Can a Christian consider a Career in Acting / Entertainment?" Nollywood Actor and Director, Kenechi Okafor says something on that.
He received several questions from aspiring actors on facebook before he decided to seek global contributions added to his ideas in other to make his response robust .
Below is what he has to say:
Question: "Can a Christian consider a career in acting (Nollywood) / Entertainment ?"
Answer: This is a hard question to answer because the entertainment business and Nollywood includes many aspects. There is a vast difference between a theatre that presents only classics such as poetic & inspirational plays and TV shows that glorifies majorly sex, romance and violence. Both are considered part of the entertainment business and both involve actors and actresses, but the impact on the performers and the audiences is quite different. Christians considering a career in acting or performing in Nollywood must consider the effects their roles will have on themselves spiritually, the lifestyle into which they will be entering, and the influence their performances will have on others.
For the Christian actor/actress, involvement in a movie that glorifies sin or the devil's work is clearly not an option. Because some actors struggle to find roles, they often take whatever roles they lay their hands on, especially when they are first starting out. For unbelieving actors/actresses, the decision to take a part in movies, involves little more than the effect it will have on their careers and future and the money involved. But for the Christian, there is also the problem of whether the role glorifies God or at least is not actually glorifying rebellion against Him with violence or sex or other evils. "mind you, it will be pretty difficult because nowadays viewers are much interested in the so called fashion oriented movies, sex and violence.
Viewers love to watch that sexy lady with sexy and revealing fashion sense". This is because we live in a world where the devil has a huge influence on these matters (including entertainment), but the Christian actor should not take parts in movie roles which promote Satan's agenda. The overriding principle involved is found in 1 Corinthians 10:31: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
Viewers love to watch that sexy lady with sexy and revealing fashion sense". This is because we live in a world where the devil has a huge influence on these matters (including entertainment), but the Christian actor should not take parts in movie roles which promote Satan's agenda. The overriding principle involved is found in 1 Corinthians 10:31: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
In addition, Nollywood has many opportunities and many fabulous scripts that doesn't glorify Satan.
For a Christian, you just have to ignore the role if you think it is against your faith or religion to take part in sex and violence movies. But the bitter truth is... an Actor lives the life of another person (your character in the movie) in movies.
For a Christian, you just have to ignore the role if you think it is against your faith or religion to take part in sex and violence movies. But the bitter truth is... an Actor lives the life of another person (your character in the movie) in movies.
The issue of the lifestyle of Actors/Actresses in general must be a consideration for a Christian. There is an enormous amount of drugs, alcohol, and immoral behavior in the entertainment industry and Nollywood . Young people eager to get the “big break” are often used and abused by those in power and or, in the other hand, they intentionally choose to use immoral ways to attract movie roles for themselves. While it may be possible for a Christian to be in the movie world and not be affected, you equally need to hear this- “Do not be misled; ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” It would be foolish to ignore that warning.
Finally, the impact acting has on others must be considered. When unbelievers see professing Christians in movies, TV shows, or live performances that promote ungodliness, they sense the hypocrisy. There is also a detrimental effect on the faith of other believers, especially young people and those immature in the faith. Anytime, a young believer can justify ungodliness by saying, “Well, so-and-so does it and he’s a Christian,” the young person is drawn away from truth into sin. The bitter truth is that even the so called Christians enjoy watching such movies that glorify sex and ungodliness privately. *chuckles* Sad, right? But it's reality.
Ultimately, the decision to enter into a career in acting in Nollywood must be made prayerfully, seeking God’s wisdom (James 1:5) and the counsel of mature Christians, remembering always that "everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness" (2 Timothy 2:19).
In summary, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” It would be foolish to ignore that warning.
But, if you really want to take a career as an actor or actress in Nollywood, even as a Christian, feel free, there are more Christians in Nollywood than we have in the church (proverb). Pick acting as a career and deliver your performances but vet the roles you play and avoid bad company.
But, if you really want to take a career as an actor or actress in Nollywood, even as a Christian, feel free, there are more Christians in Nollywood than we have in the church (proverb). Pick acting as a career and deliver your performances but vet the roles you play and avoid bad company.
