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goofyjim
Guest
Sorry I ain’t joining in the ranting and raving. Censorship is wrong. Let’s drop the FCC.
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Nino
Guest
Thats true,it aint easy being a Christian…hollywierd is downright new age leftist…most teevee sitcoms glorify sin.re: sex outside of marriage,lampooning dad,etc etc…sure its not a good idea to watch and support this trash…thou shalt not tempt the Lord etc…thats why its not a good idea to have as boy scout leaders men who are sexually attracted to boys…its the temptation that is the danger! Sure a singer may do just that…croon a cute harmless tune but 99% of the time he/she is a member of the elite circles that hates Jesus…so is it ok to buy that one record,so to speak…golly Benito did make the trains run on time,lets forget what he did to Ethiopea etc etc…the beatles are a point,their pro-drug songs probably ruined more lives then Nam yet I am sure one or two of their cutsy ditties can be used in a church setting…I have found that adding too much water to the soup makes it rather bland…
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goofyjim
Guest
So you suggest we ban the Beatles? Puleez. It is music. It is an art form. If you don’t like it you listen to something else. There are some on these forums who suggested that Star Trek was immoral since the creator was an atheist. How far are we going to go before we start banning anything we have the slightest disagreement with? The Beatles are harmless and so is Star Trek and all the other tv shows. If you don’t like them change the channel but if someone forces me to watch just religious programming or cookie cuttter family programming all day you can bet that I won’t watch anymore than I do now. In fact, it’s then that I might trash the tv.
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edwest2
Guest
No one is forcing anyone. Free will means we, as Catholics, choose to keep God’s commandments and recognize when the so-called “popular culture” is on the decline, parading dysfunctional, immoral and perverted practices around as “entertainment.”
God bless,
Ed
God bless,
Ed
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Lee_M
Guest
It’s always easy to suggest if you don’t like what is on, change the channel. But the fact remains that network shows, which re under control of the FCC because they use radio waves, are becoming so immoral that society is becoming numb to it. It is a shame that you can’t watch a show on network tv during “family” hours without an advertisement for male enhancement drugs, viagra, cialis, or other sexually suggestive commercials. Its pretty sad that a Hardees commercial has to use sex to sell a darn hamburger. I’m tired of my kids being exposed to this type of material during the day. Yeah, you can change the channel. But what channel can you change it to? There aren’t that many channels for the family any more. Have you watched ABC Family lately? Heck, it even has content on it that is purely offensive. Our society is in the gutter.
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edwest2
Guest
The necessary action is to inform and encourage other people and Catholics, that lines have been crossed. To ignore the, “What’s the big deal?” comments, and to take a stand.
I no longer buy certain magazines, certain books and other things. That is part of the answer. The other part is to ask yourself, what is good? What has some virtue? There need to be standards, for individuals and for mass media. People need to say, “That’s it.” No more George Carlin and his negative, profanity spewing rants or Chris Rock or Lewis Black or Howard Stern…
Ask yourself, Why am I laughing?
God bless,
Ed
I no longer buy certain magazines, certain books and other things. That is part of the answer. The other part is to ask yourself, what is good? What has some virtue? There need to be standards, for individuals and for mass media. People need to say, “That’s it.” No more George Carlin and his negative, profanity spewing rants or Chris Rock or Lewis Black or Howard Stern…
Ask yourself, Why am I laughing?
God bless,
Ed
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Katie1723
Guest
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duskyjewel
Guest
Whoooo… I watch Nip/Tuck and love it. It’s the ultimate guilty pleasure. So I hate think what y’all think of me! 
Oh well, the Simpsons is serious family time around here. Part of the reason DH and I like it is that Groening bashes everyone in their turn, and it’s dang funny when he does.
People keep talking about kids… I thought this was about grownups. Jeez, just use the parental controls on your cable or satellite box. And if you don’t have those, then get a TV with a V-chip. If you don’t, that’s the choice you make. We choose to control access. If you choose not to, but want to restrict content so you don’t have to, then aren’t you passing your parental responsibilities off on others?
Oh well, the Simpsons is serious family time around here. Part of the reason DH and I like it is that Groening bashes everyone in their turn, and it’s dang funny when he does.People keep talking about kids… I thought this was about grownups. Jeez, just use the parental controls on your cable or satellite box. And if you don’t have those, then get a TV with a V-chip. If you don’t, that’s the choice you make. We choose to control access. If you choose not to, but want to restrict content so you don’t have to, then aren’t you passing your parental responsibilities off on others?
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edwest2
Guest
“restrict content”? This is about TV shows like Dexter who cuts up people who are still alive. And about “comedians” like George Carlin who can’t say F and other, similar words often enough.
Peace,
Ed
Peace,
Ed
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duskyjewel
Guest
Yeah, so set the controls on your TV, cable or satellite to automatically lock anything above a certain rating, and that stuff never enters your home. Unless you enter your PIN and allow it.
The fact is, there is a market demand for that nasty stuff, so it will continue to be made. None of us have the right to tell adults they can’t watch it.
