This is a recent article from the Cardinal & Cream, co-written by Elizabeth Wood and Lindsay Dawkins.

Piercing eyes. Flawless complexion. Perfect figure. Impeccable smile.

In the world of advertising, altered imagery and misleading messages are found in glamour magazines, TV commercials and the Internet, said students across the campus of Union University.

Some students said current advertising focuses on selling products for physical fulfillment rather than building character and individuality. Others said advertising can be positive and beneficial to the public eye.

“The purpose of advertising is to allure viewers to buy their product,” said Benjamin Ferrell, junior psychology major. “People would be revolted by the advertisement if it were ugly.”

Trey Peters, senior marketing major, said advertising is about drawing customers to the unique selling points of a company’s brand, product or service.

“In our commodity driven society, we have become saturated with a constant exposure to advertisements,” Peters said. “In order for our economy to get back on its feet, people need to spend money. The way to do that is through advertising and marketing strategies.”

Companies want consumers to demand their product, so they make their advertisements optimal, Peters said.

The problem with advertising, Ashley Jackson, resident director of Heritage Complex said, is advertisers appeal to senses and emotions to make a connection with consumers.

“Advertisers will do anything to sell their product, even if it goes against ethical violations,” Jackson said.

Kim Middleton, junior advertising major, does not believe all advertisements are misleading. She said she looks forward to creating and promoting good, clean and positive messages in the advertising field after college.

“There are many people working in advertising that desire to promote love and family through their work,” Middleton said. “Whereas some advertisements are misleading, not every advertisement is corrupted and dishonest.”

Bethany VanCleave, junior social work major, said the world encourages people to follow the media’s lies instead of pursuing the image of Christ. As human beings, she said it is a natural instinct to follow what society proclaims as truth.

“We should proclaim the gospel of Christ instead of proclaiming the media and their gospel,” Ferrell said.

In January, ABC launched a new reality TV show, “True Beauty.”

Contestants on the show assume they are being judged solely on outward beauty, when in reality, judges are looking at the contestants’ inner-beauty. The show raises the question, “What is the definition of true beauty?”

Rob Simpson, freshman digital studies major, has high hopes “True Beauty” will help open the eyes of people who have preconceived notions as to what beauty is.

“In order for people to be accepted in our world, the media will have to show a more diverse demographic in the things they portray instead of the perfect body figure,” Simpson said. “It would take all sizes, shapes, race, creed and origin.”

Jackson said Proverbs 31:30 sums up the meaning of beauty when it says, “Charm is deceiving and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

“Find true beauty in Christ,” she added.