Modern Day Media

[oswinium]

My question is this: How do we judge which TV show/movie we can watch, and which song we can listen to, such that we still are not dishonoring God?

For e.g. there's this TV show called 'The Big Bang Theory' And it's really hilarious. However, it does have some scenes in most episodes which are ungodly - like scenes of unmarried people having intercourse, or coarse jesting. but in other scenes, the humor is innocent and still funny. Even in other shows where there are scenes that go against God's principles, for the most part, it is fairly entertaining.

So what Im asking is whether we should completely refrain from any media which seem to, in some scenes, celebrate or normalize (portray as acceptible) ungodly actions?

If the answer is 'no', then where is the line drawn between them and porn? (I'm not trying to justify porn; I hate it too. I'm just trying to ask myself: "If we justify these TV shows, how do we NOT justify porn?")

Thanks guys. Bye.

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

Romans 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteems any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

If you feel it's wrong then it's wrong,if you feel there is no wrong then there is no wrong.

I sometimes put up with programing I don't want to see because I don't want to appear to legalistic to unbelievers around me.I will laugh at true humor that is innocent and will appear bored when ungodly things are shown(because I am bored by ungodly things). If one is weak in faith then watching these things will NOT help make you strong.

1 Corinthians 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

If it was all about me then I would never watch such things.
But it's not all about me.Its about the bride of Christ and there are future believers watching me and examining the liberty I claim to have in Christ.Hopefully they will see I'm not a flaky or fearful christian and they will sense the liberty and perhaps ask about the hope that I possess.

When we are strong in faith then we can fulfill our mandate to seek the lost.When we are weak we are like an infant in the word and we should get selfish and cut off the world and absorb the milk of the word and grow.

 

[carita33]

I've been wondering about this too. I watched Downton Abbey on PBS and there was an unmarried girl, supposedly the protagonist, having intercourse and it bothered me. I went to the message board for the show, explained how I felt, thinking others might feel the same way. To my shock, I was swiftly and harshly criticized.

I was told we were supposed to be bothered by society's not approving of her behavior, not by her actions. I was told I was archaic and that society has progressed because it's now brave and good that women have acheived this kind of 'freedom'.

The worst part was there was a recurring theme that pursuing and acting on selfish desires was good and noble. As a Christian, I always thought we should try to think of others first, put others needs ahead of one's own. Where did I go wrong?

 

[macca]

For e.g. there's this TV show called 'The Big Bang Theory' And it's really hilarious. However, it does have some scenes in most episodes which are ungodly - like scenes of unmarried people having intercourse, or coarse jesting. but in other scenes, the humor is innocent and still funny. Even in other shows where there are scenes that go against God's principles, for the most part, it is fairly entertaining.

The question I consider when choosing shows to watch; is the humour gained by building people up or taking advantage ot their shortcomings.
There is no true humour in taking advantage of your "friends" for your own amusement.
Maybe it is unfortunate that almost all comedies are downgrading somebody.

 

[ChristineES]

I figure if God doesn't want you to watch something, He will tell you. Not by words, mind you, but by our own conscience. God gave the ability to able to tell right from wrong and what will effect us and what won't and what is harmless and what isn't.

 

[ActionMike]

I agree with Christine - you have judgement, do not be afraid to use it. If it seems vile, repugnant and morally reprehensible then it probably is. That being said if you have to think about it for more than a minute then your probably over analyzing something that's merely subjective entertainment art form. Personally I think God would rather you use your time an energy contemplating Him with prayer rather than the new TV show :wink:

 

[Gael]

I figure if God doesn't want you to watch something, He will tell you. Not by words, mind you, but by our own conscience. God gave the ability to able to tell right from wrong and what will effect us and what won't and what is harmless and what isn't.

I agree. Where it pertains to "gray areas", let your conscience guide you...it will tell you if it's something you should be watching or not. Everyone has their own level of conviction in these areas, and there really is no one who can tell you what you should or shouldn't be doing in areas that aren't specifically addressed in the Bible. If I'm watching or listening to something and it makes me uncomfortable, I immediately turn it off.
Or you can always ask yourself the question...
If Jesus was sitting here beside me, would I still be watching this?

 

[dannibear]

My teacher once told me if something ever causes
you to even ask the question, don't.
If I ever have to ask if a T.V show is ok, it most
likely isn't.

 

[Ignis_et_Lux]

I agree with everyone who stated that if it feels wrong and immoral to you, than it most likely is.

I think it's important to be strongly armored by Christ so when you do encounter wrong/immoral things/situations, you aren't harmed by them. We certainly can't censor the world.

 

[dagelos]

My question is this: How do we judge which TV show/movie we can watch, and which song we can listen to, such that we still are not dishonoring God?

For e.g. there's this TV show called 'The Big Bang Theory' And it's really hilarious. However, it does have some scenes in most episodes which are ungodly - like scenes of unmarried people having intercourse, or coarse jesting. but in other scenes, the humor is innocent and still funny. Even in other shows where there are scenes that go against God's principles, for the most part, it is fairly entertaining.

So what Im asking is whether we should completely refrain from any media which seem to, in some scenes, celebrate or normalize (portray as acceptible) ungodly actions?

If the answer is 'no', then where is the line drawn between them and porn? (I'm not trying to justify porn; I hate it too. I'm just trying to ask myself: "If we justify these TV shows, how do we NOT justify porn?")

Thanks guys. Bye.

The media distorts and twists facts of life and the world around so that people believe it.
Watching TV/Movies will lead to belief in what they play,be very careful.
Even news programs twist facts of the world around and hide news from people.

With porn,you know what you are going to be watching,sex.
With TV/Media,you know what you will be watching - the media's view of the world AND not the real view of the world.


The problem with this is that it leads to brainwashing,people,Christians think that what they see in TV/Media is the way the world works.
They watch the news programs - and believe what the newsperson says,after all just because a man or woman are on TV and dressed in suits and read important news,does not mean they are telling ALL OF THE NEWS.

TV programs are all funny - but there is no fact to them.
They probably do more harm to people's knowledge of the world than more good to people's knowledge.


- Hope this helps.