Am I just crazy, or can you understand where I'm coming from? I'm thinking of getting rid of my tv.?

Question

I don't have cable (too expensive among other things) and there's rarely anything fit to watch that doesn't offend the Spirit, save a few PBS shows. My goal is to make my home a place where the Spirit dwells. And in my opinion what I allow into my home influences whether or not the Spirit will want to enter. So if (for the most part) there's little more than poopy brownies on tv, then why have a tv?


(Should I include the story of the poopy brownies to provide clarity?)

No, I've never been on tv.

The Poopy Brownie story
One evening three teenage sisters were looking for something to do and one of them got on the phone with a friend who suggested they all go to the movies. The latest and greatest movie was opening that night with all the most popular actors in it. The three sisters were all for it, but would have to ask their dad to take them because they couldn't drive. Just then their dad passes through the living room on his way to the kitchen. They ask him. He asks, What movie? The tell him. "And who's in it?" The tell him. "Oh, yeah, I've heard of that movie. Those actors are usually in good movies. What's the rating?" The girls reluctantly tell him it's rated R. They know that they are not allowed to see rated R movies. "I'm sorry girls, you can't go to that movie" their dad says. The girls protest, "But Dad, there's nothing else to do! Besides, I've heard that it's only a little cussing, nothing we haven't heard before. And the violence ...

... is mostly at the beginning. We can get there late and not even see it. And we've heard that it's only "brief nudity" and we promise to close our eyes during that part." Dad: "No girls. I'm sorry. You can't go. I'll take you bowling, or we can rent a movie and you can invite your friends over. You can even have a sleep over, and I'll make my "world famous" brownies. But you can't go to that movie. You know you can't and why." The girls continue to beg and protest, trying to bargin with their dad. He leaves the room and goes into the kitchen. The girls flop down on the couch and try to come up with a way they can convince their dad to let them go. Soon they come up with a plan, but just about then they notice the smell of their dad's super duper yummy brownies. One sister says, "I bet dad is sorry for saying no to us and he's making his brownies and when they're done he's going to come in and tell us he's sorry and that we can go and give us a brownie. We should wait until then to...

... get him to let us go, he might just change his mind on his own." The other sisters agree to wait. Soon, the brownies are done and their dad calls them into the kitchen. "Girls, I just made my world famous brownies. Do you want one?" "YES!!" the all cried. "Their extra special this time. I've added a secret ingredient. Do you want to know what it is?" "YES!" they all squeeled. Their dad then made it sound like it was the most secret of secrets, making them promise not to tell anyone, and drawing out the whole thing until the girls could hardly stand it anymore. Finally he said, "Well, the secret ingredient is that just after I mixed up the batter, I added just a small spoonfull of the dog's fresh poop. I mixed it in really good. I don't think you'll even notice it. You certainly won't taste it. But I thought I should let you know it's in there....What's wrong girls? Eat up! They're my world famous brownies, with just a little something extra!" By this time the looks...

...on the girls faces left no doubt that they were beyond disgusted. "Yuuuck!" "Grooooss!" "Dad! How could you!?" "What do you mean? It's only a little poop. Like I said, it's fresh, and organic, just like you kids like things no days, right?" "But Dad! It's ... poop! We can't eat POOP!" "Well, what's the difference between poopy brownies, and that rated R movie you wanted to see? There's just a little of the offensive stuff in both of them. You said that the offensive parts wouldn't even phase you in the movie, but a little poop in an other wise delicious brownie is more than you can handle?" "But dad, WE know it's in there! And WE know it's not good for us." "Exactly." said their dad.

So that's the Poopy Brownie story. It just makes me think that if I like the story line behind, say, Law and Order, or Desperate Housewives, or even my beloved Grey's Anatomy, yet what it's advocating is murder, brutality, adultery, lieing, cheating, stealing, etc. and just making me more accustomed to seeing those things and less spiritually sensitive, then what's the use of even turning on the tv? And if you're not going to turn it on, then why have one?

Oh, and I agree that a tv, in and of itself is not evil. But those people who choose what to air on tv, can have an influence over me (at least) that encourages me to be more concerned with the world and less concerned about my spiritual well being.

Answer 1

I hear that. I am thinking of having at least my movie channels turned off on the satellite. I do like the food network and the old movies on TCM.

Answer 2

I'm disabled and early-retired in Mexico. I had to choose between TV and the Internet. I chose the latter because there are more things it can do. I haven't watched a TV for about six years now. Do I miss it? Yes, some. Fuller news broadcasts and good old movies as well as things like Discovery Channel and science programs on PBS.

I don't know what you mean about "letting the spirit enter," but if you're talking about a bornagain religion, I'll take a pass on helping you with that one. If not, ask yourself this question: Is a knife good or evil?

