Christ’s Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom: When Entertainment and Truth Collide
- Brent Madaris
- Jun 2
- 4 min read
I’ve had concerns about Disney for quite some time.
Even before my wife and I visited the parks a few years ago, I was already uneasy about the direction the company was headed. And while I enjoyed some of the experiences—the creative design, the atmosphere, the nostalgia—those concerns didn’t go away. In fact, they deepened.
Growing up, I visited Disney as a child, somewhere around five to ten years old. Like many others, I was swept up in the magic, the characters, the joy. There’s no denying Disney’s ability to captivate and inspire. But looking back, and especially now as an adult believer, I see something deeper—something we can’t afford to ignore.
More Than Just Entertainment
Disney is no longer simply about fairy tales and fantasy. It has become one of the most powerful cultural influencers in the world. And increasingly, its storytelling reflects values that run counter to a Biblical worldview. This is not a conspiracy theory. It is a provable fact!
Issues like sexuality, identity, family, and even spirituality are no longer subtly woven into Disney’s narratives—they are boldly celebrated and promoted, often in direct opposition to Christian teaching.
Some say, “It’s just entertainment.” But that misses the point. Stories shape us. They reach past logic and embed themselves in our hearts and affections. What we repeatedly laugh at, sympathize with, and normalize through entertainment becomes easier to accept in life.
What Grieves Me the Most
I’m not just concerned about what Disney is doing. I’m grieved by how many Christians embrace it without a second thought.
There appears to be little discernment, little hesitation, and little acknowledgment that anything is wrong or even potentially bad or harmful. Some, as they are reading this article, are even now taking offense at what has been written and thinking of ways to defend themselves...and Disney. For others, even though there is a deep nagging uncertainty and uneasiness about the parks, trips are planned. Films are streamed. Merchandise is bought. Social media is flooded with celebration—but rarely, if ever, are their concerns voiced.
And I have to ask: Why are we so quiet about the darkness? Have we given up? Do we see this as the classic, "If you can't beat them, join them," mantra? We seem to think that our voice doesn't matter anymore, so why speak. TRAGIC!
Ephesians 5:11
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”
Instead of exposing, we too often engage the entertainment. Instead of standing apart and calling out, we blend in. And in doing so, we send a message to our kids and our culture: this is fine. It’s harmless. Don’t think too hard. Just enjoy it.
But silence, when it comes to sin, is not harmless. It’s compromise. Why do you not stand? Why do you not cry out? Why do you not challenge the darkness? Is it because your children are wrapped up in it, and it would be best if you did not rock the boat? TRAGIC!
Not Legalism—Discernment
I’m not calling for boycotts or shame. I’m not saying every Christian who watches a Disney film, or goes to Disney is sinning. What I am saying is that we cannot afford to engage thoughtlessly.
We need to ask:
What are these stories teaching?
What are we allowing into our homes and hearts?
What are we silently affirming by our support?
Romans 12:2
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
Christ calls us to be in the world, but not of it. That includes our entertainment. If we claim to follow Him, our loyalty must be to His Kingdom above all others—including the Magic one.
A Better Kingdom
Disney’s kingdom is full of imagination, but it is built on ever-shifting cultural winds. Christ’s Kingdom is eternal. It doesn’t need branding or fairy dust. It is built on truth—and it calls us to walk in light, even when that light exposes uncomfortable things.
So yes, I’ve been to Disney. I’ve enjoyed parts of it. I understand why others do too. I can also understand why some refuse to attend the theme parks or support Disney in any way. But if we do engage with Disney, the enjoyment that we experience should never silence our discernment nor cloud our judgment, nor silence our tongues. We owe it to our children to make clear distinctions between darkness and light, truth and error. We can appreciate creativity without bowing to compromise. And yes. there may come a time in your life where, for conscience sake, you can no longer participate in the Disney magic.
Let’s be the kind of people who think, who speak, who stand. Who point our children—and the world—not just to castles and fireworks, but to a Kingdom that cannot be shaken.
Reflection & Discussion Questions
If you’re reading this as a believer, here are some questions to pray through and reflect on—personally, as a family, or even in your small group: Ask yourself,
When was the last time I evaluated the entertainment I consume in light of Scripture?
Do I engage with media and culture more through the lens of nostalgia or discernment?
Have I spoken up—or stayed silent—about the values being promoted by companies like Disney? Why?
What are my children (or those I influence) learning from the stories I allow into our home?
Am I more shaped by the culture’s vision of love and truth, or Christ’s?
How can I use my life to lovingly, boldly call others to truth without falling into legalism or pride?
If this resonates with you, I’d encourage you to share it—not just the blog, but the conversation. We need more light in the cultural darkness. And it starts with God’s people refusing to stay silent.
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