Is it sinful to watch this kind of TV?

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cathlicnlovinit:
I am confused. Are some people saying that all tv is bad or just certain shows? If all tv is bad what about the internet? Many of the same statements could apply. How far do we go. Do we boycott channels that may have problematic programming only or should we boycott channels that may have ok programs but the parent company supports negative causes. I think this is interesting because I have never thought of all tv as bad. I try to avoid most channels so I watch things like nature shows, investigative reports and CSPAN. What if those companies support abortion causes etc, should I stop watching. I am not being argumentative I really want to know?
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I don’t think people are saying all television is bad. But it does seem that some people are claiming all televison is morally neutral, which I believe is wrong. Television itself-- as in the transmission of audio and video-- is not sinful, obviously. It becomes sinful when the audio and video are occasions for sin, scandalize others, blaspheme God or His Church, etc.

I think people who make the argument that “it’s just entertainment” and “God wouldn’t send us to hell for watching a little tv” are completely missing the point. It’s the same argument that non-Christians use to keep from becoming Christian: how can I serve a God who would send me to hell just for watching a little porn?

God doesn’t send anyone to hell. We send ourselves there by rejecting Him. So, if by watching a filthy tv show we reject God, we most certainly deserve hell. It’s better not to push the limits, because that also misses the point. As Christians, we should be focused on how Christ-like we can be, not how satanic-while-still-not-going-to-hell we can be.

Anyway, to asnwer your question about how “far” we should go, I would say this:
Should we avoid channels which run ads for companies that support abortion? I don’t see why not. But I think there’s a more immediate cause to avoid certain (most) tv shows-- the audio and video that streams into our living rooms is usually filthy. If you filter shows based on this reason, I estimate you’ll cut out 90% of all television shows. Then, you’ll also be removing your support for ads of companies that support abortion. It’s a morality double play!

Personally I disconnected my tv. I only watch EWTN online sometimes. Not saying everyone should do that, as there are good programs on tv (news, EWTN, family movies, clean reality tv like Trading Spaces, etc).

But I can’t say that I’ve missed my tv one bit.
 
Yes, it is sinful. It’s wrong to watch a show which you KNOW is going to show immoral situations.

Research has shown that t.v. causes the left side of the brain (which deals with our thoughts and values) to tune out. The images you see on t.v. go to the right side of the brain and may be used in temptations. In other words, when you see images on t.v., your logical reasoning is basically shut down.

Jesus said that you can commit adultery in your heart. If that’s possible, it’s surely evil to watch immoral things on t.v. which lead to bad/immoral thoughts.

Listen to the words in “The Sound Of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel. Think about them. One of the lines says, “And the people bowed and prayed, To the neon God they made…” It also talks about people not wanting to disturb the sound of silence. Do you like to be disturbed when you’re watching a show?

As someone already said, it’s scary that so many people don’t realize the dangers of t.v. Over time we have become immune to immorality on t.v. shows. We have gradually accepted more and more immoral behavior to the point that now that behavior has become acceptable even in reality. Children imitate what they see and hear. They come to accept what they see on t.v. as “normal” if they don’t have someone to tell them otherwise.

That’s my two cents worth.
 
Hello

Yes it is sinful if it creates impure thoughts into a persons mind.

God Bless
Saint Andrew.
 
I voted no but I wish there was an other option because it honestly depends on the show and the person’s conscience. I think when it comes to gray areas, one should rely on a God-informed conscience with prayer.
 
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Authorkat:
Yes, it is sinful. It’s wrong to watch a show which you KNOW is going to show immoral situations.
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Not too long ago, I watched part of The Ten Commandments on TV. Hmm. I KNEW that the movie going to show immoral situations, what with the slavery and murder and all that. Thank goodness networks don’t show Jesus of Nazareth anymore. Lots of immoral situations in that (betrayal, murder, torture, lying). Then, at Christmas, there were those dreadfully sinful shows Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (prejudice) and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (stealing, hate). Ag!

