Shlog Section-f

I decided to bring this question for discussion over here, so as not to derail any more shlog posts!

I confess....I like to watch tv.  I’ve definitely lived without watching tv.  I definitely know that there’s some bad bad stuff on tv.  I know that it can be used as a propaganda tool and “influence” thinking.
I also think, though, that just because there are shows like that, it doesn’t mean tv itself is evil.  I think scripted television shows can be an art form.  I think that television shows can be delightful, thought provoking, inspiring and informative.

I think the same things about music.  And fiction.  And films. 

So while I don’t think someone should spend 24 hours a week watching tv (unless I guess, they’re a television critic), I don’t think tv is evil.  I think like those other things I mentioned, it can be used for both good or evil.

Am I wrong?

Amy, great question and I really like the context you gave to your post since you and I were a couple of only a few shlog readers who admitted to liking Harry Potter as well.

No, I don’t think TV, fiction or films are evil, and I’ll even add secular music to that list.  I think God calls us to be in the world and not of it.  That is the fine line as Christians as we can sometimes make those things our god and then, yes they would be evil.

I admit to watching several shows on TV, particularly House, Survivor, Amazing Race, Without a Trace, Pushing Daisies and I can’t wait for Lost and 24 to start up again as Lost is my favorite show of all time and I subscribe to 30 podcasts and 10 of them are about Lost.

As for fiction, I’m reading Jeffrey Archer’s new book “False Impression” right now and I find any amount of reading, fiction or non-fiction, is good for your mind and usually takes the place of TV.  I also read the Bible daily and non-fiction as well.

Finally, secular music is what the world listens to and we close ourselves off to the world and appear out of touch if we only stay in the Christian sub-culture.  I strive to be relevant without straying from my Christ-centered focus and I’m very pleased by the number of “faith-influenced” artists recording “secular” music right now like The Fray, Snow Patrol, Collective Soul, etc.

Kevin

I read a lot, too, and always prefer a good book to watching anything. 

I like Pushing Daisies, too, and it was actually the show I was thinking of when I said a show can be delightful!  Because that show certainly is!  It’s so imaginative and sweet.

TV evil? Uhh TBN yes evil, scary evil. Just kidding...I think. Anyway tv’s not evil unless you watch the wrong things. Ya know the saying junk in junk out. Thank God you can get your favorite tv shows on DVD now. No need to even watch a channel anymore. I can get any season and episode of my favorite shows now with no commercials on DVD and I don’t have to worry about it being evil. Course I only watch good wholesome shows like The Simpson’s and Stargate ya know good wholesome entertainment. lol

I don’t really watch tv that much.  It’s very easy to get used to something that really isn’t good, but we like it so we watch it anyway, and we get worse and worse and lose sight of what truly “wholesome” entertainment is.  Do I think the art of tv is evil? Not at all.  Do I think many MANY things on tv are evil or lukewarm?  Yes.
Aaaah, I forgot a word I wanted to use and I can’t remember it!

I hate those things on tv that have these people saying that they can attract spirits and talk to the dead etc.  You know, like those shows where people think that their house is haunted and they get them to come to their house and try to drive all the “ghosts” out of their homes. The bible speaks very clearly about anyone that tries to attract evil spirits or talk to the dead, and it warns us to stay clear of these people. Shows like that on tv are evil, but tv itself can be used for good as well. I think it’s about getting the balance right.

TV Is not evil, any more then driving a car, firing a fire arm, wielding a paint brush or typing at a computer is evil.  They are objects, they are not sentient in any way they are merely things.  I see them as gifts from God, but just as man had free will in the garden, so too does he have free will to determine how he uses those gifts.  I’ll be honest I was a TV Couch potato growing up.  I have fond memories of sitting for hours every day (especially on saturdays) watching my favorite cartoons, or watching a NASCAR or Indy Car race, I still do like to watch those things, but they’ve really taken a lesser role in my life since I graduated college, got married, and had my first Son.  TV like the internet, or a paint brush can be wielded in a way that is not wholesome, it can be used in such a way to hurt or cause people to stumble, and I think too many times we just decide to keep watching for the sake of doing something rather than turn the TV Off.  My wife and I don’t agree on what to watch.  She loves watching some of these reality shows like American Idol, Wife Swap, etc.  I’ll be honest these shows really make me sick and ill to watch.  I love my wife, but I tell her that I don’t want to watch that stuff, but its okay if she wants to watch them, but I don’t believe TV is evil any more than Internet or something else could be.  That of course is my opinion.