Television for the Christian

Onesimus

What is your attitude towards it as a Christian? I feel it is seen as a great authority in which we tend to believe every word it says. It has not so obvious yet subtle physchological ways of telling you what to do and how to think.

I also find it funny how RTE just ring out the bells at 6pm for the Angelus ( all other images secular and no ''praying'' the words of the angelus itself ) yet all the physic mediums ( con artists ) are allowed their field to play on for hours. Funny that.

anyway sorry about the whole Angelus thing. Back to our attitude towards T.V itself. Have you a rule in your household for watching tv etc?

Gumbi

Onesimus wrote: »

What is your attitude towards it as a Christian? I feel it is seen as a great authority in which we tend to believe every word it says. It has not so obvious yet subtle physchological ways of telling you what to do and how to think.

I also find it funny how RTE just ring out the bells at 6pm for the Angelus ( all other images secular and no ''praying'' the words of the angelus itself ) yet all the physic mediums ( con artists ) are allowed their field to play on for hours. Funny that.

anyway sorry about the whole Angelus thing. Back to our attitude towards T.V itself. Have you a rule in your household for watching tv etc?

In fairness, the psychics aren't given prime time slots. TV certainly has a huge influence on how we think. I wouldn't call it an authority, though.

partyatmygaff

It's no bigger of an influence (Nowadays) than any other forum of media, including the Internet.

Those who can be easily influenced, are influenced. Those who aren't, aren't.

I don't see where religion comes in to any of this though.

Run_to_da_hills

Personally don't watch it much, enjoyed the Doc channels but got fed up with all the repeats and cancelled my Sky.

Watch the News on Telefis Eireann, the odd Late Late and few debate's Have little time for movies and absolutely no time for the God Channels, (700 Corporation).

This site gives a mine of information on the evils of TV from a believers prospective.

Probably a bit dated by now.

http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Evils%20in%20America/Hellivision/hellivision_and_movies.htm

Gumbi

Also, is your post implying that TV should sate your thirst for what you believe is true, and not be allowed to broadcast that with which you disagree?

Gumbi

Run to da hills - that site implies that television is satanic... I wouldn't look there for an authority

Burt Lancaster

The quality of television has dramatically declined over the last few decades. It's quantity rather than quality now. Television has been dumbed down to a mind numbing level. Celebrity fashion culture, where mere appearance is now rated as superior to any actual ability, content, talent or intelligence has taken over as the norm. Group think now prevails.

Television channels, their 'drama' and so called 'reality' shows now compete to see who can be the most hysterical, violent, immoral, dumbed down and shocking in their race to the bottom for viewers.

Down to earth normal television programmes, that portray calm, realistic, moral and intelligent reactions and behaviour are what we try to watch in our house.

Gumbi

Burt Lancaster wrote: »

The quality of television has dramatically declined over the last few decades. It's quantity rather than quality now. Television has been dumbed down to a mind numbing level. Celebrity fashion culture, where mere appearance is now rated as superior to any actual ability, content, talent or intelligence has taken over as the norm. Group think now prevails.

Television channels, their 'drama' and so called 'reality' shows now compete to see who can be the most hysterical, violent, immoral, dumbed down and shocking in their race to the bottom for viewers.

Down to earth normal television programmes, that portray calm, realistic, moral and intelligent reactions and behaviour are what we try to watch in our house.

Not totally true. I think you're idealising what the real world actually is a bit. The real word isn't "calm". The real sord IS iolenf. You're idealising bere, and sticking hour head in rhe sand, or at least you want to do so. In any case, there are some quality programmes out there. I like comedies, and am partial to the Big Bang Theory, The IT Crowd and It's Aways Sunny in Philadelphia. Some good entertainment there

Do you mind me asking what kind of TV you watch?

Run_to_da_hills

The Pastors daughter was told off the other day for having ink drawings all over on her hands during service, one in particular caught our attention was of an eye in the center of her palm along with the caption with the Madonna above it. She would have seen this on MTV.

Gumbi

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

The Pastors daughter was told off the other day for having ink drawings all over on her hands during service, one in particular caught our attention was of an eye in the center of her palm along with the caption with the Madonna above it. She would have seen this on MTV.

Is that a big deal???

Run_to_da_hills

Gumbi wrote: »

Is that a big deal???

To many it would.

ceegee

Burt Lancaster wrote: »

The quality of television has dramatically declined over the last few decades. It's quantity rather than quality now. Television has been dumbed down to a mind numbing level. Celebrity fashion culture, where mere appearance is now rated as superior to any actual ability, content, talent or intelligence has taken over as the norm. Group think now prevails.

Television channels, their 'drama' and so called 'reality' shows now compete to see who can be the most hysterical, violent, immoral, dumbed down and shocking in their race to the bottom for viewers.

