1. Against Theatrical Role-Playing (Acting, Drama)

“Among the most dangerous resorts for pleasure is the theater. Instead of being a school of morality and virtue, it is the very hotbed of immorality. Vicious habits and sinful propensities are strengthened and confirmed by these entertainments. The love for these scenes increases with indulgence, as the desire for intoxicating drink strengthens with its use. The only safe course is to shun the theater, the circus, and every other questionable place of amusement.”
— Messages to Young People, p. 380

➡️ This applies to drama or role-playing brought into the church as entertainment, because the same principles of performance and worldly display apply.

2. Against Dancing

“Among the most subtle devices of the great enemy is the teaching and practice of dancing. … It excites the passions, and prepares the way for indulgence of lustful desires. Thus it is one of Satan’s most successful devices for destroying souls.”
— Messages to Young People, p. 398

➡️ If dancing is dangerous socially, how much more inappropriate when introduced into worship, where God calls for solemn reverence.

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3. Against Bringing Worldly Amusements into the Church

“The church has turned back from following Christ her Leader and is steadily retreating toward Egypt. Yet few are alarmed or astonished at their want of spiritual power. Doubt, and even disbelief of the testimonies of the Spirit of God, is leavening our churches everywhere. … Conformity to the world is sapping the spirituality and power of God’s people.”
— Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 217

➡️ This shows that bringing worldly practices into church weakens spiritual power.

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4. Worship Must Be Solemn and Sacred

“There should be a sacred spot, like the sanctuary of old, where God is to meet with His people. The sacredness of God’s house should be remembered; the worshippers should enter it with sobriety and reverence, realizing that they are in the presence of Him whose eye sees every act, whose ear hears every word, and who knows the thoughts of every heart.”
— Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 492

➡️ Worldly performances destroy this sacred atmosphere of reverence.

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5. True Christian Amusements vs. Worldly Amusements

“There is a great difference between the amusements of the world and the innocent recreation in which the Christian may engage. … Worldly parties, dancing, theaters, horse racing, gambling, liquor drinking, and similar amusements, Satan is constantly inventing to ensnare souls and lead them to eternal ruin.”
— Counsels for the Church, p. 164

➡️ The church must not borrow the world’s entertainments in the name of worship.

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✨ Summary (Bible + EGW):
• God calls for holy, reverent worship (Hab. 2:20, John 4:24).
• We are to be separate from the world in how we worship (2 Cor. 6:17).
• Ellen White warns that theater, drama, and dancing are Satan’s devices to destroy reverence and purity.
• The church should be a place of solemn worship, not entertainment.