Various points should be considered in this matter:

First of all, the acting profession itself is fraught with problems. Just looking at the lives of Hollywood “entertainers” demonstrates many of the bad “fruits” of this trade: drug abuse, dishonesty, rampant immorality, crime, divorce, etc. Drama classes often reflect these things, in the portrayal of situations and circumstances of which God would not approve. In the course of acting, one may be required to depict characters whose “lives” reflect all sorts of ungodly traits. Obviously, in Hollywood, lines are crossed in a more graphic and explicit manner, but the principle is the same.

This does not mean that one cannot occasionally participate in certain activities of a “drama”-oriented nature, such as playing a part in a clean, wholesome skit. In the past, when Mr. Armstrong was alive and the Church was on track, such performances were included as part of the entertainment for Church-sponsored activities. One example is a character known as “Big Beak” who was “standard fare” in the “Young Ambassador” Feast films of the 1980s.

But, as mentioned above, the “fruits” of acting as a long-term career and lifestyle are not wholesome. The lines between fiction and reality often become blurred in the minds of those who are constantly “becoming someone else” and such individuals sometimes find it difficult to readily detach themselves from the characters they portray. This can lead to many problems, not the least of which being schizophrenia and a host of other mental and psychological disorders. Not to mention the fact that “movie stars” are practically deified in this day and age.

It is interesting to note that a hypocrite in classical Greek could be “an orator, one who interpreted dreams, a reciter of poetry, or an actor.” The meaning of hypocrisy and hypocrite in the New Testament reflects the use of the term in Greek drama. In Greek theater, a hypocrite was one who wore a mask and played a role on the stage, imitating the mannerisms, speech, idiosyncrasies and conduct of the character portrayed.

In light of these things, and considering that habits and patterns of lifelong conduct are formed and developed during the childhood and teen years, those who are striving to live God’s Way should not be involved in drama courses at school.