I guess I’ll stick to books. But wait! Every single book I own includes immoral situations, especially the Bible. The Bible’s got it all: incest, rape, murder, revenge, lying (and that’s before you get halfway through Genesis). Heck, even extremely dry reading such as the Catechism of the Catholic Church can’t stay away from a whole host of unsuitable topics.

😃

– Mark L. Chance.
 
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im_wildrose:
I haven’t seen Desperate Housewives but heard that, despite the bad rap it got, it really strives to show that immoral behavior comes with a very high price.
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I continue to be shocked and appalled at how many Catholics are willing to defend this show. This show to me is a direct attack against my family. The show is called “Desperate Housewives”. So even if it shows “immoral behavior comes with a very high price” (a pretty logical conclusion for the results of pure selfishness), it lends some excuse to the women because they are “deperate”. Why are they so desperate? Could it be because they have such a terrible life being housewives, having no life caring for their children and husbands, and therefore have to create their own lives?

I’m amazed that any Catholic would think for 1 minute about whether this show is worth watching regularly. Of course, that’s what keeps it running, isn’t it?
 
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mlchance:
Not too long ago, I watched part of The Ten Commandments on TV. Hmm. I KNEW that the movie going to show immoral situations, what with the slavery and murder and all that. Thank goodness networks don’t show Jesus of Nazareth anymore. Lots of immoral situations in that (betrayal, murder, torture, lying). Then, at Christmas, there were those dreadfully sinful shows Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (prejudice) and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (stealing, hate). Ag!

I guess I’ll stick to books. But wait! Every single book I own includes immoral situations, especially the Bible. The Bible’s got it all: incest, rape, murder, revenge, lying (and that’s before you get halfway through Genesis). Heck, even extremely dry reading such as the Catechism of the Catholic Church can’t stay away from a whole host of unsuitable topics.

😃

– Mark L. Chance.
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Ok. 2 options:
  1. When they show the connection between the sins on these TV shows and Jesus dying on the cross for them and subsequent repentance and conversion of characters AND they cut back severely on the amount of skin, visual and verbal sex - then you MAY have a comparison here.
  2. Show me that those watching Desperate Housewives in American are being drawn to Church in reflection on their own personal sins as a result of seeing that bad things happen when bad choices are made.
Overcoming immoral situations? That would be great.

Most TV shows today show people NOT overcoming immoral situations but falling back into the same immorality time and time again and gratutitious sex and violence thrown in for viewer appeal.

BIG difference between a single movie or book that censors some graphic details and has a definitive ending and an ongoing TV series that is attempting to draw people back time and time again to watch the show.
 
Sin???:confused:

All i know is…garbage in./garbage out!!!:cool:

Peace:thumbsup:
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Brad:
I continue to be shocked and appalled at how many Catholics are willing to defend this show. This show to me is a direct attack against my family. The show is called “Desperate Housewives”. So even if it shows “immoral behavior comes with a very high price” (a pretty logical conclusion for the results of pure selfishness), it lends some excuse to the women because they are “deperate”. Why are they so desperate? Could it be because they have such a terrible life being housewives, having no life caring for their children and husbands, and therefore have to create their own lives?

I’m amazed that any Catholic would think for 1 minute about whether this show is worth watching regularly. Of course, that’s what keeps it running, isn’t it?
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AMEN!! I’ve said it before: I think I’d go insane without hearing from people like you, Brad! I, too, am completely APPALLED at the number of Catholics who watch-- and gladly defend-- this disgustingly immoral show!! So frustrating . . .:banghead:
 
UKcatholicGuy,

Of course, you know my answer! 😉

I can still be found… :banghead:
 
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Brad:
I continue to be shocked and appalled at how many Catholics are willing to defend this show. This show to me is a direct attack against my family. The show is called “Desperate Housewives”. So even if it shows “immoral behavior comes with a very high price” (a pretty logical conclusion for the results of pure selfishness), it lends some excuse to the women because they are “deperate”. Why are they so desperate? Could it be because they have such a terrible life being housewives, having no life caring for their children and husbands, and therefore have to create their own lives?

