Mom who watches "Desperate Housewives"

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Brad:
Yes. And I would challenge the purity of that love. Where is the heavy investment in the engagement ring to go with that side of marital act?
That’s where my problem was with her statement, basically she is saying, Fornication=Purity because they “love” each other:confused: What kind of a comment was this person trying to say? And I am called judgemental by her because I quoted the Teachings of The Catholic Church, not my personal opinion.:rolleyes: Where is this world headed???
 
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kaymart:
Whetever or not someone in Church right now on a Friday Morning at 11:19 AM EST—is none of your business. I went to Mass this morning and said my morning Prayers. People talking and bragging about “co-habitating with their boyfriend” and then saying we are wrong for telling this person that this is a sin and against the teaching of the Catholic Church:banghead: This is my business. This is not my opinion as some stated earlier I am making a statement base on the Teachings of Our Faith. When we look the other way, it just leads to the futher decline of mortality in this world.
I’m not judging anyone. It just seems that everyone is getting all bent out of shape because certain people choose to watch certain T.V. shows. People are telling how much more pious they are, because they don’t do anything that isn’t fulfilling to God. Great that’s wonderful, you’re a saint. Praise be you, and when that person is beatified maybe I’ll pray for intercessions.
I’m talking about an adult watching television. I can compare that to going to a park, a fair, a mall. Anything can be used against you nowadays. Do you go shopping in a mall? Well you better not, they have things that could damn your soul. If you look at anything in the light some people are looking at, well then we’d all go to eternal damnation wouldn’t we?
But no, our lord Jesus came here for a reason. We follow him to the best of our abilities, and strive to be better.
You think I’m criticizing for trying to convince that lady that being with her boyfriend is wrong? No I was not, that was not my post. My post is about the T.V. and how they can make their own decisions.

I don’t believe that living with a boyfriend is morally acceptable. If they continue to live together, then they need separate rooms, separate beds, and live as brother and sister. But they are not, they are living as a married couple. Which is a sin, I agree.

I don’t agree that watching T.V. is a sin. If you are capable of distiquish (spelling?) the difference between good and evil. Then you can watch what you want. If you can not tell the difference, then turn the T.V. off. Don’t watch anything. Don’t watch Lord of the Rings, Don’t watch CSI, don’t watch…<insert random T.V./movie>
 
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aterrell:
WOW BRAD. You just jumped in here with an !!!
It is a discussion forum, no? Feel free to talk to all here.
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aterrell:
Yes, it is bad for a man to quit his job and take the mother away from her children. I certainly wasn’t watching this show thinking “wow, I wish that would happen to me!” I was trying to make the point that the show is very relatable. You certainly don’t have to agree.
I didn’t think you were hoping it would happen to you.
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aterrell:
I did not say a TV can not make you change your morals and principals. I said that it SHOULD NOT as an adult. Teenagers and children are impressionable. Hopefully by the age of 30 or 40 we know who we are and watching a tv show will not change that. I’m not sure why a *historical * documentation is ok (only of violence?) Obviously you are admitting that there are some things ok for you to see but not your 6 year old son. I feel the same about this show. I could talk about any of your “historical” documentation movies and say the same thing you said-- a mother and child killed in vengence??? How horrible! Thousands of men fighting in hand-to-hand combat in senseless killing?? How horrible!! Just because the events were true, it’s ok to watch them?
Historical reality, as long as it does not contain gratuitous violence, is necessary to realize the power of evil and the cost of freedom. Sometime this is depicted visually, sometimes in books or magazines. Children should be gradually educated in this reality and not shocked into thinking their life is in danger at all times.

Sexual immorality fantasy provides no such benefit and it does adversly impact adults as well as children. Society is evidence of that.
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aterrell:
Now can we PLEASE move on??? This thread has gotten totally out of control with everyone jumping in with new subjects…
Not sure what you mean. I was addressing the main topic.
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aterrell:
YES co-habitation is a sin–start a new post! Pornography is a sin–start a new post!! Goodness, the original poster is nowhere to be found!! Let’s end this nonsense!! Everyone watch what you want to watch. And stop being mean to other people!!!
So let’s not look at social behavior and how it is sin and/or leads to sin? And doing this is being mean and is nonsensical?

This is a Catholic forum, correct? We don’t put sins under the rug. We deal with them. It’s kind of important.
 
