Why I will Never allow my Children to Read Shakespeare Update: Jan. 2001 is at the end of the article. This article appeared in the February 2000 issue of our newsletter. Written by Mrs. Sharon White {My intention is to show you that we are being deceived by reading Shakespeare's work. This is the very source from which many fall into the hands of the devil.} "Hereafter I will not talk much with you; for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me." - John 14:30 "The way in which he refers to his removal from them by his suffering and death is remarkable, 'For the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.'   He marks, first, the character of his adversary - the prince of this world. He is not so by right, but usurpation; and by God's allowing him power over those who provoke Him. When the traitor had received the sop, then Satan entered into him. He was in him before; but his agency was under restraints. These restraints were then all taken away, and the devil had his victim entirely to himself. Israel would have none of him, so he gave them up to their own hearts lust. All who walk according to the course of this world, walk according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. They may imagine themselves to be free, and many of them make a figure in the eye of sense; but faith sees them taken captive by the devil at his will, and held in the vilest subjection; he is their prince; yea, according to the apostle he is the god of this world; and in reality they not only obey him, but worship him." (Ed. note: Often without even realizing it.) - William Jay in the late 1700's        I feel like I am treading on very thin ice here with this month's topic. How could I possibly have the gall to even insinuate that Shakespeare's writings are inappropriate? For centuries, Christians and non - Christians alike have been drawn to his work. And now, some little peasant woman from New England has the nerve to get up and say, "Keep your eyes away from the evil writing's of William Shakespeare!" Please bear with me and let me explain. But first, we must understand who he was.       Shakespeare, a world famous poet and playwright, lived from 1564 to 1616. He is considered by many to be one of the greatest literary writers of all time. His work shows brilliance, say the experts, genius and masterful understanding of human nature. By reading and analyzing his writing, we are supposed to develop some type of literary education.        However, should we not explore him as a person? Should we not understand what is behind his writing? His very own life and beliefs? While still a young man, William Shakespeare had an incredible interest in such ungodly subjects as: Astrology, alchemy, and the occult. It was also acceptable in those days to be involved in demonology. This ought to be completely obvious to us as we read his work and find characters involved in murder, witchcraft, suicide and ghosts. There are enormous amounts of evil pouring through those pages. In effect, if we truly consider this, the education we receive from his writings is simply one of complete and utter darkness.            The Bible clearly states in I Thess. 5:22, "Abstain from all appearance of evil." Is this just a suggestion? Or perhaps is God trying to protect us and safeguard our thoughts with purity. We must avoid looking at anything ungodly. Why? Because it can be a temptation, or a distraction from our true purpose which is to honor and glorify God. But even more important, it keeps us away from the destruction of the evil one who can lay hold of us at any moment, if we invite him in. For those, particularly our vulnerable children, who may not know God intimately or are unsure. . . "The devil stands ready to fall upon them, and seize them as his own, at what moment God shall permit him. They belong to him; he has their souls in his possession, and under his domain. The Scripture represents them as his goods - Luke 11:21. The devils watch them: they are ever by them, at their right hand; they stand waiting for them, like greedy hungry lions, that see their prey, and expect to have it, but are for the present kept back. If God should withdraw his hand, by which they are restrained, they would in one moment fly upon their poor souls. The old serpent is gaping for them; hell opens its mouth wide to receive them; and if God should permit it, they would be hastily swallowed up and lost." -Jonathan Edwards in 1741    I bring this message to you with a fearful heart. Some time ago, I was awakened from my sleep. It was still dark and I tried to get up. Fear was surrounding my spirit. I felt something evil lurking about my room and I was utterly terrified when I was physically restrained, it seemed, from getting up. Then almost as quickly as the feeling came, it disappeared. All was back to normal and the birds were chirping happily out my window. I looked around and wondered what happened. I had an overwhelming pressure on my conscience, a burden on my heart and it was to study the life of William Shakespeare. You may think that is odd, but I want to explain that when we give our entire heart and will to God, he will use us despite all our frailties and shortcomings. That is why I bring this message to help you understand the danger of reading the work of Shakespeare. I will now use the example from a Student at the infamous Columbine High School, where the massacre took place by some disturbed teenage boys. There was one girl in particular who walked in the dark path despite living in a Christian home. She was torn apart by the spirit world and listened to Satanic rock, was involved with witchcraft, etc. Her parents, after realizing what was going on, took some drastic steps and slowly, ever so slowly, Cassie Bernall turned wholeheartedly to God and forsook her old life. Ironically, the day of the shootings, on April 20, 1999, she was in the library studying MacBeth by William Shakespeare, for English class. She loved his work, yet there were some things that clearly bothered her. And here I will quote her friend, Amanda, as she explains Cassie's thoughts: "We were studying MacBeth - that's