Haven’t We Seen This Movie Before

By Reverend Paul N. Papas II

April 2, 2024

I keep waiting for Rod Serling to come on at the end of the half hour and tell us about next week’s episode. Unfortunately this episode has been playing for three years plus as science fiction, horror, and fantasy are the norm.

In the introduction to his invaluable book The Twilight Zone Companion, Marc Scott Zicree calls Rod Serling’s game-changer a “flower booming in a television desert.” It’s hard to overstate the series’ impact on our understanding of TV’s potential for telling bold, complex stories, not to mention the genres of science fiction, horror, and fantasy: In addition to defining the anthology series form, top Twilight Zone episodes embody Serling’s vision for weekly short stories with complex moral and existential quandaries. This made certain that “genre” fare could no longer be dismissed as mere child’s play. (1)

As this point we need Lenny Briscoe, of Law and Order fame, to solve all the crimes we have been reading about in his typical half hour fashion. 

Yes both popular TV shows say they are fiction, are they?

A Netflix episode was strikingly similar to the barge running into the bridge abutment collapsing the bridge.  

They are using science fiction, horror, and fantasy to fundamentally change the country from a Constitutional Republic into a communist wasteland. Over and over the mantra from those pushing science fiction, horror, and fantasy is this that this country is a democracy. The reason is simple under a democracy people have no rights unless the government says so, essentially democracy is mob rule. 

In contrast:

In July 2022, Britain’s prime minister was forced to step down after what many felt were lapses in integrity (the newly appointed prime minister stepped down just months later!). The event was triggered when the country’s health minister attended an annual parliamentary prayer breakfast, felt convicted about the need for integrity in public life, and resigned. When other ministers resigned too, the prime minister realized he had to leave. It was a remarkable moment, originating from a peaceful prayer meeting. (2)

We are a very long way from integrity in DC today. They have long ago left Servant Leader model which President George Washington exhibited when he left office and retired to private life. Many in DC today believe they are gods and those who they are supposed to serve are their serfs. Many in DC prefer to use science fiction, horror, and fantasy to cause those they are supposed to serve to suffer fear, anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

Had enough?

The health of a country is governed by the integrity of its office-bearers. Let’s seek “Psalm 72 leaders” for our nations and help them to embody the qualities found in this psalm by praying it for them. (2)

Reverend Paul N. Papas II is a Pastoral Counselor with Narrow Path Ministries (MA and AZ) and Founder of the Family Renewal Center (AZ) www.narrowpathministries.org  and www.familyrenewalcenteraz.org

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Reference

(1) https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/the-twilight-zone/the-best-twilight-zone-episodes-rod-serling-sci-fi

(2) https://stopandpraytv.wordpress.com/2024/04/02/psalm-72-leaders/