Amber, I made no comment one way or the other on the TV show, I was annoyed by this poster, responding to a young person (age 16) asking a question about a questionable TV show, by talking about her own co-haitation by “falling asleep in her boyfriends arms” This is what I posted about. She should not promote this life style to a teenager. TV viewing by adults is their business. They have to ask themselves is this proper, or whatever. Also if they do make sure kiddies are asleep. (like I said before never seen it because it usually conflicts with my Law and Order:D ) Please I am sorry for any misunderstanding.
 
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AmberDale:
I understand that, but there are people on here judging eternal souls. This is not your place. Just because someone who is an adult and perfectly capable of making decisions watches a particular T.V show, does not give some the right condemn their souls. Who are you that gives you the right to tell people they should not be able to watch certain shows? Who are you that gives you the right to tell people they should pray more, they should go to church more, they should be more pious?

You don’t know what’s in their hearts, what their soul looks like.
Sure you can tell them your ‘opinion’ that that show is bad. That show is trying to push morals that are completely wrong, and it stands for things that we shouldn’t agree with. I agree with that, and I don’t watch it. I have told people (not here because I don’t spend much time here anymore) my ‘opinion’ on things. There are lots of things in this world that needs changing. What are you doing about it besides arguing on a forum?
Are you in church right now having adoration? NO, you are online entertaining yourself.
Sounds like a whole lot of judgement in your post. That’s ok. Your opinion is welcome.

Asking people to pray more - that’s a good thing. Asking people to stay away from immoral entertainment is also a good thing.

I don’t see anyone here judging eternal souls. That is a mischaracterization and not appropriate to say unless you have evidence.

I’m not on this forum for entertainment. I’m on it to help improve myself and society around me. What do I do besides be on this forum? I’ll leave that for you to ponder.
 
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kaymart:
Amber, I made no comment one way or the other on the TV show, I was annoyed by this poster, responding to a young person (age 16) asking a question about a questionable TV show, by talking about her own co-haitation by “falling asleep in her boyfriends arms” This is what I posted about. She should not promote this life style to a teenager. TV viewing by adults is their business. They have to ask themselves is this proper, or whatever. Also if they do make sure kiddies are asleep. (like I said before never seen it because it usually conflicts with my Law and Order:D ) Please I am sorry for any misunderstanding.
No big deal. If and when I have time to watch T.V. it usually includes “Blues Clues” or “Sesame Street” By time my toddler and baby are ready for bed I am too. I get up early for work, so it’s tough.
But if I have time to watch “ADULT” programming then I will if they are in bed. We bought the extended version of LoTR about 6 months ago and are yet to wach them because the kids are always up. (they are WAY too young for that).
 
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Libero:
Yeah I see one, however i do not think that everyone becomes completely manipulated by T.V. I would suspect that a catholic could establish what is right and wrong through the simple use of the ten commandments and the logic of christianity.
I agree. Not everyone is completely manipulated. But we are to stay away from near occasions of sin. And we are to stay away from supporting any one else’s sin in other ways. If we support a show, for example, that is bad for teenagers, yet we know teenagers are watching it - should we be supporting it?

Jesus is complete holiness and complete purity. Anything that we lay our eyes can subtlely eat at our union with God - which is the only source of holiness. We have to be very careful, and we have to mindful of helping protect the entire body of Christ.

If all proclaimed Christians stopped watching immoral movies for example, we would not see any immoral movies being produced. It is up to us.
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Libero:
If your brother or sister is in sin, then yes you would tell them, but you would also want to stay around help them and then allow them to become a better person, just bluntly highlighting others erorrs won’t acheive anything, you have to go about things in a certain manner.
Certainly. Always love them. Jesus is love. Jesus is truth. The 2 are part of the same coin. Neither can be avoided. If anyone wants help stopping sin, I’d be honored to help.
 
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Brad:
Sounds like a whole lot of judgement in your post. That’s ok. Your opinion is welcome.

Asking people to pray more - that’s a good thing. Asking people to stay away from immoral entertainment is also a good thing.

I don’t see anyone here judging eternal souls. That is a mischaracterization and not appropriate to say unless you have evidence.

