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Social engineering is the engineering of consent.  It is a means of bringing about changes in values and beliefs of large numbers of people over a relatively short period of time.  Dr. Samuel A. Stouffer director of the Laboratory of Social Relations, Harvard University, said, “it was a good working rule that people’s attitudes are more easily reached through their emotions than through their intellects” (Hidden Persuaders, Vance Packard, p. 221).
One way social engineering is accomplished is through media saturation.  Media critic, Todd Gitlin, argues that media images and soundscapes have become so accessible in restaurants, in homes, at school, and on the street that they combine to become a constant, forceful flow–a “torrent.”  The presence of media in society has grown into “an accompaniment to life that has become a central experience of life” (Todd Gitliln, Media Unlimited, Popologetics, p. 159).  Further, we have become supersaturated with media, we have become addicted to the emotional and sensual “hit” that media offers.  We have become an easily distractible people–a people who are easily bored, easily mollified.  We yearn for what media offers: disposable feelings.  We don’t pay attention to the content of the media because it has become the wallpaper of our lives (Popologetics, p.159).
Here is a warning for Christians.  We must not allow the various forms of media that we experience to determine our beliefs and values.  We must engage all media forms (movies, television, radio, music, newspapers, magazines, books, advertising, etc.) with critical discernment and intentional choices guided by the truth of God’s Word.
One area of concern is entertainment or recreation.  Many of the forms of media just mentioned are experienced when our guard is down.  We are most vulnerable when we are pursuing a good time.  Sinful amusements and entertainment can be vehicles of social engineering.  When the lusts of the flesh are engaged and emotions are activated, one’s thinking can be altered.  “Sinful amusement exploits, addicts, degrades, and dehumanizes, and so twists and distorts the original playful element of God-given shalom” (Popologetics, Ted Turnau, p. 148).
Social engineering has been used to change public opinion regarding homosexuality.  Regarding homosexuality, the emotional argument has been forceful.  Humor, sarcasm, and pathos have been used to change hearts first and then change minds.  Humor has been used in sitcoms on television.  Sarcasm is used to expose supposed homophobia or bigotry.  Pathos has been used in movies to generate sympathy for homosexuals when persecuted by others.  The change that has taken place is one of the most dramatic in human history.  Homosexuality which was once condemned by many is now glorified by many.  We have witnessed the power of the media over the past fifty years to affect social change.
The problem is that homosexuality is a sin in the sight of God (Romans 1:18-32; I Cor. 6:9-10).  This eternal truth cannot be changed by social engineering.  It cannot be changed by political will.  It cannot be changed by the American legislative system.  God’s authority supersedes man’s authority and we ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).