What is your opinion on this?

[Ovedya]

Yet Abraham dwelt among the heathen and was not changed.

So also, Noah lived among a horribly wicked generation, and yet he was not changed.

[Abigailwc]

I love watching the CSI shows. I especially like to see the ways they use to identify how a murder was committed and by what means and the identity of the killer. It is fascinating and I wish they would spend more time in the lab showing us and explaining why they are doing what they are doing.

I always liked stories that involve investigations. It is like having a puzzle and solving it by putting the pieces together.

Other shows that involves brain storming that I like to watch are House (though I do not like the doctor's personality at all!) and Numbers, with the mathematician genius. Keep them coming!

[Trust & Obey]

Yet Abraham dwelt among the heathen and was not changed.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

"Living among them" is something we all must do. We are "in the world, but not of the world." All Christians dwell amongst the heathen in that we live on earth. There is no Christian city we can all move to, not should we.

So, what Abraham did is much different than Christians watching the raunchy plots on CSI. That would be like Abraham sitting as a spectator at the orgies (for "educational purposes," of course).

Abraham did indeed sin due to the pressure of his surroundings.

Gen 12:13 Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.

Gen 12:14 And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair.

Gen 12:15 The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house.

Gen 12:16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.

Gen 12:17 And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.

Gen 12:18 And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?

Gen 12:19 Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.

Gen 12:20 And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.

I understand the issue of Christian liberty. And, TV sure falls into that area. But, TV is also an area where extreme caution needs to be exercised.

If the plots in CSI often take on a very debased nature (promiscous sex, incest, serial killing, fetishism, etc.), then how do we justify taking it into our minds?

Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Most Christians would say "I'd never actually do the things they do on TV." Yet, they'll watch a show of the same. Isn't TV watched "for pleasure?" Is it not therefore "taking pleasure in them that do them?" And, if those parts of debauchery are grieving you why do you continue to watch it? Why grieve the Spirit of God who is in you? And, if it is not grieving you then I would be concerned about that.

1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

If open sin can be watched on TV with the rationale of "I won't let it change me" then I feel that your spiritual conscience is intentionally being seared, as well as the Spirit of God grieved.

Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Eph 5:12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

If it is shameful to simply "speak of those things," how much more if we are "being entertained" by it?

Eph 5:13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

Eph 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Eph 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Eph 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Eph 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Anyways, I don't want this thread to turn into a "what should we watch on TV" thread. It is about CSI and our opinions of it.

I just don't see any godly way that one could rationalize watching the sin that is paraded around on CSI just so that they can "learn about medical procedures." Like I said, there are shows where you can do that without having to give a nod of approval (signified with your ratings vote for the TV network by watching) to the plots in shows like CSI.

[Ovedya]

Abraham did indeed sin due to the pressure of his surroundings.

No, actually he just sinned. There is nothing in the passage your cited that talks about Abraham sinning because of hi surroundings. In fact, verses 11 seems to indicate that Abraham conceived the sin before the entered Egypt.

I understand the issue of Christian liberty. And, TV sure falls into that area. But, TV is also an area where extreme caution needs to be exercised.

I completely agree.

If the plots in CSI often take on a very debased nature (promiscous sex, incest, serial killing, fetishism, etc.), then how do we justify taking it into our minds?

But the eplots don't often take those courses. Actually, the program is a lot less about the nature of the crimes being investigated, and more about how they were committed and who committed them.

Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Most Christians would say "I'd never actually do the things they do on TV." Yet, they'll watch a show of the same. Isn't TV watched "for pleasure?" Is it not therefore "taking pleasure in them that do them?" And, if those parts of debauchery are grieving you why do you continue to watch it? Why grieve the Spirit of God who is in you? And, if it is not grieving you then I would be concerned about that.

I disagree. Television is watched for entertainment. However, I don't believe that watching elevision constitutes "taking pleasure" in those that commit sin. But if that's the case we'd have to say the same for just about anything that depicts sinful acts. I mean, after all, we read for pleasure and listen to the radio for pleasure too. Does that mean that if I'm reading a murder mystery that I am taking pleasure in a sinful act?

1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

If open sin can be watched on TV with the rationale of "I won't let it change me" then I feel that your spiritual conscience is intentionally being seared, as well as the Spirit of God grieved.

Not so. Searing your conscience means that you do knowingly do something that is sinful while ignoring your conscience's prompting.

Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Eph 5:12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

If it is shameful to simply "speak of those things," how much more if we are "being entertained" by it?

Eph 5:13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

Eph 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Eph 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Eph 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Eph 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Anyways, I don't want this thread to turn into a "what should we watch on TV" thread. It is about CSI and our opinions of it.

I just don't see any godly way that one could rationalize watching the sin that is paraded around on CSI just so that they can "learn about medical procedures." Like I said, there are shows where you can do that without having to give a nod of approval (signified with your ratings vote for the TV network by watching) to the plots in shows like CSI.

"...Let each be fully pursuaded in his own mind." (Rom. 14:5b)

[Trust & Obey]

"...Let each be fully pursuaded in his own mind." (Rom. 14:5b)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Rom 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

The context of that passage is about days, not being entertained by the parading of sin.

It can't be "cross-utilized" for moral issues. I'm sure most Christians would not accept the "be fully persuaded in your own mind" argument for watching pornography.

Anyways, I used to watch CSI so I don't want to come down too hard on anyone. It just got to the point where I would almost feel "dirty" after watching it. And, not from the scientific and "death" aspect of the show. It was from the plots.

Besides, Jesus wouldn't watch it.

Hab 1:13a Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity:

Remember:

Phi 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

You can't sow to the flesh and reap a spiritual crop.

This is just what God has showed me in this area. And, I know He has your address if He wants to show you, too.

[Work in Progress]

One very brief (and not always graphic) moment in an autopsy room is not the gist of the show.

Pwr, I don't think this is an accurate portrayal of the shows. Every step of the way during the "investigation" (beginning of show to end), are these graphic and often violent images. In all settings.

Ovedya, ICAM about the rating system. My kids aren't allowed most of the "PG 13" stuff either and I agree it should be rated R. Heck, even the PG stuff can be full of inappropriate stuff.

Not sure I agree with what you seem to be saying regarding Noah. Yes, he lived among a wicked generation, but did not change because he didn't pitch his tent. That's a big difference to me. (Living among it versus participating in it).

One thing a dear lady (mentor I had) told me long ago - that it makes no sense to say "that's fine for me, but I don't allow my kids to watch it". I realized how true that is, and I was convicted of hypocrisy. If something is bad for the mind, it's bad for any mind God made. If I don't want it pumped into my kid's minds, why would I pump it into mine? I think it is satan's lie that we are "more mature" and "able to handle it", but that is JMO and what I have been convicted of.

[PwrInTheBld]

One very brief (and not always graphic) moment in an autopsy room is not the gist of the show.

Pwr, I don't think this is an accurate portrayal of the shows. Every step of the way during the "investigation" (beginning of show to end), are these graphic and often violent images. In all settings.

I know there are many different "CSI" shows out there and some are more graphic and explicit than others. I however, did not mention which one I watch. I don't see what you describe in the one I watch.