I’m not on this forum for entertainment. I’m on it to help improve myself and society around me. What do I do besides be on this forum? I’ll leave that for you to ponder.
If you think I’m judging that your opinion. I’m okay with that. 🙂

When someone tells others they need to pray more instead of watching T.V. - to me it’s judging their eternal soul. Maybe I read too much into it.
I guess I don’t understand how a forum is improving yourself and society. Each time I log on all I read is bickering and arguing. Anger and frustration.
How does that show a non-Catholic, what being Catholic really means?
I’m sure you do lots that don’t involve this forum. I’m sure your a wonderful husband, a wonderful father, a wonderful man. I don’t know you. I don’t know any of you.
Maybe I’m frustrated because someone is my life is always ‘miss holier than thou’ but that’s a new thread.
The only time I get to read this stuff is when work has down time. Today I have downtime.
After work I don’t get to get online.
 
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AmberDale:
I’m not judging anyone. It just seems that everyone is getting all bent out of shape because certain people choose to watch certain T.V. shows. People are telling how much more pious they are, because they don’t do anything that isn’t fulfilling to God. Great that’s wonderful, you’re a saint. Praise be you, and when that person is beatified maybe I’ll pray for intercessions.
Nobody is saying they are more pious. Nobody is saying they are a saint. Nobody is singing their own praises. Some are saying that being pious and being a saint (ultimately) is achievealbe while still accepting what the world has to offer as entertainment. That’s the objection.
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AmberDale:
I’m talking about an adult watching television. I can compare that to going to a park, a fair, a mall. Anything can be used against you nowadays. Do you go shopping in a mall? Well you better not, they have things that could damn your soul. If you look at anything in the light some people are looking at, well then we’d all go to eternal damnation wouldn’t we?
Nobody is saying that. We are talking about the immorality of a particular TV show. That’s it. Some are vigorously defending it. I don’t know why.
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AmberDale:
But no, our lord Jesus came here for a reason. We follow him to the best of our abilities, and strive to be better.
You think I’m criticizing for trying to convince that lady that being with her boyfriend is wrong? No I was not, that was not my post. My post is about the T.V. and how they can make their own decisions.
We can all have our opinions. Some have the opinion that the show is immoral and potentially leading you away from Christ. If the goal is to follow Christ, it is a reasonable discussion.
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AmberDale:
I don’t agree that watching T.V. is a sin. If you are capable of distiquish (spelling?) the difference between good and evil. Then you can watch what you want. If you can not tell the difference, then turn the T.V. off. Don’t watch anything. Don’t watch Lord of the Rings, Don’t watch CSI, don’t watch…<insert random T.V./movie>
It certainly can be. Watching pornagraphy is a sin and many of the shows on today either are pornographic or very borderline.

Not to mention that good is the enemy of best. We are striving for the best(Christ), so settling for “good” entertainment on a regular basis is not what we were made for.
 
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AmberDale:
No big deal. If and when I have time to watch T.V. it usually includes “Blues Clues” or “Sesame Street” By time my toddler and baby are ready for bed I am too. I get up early for work, so it’s tough.
But if I have time to watch “ADULT” programming then I will if they are in bed. We bought the extended version of LoTR about 6 months ago and are yet to wach them because the kids are always up. (they are WAY too young for that).
I hear you! in the 80’s I never seen an episode of Dallas or knots landing when everyone would asked if I saw such and such or who shot J.R. the looks I got when I asked Who is J.R.?..PBS I thought was the only channel on TV (no cable in area yet) Mr. Rogers, Sesame Street and others (oh it’s been so long, can’t remember more) were my day. I fell into bed soon after my little darlings did.
 
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AmberDale:
If you think I’m judging that your opinion. I’m okay with that. 🙂

When someone tells others they need to pray more instead of watching T.V. - to me it’s judging their eternal soul. Maybe I read too much into it.
I guess I don’t understand how a forum is improving yourself and society. Each time I log on all I read is bickering and arguing. Anger and frustration.
How does that show a non-Catholic, what being Catholic really means?
I’m sure you do lots that don’t involve this forum. I’m sure your a wonderful husband, a wonderful father, a wonderful man. I don’t know you. I don’t know any of you.
Maybe I’m frustrated because someone is my life is always ‘miss holier than thou’ but that’s a new thread.
The only time I get to read this stuff is when work has down time. Today I have downtime.
After work I don’t get to get online.
I guess it depends what posts you read and the mood of the day. Discussion, dialogue, and debate has always been important to improving society. Sometimes (as we are all human), we get into arguing and acting improperly but that is a necessary risk in my book. Many of the posts on issues of the day (i.e. judicial decisions, laws etc.) do have an impact on public perception and much of this perception gets worked out in the quality of debate.

