Is Watching Particular Shows A Sin?

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ATeutonicKnight

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I’m afraid that watching shows such as Saturday Night Live and That '70s Show is a sin. Is it? I’ve confessed watching bad TV shows and movies last week in Confession, and I don’t want to ignore the “to do penance, and to amend my life.” part. Note that if I find myself watching it I always turn my head if something inappropriate is on the screen, and I skip it if there’s an inappropriate skit on SNL. Is watching them still a sin?

Also, as a side note, is revenge a Mortal sin? In other words, if my brother hits me, is it a Mortal sin to, in turn, hit him back?
 
No, it’s not a sin to watch those shows and laugh. I’m worried that your OCD tendencies are becoming more prevalent. Is there a Catholic psychologist in your area you could talk to?
 
kozlosap said:
No, it’s not a sin to watch those shows and laugh. I’m worried that your OCD tendencies are becoming more prevalent. Is there a Catholic psychologist in your area you could talk to?
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Not really, no There’s no psychologists in my area.

I used to watch these shows, dirty skit or not, without a problem. But now that I’ve had a Religious awakening I’m very concerned that a lot of the things I used to do is a sin. They’re actually getting better, believe it or not. For a while I had a problem with receiving the Eucharist. For instance, I would go to confession, confess every sin, and then during Mass I would have an involuntary lustful thought, push it aside, but then my scruples would still tell me that I still shouldn’t receive the Eucharist, so I never did. Last Saturday, however, I went to confession, confessed my sins, and although I had the involuntary lustful thoughts for a brief moment, as I walked in line, even though I was doubting, I recognized that it was scruples, and the moment the Eucharist touched my tongue, I had a joyous feeling in my body. I’m taking down my scruples and ignoring them one way at a time, so luckily, I’m getting better.
 
ATeutonicKnight said:
I’m afraid that watching shows such as Saturday Night Live and That '70s Show is a sin. Is it? I’ve confessed watching bad TV shows and movies last week in Confession, and I don’t want to ignore the “to do penance, and to amend my life.” part. Note that if I find myself watching it I always turn my head if something inappropriate is on the screen, and I skip it if there’s an inappropriate skit on SNL. Is watching them still a sin?

Also, as a side note, is revenge a Mortal sin? In other words, if my brother hits me, is it a Mortal sin to, in turn, hit him back?
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I don’t think watching them is a sin, though it might desensitize people to sin. I wouldn’t find it surprising though, if you’ve been finding those types of shows less and less funny as you mature in faith.
 
ATeutonicKnight said:
I’m afraid that watching shows such as Saturday Night Live and That '70s Show is a sin. Is it? I’ve confessed watching bad TV shows and movies last week in Confession, and I don’t want to ignore the “to do penance, and to amend my life.” part. Note that if I find myself watching it I always turn my head if something inappropriate is on the screen, and I skip it if there’s an inappropriate skit on SNL. Is watching them still a sin?
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This is a good, but a difficult, question. Is watching these shows on TV a sin? perhaps not in the strictest sense, but there is another question that needs to be asked and seriously considered…Is watching these kinds of shows a “near occasion of sin” and therefore something to be avoided? Are such shows a help to your spiritual growth or a hindrance?
Exposure to the kinds of humor that is rampant on TV today can dull the senses to sin of many types.

So if you wish to grow in holiness, to imitate Christ, to take up your cross and follow Him, it is probably best to avoid shows that can only hinder your progress.
Also, as a side note, is revenge a Mortal sin? In other words, if my brother hits me, is it a Mortal sin to, in turn, hit him back?
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Talk this over with your confessor. There are a lot of different possibilities here.

Peace
James
 
I wouldn’t think so. SNL isn’t the best thing out there (spiritually and in comedic sense unfortunately). I started watching SNL a year back and after seeing some of the old skits on youtube I really wish this group was better. But to get back to your question, unless you start copying SNL and it leads you to sin, then no its fine to watch the show.
 
Allegra said:
I don’t think watching them is a sin, though it might desensitize people to sin. I wouldn’t find it surprising though, if you’ve been finding those types of shows less and less funny as you mature in faith.
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I’ve actually been experiencing a bit of that. The dirty jokes that I used to think were comedic gold just make me feel uncomfortable now, and I find them in no way humorous.
 
