In the context of worship, amusement is a waste of time and a waste of life, and therefore a form of sin.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Amusement is a way of boredom-avoidance through external stimulation that fails to exercise our minds. It's mere diversion.
'Amusement' is appealing because we don't have to think; it spares us the fear and anxiety that might otherwise prey on our thoughts.
Those who are devoted to amusements; who love the society of those who love pleasure, have an aversion to religious exercises.
Sinful and forbidden pleasures are like poisoned bread; they may satisfy appetite for the moment, but there is death in them at the end.
The word 'entertain' means to hold someone's attention, and what we want is a faith that is vibrant and alive and beautiful and real.
While the laughter of joy is in full harmony with our deeper life, the laughter of amusement should be kept apart from it. The danger is too great of thus learning to look at solemn things in a spirit of mockery, and to seek in them opportunities for exercising wit.
To a man of pleasure every moment appears to be lost, which partakes not of the vivacity of amusement.
Fortunately, I am accustomed to creating amusement inadvertently.
This, and this alone, is Christianity, a universal holiness in every part of life, a heavenly wisdom in all our actions, not conforming to the spirit and temper of the world but turning all worldly enjoyments into means of piety and devotion to God.
Boredom is... a vital problem for the moralist, since half the sins of mankind are caused by the fear of it.