Is it sinful to watch this kind of TV?

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Would Jesus watch these kind of shows? Or Mary? Or any of the other saints?
 
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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”. …, 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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The key word is “desperate”…and that I am not… ergo, I won’t watch it.
~ Kathy ~
 
My first year as a Catholic, I gave up tv for Lent. The impact that had on my life was and is incredible. Not only did I have a lot more time to get things done, but I developed different interests and made more friends. I began to see the world differently because I wasn’t “in touch” with what mainstream society was feeding the masses on television. I felt kind of like I gained some innocence. I know that sounds funny, but I almost felt proud when I didn’t know that Brad and Jennifer split up or what happened last night on whatever reality show was popular at the time.
Since then, I have resumed some tv watching, but only limited to a couple shows that I record and fast foward through the commercials. There are times when I am bored, and just start channel surfing, but I usually get so put off by what’s on or I feel uneasy. I do believe there are some good shows though, like whatever is on EWTN or some news shows. And there are some great education programs on. But in general, I do think it is harmful to our souls whenever we open ourselves up to any form of sin or evil.
 
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Viki59:
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.
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Hope and encouragement are supposed to come from real persons, not artificial reality. The fact that the show simulated you situation and gave you ideas is one thing but it cannot be a real source of hope.
 
As a man, I struggle with sexual sin. Shows that cheapen sex, like Friends or Will & Grace, tend to numb me to the sinfulness of recreational sex. For me, it is sinful to watch such shows because they lead me away from Christ, not toward Him.
 
I am surprised that the question even needs to be asked. How far have we Catholics fallen since the era when the Church had a list of prohibited books and when we were warned against watching certain films. Jesus told us that even looking at a women in a lustful way is the sin of adultery and yet now we seem to think that we can watch depraved and anti Christian programs because they are fun or enjoyable. Come on Catholics, let’s take on God’s standards not the world’s.
 
All I can say is that I won’t watch anything on TV that is a near occasion of sin.
 
My friend told me something the other day…he said that his Dad told him that it takes at least 3 years of not watching TV (or at least very little) to begin thinking independently.
I never thought about it like that before… :rolleyes:
 
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snow_white:
My friend told me something the other day…he said that his Dad told him that it takes at least 3 years of not watching TV (or at least very little) to begin thinking independently.
I never thought about it like that before… :rolleyes:
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It is true. It is amazing the effect regular watching has. If you want a completely different and freeing perspective, take the friend’s Dad prescription.
 
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rjs1:
I am surprised that the question even needs to be asked. How far have we Catholics fallen since the era when the Church had a list of prohibited books and when we were warned against watching certain films. Jesus told us that even looking at a women in a lustful way is the sin of adultery and yet now we seem to think that we can watch depraved and anti Christian programs because they are fun or enjoyable. Come on Catholics, let’s take on God’s standards not the world’s.
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Couldn’t agree more. I started this poll as a result of a “Desperate Housewives” thread in the Water Cooler. There were tons of Catholics talking about how much they absolutely loved the show. I was shocked, and I posted that the show was immoral and most likely something that Christians should not be watching. Well, I made a lot of people mad by saying that. To see if every Catholic had lost his moral compass, I started this thread. I’m glad to see that I’m not alone in my rejection of trash-tv.

Peace of Christ be with you,
UK
 
This may have been said already, but just think about it…is watching other people sin what you call entertainment?
 
It does to me… Watching The Sopranos is extremely fun entertainment for me.

Watching The Godfather is as well…ditto for Scarface & Carlitos Way…
So does a host of other movies with sex and violence in them… cause there is usually an underlying moral message that sooner or later that particular lifestyle is gonna catch up with you. I love that type of stuff. People need to stop judging what commitment a Christian has to their faith just because they may like intense or low brow programming. I judge programming on whether a show is glorifying its content without any reprocussions for its charactors actions.
 
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UKcatholicGuy:
Is it sinful for Christians to watch shows like Desperate Housewives or NYPD Blue? You know, shows that are more sexually explicit, violent, and use more curse words than most.

Well?
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UKcatholicGuy,

I can’t speak for other people, but it would definitely be sinful for me. In fact, it would probably be mortally sinful for me.
  • Liberian
 
I think there has to more than just watching it. As adults we should be able to differentiate reality and fantasy. Shows such as Desperate Housewives are complete fantasy and have no real meaning to them, actors acting a part (Reality TV is different). If the person watching the show has the desire to act out some of the sinful acts, then we may have a problem. The US Bishops website offers rating on TV shows and Movies, some of the movies get a “morally offensive” rating, which tells me that it has gone to far. Bottom line; there is a reason why parents have the obligation to sensor what kids watch on TV, they can’t tell the difference between reality and fantasy. If an adult gets the two confused, then in my book, it becomes sinful. 👍
 
I think it’s sinful to use your time for something that God would not approve of.

As for watching TV - we have it but we - my wife and I - do not live our lives in front of it. I like History Channel (except when they televise something about religion), National Geographic Channel, Discovery Channel, NFL Network, and my favorite sports teams. I used to watch a lot of Fox News but since I tired of politics after the election I haven’t watched it much.

Of course, I watch EWTN. My very favorite programs are Fr. Groeschel and Fr. Corapi.

So, I try to avoid garbage television and use it to learn something. Monday was the first day of my week off. It was too hot outside to do any work so I took it easy in my family room and watched TV - History Channel, EWTN, National Geographic. Nothing sinful there.
 
If Jesus were sitting in your living room, would you have the tv show on? If the answer is no, turn it off.

Thanks to God for my Redeemerhttp://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon7.gif
 
So does that mean if Jesus were in your living room and say, EWTN were on, you WOULDNT shut that off as well? :confused: 😉

If Jesus were in my living room he would have my undivided attention and regardless of how clean or amoral the show was, I’d shut the set… (but since he’s all knowing, I’m sure he wouldnt drop by when American Idol or The Sopranos are on… 😃 )

But once Jesus LEAVES… that wonderous magical box gets lit up once again :tiphat:
 
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UKcatholicGuy:
Is it sinful for Christians to watch shows like Desperate Housewives or NYPD Blue? You know, shows that are more sexually explicit, violent, and use more curse words than most.

Well?
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All I can say is I have absolutely no time to watch TV. Watching a sitcom like Will and Grace would be a serious sin in my opinion. I don’t even listen to the Radio anymore, let alone TV, so much junk out there. Hollywood could go bankrupt before we know it. Given that they are losing their audiences very quickly. But to think that the movie “Ninth Day” came out, and Narnia coming soon, both of which praise the Lord, I’m like “the Lord is great!” We will defeat the culture of death. The flaming liberals as clueless as they are (you know who you are) will be living in denial.
 
I’m inclined to say no as long as the Christian isn’t tempted by the show. I may be wrong. But hey when a person becomes a true catholic some stuff no longer seems attractive. I remember after an especially powerful youth meeting I tried to listen to angry white boy rap and found myself turning off my favourite song. Go figure.
 
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