The fact is, there is a market demand for that nasty stuff, so it will continue to be made. None of us have the right to tell adults they can’t watch it.
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edwest2
Guest
Apparently, tolerance is a one-way street. The truth is, so-called American culture has been reduced to “entertaining” graphic dysfunctionality.
Everyone has the right to speak. I choose not to enable a culture that tolerates graphic murder and graphic dysfunctionality. Jay and Silent Bob - drug dealers and perverts. Dexter - murderer. George Carlin.
There’s a market for it? I recommend that everyone not watch these things.
Peace,
Ed
Everyone has the right to speak. I choose not to enable a culture that tolerates graphic murder and graphic dysfunctionality. Jay and Silent Bob - drug dealers and perverts. Dexter - murderer. George Carlin.
There’s a market for it? I recommend that everyone not watch these things.
Peace,
Ed
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sydney28
Guest
Looks like this post wandered a litte from my initial question 
I agree there is too much immorality on TV, that it should be more tightly regulated - i.e. move adult oriented shows to later at nite or put them on stations you have to subscribe to, but that wasn’t really what I was asking about. I would never let my (hypothetical) teenager watch Grey’s Anatomy because I fear that she is still too impressionable.
As for me, I have my values set in stone - they are unwavering. I am not going to go out and commit the same sins that are glazed over on these shows just because the celebrities do. So, no , these shows do not CAUSE me to sin in that sense…but my question was whether the very act of watching a show in which fornication and homosexuality are considered a way of life is something that I should add to my list of things to confess to the priest
Is it immoral to pay money to see a movie deemed “morally offensive” by the USCCB - paying the actors salaries who in turn give THEIR money to immoral causes - i.e. planned parenthood, etc. I mean, if this were the case then truly, it would seem that as Catholics we pretty much couldn’t see any movies, watch any TV or buy any CDs that weren’t specifically Christian/Catholic oriented.
And on the note of the USCCB movie ratings…when they rate a movie as “morally offensive” , are we committing a mortal sin by seeing it anyway despite knowing that it was given that rating by the bishops? (Of course I typically don’t WANT to go to movies with that rating…)
I agree there is too much immorality on TV, that it should be more tightly regulated - i.e. move adult oriented shows to later at nite or put them on stations you have to subscribe to, but that wasn’t really what I was asking about. I would never let my (hypothetical) teenager watch Grey’s Anatomy because I fear that she is still too impressionable.As for me, I have my values set in stone - they are unwavering. I am not going to go out and commit the same sins that are glazed over on these shows just because the celebrities do. So, no , these shows do not CAUSE me to sin in that sense…but my question was whether the very act of watching a show in which fornication and homosexuality are considered a way of life is something that I should add to my list of things to confess to the priest
Is it immoral to pay money to see a movie deemed “morally offensive” by the USCCB - paying the actors salaries who in turn give THEIR money to immoral causes - i.e. planned parenthood, etc. I mean, if this were the case then truly, it would seem that as Catholics we pretty much couldn’t see any movies, watch any TV or buy any CDs that weren’t specifically Christian/Catholic oriented.
And on the note of the USCCB movie ratings…when they rate a movie as “morally offensive” , are we committing a mortal sin by seeing it anyway despite knowing that it was given that rating by the bishops? (Of course I typically don’t WANT to go to movies with that rating…)
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arvinsim
Guest
IMO, I think that it isn’t a mortal sin but your conscience will nag you like crazy…so why don’t you just spare yourself and your cash if you find the movie morally offensive anyway?
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sydney28
Guest
Yup, these days I can barely tolerate PG-13s much less R rated and certainly not ones to which the USCCB gives an “O” ratingIMO, I think that it isn’t a mortal sin but your conscience will nag you like crazy…so why don’t you just spare yourself and your cash if you find the movie morally offensive anyway?
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James22
Guest
First off, the discussion did seem to go off, into censorship-land, which isn’t the discussion at all. Personally I don’t think the government should necessarily be regulating what we watch. It is up to individuals.
Secondly,I’ll say that I pretty much struggle with some of these same things. Not Grey’s, but there are definitely shows that I will get caught on that I know ultimately aren’t good for me, or society, or young people, and wonder if its really so bad for me to watch them
My question is though – to what extent can even adults say that their values are unwavering and set in stone? I often wonder why so much talk about inappropriate content on television is just about it being inappropriate for young people, and not about it being appropriate for anyone? Is it ever “good” to watch the plot unfold and have the main characters, who we’ve come to like and identify with, jump into bed with one another?
I remember my mother, when I was a teenager (not that long ago, I’ll admit), and would argue that “I’m old enough/mature enough/etc to handle it,” would respond that its not that immoral shows are bad for kids; usually, they’re bad for everybody. Watching a show that showcases overtly sexual behavior in explicitly immoral circumstances, or glamorized violence and drug abuse, just can’t be good for us. Who knows what kind of damage is wreaked upon us and our souls with those small steps and indulgences we allow everyday?