Heuchler said:
I wouldn’t think so. SNL isn’t the best thing out there (spiritually and in comedic sense unfortunately). I started watching SNL a year back and after seeing some of the old skits on youtube I really wish this group was better. But to get back to your question, unless you start copying SNL and it leads you to sin, then no its fine to watch the show.
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Of course I watch the older stuff. The new stuff now isn’t so great, and it’s especially sexualized. As I said before, I never watch the skit if it’s inappropriate. I either skip it or walk out of the room. However, I don’t watch it often. I usually watch shows such as That '70s Show, where I do what I just said.
 
You know that whole keep the Lord as the apple of your eye thing?

It is something I try to keep in mind.

No television anymore. Can’t say I miss it. I winnowed down even my EWTN watching to where I had been viewing maybe two programs per week. I miss the GK Chesterton skits.

Now, Mary and Scripture keeps me occupied.

Some television shows are particularly funny. Some movies are likewise.
 
JimmytheButcher said:
You know that whole keep the Lord as the apple of your eye thing?

It is something I try to keep in mind.

No television anymore. Can’t say I miss it. I winnowed down even my EWTN watching to where I had been viewing maybe two programs per week. I miss the GK Chesterton skits.

Now, Mary and Scripture keeps me occupied.

Some television shows are particularly funny. Some movies are likewise.
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It sounds as if you have a direct calling to the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate. They take out “all distractions of life”. No TV, no radio, nothing. I really like them, but their lifestyle is too extreme for me. Not the television parts, but their overall lifestyle. But I really like their complete devotion and consecration to Mary. You have both the traits of extreme discipline and at the very least a devotion to Mary. I would contact them, if you’re not sure what your vocation is.
 
ATeutonicKnight said:
Not really, no There’s no psychologists in my area.

I used to watch these shows, dirty skit or not, without a problem. But now that I’ve had a Religious awakening I’m very concerned that a lot of the things I used to do is a sin. They’re actually getting better, believe it or not. For a while I had a problem with receiving the Eucharist. For instance, I would go to confession, confess every sin, and then during Mass I would have an involuntary lustful thought, push it aside, but then my scruples would still tell me that I still shouldn’t receive the Eucharist, so I never did. Last Saturday, however, I went to confession, confessed my sins, and although I had the involuntary lustful thoughts for a brief moment, as I walked in line, even though I was doubting, I recognized that it was scruples, and the moment the Eucharist touched my tongue, I had a joyous feeling in my body. I’m taking down my scruples and ignoring them one way at a time, so luckily, I’m getting better.
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I’m glad you are feeling better! If you look on U-tube for some of the SNL skits from the late 1970’s, you will be able to laugh without worrying about sinning! Just thinking about the Cheeseburger, Cheesburger, Coke skit makes me smile:D
 
Gilda Radner’s Emily Latella character.
Jane Curtin and Dan Akroyd’s “Count-PointerCount” spoof on the 60 minutes debates.
Chevy Chase as a bumbling President Ford always bumping his head or falling.
Gilda Radner’s hilarious “Roseanne Rosannadanna” character…
Gosh, I used to love Saturday Night Live back in the 70s.
It was a riot.
And always loved Monty Python’s Flying Circus and their movies
too (except for Jabberwocky, it was awful).

But yes, watching a lot of TV can and will desensitize you to
sin and the seriousness of sin. One of my all time favorite shows
was THE GOLDEN GIRLS. Hysterically funny. Yet, when I look at
the episodes today, I notice that in every episode (almost) the episode
is written (and it’s deliberate) in such a way as to glorify some particular sin.
What a shame, because what a gifted cast it had. Wonderful actresses.
Love to all,
Jaypeeto4
 
ATeutonicKnight said:
I’m afraid that watching shows such as Saturday Night Live and That '70s Show is a sin. Is it? I’ve confessed watching bad TV shows and movies last week in Confession, and I don’t want to ignore the “to do penance, and to amend my life.” part. Note that if I find myself watching it I always turn my head if something inappropriate is on the screen, and I skip it if there’s an inappropriate skit on SNL. Is watching them still a sin?

