I`m a Christian- is it bad to like violence shows?

Question

This guy cam to my chapel today, and he said that a Christian should not like violence and he showed some verses where is says we should not.
But I like stuff like CSI, CSI:NY, CSI:Miami and Criminal minds, ect.
Is that bad? I just like crime shows.
Please help

Answer 1

It's not the shows, it's what you get out of the shows. I'm christian too and I watch all of those and more. Being a christian doesn't have to restrict you from everything fun, it's just the way you react to the things that you do that could make them bad.

Answer 2

You know, I think it's fine to like shows such as CSI etc. You are not condoning the violence depicted by watching such shows. Rather, you are enjoying the drama, the mystery and the suspense of trying to solve the crime. There is no sin in that. The sin comes in enjoying watching violence itself. The same would hold true for watching explicit sex, blatant bigoted, hateful, or disrespectful acts which are glamorized and made to look enticing.

If you are a Christian, you should stop to consider if you would feel shame if you could actually see Jesus watching you do something. Jesus IS watching everything we do, but if we could actually SEE Him doing it, would we alter what we do? If the answer is yes, then that should be your guide. The Bible tells us to stay away from evil and the appearance of evil. It tells us that we can be in this world, but not of this world. It tells us to bear good fruit and that we reap what we sow. If watching a violent program gives nightmares, causes someone else to stumble in their faith, causes a person to act more aggressively toward someone else, or causes a person to be numb to violence in general, then certainly, it wouldn't be a good idea to watch shows which contain violence. If however, one is not watching for the violence, but for the mystery and the plot and they are able to keep their head clear and their heart in the right place, then I see no harm. It is when the things we choose to participate in have the potential to cause harm to us or someone else, that we need to stay away. This is why God gives us the moral codes we have in the Bible with regard to sexual purity, respecting authority, respecting one's parents and so on. These commandments or guidelines are God's way of helping us to know which choices we make can be destructive and harmful and which cannot.

Answer 3

There is a huge difference between liking violent crime shows and liking the violence in them. Crime shows put violence in to shock the viewer, and to alienate the viewer from the bad guys, as well as adding suspense at the end when you wonder if the character you like is going to get hurt. But in the end, what happens? Those who are violent get what's coming to them. They are shows about good and evil. You can't just cut evil out of it, or the good guys have nothing to fight for. Even the Bible is full of such retribution tales.

Now, there is limit to how much violence you should let yourself watch. Monitor yourself. If the amount of violence you see is coming out in your actions, maybe you should cut back on it.

Enjoy your shows!

Answer 4

Because you mention those shows in particular I wouldn't render them as violence to begin with. Many persons have been interested in those fields of CSI for pursuing a career of there own. And not because its a field loaded with violance. Rather a field that seeks solutions to real life situations. So continue watching and enjoying your favorite TV shows.

Answer 5

I don't see those as "violence shows", but crime dramas. I say keep watching CSI, Criminal Minds, and the like!

Answer 6

I think if what you are watching is something that is against what the bible teaches us that as a Christian you should not watch it. I think that 90% of this sort of thing is unclear though and that it should be left up to personal conviction. If you feel truely fine and not guilty tell your friend that if God convicts you that you will change your ways and until then you appreciate his opinion and will pray about it. We cant just go by whatever people say we all have different convictions on things like movies,music ect. just pray and try your best to do what YOU think you should do.. :) God bless **

Answer 7

"This guy cam to my chapel today ..." Huh? You own a chapel?

If you are watching shows with violence, it does go against what God's word teaches for Christians. We are supposed to think about good and Godly things.

When you put garbage into your head, that's all that comes out.

God bless!

Answer 8

If you are really into violence why not research the history of religion. You could start with the old testament, move on to the new testament, the witch burnings, and the list goes on.
Oh and don't forget the war in Iraq.

Seems to me that religion, Christianity included, goes hand in hand with violence.

Answer 9

So, you're letting some stranger tell you what it means to be a Christian? Whatever happened to the idea of a Christian having a personal relationship with God? There has to come a point where you decide for yourself what is or isn't moral, rather than just wait for someone else to tell you.

Answer 10

Violence is bad. True enough. If you are not *doing* it...then nobody has the right to tell you what you can enjoy in the privacy of your own home.

Is it affecting your ability to Love God or Love your neighbor?

No?

Then somebody (this "guy") needs to shut his trap and start by working on the "man in the mirror" and stop worrying that somewhere, somebody just might be enjoying themselves.

Sheesh!