TV = Too Vulgar
I am often harassed by my wife and children because of my affection for the cartoon series “Underdog”. The mild mannered shoe shine boy (really a floppy eared dog) who, when troubles arise, becomes the most adorable superhero anyone could imagine. Once in a while I will flip through the channels and find a re-run of this loveable cartoon and, I have to admit, it is somewhat corny. How I long for those days of corny, fun filled television.
Now it is nothing more than trash. I was disgusted and disheartened when I turned on the television last Monday night to watch the Cowboy’s football game only to be welcomed by nothing more than a pornographic “seduction” of a star player in the locker room. ABC thinks it is cute, much like CBS, MTV, NBC and all the other smut filled boardrooms that think “pushing the envelope” is cute, as long as it has the desired affects...ratings.
TV is not what it used to be. Some will try to push it off to being a “Red State versus Blue State” issue like they tried to do with the election. They will say that if we want to be “moral freaks” don’t infringe on their rights to produce and televise shows with no redeeming value because there is a market out there for it. Who said they could infringe on our rights?
The moral corruption that Hollywood has laid at the feet of the households in this country has brought us to the brink of the highest rates in: divorces, teen pregnancies, AIDS cases, other sexually transmitted diseases, and the list goes on and on.
How do we as Christians view television? Have we become so desensitized to the sex, vulgar language and the violence that it doesn’t bother us anymore? If the child of God had to give an account of how many hours they study the Bible and their TV viewing time, who would win? With reference to assembly time with the saints and all other church related functions, where do you find yourself? At church or on the couch?
Years ago, Sen. Bob Dole (along with many others) made an attack on Hollywood violence and sex, showing a connection to what is seen on TV/movies, etc. and the real thing. In a poll, two out of three children say they've been influenced by the entertainment media on issues like sexuality and morality, etc.
Note the poll results according to children 10-16 years in age:
“There is too much sex before marriage on television” - 77% said yes.
“Sex on TV and in movies influences kids to have sex too young” - 62% said yes.
“TV makes children think people care more about money than people” - 54% said yes.
“TV makes children think young people talk back to their parents” - 51% said yes.
“TV makes children think people are mostly dishonest” - 49% said yes.
“TV makes children think people are selfish” - 46% said yes.
This information is not new to us. We have to start making some tough choices. We have known for sometime that TV is molding and harming the character of children (and adults). But we rationalize it by saying that the shows we watch have a good plot and a deeper meaning. Our young people are leaving the Lord's church. Our adults have grown apathetic. Adults can watch a two-hour movie with vulgarity, sex and large amounts of violence, but complain if the preacher speaks over 30minutes.
Do we monitor what our children are watching? Do we limit their TV viewing times? Do we monitor what we as adults watch? Do we live a double standard - “Now that the kids are in bed I can watch the good stuff.” We need to tip the scales toward God by reading the Bible, coming to Bible classes, and doing the Lord’s work! The souls that are saved may be our own!
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things; and the God of peace shall be with you" (Philippians 4:8, 9).