Also, as a side note, is revenge a Mortal sin? In other words, if my brother hits me, is it a Mortal sin to, in turn, hit him back?
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Its very simple. Apart from pornography you are free to watch anything you want.
 
ATeutonicKnight said:
Not really, no There’s no psychologists in my area.

I used to watch these shows, dirty skit or not, without a problem. But now that I’ve had a Religious awakening I’m very concerned that a lot of the things I used to do is a sin. They’re actually getting better, believe it or not. For a while I had a problem with receiving the Eucharist. For instance, I would go to confession, confess every sin, and then during Mass I would have an involuntary lustful thought, push it aside, but then my scruples would still tell me that I still shouldn’t receive the Eucharist, so I never did. Last Saturday, however, I went to confession, confessed my sins, and although I had the involuntary lustful thoughts for a brief moment, as I walked in line, even though I was doubting, I recognized that it was scruples, and the moment the Eucharist touched my tongue, I had a joyous feeling in my body. I’m taking down my scruples and ignoring them one way at a time, so luckily, I’m getting better.
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I have OCD, too, my friend. I wonder how many who suffer from this are on CAF?
 
Allegra said:
I don’t think watching them is a sin, though it might desensitize people to sin. I wouldn’t find it surprising though, if you’ve been finding those types of shows less and less funny as you mature in faith.
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I don’t know if they’re a sin, but I used to watch SNL a lot. I haven’t seen it this season, except for about a minute. Not because I fear it may be sinful but I’d rather be reading, if I have a good book on hand.

They do sometimes have some derrogatory (sp) things said about Catholicism.
 
Heuchler said:
I wouldn’t think so. SNL isn’t the best thing out there (spiritually and in comedic sense unfortunately). I started watching SNL a year back and after seeing some of the old skits on youtube I really wish this group was better. But to get back to your question, unless you start copying SNL and it leads you to sin, then no its fine to watch the show.
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Many years ago, when it first came on the air (yes I’m THAT old), it was a very funny and original show.
 
**Its very simple. Apart from pornography you are free to watch anything you want. **

Hi Thistle,
I’m not sure about your answer here.

Many shows are vehicles for promoting a liberal or even godless agenda
and designed to change our minds about behaviours and other things disapproved of by
God. Writers KNOW that literature and the arts are effective ways of altering people’s views.

Also, shows that promote immorality, even if they are not graphic nor pornographic,
are near occasions of sin for many, many people.

God bless,
Jaypeeto4
 
Jaypeeto4 said:
**Its very simple. Apart from pornography you are free to watch anything you want. **

Hi Thistle,
I’m not sure about your answer here.

Many shows are vehicles for promoting a liberal or even godless agenda
and designed to change our minds about behaviours and other things disapproved of by
God. Writers KNOW that literature and the arts are effective ways of altering people’s views.

Also, shows that promote immorality, even if they are not graphic nor pornographic,
are near occasions of sin for many, many people.

God bless,
Jaypeeto4
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How about the immorality/blasphemy of The Da Vinci Code. The Church did not prevent Catholics from watching that.
There are movies that those weak in faith should probably avoid but for the strong in faith pornography is the only thing to avoid.
I personally like watching a whole variety of movies: action, martial arts, thrillers, religious, detective, spy, war, science fiction, horror etc and none of that has changed my mind about anything and certainly has not weakened my faith.
 
I would say, in some cases, particular TV shows do inspire lustful thoughts, and use profanity or portray human sexuality that is against Church teaching.

In the late 1970s, I thought most of Saturday Night Live was really funny, but even then, they gradually began to include sexually suggestive material in the shows as time passed. It took 40 years for the media to gradually, slowly get us from “Oh, that’s not so bad” (I would think things like “That’s a little off color.” or “That’s a little inappropriate.” or “That’s a little risque.”) to scenes where two attractive people refer to their encounter the night before as “just sex” or a character like Dexter who cuts people up in his spare time.

One great storyteller told an interviewer that going in a certain direction creatively meant you could get people used to almost anything, which is why he chose not to go in certain directions. Just like the warning I saw at the beginning of NYPD Blue in the 1990s about “partial nudity.” As a writer myself, I would not add scenes of bare butts to advance the story. It’s totally gratuitous.

Peace,
Ed
 
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