what she was reading in the library that Tuesday, because she was behind - and Cassie didn't like it. She said it was too dark and sinister and death - oriented. Almost evil." - Quote taken from the book "She said Yes" by Misty Bernall     Shortly after this, she was faced with the two murderers in a rampage who asked her point blank if she believed in God. She said yes and was shot in the head, forever to be joined with the saints in Heaven. Praise God that she turned from her sinful world and is now a partaker of the Kingdom of Heaven! If we move on to the famous C.H. Spurgeon, we will see that as a young boy, about the age of 14, he read profusely the works of the Puritans. But he also read Shakespeare's plays. He had great influences of Godly living all around him and yet he had an incredible struggle. For some time, he was under a lot of spiritual stress. Blasphemous thoughts had a hold of him which were straight from the devil. At one point, according to his biographer, Ernest W. Bacon, he almost persuaded himself that he was an atheist. Isn't' that shocking to consider? Charles Spurgeon was the man who, at the age of 18, became a minister and shook the foundations of the Churches with his utter devotion to our Lord.        Shall I dare to suggest that perhaps the writings of Shakespeare were a major cause of his early struggles with dark thoughts? He is not here to tell us. But someday, we can ask him when we all meet in the Heavenly mansions. Forgive me if I am losing you. It is hard to let go of something we all believed was right for so long. We must remember what the Bible says: II Cor. 6:14 "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?" This, my dear readers, includes the written word. When someone ungodly writes, and his words remain long after his death, the power of the darkness still lives on and flows through the pages into the minds of the readers. Be warned, my dear ones. Be not deceived. It is not a simple matter to cast aside. We are talking about the spiritual world and the bad effects it can have over our lives. Ephesians 6:12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." We must put our hearts, souls and minds into God's word. We are to meditate therein. When good goes into our minds, we will reap good. When wickedness, corruption and evil goes in, that is exactly what will come out. We will always reap what we sow.    If we consider the ungodly thoughts of Shakespeare we will uncover the truth. In Hamlet, he portrays the idea that life is simply a dream or a stage. Hamlet says "there is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so."       Oh, how foolish we have been. How could we allow our innocent children to be manipulated by such doctrine. They may even begin to question the theology of the Bible itself. Is it any wonder that many children have departed from the faith of our fathers? In Romeo and Juliet, the young couple betray their parents and secretly meet. In the end, they commit suicide in a mistaken understanding of love and life. Do we then have any excuse for our own children in society who follow what they are taught in Shakespeare's writings? When murder, witchcraft, depression, and suicides are common among our youth, how can we even wonder how it all happened?     My dear readers, let us all Step out of the Darkness of delusion. You may think it is funny or a cliché when you read this, but the Bible, which was written through the inspiration of God himself, is the only literary work we really need. If you feel the urge to laugh or scorn my thoughts, may I suggest you try it? I did a little experiment with a teenage girl who was caught in the dark, gothic world of which she found pleasure. I told her to write out her thoughts at the moment. (Which were depressing to say the least.) Then I brought her an intense, spiritual novel to read. I told her to again, write her thoughts after she finished reading the book. The difference was miraculous. She felt like a new person. The contrast was un - mistakingly extreme. She even felt the presence of the Holy Spirit and began to witness to her Gothic friends.       But, sadly, I fear the strong hold of the darkness was too much for her and now she struggles between two worlds. I often tell her to read over those thoughts. Read the difference and decide where the true happiness lies. And ever so slowly, the chains of the world are loosening their hold on her. I pray that you will have the same experience. Let us all strive each moment to refuse to partake of the world's pleasures for something they can never offer. . . The joy and peace of the Lord Almighty. ~ Update: Last night I went to a message board and read a little discussion about Shakespeare. One gentleman thought it was fine and went on to describe a little about his own life and the terrible things he had done but, he explained, he is doing fine and is still a Christian. This is heartbreaking! How can we think, even for a moment, that God is pleased when we dabble in the dark world? I pray that the following words will help bring more understanding: "Nothing short of the complete denying of self, the abandoning of the dearest idol, the forsaking of the most cherished sinful course is what He claims from everyone who would have communion with Himself." - A.W. Pink     Oh how much we need to learn these words of wisdom. Oh, how dearly we need to embrace this truth and hide it in our hearts! That one quote sums up the private interludes with God. He will not even come near us until we cast off our spiritually adulterous behavior! He comes when we forsake. He stays away when we play with our other lovers (the things of this world). If you would like to learn more about this, please order the November 2000 edition of this newsletter which explains "Spiritual Fasting" to clear you of the toxic effects of this world so you can think clearly and draw amazingly close to God. Have you ever felt Him near you, I am talking about very near you for a long period of time? This is the greatest, treasure of all. Seek Him and He will come. Give up your worldly ways and He will fill you with His blessed presence. ~ Site Index