Down to earth normal television programmes, that portray calm, realistic, moral and intelligent reactions and behaviour are what we try to watch in our house.

The number of high quality TV shows has improved dramatically in the last 10 years or so, both in terms of production values and the calibre of actors. Though the content produced by HBO and the likes may not be to your liking as a Christian, there is no denying that they have raised the bar in terms of TV shows. Unfortunately the rise of digital satellite stations means that there is also dross being made to fill the 100s of channels

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

The Pastors daughter was told off the other day for having ink drawings all over on her hands during service, one in particular caught our attention was of an eye in the center of her palm along with the caption with the Madonna above it. She would have seen this on MTV.

Possibly MTV 20 years ago, nowadays the things kids pick from MTV is how to be (a) a pregnant 16 year old or (b) a vacuous fake tanned reality star

Corkfeen

Burt Lancaster wrote: »

The quality of television has dramatically declined over the last few decades. It's quantity rather than quality now. Television has been dumbed down to a mind numbing level. Celebrity fashion culture, where mere appearance is now rated as superior to any actual ability, content, talent or intelligence has taken over as the norm. Group think now prevails.

Television channels, their 'drama' and so called 'reality' shows now compete to see who can be the most hysterical, violent, immoral, dumbed down and shocking in their race to the bottom for viewers.

Down to earth normal television programmes, that portray calm, realistic, moral and intelligent reactions and behaviour are what we try to watch in our house.

The Wire, Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Carnivale, Mad Men, Seinfeld, Arrested Development, Sherlock and Curb Your Enthuasiasm; I could go on but I won't... Some Tv shows are more orientated for adults than they would have been in previous decades but Tv has most definitely improved in Quality. There is a larger quantity of content but there's always an option to watch good tv shows. There's an abundance of them. They may not be specifically orientated for Christian audience like yourselves but that doesn't mean that there has been a decline in quality.

Benny_Cake

Corkfeen wrote: »

The Wire, Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Carnivale, Mad Men, Seinfeld, Arrested Development, Sherlock and Curb Your Enthuasiasm; I could go on but I won't... Some Tv shows are more orientated for adults than they would have been in previous decades but Tv has most definitely improved in Quality. There is a larger quantity of content but there's always an option to watch good tv shows. There's an abundance of them. They may not be specifically orientated for Christian audience like yourselves but that doesn't mean that there has been a decline in quality.

Indeed, plus The Killing, Homeland.. there is a lot of rubbish out there but there are shows like the above which have very high production values and which simply wouldn't have been made 20 years ago. As to whether there are any good Christian or religious themed programmes - none leap to mind.

Manach

Firstly there is a wide choice of programming available but it rather irks me to pay a tax (RTE'e licence) to have to view them so as to support Montrose in the style it is accustomed to.
As Corkfeen says there are some quality shows, but from a niche position - say SciFi, there is a remarkable drop off from the excellent days of BSG or Stargate etc.
Usually though EWTN has a quite good programming line-up to browse on occasion.

Run_to_da_hills

ceegee wrote: »

The number of high quality TV shows has improved dramatically in the last 10 years or so, both in terms of production values and the calibre of actors. Though the content produced by HBO and the likes may not be to your liking as a Christian, there is no denying that they have raised the bar in terms of TV shows. Unfortunately the rise of digital satellite stations means that there is also dross being made to fill the 100s of channels



Possibly MTV 20 years ago, nowadays the things kids pick from MTV is how to be (a) a pregnant 16 year old or (b) a vacuous fake tanned reality star

Watch any current GAGA or Rhianna and you get the same stuff repeated, Rhianna's recent gig in Hackney had an Egyptian theme, stage behaving like a Goddess, familiar symbolism was rampant.

ceegee

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

ceegee wrote: »

The number of high quality TV shows has improved dramatically in the last 10 years or so, both in terms of production values and the calibre of actors. Though the content produced by HBO and the likes may not be to your liking as a Christian, there is no denying that they have raised the bar in terms of TV shows. Unfortunately the rise of digital satellite stations means that there is also dross being made to fill the 100s of channels



Possibly MTV 20 years ago, nowadays the things kids pick from MTV is how to be (a) a pregnant 16 year old or (b) a vacuous fake tanned reality star

Watch any current GAGA or Rhianna and you get the same stuff repeated, Rhianna's recent gig in Hackney had an Egyptian theme, stage behaving like a Goddess, familiar symbolism was rampant.

Yeah I was referring more to the fact MTV is music television only in name these days.

Also, you place far too much importance on these themes in music videos - Lady GaGa, Rihanna, Beyonce etc have these symbols in their shows to get attention and publicity from conspiracy quacks. I'm pretty sure if there is an illuminati they're not going to invite a bunch of barely educated popstars into their fold.

