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Are Christians supposed to watch tv shows?

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ChanceM

ChanceM

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I'm a Christian. I like to watch tv shows and movies. Mostly stuff like The Office, Parks and Rec, ect.

Is it ok to watch these kinds of shows even though there might be some inappropriate parts in them? Can't I just mentally block out the inappropriate things?

I'd like to know what you guys think.
 
In my view, no way are you going up get the secular world to make entirely "Christian friendly" shows. Or heck, even shows made by other Christians, since we can have such a variety of particular views and ideas. Someone will always be offended in some way. When I was a kid, even the Christian shows I watched were criticized by my parents, some for reasons I no longer agree with.

The question to ask yourself is, IMO, if it is causing you to sin, or creates too great a temptation. Or, if it's outright glorifying immorality.
There should be a line somewhere, and some of us are a little more or less lenient than others. But any show is going to have content you have reason to disagree with or dislike.
 
ChanceM said:
Can't I just mentally block out the inappropriate things?
Click to expand...

It really depends if you walk by faith and hear God or want to hear God. What goes in your ears and eyes does effect you.
 
Just a few months ago I vowed to stay away from fictional entertainment as good as I possibly can. I get immersed into those things waaaaayyyyy to easily. Lost three years of my life to a computer game addiction because of that.
Our real lives, and the lives of our friends and neighbours, are more relevant and interesting than any fiction. The real world and its history is more complex than any fantasy world's lore, and human life is the greatest adventure of all. Especially when we walk with the Lord.
Plus, with our modern days digital entertainment, CGI, 3D, surround sound, and those things, there's just no more imagination involved. The more overwhelming all those cinematic special effects become, the more boring it gets. It's like fast food experience. Like shiny but meaningless second hand life. Nothing left to do for our own imagination.
Not saying watching TV shows and movies is morally wrong or so. It's just that I think our focus should be on writing our own story. We shouldn't spend so much time in a mentally passive state consuming entertainment.
 
I go through stages where I'm obsessed with some show for a while. :tongue And other times I enjoy my shows without getting obsessed with them.
It's not always a problem, but if I'm not careful it can become an idol.

There definitely needs to be a time where you just put down the TV remote (or if you watch your shows online like many these days, just lay off a while?) and enjoy other things. There are more important things. I love me some good anime, but I'm needing to force myself to put it on the back burner while I still have work and other obligations.
 
It's a hypnotic box made for the purpose of indoctrination and control.

There's rarely a portrayal of christian morals.
 
You can basically do anything regular everyday people can do as long you avoid an addiction to porn or something along those lines.
 
Helm said:
You can basically do anything regular everyday people can do as long you avoid an addiction to porn or something along those lines.
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I believe that we should avoid an addiction to anything other than God, an addiction uses up our resources which would otherwise be devoted to God. "Where your treasure is, your heart will be also."
 
Yeah, absolutely anything can become an idol. TV shows are just one of the most common candidates.

P.S. Just wanted to note that I'm not disagreeing with [mention]Ardchiolle[/mention]'s post. He's correct. :)
 
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questdriven said:
Yeah, absolutely anything can become an idol. TV shows are just one of the most common candidates.
Click to expand...

You are absolutely correct, anything can become am idol. And the Bible when made an idol is a far more dangerous than any tv show you could dream of watching.
 
Classik said:
The only perfect TV show is soccer:biggrin
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What about canine conformation ("dog shows")? Or canine agility? :biggrin Or canine obedience? Or rally-o (rally obedience)? Or flyball? Or dock diving? Or disc dog ("Frisbee")?

...I used to love watching canine sports. :)
 
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The tv thing is a struggle to some people. If you feel guilty discontinue with it.

If you must have fun and not sin, then select the right station: Barça TV, La Liga :biggrin Valencia:crying 2:3 :lolFC Barcelona.
 
I agree with [MENTION=89910]questdriven[/MENTION]

Side note: I heard the other day that 'they' believe that watching TV and dementia are linked. I'll try and find the source.
 
Really? Frick. Well I don't watch much TV as in cable, but Im sure the cartoons, movies, and anime I watch must count. As well as the video games.
But then I also heard that reading books may lessen the chance of dementia, and I do read a lot.
 
questdriven said:
Interesting. :)

But I'm a little scared to watch my shows now. xD
Click to expand...

Actually I watch little TV. But I can't remember things..., in fact there seem to be three things I can't remember:

Let's see now: i) I can't always remember names..., ii) I can't always remember faces..., iii) and I can't remember the other thing I can't remember.....

:chin
 
ChanceM said:
I'm a Christian. I like to watch tv shows and movies. Mostly stuff like The Office, Parks and Rec, ect.

Is it ok to watch these kinds of shows even though there might be some inappropriate parts in them? Can't I just mentally block out the inappropriate things?

I'd like to know what you guys think.
Click to expand...


This is the way I see it.. I think many have echoed same thoughts already.. Is it having any impact on your walk with Christ? We are supposed to transform into the image of Christ and not of the world.. Watching TV shows are a way to feed our flesh with entertainment.. That sounds like sin rite? How different is it from feeding our stomach with a nice ice cream? Is that a sin? I don't think so.. It is hard to have a straight forward answer.. I think it is more to do with attitude with which we are watching.. Are we watching back to back episodes and not spending any time in prayer and bible reading? Or we are just watching one episode to relax after a stressful day at work? Ultimately, the Holy Spirit will guide each and every one.. I am basically from India.. Lot of times this questions comes up.. Are women allowed to wear jeans pants? Its a big question in Eastern culture.. Jeans is considered to be a dress worn only by men.. The ultimate answer is, go by what the Holy Spirit tells you! I think the same applies here also..
 
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