Is it sinful to purposely watch bad tv shows?

[ProdigalSon1211]

Is it a mortal sin to purposely watch television shows that are immoral? For example what if I actually enjoy watching watching “The Sopranos” and “The Borgias”. Both of these tv shows are highly immoral as they contain violence, sex, foul language, etc. I gave up watching “Boardwalk Empire” on HBO because it kept using God’s name in vain over and over and that really made me angry. Should we give up tv shows that are a detriment to our Christian life?

 

[CatholicSheila]

I don’t think there is necessarily a list of “bad” tv shows, but we definitely need to be cautious of putting ourselves in an occasion of sin. I have watched both Boardwalk Empire and The Borgias and felt no guilt of it - but I did turn off Spartacus because I felt like I was watching pornographic filth and it wasn’t good for my state of mind.

If a show causes you to sin or even puts you at risk of sinning, then it would be wise to turn it off. I’d go so far as to say we’re required to turn it off, but what shows each person must turn off may differ from their neighbour.

 

[Julia_Mae]

Is it a mortal sin to purposely watch television shows that are immoral? For example what if I actually enjoy watching watching “The Sopranos” and “The Borgias”. Both of these tv shows are highly immoral as they contain violence, sex, foul language, etc. I gave up watching “Boardwalk Empire” on HBO because it kept using God’s name in vain over and over and that really made me angry. Should we give up tv shows that are a detriment to our Christian life?

Absolutely. I don’t know if a priest would call it a sin or not. But I do know that filling your mind with ideas, images and sounds of sin, is a way to be as far from God as you can get for the time of the show which is kind of the definition of “sin” really. I think any show that is trying to be realistic will show some instances of sin, especially in language.

But my question is: if you wouldn’t invite that person into your home in real life, why would you purposely hang out with them for an hour?

 

[wanabesaint]

Yes it is sinful to watch bad tv shows.
the news is mere propagaganda agaisnt God, so to even have tv is wrong…

what is interesting today is, newpapers are on longer in many schools.
which most will find insignificant, but yet is interesing that for long time they would have been thoght as essential to be informed of local news and events, but today its not…
neat to check, but tvs are often in schools.

the demise of society, accepted, never questioned.

 

[ExGratia]

This is coming from someone who doesn’t even watch TV:

It is NOT immoral to watch “bad” shows. Actually, to be clear, a show with nudity or violence is not necessarily “bad”. For example, The Sopranos is a show about a man who makes lots of immoral choices and has the mental scars to prove it. A movie like HBOs Strip Search has intense violence and a lot of nudity but is meant to comment government terror. And one of the most artistic shows I’ve ever seen, Oz, shows the ugliness of prison life in brutal detail.

Your reason for watching a program is what matters. If you are watching a show with lots of nudity to be titillated, then it is probably sinful. If it tempts you, then it is sinful. If it endangers your faith, then it is sinful.

In my personal opinion, however, cable TV series are becoming less about art and commentary and more pornographic. I had watched some Borgias because I am a fan of opulent costuming, but it seemed pornographic and anti-Catholic. And the vampire HBO series is just disgusting.

I sure have a lot of opinions for someone who hasn’t lived in a house with TV for most of my adult life!

 

[wxornot]

It would be a sin if you were getting enjoyment out of the acts of violence or nudity. But there is no sin in watching the show because you enjoy the subject matter. I love the Law and Order series. NCIS. Criminal Minds. ETC. Not because of the crime and rape and kidnapping…but rather because of the plot of the show. Even a movie that has nudity is not necessarily sinful to watch. If you were to subscribe the the National Catholic Register…movies are rated by the bishops. Some get ratings equivalent to R…but get high grades for plot and outcome. They caution against letting the young see them…but have no objection to adults seeing them for their well acted plot.

I’ve also seen them condemn movies that would get a G or GP rating for their irreverence and attitude toward God.

 

[pcogperson]

Is it a mortal sin to purposely watch television shows that are immoral? For example what if I actually enjoy watching watching “The Sopranos” and “The Borgias”. Both of these tv shows are highly immoral as they contain violence, sex, foul language, etc. I gave up watching “Boardwalk Empire” on HBO because it kept using God’s name in vain over and over and that really made me angry. Should we give up tv shows that are a detriment to our Christian life?

Your name says it all. Jeremiah 15:17 I never joined the people in their merry feasts. I sat alone because your hand was on me. I burst with indignation at their sins. 18 Why then does my suffering continue? Why is my wound so incurable? Your help seems as uncertain as a seasonal brook. It is like a spring that has gone dry." 19 The LORD replied, “If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak words that are worthy, you will be my spokesman. You are to influence them; do not let them influence you! 20 They will fight against you like an attacking army, but I will make you as secure as a fortified wall. They will not conquer you, for I will protect and deliver you. I, the LORD, have spoken! 21 Yes, I will certainly keep you safe from these wicked men. I will rescue you from their cruel hands.”

 

[christofirst]

It is for me!

Maybe some people are “mature” enough to watch such shows objectively and not be adversely affected by it, but I am not one of those.

