Should this cartoon have been banned?
The idea of smoking, I don’t think should have been promoted in a children’s cartoon. There was moral behind the situation, so I don’t think it should have been banned.
The Moral
I watched the entire video. It was called Donald’s Better Self and showed in 1938. Donald is tempted by his anti-conscience. His anti-conscience persuades Donald to skip school, go fishing, and smoke the pipe. Donald’s good conscience gets him out of bed to go to school.
Donald is being provided with the skill of dealing with his own emotions and manage his moods. Smoking the pipe was an unfamiliar situation for Donald and he had an adverse reaction to smoking the pipe. Donald was given the opportunity to learn how to handle a difficult situation.
Biblical Principles
I found three biblical principles that could have been learned from this situation. The principles were being tempted, making wise decisions, and being obedient.
First, Donald was being tempted in this situation. He should have submitted himself therefore to God, resisted the devil, and the devil duck would have fled from him (James 4:7, NIV). Also, if Donald had been able to put on the full armor of God, he may have been able to stand against the devil and his schemes (Ephesians 6:11, NIV).
Second, Donald did not make a wise decision when he decided to smoke. He should have questioned himself about the biblical principles that would inform his decision. Proverbs 2:6, NIV, says “For the Lord gives wisdom, from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. Donald should have made sure his actions brought glory to God. Donald faced pressure while making a premature decision. He didn’t consider the outcomes of his action (“10 Biblical principles,” n.d.).
Last, Donald did disobey. He was suppose to be at school but instead went somewhere else. It would have been wise if Donald was obedient. In Deuteronomy 11:26-28, NIV, it says, “Obey and you will be blessed. Disobey and you will be cursed.” In the new testament we learn through the examples of Jesus Christ that believers are called to a life of obedience (“Learn religions,” 2011).
These are biblical principles and teachings that Donald should have considered but he was disobedient and there was the consequence of getting sick for his behavior.
Prosocial
I don’t think this cartoon would be classified as prosocial because of the bad influence that was learned. However, there were some prosocial actions shown when his good conscience tried to get Donald to do the right thing. Donald’s behavior wasn’t appropriate or beneficial.
Final Moral
The final moral would be to stay in school, be obedient, and don’t do drugs.
References
Fairchild, M. (2011, December 15). 8 Biblical Reasons Why Obedience to God Is Important. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/obedience-to-God-701962
10 Biblical Principles For Making Wise Decisions. (n.d.).Retrieved from http://www.watermark.org/blog/decision-making-prnciples
Version, B.E., & Staff, I. B. (2009). Holy Bible
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