As to whether or not watching a show like Grey’s is “technically” a sin, I think that usually misses the point. When I’m honest with myself, if I can say “maybe,” why would I bother with it?
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James22
Guest
C.S. Lewis - talk about a man who possessed timeless wisdom
Maybe next time you want to watch Grey’s, trying starting 'Mere Christianity."
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Lee_M
Guest
I think the devil is at work in manipulating what we watch on TV. I couldn’t imagine watching something like Rescue Me or Nip Tuck on TV back in the 70’s or 80’s for that matter. I know that those shows are on cable, but the networks are following right behind. The devil is gradually dulling our senses to recognize what is sinful. I remember my grandfather having a fit for us watching Solid Gold on TV because of the skimpy outfits that the dancers wore
No, we don’t have a right to control what people watch on television but it doesn’t change the fact that some programs are morally wrong. So yes, I believe it can be sinful to watch some of these shows. Whether it is a mortal sin, I don’t know but the venial sins are dulling our senses of what mortal sin is.
No, we don’t have a right to control what people watch on television but it doesn’t change the fact that some programs are morally wrong. So yes, I believe it can be sinful to watch some of these shows. Whether it is a mortal sin, I don’t know but the venial sins are dulling our senses of what mortal sin is.
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edwest2
Guest
This is exactly true. Slowly, gradually, people, including Catholics, thought, “Oh that’s not so bad” but the writers and producers kept “pushing the envelope.” Do you know what that means? It means “pushing the envelope of what’s acceptable to most people.” Especially Christians. Look up the “Legion of Decency,” a Catholic organization.
Ask the Holy Spirit for a “renewal of your mind.”
God bless,
Ed
Ask the Holy Spirit for a “renewal of your mind.”
God bless,
Ed
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Lee_M
Guest
I remember in the mid 80’s when the show Dynasty was on. I was a pre-teen. My parents wouldn’t let me watch it for good reasons. Some kids came in to school and said that they said the B word on the show. I was shocked. Now, you hear it all the time. It is a shame that the days of shows like Little House on the Prairie and Father Murphy are gone. This country needs another Michael Landon but I guess that type of show wouldn’t go over in today’s times anyways
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Joe_5859
Guest
Whenever there is a discussion of whether or not watching/listening to/reading this or that TV show/movie/music group/book is sinful, it almost immediately deteriorates into a discussion of censorship. They are two separate issues. Just because someone thinks it may be sinful to watch something doesn’t mean they’re lobbying Capitol Hill so that every station only airs “Leave It To Beaver” 24/7.
One point that I haven’t seen raised is the sin of scandal. We can be firm in our faith where we would not be swayed by the depiction of immorality in a given show. But do we have children / younger siblings who look up to us as role models and see us watching these shows? Do we have non-Catholic friends who look to us as representatives of the Church, see us watching the show, and then assume that Catholics do not have any problem with the immoral behavior being portrayed? These are good questions to ask ourselves, I think.
), but I think we need to be careful about personifying “the media”. The media is a thing. It enables us to communicate with other people in many different ways. In and of itself, the media is neither good nor evil. It’s the way that we use it that can be good or evil.
There are many people involved in the media that are actively working counter to the Gospel, but not all of them. I think that if we look at the media as an “other” and an enemy, we risk an unnecessary polarization which will only serve to further remove Catholic values from much of the popular media. TV, movies, music, the internet, etc. are not going to go away. We need good Catholics to get involved in the media so that we can effect change from the inside.
(Just to clarify, Ed, I’m not trying to say that you’re promoting a siege mentality where we all run and hide and hope it all goes away. I’m just using your comment as a springboard to offer my own comments.
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They are two separate issues. Just because someone thinks it may be sinful to watch something doesn’t mean they’re lobbying Capitol Hill so that every station only airs “Leave It To Beaver” 24/7.One point that I haven’t seen raised is the sin of scandal. We can be firm in our faith where we would not be swayed by the depiction of immorality in a given show. But do we have children / younger siblings who look up to us as role models and see us watching these shows? Do we have non-Catholic friends who look to us as representatives of the Church, see us watching the show, and then assume that Catholics do not have any problem with the immoral behavior being portrayed? These are good questions to ask ourselves, I think.
I understand the point you’re trying to make (and perhaps I’m being nitpicky
), but I think we need to be careful about personifying “the media”. The media is a thing. It enables us to communicate with other people in many different ways. In and of itself, the media is neither good nor evil. It’s the way that we use it that can be good or evil.There are many people involved in the media that are actively working counter to the Gospel, but not all of them. I think that if we look at the media as an “other” and an enemy, we risk an unnecessary polarization which will only serve to further remove Catholic values from much of the popular media. TV, movies, music, the internet, etc. are not going to go away. We need good Catholics to get involved in the media so that we can effect change from the inside.
(Just to clarify, Ed, I’m not trying to say that you’re promoting a siege mentality where we all run and hide and hope it all goes away. I’m just using your comment as a springboard to offer my own comments.
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