By Nathan Kiwere
Cinema, as one of the most influential forms of art and entertainment, holds the power to shape ideologies, cultures, and moral values. While film has the potential to inspire, educate, and elevate the human spirit, the rise of secular cinema—films produced without reference to moral or spiritual frameworks—has led to the gradual erosion of traditional values across societies. By normalizing vice, glorifying rebellion, and desensitizing audiences to immorality, secular cinema has contributed significantly to the moral decay observed in modern civilization.
In the early days of cinema, especially during the 1930s to 1950s, films often carried clear moral messages. Hollywood productions under the Hays Code (Motion Picture Production Code) avoided graphic content and emphasized virtues like honesty, loyalty, and justice. However, by the late 1960s, with the collapse of the code and the rise of the counterculture movement, cinema began shifting toward a secular worldview that rejected religious or ethical norms in favor of individual expression, often without accountability.
This shift was most evident in films such as A Clockwork Orange (1971), directed by Stanley Kubrick. Though critically acclaimed, the film featured disturbing scenes of violence, sexual assault, and moral ambiguity. It left viewers questioning the very idea of morality. In the United Kingdom, it was linked to real-life cases of juvenile delinquency and was eventually withdrawn from circulation by Kubrick himself for over 25 years.
Glorification of vice
Secular cinema often glamorizes behaviors that societies once considered immoral or taboo. Drug use, promiscuity, materialism, and rebellion against authority are depicted not as problems but as lifestyles. Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction (1994), for example, is celebrated for its storytelling and stylistic elements but also normalizes drug abuse and presents violent criminals as charming and even philosophical characters.
Similarly, the 2013 film The Wolf of Wall Street, directed by Martin Scorsese, depicts the rise and fall of stockbroker Jordan Belfort. While it exposes greed and corruption, the film revels in excessive scenes of drug use, infidelity, and unethical conduct—so much so that it received criticism for glorifying a hedonistic lifestyle. Young audiences, many of whom admired the lead character, absorbed the message that success could justify any moral compromise.
Sexualization and loss of innocence
One of the most troubling effects of secular cinema is the premature sexualization of youth and the distortion of healthy sexual norms. Shows like Euphoria (2019–), though marketed as a “realistic” portrayal of teenage life, feature explicit scenes involving drug use, nudity, and violence. The show, available on mainstream platforms like HBO, has been criticized by educators and parents for pushing content that could desensitize young viewers and encourage risky behavior.
Moreover, the normalization of pornography in cinema has further distorted public perception of sex, reducing it from a sacred, intimate act to a casual, transactional experience. This has been linked to the breakdown of family units, rising divorce rates, and an increase in mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, especially among youth addicted to pornographic content often encountered first through mainstream movies.
Cultural impact and identity crisis
Across the world, secular films have contributed to the erosion of indigenous moral systems. African, Asian, and Middle Eastern societies, many of which were built on communal values, spiritual beliefs, and respect for elders, are increasingly adopting Western attitudes propagated through Hollywood. Nigerian Nollywood films, once rooted in traditional African values, have in recent years been criticized for mimicking Hollywood’s secular trends—promoting materialism, infidelity, and shallow lifestyles.
In Uganda, for example, local cinema has seen a surge in content that mirrors global trends rather than celebrating moral uprightness or cultural identity. The push to be “modern” has caused many young Ugandans to abandon traditions that once upheld community values, replacing them with ideologies they barely understand but have absorbed through the screen.
To counter this moral decline, there must be a conscious effort by filmmakers, audiences, and institutions to promote responsible cinema. Faith-based and values-driven films—like The Passion of the Christ (2004), War Room (2015), or even family-friendly animations like The Lion King—show that cinema can entertain while uplifting the human soul. In Uganda, the rise of Christian film festivals and youth-driven moral storytelling is a step in the right direction.
Governments, religious institutions, and educators must invest in media literacy programs that help young people critically engage with what they watch, understanding the difference between artistic expression and moral truth.
While cinema remains a powerful tool of storytelling, secular trends have played a significant role in undermining the moral foundations of humanity. Through the glorification of vice, normalization of sexual immorality, and erosion of cultural values, secular cinema has contributed to the present-day moral confusion and ethical relativism. To reclaim the moral high ground, society must demand and support cinema that upholds virtue, celebrates truth, and reflects the enduring values that sustain humanity.
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