It is sinful to enjoy certain TV shows?

[johngh]

I am unsure if it’s sinful or not. My thought would be yes it is. I used to like shows like Family Guy, but after watching a few episodes from this season, not only is it just not funny anymore, but the morality of the show is revolting. The episode about atheists made me decide to never watch that show again, and honestly I do not understand how any good Christian could like a show like that when practically every second of the show goes contrary to what we believe.

 

[diana_stella]

This is why people should direct many of these questions to their personal spiritual adviser. That way , the adviser can help you decide if it is a sin for you. I watched the cleaned up Sopranos. Nothing in there made me sin. Watching HGTV does though. I start to hate my house, want to redecorate, move, etc.

I used to be very religiously strict, felt uncomfortable watching any TV or hearing any music, was very concerned over books, etc. I homeschool my 4 children (still do). My very orthodox priest gave me spiritual advice and said I was going too far, becoming essentially the Amish. I had no peace from being so overboard. He told me: Only you can know when a TV show causes you to sin. I am so glad I discussed this with him because my older children were starting to become scrupulous.

Ironically the older I get the more relaxed I get. I would write more but my baby needs me.

 

[John92]

I try to boycott certain shows. South Park, never a particularly good show to begin with and always quite vulgar, put out an episode so blasphemous that I don’t even want to describe it here. So I don’t watch them anymore.

But other shows? I love Seinfeld, and other shows that are mildly inappropriate. I’m not tempted to sin by them. Shakespeare wrote very gawdy comedies, but would you be ashamed of watching one of his plays?

I understand people who see TV as a bad thing. I agree. We should never let TV-watching and other forms of entertainment take over so much of our time that our works suffer. But I see nothing wrong with relaxing in the evening and watching a couple of shows.

We’re Catholics, not Puritans!

 

[CeciliaS]

Take me lightly,please:

Speaking of considering “what Jesus would have done”…

“Jesus, remember that Cousin So-and-so is getting married next week, in Cana.”

“Oh, no, really? I think wine might be served; I’d better stay home.”

Puritan attitudes would have deprived us of Christ’s first public miracle! And such a precious one, in so many ways!

Can any of you imagine “Puritanism” and then equate it with “joy”, “smiling”, “laughter”? Of course not! But when we take our good and noble quest to avoid the near occasion of sin, and turn it into paranoia, I really don’t think that that is what Jesus wants.

I think that when non-Catholics see that our practice of the Catholic faith gets puritanical, it does nothing to help them understand what it means to revel in the joy of true Catholicism, to appreciate, on every level, the miracle of Creation.

I am certainly not judging anyone: I admire people who choose to throw out their tv sets, as well as those who watch tv and try to look on tv’s bright side.

Personally, I watch little tv, but I do notice that I am fine with a show that depicts characters with questionable morals: to tell the truth, I tend to analyze these characters, feel sorry for them, try to understand why they are so badly off, morally, even though they don’t understand that anything is lacking in their lives, and wish they were real so I could talk to them and try and let them understand how horribly pathetic their lives are. Sorry if I seem slightly off my rocker! But the idea that I would watch, say, “House” and start to be sucked in by his negative attitude, to the point of questioning my own faith, is hard for me to even begin to imagine. If it were to happen, then I really would chuck my tv.

CeciliaS

 

[Rolltide]

Television is morally neutral. It is not bad in and of itself.

For the people on here who have done away with television completely, that’s great. It is NOT, however, a necessity.

Television is only as good or bad as the programs that are on it. Despite the cynicism of some people on here, there are still a LOT of good programs out there. Besides obvious things, like EWTN, there are great shows of ALL genres. Many old classics have terrific values, such as Andy Griffith and Little House on the Prairie. Many science shows can be compelling, like Mythbusters. Documentaries can be fascinating. Even certain reality shows are interesting, such as Deadliest Catch.

If television isn’t keeping you from having a social life, turning you into a couch potato, keeping you spending time being outside or reading, and if you aren’t watching shows that are causing damage to your faith, then there is NOTHING wrong with television. And what may be damaging to one person’s faith is HIGHLY subjective. (Perhaps only the “modest clothing” thread on CAF is more subjective.)

Television can be a great tool as well. It can give us insight into other cultures. It can be used to spread our faith. It can bring us truly great fiction from time to time. It can be used to educate. As a professor myself, I have a huge database of television documentaries that are tremendously valuable to my students.

We don’t have to become Teetotalers when it comes to TV…

Now, is it sinful to enjoy certain TV shows with questionable content? Again, this is subjective. My life is FULL of questionable content, since ALL humans are sinners. If a show is simply similar to what you would experience in real life, I think most people are strong enough in their convictions to recognize a portrayal of the real world for what it is. If, however, the tv show is actively preaching something contrary to the faith in an effort to change opinions, then there may be room for complaint, although there’s a very fine line there as well.

 

[Earnest_Bunbury]

I try to boycott certain shows. South Park, never a particularly good show to begin with and always quite vulgar, put out an episode so blasphemous that I don’t even want to describe it here. So I don’t watch them anymore.

