Should Christians Watch TV?

[eric]

My thoughts on this is thus; A lot depends on the attitude of the viewer and the maturity in their walk with the Lord. If anyone is unsure if they are going to be influenced by what they are about to see, then they are better off changing channels. We watch the news, doccos like 60 minutes and the like, but we both are entertained with who dunnits like svu, csi, without a trace and so on, because they portray, even if exaggerated to some degree, of what is going on in the world around us. and the different technologies used in investigating crime., with the use of dna and such, but in no way do these shows distract us from the love, mercy and patience of our Saviour or our purpose of our creation, because we have been following Jesus too long to be influenced by fiction.

Lol, ma and I are oldies now and beyond the age of being tempted, but we won't watch in ya face unbridled sex and foul language and we aren't into sci fi, but can still enjoy some of the kiddies programmes. You have to use a bit of discretion in choosing what you are viewing.

[Guest inHISGrace]

I believe that watching television is alright, however if you are watching something and you feel convicted about it, then it's prob. not something you are supposed to be watching.

[darski]

Yet again quoting Phil 4:8 NASB

8Finally, brethren, (A)whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

I spent years watching Law and Order because I loved the place that words play in law.

Someone pointed out how clearly the social agenda of naral and the aclu is played out in who they choose to be the guilty party. E.G It is the minister in the Ex-gay ministry who kills the fallen convert. In an episode that calls for assisted suicide, the gay person who assists the suicide is presented as a victim of circumstance. (the circumstance that he had unprotected and eventually lethal sex is not brought into the discussion) The priest who takes responsibility for shooting an abortionisthas to admit under oath that it is wrong to kill an abortionist, (thereby making it a draw that abortionists kill babies)

It is in all of these ways that watching TV gets into your mind.

There was a TV channel that ran through 5 years of Ally McBeal in 3 months so I decided that I would watch it in order to see what the culture was up to and what had value around the water cooler.

If you watched the show, you will now know that people who live celibate lives are psychologically damaged and that all Christians are flakes that are just a joke and do not have a place in the life of any real personn. That is the background nose that is available from TV viewing.

It can be very useful to have a form in front of you to just put a check down everytime co-habitation is "a given". In how many instances of sexual activity, how often are the particpants married - to each other.

Media Literacy is the answer to much of this discussion. Unfortunately, media litercy leads to media stoppage for most Christians when you look at what is actually out there.

In regards to Phil. 4:8, what is good, honourable, true about what you put into your eyes?

Each Christian has to make this choice, how many are even asking the question let alone choosing the Godly path.

[jeffnevins]

Depends on the show. Like movies, depends on the film. Like music, depends on the song. Etc.

[RGR]

I like the older Sci-Fi based shows:

Star Trek

Lost In Space

Voyage To The Bottom of the Sea

Battlestar Galactica

Twilight Zone

Incredible Hulk

and so forth..........

[Guest PowerinTruth]

Well of course television is certainly not mentioned in doctrine, but what do we see on television? Unless we are watching Christian programing constantly we are more than likely watching wordly and negative things. Even the news is full of negatives that do not bless or edify us at all. God's Word is pretty clear about what we should be thinking on:

NIV Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things.

Is that what we see on TV? Of course not, it's more like whatever is negative, whatever is violent, whatever is sexual or homosexual, whatever is politically correct,..etc ..etc.. Granted this is not the fault of the TV and the TV can be used for the positive, but most main stream programming is not what we need to put in our minds and think on. You cannot watch main stream programming for 10 minutes without hearing the names of God and Jesus Christ used blasphemously and in vain.

NIV Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Obviously if we are watching all the negative and earthly things on television, that is what is going into our minds and we are not setting our minds above, or thinking on the things of Philippians 4:8.

This just emphasizes the importance of our thought life. The things we watch and think on, affect us more than we may realize.

[Guest PowerinTruth]

I was just going back over and reading some of the other posts and I feel I need to say a few things in love. The Bible is not open to private interpretation. It means what It says and says what It means without regard to our personal feelings on the issue. If we start to make room for our own interpretation about what God tells us then we can just about justify anything that we do. If the Bible tells us to think on certain things, then that is what we should do, period. The Scripture does not say if you are a strong Christian, or if you are a mature Christian, or if you have more faith than others, then think on these things. The Scripture is clear and applies to all Christians. Come on guys, I know we are not going to stand at judgement and explain to God why we thought we knew better than Him. If God put it in His Word He put it there for a very good reason. No, it is not always easy, and we will not always be able to do it, but to attempt to justify our actions with our own private interpretation of the Word is not the correct way to handle it. Certain things are not in our control, yes, we have to be in the world and mingle amongst unbelievers and all the negatives while living our daily lives, but in the privacy of our own homes we have a choice whether or not to watch television, or what type of television we watch. That is a choice, a very conscience decision to press that button and turn on a tv show. I just recently cancelled my direct tv and it was tough for me I will admit, but I know what the Word says I should do and that is what I try to do. I now have Sky Angel which is a Christian satelitte company. Mostly it has Christian programming with the exception of a few channels such as Hallmark and Fox News. I cannot stress how blessed I have been as well as energized more by the Word since I have cut out a lot of the negative things I was taking in day in and day out.

[Tye#2]

New article on ChristianityToday.com:

Unearthing Unearthly TV

Should Christians watch supernatural-themed television programs?

http://www.christianitytoday.com/tcw/2006/005/7.42.html

Anything that you wouldn't alow someone to do in your house should not be on your t.v.

[terter]

Many good posts already -

There are a lot of supernatural themes in cartoons such as Avatar. I think a lot of adults would be surprised at what is being shown on children's programs.

[sharonvinchrist]

My theory is if you have to ask yourself if it is wrong to do then I would sence that is Someone telling me that I should not be feeding my spirit these things. There is a lot of junk out there and we Christians take it too lightly that there are things we should not open ourselves up to. We really do need to listen to our hearts about all things!!

well said