Ellen Chat Conversation

Ellen White wrote extensively about the theater, viewing it as a dangerous and immoral influence. ### The Theater as a Place of Immorality She described the theater as a "hotbed of immorality" rather than a school for virtue. * "Among the most dangerous resorts for pleasure is the theater. Instead of being a school for morality and virtue, as is so often claimed, it is the very hotbed of immorality. Vicious habits and sinful propensities are strengthened and confirmed by these entertainments. Low songs, lewd gestures, expressions, and attitudes, deprave the imagination and debase the morals." (CT 334.3) * "Every youth who habitually attends such exhibitions will be corrupted in principle. There is no influence in our land more powerful to poison the imagination, to destroy religious impressions, and to blunt the relish for the tranquil pleasures and sober realities of life than theatrical amusements." (4T 652.3) ### Addictive Nature and Satan's Influence She compared the desire for theatrical amusements to the craving for alcohol and identified the drama as one of Satan's tools. * "The love for these scenes increases with every indulgence, as the desire for intoxicating drink strengthens with its use. The only safe course is to shun the theater, the circus, and every other questionable place of amusement." (CT 334.3) * "Through the drama he has worked for ages to excite passion and glorify vice. The opera, with its fascinating display and bewildering music, the masquerade, the dance, the card table, Satan employs to break down the barriers of principle and open the door to sensual indulgence." (PP 459.3) ### The Argument for "Moral" Theater Ellen White cautioned against the idea of moral or high-toned theatrical scenes, stating that they serve to remove objections and break down barriers to more questionable entertainment (4T 578.1). ### Other Uses of the Term "Theater" She also used the term in other contexts: * **In Ministry:** She spoke of using "theatrical devices" such as charts and symbols in a positive way to make the truth clear during ministry (GW 355). * **Figuratively:** She described a beautiful valley in Palestine as a "theater where this grand and impressive scene was to be enacted" (PP 500.1). * **As an Analogy:** She recounted a story where an actor told an archbishop that actors are effective because they speak of imaginary things as if they were real, while some ministers speak of real things as if they were imaginary, highlighting the power of enthusiasm (Ed 233.2). * **Critique of Churches:** She lamented that some popular churches "appear more like a theater than a place for the worship of God," where fashion is displayed and the poor do not feel welcome (4T 642.3).

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Ellen White describes her prophetic work as a process where the Holy Spirit impressed her mind and heart with specific messages, regardless of whether people chose to listen or ignore the warnings (3SM 46.2). She maintained a firm commitment to lifting a warning voice as long as her life was spared, viewing herself as an instrument in God's hands to communicate principles that had been impressed upon her for many years (3SM 46.2). She frequently encountered resistance from those who dismissed her testimonies of warning and reproof as merely her personal opinion (5T 64.3).

She argued that such a dismissal was an insult to the Spirit of God, as her work involved a power that impelled her to rebuke wrongs she had not previously considered (GCB June 2, 1913, par. 39). She pointed to the consistency of her work over decades as evidence of its divine origin (5T 64.3). Her visions often placed her in the position of an eyewitness to events, where she saw and heard things as if she were actually present (EW 297.5).

This included seeing the past, present, and future, as well as recognizing faces of people she had never met until years after they were shown to her in vision (5T 64.3). These experiences were often vivid and occurred at times when she was aroused from sleep to write urgent letters that addressed crises across the continent (GCB June 2, 1913, par. 39).

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You might also want to explore:How did Ellen White describe the physical experience of being in vision?What did she say about the relationship between her writings and the Bible?How did she respond to those who rejected her testimonies as human opinion?