But other shows? I love Seinfeld, and other shows that are mildly inappropriate. I’m not tempted to sin by them. Shakespeare wrote very gawdy comedies, but would you be ashamed of watching one of his plays?

I understand people who see TV as a bad thing. I agree. We should never let TV-watching and other forms of entertainment take over so much of our time that our works suffer. But I see nothing wrong with relaxing in the evening and watching a couple of shows.

We’re Catholics, not Puritans!

Yes…but. …I agree on South Park and I think the concept of truth should be a factor in media and not just the obviously irreverent. I’m using your post as a jumping off point for truth and not answering or attacking your post directly.

The television has been called the “Devils Tabernacle” and as the “ruler of this world”, is where his lies are spread most easily. This is seen in the exaltation of morally ambiguous as well as morally corrupt images and thought.

The concept of truth is essential to the right anthropological formation of the person. We become the persons we are through the acts we choose to do. The study of moral theology shows that we become good or evil by the act we freely choose: From the Catechism: 1749 Freedom makes man a moral subject. When he acts deliberately, man is, so to speak, the father of his acts. Human acts, that is, acts that are freely chosen in consequence of a judgment of conscience, can be morally evaluated. They are either good or evil.

Electronic entertainment media is to be discerned based on the truth and ethical standards. From the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church: 562. Professionals in the field of media are not the only people with ethical duties. Those who make use of the media also have obligations. Media operators who try to meet their responsibilities deserve audiences who are aware of their own responsibilities. The first duty of media users is to be discerning and selective. Parents, families and the Church have precise responsibilities they cannot renounce. For those who work, in various capacities, in the area of social communications, the warning of St. Paul rings out loud and clear: “Therefore, putting away falsehood, let every one speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another … Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear” (Eph 4:25, 29). Serving the human person through the building up of a human community based on solidarity, justice and love, and spreading the truth about human life and its final fulfillment in God remain at the heart of ethics in the media. In the light of faith, human communication can be seen as a journey from Babel to Pentecost, or rather, as the personal and social commitment to overcome the collapse of communication (cf. Gen 11:4-8), opening people to the gift of tongues (cf. Acts 2:5-11), to communication as restored by the power of the Spirit sent by the Son.

The devil is much smarter than we are. He influences spiritually the underlying aspects behind the actions of those lacking in God’s Grace. This grace rejects absolutely even the smallest amount of that which is opposed to or lukewarm to the Holiness of God. Persisting in lukewarmness will incur Christ’s “vomiting out of My [Christ’s] mouth” on Judgment Day. Rev 3:16

There is a fine line, I believe, between pleasing God and not pleasing Him. How fine a line there is between not pleasing Him and incurring His punishment in justice is in essence what this thread is discussing and sometimes pontificating, even pontificating in charity. There is a point at which this punishment if incurred. This seems to me to be different in each individual in relation to their calling. Discernment with a spiritual director as mentioned in an earlier post speaks to this. A rule fit for everyone is applicable in the concept of truth: 558. The second challenge for Christian commitment concerns the content of culture, that is, truth. The question of truth is essential for culture because “it remains each man’s duty to retain an understanding of the whole human person in which the values of intellect, will, conscience and fraternity are pre-eminent” From the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church.

I think watching a show that has lying and immoral behavior is an assault on truth and holiness. Even if it isn’t we are called to be diligent in putting away falsehood and in edifying good for the grace of those who “hear”. This is taught by the Church as indicated above.

 

[vz71]

…Only you can know when a TV show causes you to sin. I am so glad I discussed this with him because my older children were starting to become scrupulous.

We’re Catholics, not Puritans!

Puritan attitudes would have deprived us of Christ’s first public miracle! And such a precious one, in so many ways!

We don’t have to become Teetotalers when it comes to TV…

Oh how quickly the straw men come out when the argument is not liked.

No one claims TV causes people to sin. That is a straw man…it is what you would like to argue against as it is so easy to push over.

No one is calling Catholics to be Puritans, and have never claimed anything against wine. Again, a straw man…it is what you would like to argue against as it is so easy to push over.

Argue against what is, not what you would like to be.
If you cannot, then perhaps you should examine your position more carefully.

 

[system]

Hello everyone…
anything that makes you feel what you are seeing or hearing is a sin when it concern’s sex.

 

[PJM]

=Asker20;5518372]Hi everybody–

OK, I know it’s not a sin to physically watch a TV show, but my question would be if it is a sin to be entertained by a TV show that contains casual sexual jokes and some mild profanity. I’m not speaking of an HBO adult series or anything like that, but like sitcoms on prime-time TV like Two and a Half Men and the like. Would enjoying watching these shows be immoral because there are sexual references in it?

They could be if they are “the near occassion of sin” for you or those watching with you. The serious of the sin would depend on the gravity of what has been suggested or acted out.

 

[ML561]

Peace be with you. I cannot judge others on this matter, but I gave up television when the analog signals were replaced. Except for PBS, I found nothing wholesome. Many of the shows I personally found offensive, and although I did not see them as pornographic, they were a waste of time, contributing to a spirit of laziness within me that I have a hard time overcoming. Also, while it might not be sinful to watch, say, game shows, soap operas, or court TV, these shows can be addictive and consume valuable time that might be better used elsewhere. TV can be an addiction like anything else. I get my news from public radio and also listen to the local Catholic station.