Run_to_da_hills

ceegee wrote: »

Yeah I was referring more to the fact MTV is music television only in name these days.

Also, you place far too much importance on these themes in music videos - Lady GaGa, Rihanna, Beyonce etc have these symbols in their shows to get attention and publicity from conspiracy quacks. I'm pretty sure if there is an illuminati they're not going to invite a bunch of barely educated popstars into their fold.

This has been going ever since the invention of the electric Guitar, they get paid top dollar for promoting this stuff. Many of them have blown their rewards on drugs or what ever else trying to escape reality and ending up joining such as the 27 club.

bonniebede

TV is a tool- can be used for good or bad.

Good - documentaries, good religious programming, inspiring drama and movies, participation in political debate etc.

Bad - too much dwelling on sinful things, things which shape our attitudes towards acceptance of sin.

However also bad - lost sleep spent mindlessly flicking, watching tv instead of praying etc.

On the whole i like to have one, but would like to be able to structure the house so it is less accessible, i use it less, it is not a default activity, and I exercise more prudence and discernemtn in what i watch.

Splendour

Gumbi wrote: »

Is that a big deal???

I'd imagine it was a big deal to the poor teen who was reprimanded in front of a crowd! I find it very strange that this should happen in a church...

T.V. show an awful lot of muck and the worrying thing is that young people think what they see should be their reality. I wish more of these reality shows would get real and show the reality of poverty of the world instead of commercialism crap.

There's nothing wrong with a good film or documentary (my favourites) but the problem is when T.V. takes over a person's life. My mother and my sisters go through a weekly T.V. guide and mark out what shows they want to watch-and then they insist on talking about them when the family get together and it is so boring.

Gumbi

Splendour wrote: »

I'd imagine it was a big deal to the poor teen who was reprimanded in front of a crowd! I find it very strange that this should happen in a church...

T.V. show an awful lot of muck and the worrying thing is that young people think what they see should be their reality. I wish more of these reality shows would get real and show the reality of poverty of the world instead of commercialism crap.

There's nothing wrong with a good film or documentary (my favourites) but the problem is when T.V. takes over a person's life. My mother and my sisters go through a weekly T.V. guide and mark out what shows they want to watch-and then they insist on talking about them when the family get together and it is so boring.

Agreed. Especially for something so seemingly unimportant. I think that would be a terrible thing to do, actually.

tommy2bad

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

This site gives a mine of information on the evils of TV from a believers prospective.

Probably a bit dated by now.

http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Evils%20in%20America/Hellivision/hellivision_and_movies.htm

Dated? not ever, that level of madness is always in style!

Gumbi

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Personally don't watch it much, enjoyed the Doc channels but got fed up with all the repeats and cancelled my Sky.

Watch the News on Telefis Eireann, the odd Late Late and few debate's Have little time for movies and absolutely no time for the God Channels, (700 Corporation).

This site gives a mine of information on the evils of TV from a believers prospective.

Probably a bit dated by now.

http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Evils%20in%20America/Hellivision/hellivision_and_movies.htm

ROFL

isit

ceegee wrote: »

Yeah I was referring more to the fact MTV is music television only in name these days.

Also, you place far too much importance on these themes in music videos - Lady GaGa, Rihanna, Beyonce etc have these symbols in their shows to get attention and publicity from conspiracy quacks. I'm pretty sure if there is an illuminati they're not going to invite a bunch of barely educated popstars into their fold.

all the x factor and those type of talent shows are not suitable for christians, if you are trying to be a devout christian, because these shows make fun of people a lot of the time on purpose as explained there:

http://x-factor-2013.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/do-x-factor-auditions-make-fun-of.html

it is no accident when they get the bad singers who everyone laughs at including the judges, because they have got through a previous audition that was not televised which is meant to weed out all the bad singers.

but they let a few through onto the live tv auditions in front of a audience to boost the ratings because everyone likes to see the bad auditions, so this is very un-christian of talent shows like the x factor.

same thing happens with the american idol as well.

and remember christians are told not to worship idols in the bible, so they should definitely not be watching american idol!.

Onesimus

In other words it should be called the....X-Laughter

skooterblue2

Manach wrote: »

Usually though EWTN has a quite good programming line-up to browse on occasion.

I love EWTN late night especially Dana interviews.
Nothing like a few flagons of cider and watch the box on TV while you skin up!
:rolleyes:

Helix

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

This has been going ever since the invention of the electric Guitar, they get paid top dollar for promoting this stuff

if you genuinely believe that those popstars even have much of a say as to what their show looks like, never mind intentionally incorporating illuminati symbolism, you're very naieve as to how the music industry and media work