-worthy.