One of my parish priests told me that “If you think something may be sinful, it probably is.” Just examine your own conscience and consult a priest if this is a troublesome issue.

 

[Lorrie]

Oh how quickly the straw men come out when the argument is not liked.

What is a straw man?

This is the only straw man I know of.

 

[vz71]

What is a straw man?

This is the only straw man I know of.

I generally dislike using wikipedia, but in this case, it is spot on.

From the wikipedia:

A straw man argument is an informal fallacy based on misrepresentation of an opponent’s position. To “attack a straw man” is to create the illusion of having refuted a proposition by substituting a superficially similar proposition (the “straw man”), and refuting it, without ever having actually refuted the original position.

So the debater is really arguing against a position of his own choosing rather then the actual position of the opposition.

 

[Lorrie]

So the debater is really arguing against a position of his own choosing rather then the actual position of the opposition.

Thank you for explaining it.

 

[mikebenson]

Had a couple beers and watched a couple episodes of Two and a Half Men and Frasier tonight. I hope I don’t die in my sleep…since I’ll probably go to hell according to most people on this forum…

 

[mamacita]

**I’ve read thru this thread and have to say the only thing I watch is the Fox News channel (or Nickelodean w/ my kids)…ok, I’ve never watched any of the shows mentioned, so let me ask this: who is Megan Fox? I’m not old (only 32) but have no clue who this woman even is that men are oogling over.

I am not ‘puritanical’, however I do find the Bachelorette, Bachelor, etc. etc. to be a little bit over the top if you know what I mean. I must confess tho that I do like my soap opera (but I fast forward thru the ‘dirty’ scenes).**

 

[Lorrie]

I’ve never watched any of the shows mentioned, so let me ask this: who is Megan Fox?

She was in the “Transformers” movies. Here’s a link to her image. Here’s also a link to her credits. Not the best actress, but these days that doesn’t matter.

 

[ShaunH]

So then is it a sin to laugh at sexual jokes? Sometimes a friend or co-worker will tell me a sexual joke and I’ll laugh, but then immediately afterwards, I feel guilty about laughing. I think it might be my scruples, but I want to know your opinions.

 

[Earnest_Bunbury]

So then is it a sin to laugh at sexual jokes? Sometimes a friend or co-worker will tell me a sexual joke and I’ll laugh, but then immediately afterwards, I feel guilty about laughing. I think it might be my scruples, but I want to know your opinions.

From the Catholic catechism on Conscience: 1795 “Conscience is man’s most secret core, and his sanctuary. There he is alone with God whose voice echoes in his depths” (GS 16).

1796 Conscience is a judgment of reason by which the human person recognizes the moral quality of a concrete act.

1797 For the man who has committed evil, the verdict of his conscience remains a pledge of conversion and of hope.

1798 A well-formed conscience is upright and truthful. It formulates its judgments according to reason, in conformity with the true good willed by the wisdom of the Creator. Everyone must avail himself of the means to form his conscience.

1799 Faced with a moral choice, conscience can make either a right judgment in accordance with reason and the divine law or, on the contrary, an erroneous judgment that departs from them.

1800 A human being must always obey the certain judgment of his conscience.

1801 Conscience can remain in ignorance or make erroneous judgments. Such ignorance and errors are not always free of guilt.

1802 The Word of God is a light for our path. We must assimilate it in faith and prayer and put it into practice. This is how moral conscience is formed.

Ones conscience can convict us if we go against what we think is right but do that which is opposed to it. We must form our conscience rightly, with perseverance, in study, to travel the “narrow road” that leads to life. Don’t we study to learn to drive a car to keep from hurting others or ourselves? Yet we leave good and evil to our feelings which can lead us to do terrible things like adultery, injury, or killing. The Church says that sexual jokes are, or at least can be, a “sin” against purity. Would you tell your mom, sister, or Jesus what you are laughing at? TV shows are the same, forming the conscience by what we are putting into our minds.

 

[Serap]

So then is it a sin to laugh at sexual jokes? Sometimes a friend or co-worker will tell me a sexual joke and I’ll laugh, but then immediately afterwards, I feel guilty about laughing. I think it might be my scruples, but I want to know your opinions.

I laugh at naughty jokes and I don’t feel bad about it. If they are really naughty, they actually gross me out. It depends on how “naughty” they are.

 

[timoteosantiago]

Great thread, very helpful for the youth and TV generation(s).
I have had the same question cross my mind before and I though to myself “Hey, if the question is even remotly worrying me, then there must be something my soul is trying to tell me.” That’s when I met Jesus again with my soul, sitting next to me on the couch, watching the same program that I was. That is when I found my answer.
I would recommend that you too, pray, and remember that Jesus is right there with you watching that same TV show… then, try to read His mind. He has alredy tried to warn you in your soul… that is why you are questioning it on this thread.