Thanks for your assumption. I try very hard. We all fail. But we have to try and keep our eyes on the prize of Christ.

To further clarify, I am not and have never judged someone’s soul nor do I think I am holier than anyone else. That is God’s business. I’m a weak sinner who has been called by God to speak truth. Every time I speak, it is for me as much as anyone else.

Ultimately, it is benefical. Most left Christ but his network still became the largest ever.
 
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Brad:
Nobody is saying they are more pious. Nobody is saying they are a saint. Nobody is singing their own praises. Some are saying that being pious and being a saint (ultimately) is achievealbe while still accepting what the world has to offer as entertainment. That’s the objection.

Nobody is saying that. We are talking about the immorality of a particular TV show. That’s it. Some are vigorously defending it. I don’t know why.

We can all have our opinions. Some have the opinion that the show is immoral and potentially leading you away from Christ. If the goal is to follow Christ, it is a reasonable discussion.

It certainly can be. Watching pornagraphy is a sin and many of the shows on today either are pornographic or very borderline.

Not to mention that good is the enemy of best. We are striving for the best(Christ), so settling for “good” entertainment on a regular basis is not what we were made for.
Don’t know how to separate the quotes…Silly me. 🙂

I agree that being a saint is acheivable, if one is willing to make the sacrifices. Never said it wasn’t.
I never said that this particular show was even close to ‘good’ entertainment.
I guess I’m standing up for this people because I know what it’s like to try your hardest to do what you believe is right. Then in marches people who are telling you that you’re sinning for such things as watching T.V. (again I’ll need to start a new thread)
I’ve never seen this show, so I don’t know what it’s like.
Now pornography I have seen, when I was a teenager before my conversion. That definately is evil. And icky. I don’t recommend it to anyone.
 
OK!!! So–Some people think the show is ok for adults to watch, some people don’t. DONE! Close the thread!!! PLEASE!!!
 
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Brad:
These aren’t judgemental attitudes. These are aligning ourselves with the moral truths of the Church.

“Sex in the City”? Good grief. Were not Christians called to be set apart from the world? Nudity, use and abuse? To be watched for entertainment? And you are the shocked one?
Actually, yes they are judgemental attitudes. As I stated before, there is a lot of gray area in life… area where we as individuals have to make choices about how we spend our time, what we allow into our lives, what is ok and what isn’t. When I hear people on these forums spouting off black and white blanket statements such as “R-rated movies should never be watched” or “All primetime viewing options are bad” it reminds me so much of fundamentalist protestant America. It’s incredible.

Let me ask you something. Have you ever watched a TV program? Have you ever read a novel? Have you ever seen an opera? Brad, I bet you a million dollars that the characters were not perfect examples of morality. Does this make viewing them bad? If it causes you to sin, then by all means stay away from it. If you can appreciate it as an art form or as a piece of entertainment, then great. What is sin for one is not sin for another. A show can have adult themes (such as Gladiator) that I would not want a small child to watch. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t ok for an adult to view it. An adult can decide what is reality and what isn’t… it’s just a movie and an adult knows that (even though some of the events are in fact true!)… a young child may not.

Sex & the City is one of the best written shows out there. If there are families on this forum who do not want their kids to watch it, I totally understand- it is an adult show with adult themes. However, I am able to appreciate it as entertainment and it has provided endless hours of convo between me and my friends about all kinds of relationship issues- from boyfriend relationships, husband relationships, and girl- friend relationships that very few shows cover. I’m sorry, but I’d much rather watch this and be interested than watch “Everybody Loves Raymond” and be bored out of my mind. To each his own, I’m sure there are plenty of Raymond fans here too.

My point is, don’t be so judgemental and holier-than-thou. I’m really tired of the pharisee-like attitudes I see on this thread.
 
I really don’t understand some posters here. Imagine watching such shows with Jesus sitting next to you. I can’t imagine it. I would not insult His life, teaching, sacrifice, death, resurrection, and Lordship this way. Yes, sadly and to my great sorrow, I have sinned. But the Holy Spirit convicts me when I do and I admit that the sin I committed is a sin and I confess it. I want to be like Jesus. I want to be with Him. I want to be with the saints in heaven so I do my best to have Jesus in me and I in Him.

St. Mary of Egypt led a life of profit through plying her trade. One day she happened upon a Church but the priest obedient to the Holy Spirit would not allow her in. In fact she herself stopped and would not go in. Somehow she knew that what was in her mind and what she was doing with her body was not of God. She asked for instruction from the priest and she converted. Her exemplary life thereafter, focused upon Christ alone, helped thousands of women thereafter and through her prayers has led many many to a life of holiness.