I think you will know for yourself, if you are watching something and feel uncomfortable or suddenly in the grip of temptation because of some scene. And if the series or program, like those you mentioned, regularly feature such scenes, best to avoid those shows altogether.

 

[D0UBTFIRE]

Probably not. But I do think it’s sinful to be worried constantly about whether every little thing you do is a sin (I think that’s called scrupulosity, I’ve also heard it referred to as religious OCD), so if you can let go of that way of thinking I think it might be helpful to you.

On the other hand, this question reminds me of the Jehovah’s Witnesses - they taught me when I was little that demons would come out of the TV and inhabit my home if we watched “bad” TV shows or rated R movies or even soap operas.

If it makes you uncomfortable, don’t watch it. I avoid rated R romantic comedies because they’re like soft porn now-a-days. I avoid horror movies because they freak me out. I avoid sitcoms that show too much promiscuity not because I think it’s sinful to watch them but because I don’t like promoting that filth in our culture (it’s like a boycott). Obviously some things might be bothering you or you wouldn’t be here asking if it’s sinful. But the important question is - if they bother you - and we all tell you it’s not sinful - are you going to continue watching them? Going against your conscience is sinful too, you know, even if you conscience is wrong, or so I’ve heard.

Just my $0.02, hope it helps!

 

[bharsen]

I doubt that any religion would tell you that demons will come out of your TV. However, opening yourself up to negative influences could create a problem for you when it comes to demon influence.

 

[pcogperson]

But the important question is - if they bother you - and we all tell you it’s not sinful - are you going to continue watching them? Going against your conscience is sinful too, you know, even if you conscience is wrong, or so I’ve heard.

Just my $0.02, hope it helps!

Don’t know who told you that lie!
God gave us a conscience to know right from wrong. Its called the Holy Spirit

 

[Winning219]

I hope not…Two and a Half Men and Big Bang Theory are my two favorite shows!!

 

[Drachir]

Television shows have become so full of sex scenes that I have all but stopped watching them. Boston Legal comes to mind which is not on anymore. I do not watch any of the Law and Order shows or any CSI shows.

Just me

 

[svid2]

In a word, yes/ If you want to ‘check out’ a program, and it turns out to be inappropriate, then you avoid it.

There IS something else you can watch, something else you can do.

 

[pcogperson]

In a word, yes/ If you want to ‘check out’ a program, and it turns out to be inappropriate, then you avoid it.

There IS something else you can watch, something else you can do.

Yes, like reading God’s word!

 

[porthos11]

I’m a little regretful that shows like The Tudors and The Borgias contain sex and nudity and are therefore possible occasions of sin for me (and since the Catechism includes simulated sex in its description of pornography, I’m not sure if those shows meet that description), I have my qualms about watching them, even though I wish I could even just for their historical setting.

Even other series are quite interesting, such as Homeland and, despite myself, Dexter. In the case of Dexter, I have decided that the occasions of nudity are fairly rare and far between such that I do not have difficulty averting my eyes.

 

[wxornot]

It’s amazing that non-theologians completely ignored what I posted about bishops. I guess some amateurs see themselves as knowing more than our bishops. Total lack of respect for the hierachy. Exactly why I’m thinking of joining Orthodoxy.

 

[edwest2]

Is it a mortal sin to purposely watch television shows that are immoral? For example what if I actually enjoy watching watching “The Sopranos” and “The Borgias”. Both of these tv shows are highly immoral as they contain violence, sex, foul language, etc. I gave up watching “Boardwalk Empire” on HBO because it kept using God’s name in vain over and over and that really made me angry. Should we give up tv shows that are a detriment to our Christian life?

I think so. Moving images and words do affect us. No, we are not going to suddenly start doing bad things but why meditate on such evil? Some claim some “educational” benefit. That’s baloney. If you want to find out about the Mob then get a good documentary or book about the subject. As Catholics, we do not need to meditate on the obscene, the immoral and depictions of body parts that should be covered. To accept this as “entertainment” deadens us to sin.

Peace,
Ed

 

[edwest2]

Your name says it all. Jeremiah 15:17 I never joined the people in their merry feasts. I sat alone because your hand was on me. I burst with indignation at their sins. 18 Why then does my suffering continue? Why is my wound so incurable? Your help seems as uncertain as a seasonal brook. It is like a spring that has gone dry." 19 The LORD replied, “If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak words that are worthy, you will be my spokesman. You are to influence them; do not let them influence you! 20 They will fight against you like an attacking army, but I will make you as secure as a fortified wall. They will not conquer you, for I will protect and deliver you. I, the LORD, have spoken! 21 Yes, I will certainly keep you safe from these wicked men. I will rescue you from their cruel hands.”

That is what we must do.

Peace,
Ed

 

[edwest2]

I hope not…Two and a Half Men and Big Bang Theory are my two favorite shows!!

Two and a Half Men is sick, dirty and dirtier.

Big Bang Theory features fornication and even mentions masturbation as a “oh well, I’ll just do it” kind of thing. You are your brother’s keeper. And that one episode where the guys set up one of their friends with a prostitute?

Oh yeah. Let’s just keep the fornication and prostitutes appearing all over the place. Yeah, like that will lead to holiness.

Ed