I’m amazed that any Catholic would think for 1 minute about whether this show is worth watching regularly. Of course, that’s what keeps it running, isn’t it?
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I didn’t mean to imply that I was defending it. I truly haven’t seen it and don’t care to. I despise the whole concept of unhappy housewives and women who think that staying home to raise children is somehow a meaningless and empty waste of a life. I’m a stay at home mom (and homeschooler) myself and fully understand what a challenging and meaningful life I lead. While it’s very difficult at times, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Like I said, I’ve never watched it and wasn’t “defending” it. But, I do know a few people who watch it and have pointed out to me that it has never implied that immorality is casual, fun, or without a high price. From the way it was described to me, the characters lead very sad lives that they’ve made miserable by their own actions and bad behavior. That’s all I was wanting to say.

God bless, Jen
 
IMHO, any show that exhibits the naked butt of a fat bald guy is immoral.
However, were a show to feature Terri Hatcher’s butt in the same way (are you LISTENING, DH???), I would not find that to be a problem at all! 😃

Peace.
 
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CanonAlberic:
IMHO, any show that exhibits the naked butt of a fat bald guy is immoral.
However, were a show to feature Terri Hatcher’s butt in the same way (are you LISTENING, DH???), I would not find that to be a problem at all! 😃

Peace.
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Tasteless joke. Pornography is evil. And Terri Hatcher is more than a butt. She’s a human being created in God’s image. We should pray for her, not lust over her.
 
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im_wildrose:
Like I said, I’ve never watched it and wasn’t “defending” it. But, I do know a few people who watch it and have pointed out to me that it has never implied that immorality is casual, fun, or without a high price. From the way it was described to me, the characters lead very sad lives that they’ve made miserable by their own actions and bad behavior. That’s all I was wanting to say.

God bless, Jen
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I watch it. My husband watches it. I don’t think it is for everyone though. We approach it with an "oh those poor souls, if they would only do “X” instead of “Y” they would be so much happier and closer to God. I like the lessons that it teaches… but you actually have to be willing to see them.

If we started to find eachother sympathizing or making excuses for a character’s bad behavior then we would have to re-evaluate our choice to watch it.

For now it is entertainment with a chance to see morality (or the lack of it) in action.

Malia
 
I think an important point that hasn’t been raised is that the devil wants good perple to do nothing, and that is what watching t.v is doing! good perple sit there and do nothing for a period of time. I think its ok to watch t.v sometimes but not constantly.

Maybe going into the cinemas is ok as loong as its not often.

Its a sin to look at or get involved with pornography, so anything on t.v involving that would be a sin.

In order for evil to triumph good people do nothing

evanescence
 
Feanaro's Wife:
For now it is entertainment with a chance to see morality (or the lack of it) in action
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That is exactly the point. Entertainment with a “chance” to see immorality in action. When we have a chance to see or practice morality in action (EWTN), why should we waste our time?
 
I belong to Parents Television Council, which is trying to clean up TV. It seems to be doing a good job as it approaches the sponsors and gets their attention through boycotts, etc.

But back when I was working in the county hospital, I met all the people you see on NYPD: 16 year old gangbangers, a guy with his two wives and five children, murderers, etc. I watched every episode of NYPD because it was the only show that portrayed realistically how people deal with the constant stress and agony of people in desperate situations. They did it mostly by supporting one another, that’s what I noticed. Sometimes they did it in bars but the main point is that they were there for one another, and it was great.
Now I can’t watch that show, too grim, but then it gave me hope and encouragement.
 
UKCatholicguy:

If we want to live the virtue of purity (which we are all called) we should really pay attention to what we’re watching even for neutral entertainment.

St. Josemaria Escriva gave good advice when he said that we should fight our battles far from the castle walls. We have to meet the enemy on the field. In other writings he said that we should nip the weed while it’s still a bud lest it grow too much.

Like music, images enter our minds without much filtering…and can influence our thoughts, words and deeds.

I wouldn’t call watching these compromised shows sinful across the board but it’s like playing in mud…you can’t help but get dirty. When in doubt watch EWTN instead!!!

in XT
A.
 
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