Q: How should Christians properly assess the media they consume? For example, many movies and video games that are not adult entertainment still contain lustful elements (e.g., sex scenes or characters with revealing outfits). It’s seemingly inescapable and contributes to people envisioning others as objects. For example, there is a game that I was interested in playing. However, I had reservations about it because of the over-sexualization of the fictional characters. I do not have same-sex attraction, so it does not make me feel lustful. The problem is I know that it can make some people feel that way, so I felt it clashes with the virtue of chastity. What is your advice, Father? Thank you for everything. — A.O.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC:

A: You touch on one of the biggest problems in today’s culture: We swim in a media swamp.

What to do about it?

A short suggestion is this: Treat the media as you would a potential guest in your home.

Then ask yourself, would you invite someone to your dinner table who uses foul language? Or who dresses or speaks in provocative ways?

Would you invite someone who doesn’t share and in fact undercuts or mocks your religious and moral views?

The media we watch will impact and shape the way we think.

Our minds are like sponges, and if we soak them in a swamp, they won’t come out smelling like roses.

In any case, constant exposure to risqué material could cause us to lower our standards; it can get us accustomed to worse things.

So, consider a radical idea: Why not break with all the bad media right now?

And why not try a “zero-based budgeting” approach?

That is, start from scratch and ask yourself, “What comes up to my standards?” Allow only those things into your media diet that are worthy of your attention as a daughter of God.

This might take a bit of work. If good, modern things seem scarce, then look up old things on YouTube, such as Bishop Sheen talks.

Also, consider making reading a bigger part of your leisure time. Ignatius Press and other publishers have hundreds of worthwhile books that will help you live a Catholic life.

In short, don’t let the tail wag the dog: Don’t let bad media dictate your life. You can push back.