It's neither. The good or evil is in the person using it, not the knife itself. The same applies to a TV. It's all in how you use it, in what you choose to view on it. Even the bad stuff is good to watch from time to time - especially if it is REALLY bad - because how else can you keep tabs on the areas where our society is degenerating into things like lawlessness, pedophilia, etc.? You can't even TRY to have a good effect on society if you don't know what these bad things are all about. By ignoring them totally, you let them rock on, unimpeded. Is that what your spirit would have you do?

But can you live without a TV? Sure. And if it turns a couch potato into a more physically active person, so much better. Most people would do a lot better with a LOT less TV in their lives. Instead of sopping up the news, spoon-fed and predigested, they might actually do some library research on important issues before arriving at an opinion. That'd be nice, indeed. Government and the media have been "dumbing-down" Americans far too long. It's time we reclaimed our OWN brains and our OWN abilities to learn about reality.

But no machine has a spirit to be evil WITH.

And $200 a month for cable! EEK. That's almost what I pay in RENT! It's a lot less in Mexico - full service and programming, too.

Answer 3

I totally understand where you're coming from. I watch some television myself (mainly channels like the Discovery Channel and the History Channel), but I've noticed that it's been less and less lately just because there doesn't seem to be much of anything interesting on any more that isn't sex, violence, or profanity (I know some people claim that having that stuff is "creative," but you can walk into most junior high and high schools in the U.S. today and find that there - hardly creative, in my opinion!). I find that I'm not really missing much of anything. It's not walking around with blinders on - it's acknowledging that there isn't as much in the way of true creativity on TV any more (my sister and her husband don't even bother with satelite/cable at all; a while back, she and I were reminiscing about the great TV programs that were around many years ago, and how they just don't make 'em like they used to any more).

I totally agree with those who say that turning off the TV and going and doing other stuff with our friends and family is a great experience (it's amazing how many studies I hear about these days that talk about how society in general could use more exercise). If nothing else, think of the money you'll save on your power bill!

So I say go for it, Tonya!

Answer 4

Well, my husband and I got rid of our tv. We had satellite for a while. Oh it was fun and entertaining. But we felt that it was an expense that we shouldn't keep (and it turned out to be good that we did that!). So a couple of weeks ago, we were at my mom's house and were watching a channel that we had previously enjoyed at home, when up came a commercial in very, very bad taste. My husband and I looked at each other (you know...THAT way) and he shut off the tv.

It's not a bad idea to get rid of. There are books, there are good DVDs and videos. There are other forms of entertainment.

Answer 5

Your spirit is in your mind and television has long been considered a mind polluter. I don't think its a bad thing for anyone to give up a television especially in the age of computers where you can get all the news, information and entertainment of your choosing off the internet.

I say go for it! I wish more people would give up television but I still like mine for a few things. You are right, television has very few redeeming factors anymore...just advertisement after advertisement of things no one needs and no one thinks they want until the power of suggestion takes over. What a brain washer!!!

Answer 6

Do what the Spirit is leading you to do. We all have a different call on our lives, and God convicts our hearts on an individual basis.

I watch tv....in fact, I usually watch shows that are as far away from reality as possible. Would I be ashamed to have Jesus watch them with me.....well, He already IS! In fact, there have been times when the Holy Spirit has actually USED something that I've watched to make a point about something God had been trying to tell me all along!

Different strokes for different folks - GOD is the only judge!

Answer 7

Cable is "too expensive"? On what planet is this?

I have an all-inclusive package of cable (including all the premium movie channels), high-speed internet access, and unlimited local/long-distance phone for only $200/month. That is inexpensive compared to getting everything separately.

Answer 8

I agree with you whole heartedly. My husband and I decided to disconnect cable when he was laid off for six months. After the six months was over we were amazed at how little we missed it. Not only do we get things done instead of sitting in front of the boob tube. But our children aren't exposed to constant advertising that bombard them with images of toys, junk food, and sexual content that is just not healthy for them.

Then why pay so much for 100 channels you aren't going to watch. If they ever come up with al la carte, with the ability to block commercials we will maybe think about getting it again.

It offends me to watch most programs these days and definitely most commercials. So if it offends me then I'm positive the Holy Spirit is offended even more.

Get rid of it. You will not regret it. It will be the best thing outside of Salvation you will have ever done.

Answer 9

For me, its not just the T.V, it would have to be the video games and the internet to, because they take up time or my kids and I just love to stare at anything that is a monitor and these are all monitors.
We did this for some time and my husband just got a DVD player and started buying "R" movies, so it was good for the kids and I, but not good for my husbands spiritual growth.

Answer 10

We gave up on tv, except for the news several years ago. We didn't even miss it. The kids started spending more time outside and we played more games. it freed up so much time that we were able to do more church and volunteer work. The TV FRee lifestyle is great!