on Making a Murderer

In case you've missed it this show, Making a Murderer, has been blowing up the news world and many Netflix ques. The story centers around Steven Avery and his nephew Brendan Dassey who were arrested for murdering freelance photographer Teresa Halbach. The show also looks at Avery's trial, sentence, and exoneration for sexual assault and attempted murder of Penny Bornstein in 1985. After his exoneration 2003, Avery filed a major law suit against the Manitowoc County Police.

The show is filmed over a ten year period by film makers Laura Riccardi and Moira Demos, and it chronicles the saga of Avery and Dassey's arrest, trial, and many other events surrounding his original conviction and lawsuit against the Manitowoc County Police department. The show does have an MA rating, so please be advised that allowing younger children to watch this program will expose them to some very mature themes.

Here are a few thoughts on the matter. . .
1) Be careful who we look up to.
  The subject matter of this show is very interesting. I'm not going to lie, I love courtroom drama. I've read 5 Michael Connelly books, and I have two more to read, but we as followers of Jesus Christ need to be very careful how we handle shows and situations like this. Steven Avery is a man with a troubled past. He should be prayed for and loved and encouraged that his actions need forgiveness. He doesn't need to be celebrated. This show has in some ways turned him into a house hold name and that saddens me. We know the name of this man who has such a troubled past but for many of us we couldn't name one of our local police officers or firefighters, and the list can go on. Jesus died for him as well, and Jesus desires that one day Steven Avery will accept him as his personal savior.

Philippians 4:8 is a great reminder of Paul that we should look and think on things that are pure, noble, excellent, and holy. Be mindful of that verse when watching shows such as this one.

2) Be careful about advocating violent entertainment.
  We live in a culture of violence. To be fair I think the world was always violent, but with our expanded and improved way to share information I think we see violence more and more than generations past have seen violence. But, as followers of Jesus we're called to love the world, but not be a part of the world. I encourage you to pray for peace. See and support movies and entertainment that support family values. Vote in elections for candidates who support and will vote for things you believe. Pray for victims of domestic violence. Talk to your children and younger siblings about how violence is wrong and if they see it on the TV or in a video game how it shouldn't be imitated in real life, and above all look to draw closer to Jesus no matter what. Jesus said blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth, and he also said blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God! (Matthew 5:5, 5:9)