Watching programs like these distract us from Jesus Christ and are a discouragement to those who are seeking to live a holy life. I understand why some may be tempted and even fall to the temptation to watch these things. People take their eyes off of Jesus. By so doing they sin.

One should be very happy to admit their sin, confess it and seek the ways of God. That’s why we have the sacraments. Self justifications will not make watching these shows anything else but what they are: Sin. Confess it. Turn toward Jesus. Walk in holiness.

Carson Daniel Lauffer
 
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Steph700:
Actually, yes they are judgemental attitudes. As I stated before, there is a lot of gray area in life… area where we as individuals have to make choices about how we spend our time, what we allow into our lives, what is ok and what isn’t. When I hear people on these forums spouting off black and white blanket statements such as “R-rated movies should never be watched” or “All primetime viewing options are bad” it reminds me so much of fundamentalist protestant America. It’s incredible.

Let me ask you something. Have you ever watched a TV program? Have you ever read a novel? Have you ever seen an opera? Brad, I bet you a million dollars that the characters were not perfect examples of morality. Does this make viewing them bad? If it causes you to sin, then by all means stay away from it. If you can appreciate it as an art form or as a piece of entertainment, then great. What is sin for one is not sin for another. A show can have adult themes (such as Gladiator) that I would not want a small child to watch. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t ok for an adult to view it. An adult can decide what is reality and what isn’t… it’s just a movie and an adult knows that (even though some of the events are in fact true!)… a young child may not.

Sex & the City is one of the best written shows out there. If there are families on this forum who do not want their kids to watch it, I totally understand- it is an adult show with adult themes. However, I am able to appreciate it as entertainment and it has provided endless hours of convo between me and my friends about all kinds of relationship issues- from boyfriend relationships, husband relationships, and girl- friend relationships that very few shows cover. I’m sorry, but I’d much rather watch this and be interested than watch “Everybody Loves Raymond” and be bored out of my mind. To each his own, I’m sure there are plenty of Raymond fans here too.

My point is, don’t be so judgemental and holier-than-thou. I’m really tired of the pharisee-like attitudes I see on this thread.
Steph

Calling these admonitions “judgemental” is itself judgemental. Besides that it derails a very holy endeavor. We are supposed to admonish each other to holiness. Sadly, there is no way in cyberspace to carry Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 16 to their logical conclusion but having seen the sin of watching perversions on TV being “justified” by so many I think its necessary to challenge that behavior. It is necessary that you and others who do this be encouraged to go to confession and stop the sinful behavior. That’s what the Church is supposed to do.

What good is the Church if it doesn’t encourage its members to live a holy life. That is why the Church exists.

Dan L
 
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GregoryPalamas:
I really don’t understand some posters here. Imagine watching such shows with Jesus sitting next to you. I can’t imagine it. I would not insult His life, teaching, sacrifice, death, resurrection, and Lordship this way. Yes, sadly and to my great sorrow, I have sinned. But the Holy Spirit convicts me when I do and I admit that the sin I committed is a sin and I confess it.
See that’s just it right there. If one is not convicted that that’s a sinful act watching that T.V. show, then is it really sinful? If you are convicted not to watch such shows, then don’t because it would be a sin for you. But if one is not convicted then is it still a sin?
That’s hard to say.
I’ll use this example: When I was a protestant, I had a friend (he was a boy, but not a boyfriend) who was convicted of dancing. He was not permitted to go to dances or dance in anyway, because he believed for him it was a sin.
Yet in the bible (can’t think of the book) it says there is a time to dance, a time to laugh, a time to cry
But since dancing made him feel sinful, he didn’t dance.

So if watching Desparate Housewives makes you feel sinful, DON’T WATCH!!
 
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GregoryPalamas:
Steph

Calling these admonitions “judgemental” is itself judgemental. Besides that it derails a very holy endeavor. We are supposed to admonish each other to holiness. Sadly, there is no way in cyberspace to carry Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 16 to their logical conclusion but having seen the sin of watching perversions on TV being “justified” by so many I think its necessary to challenge that behavior. It is necessary that you and others who do this be encouraged to go to confession and stop the sinful behavior. That’s what the Church is supposed to do.

What good is the Church if it doesn’t encourage its members to live a holy life. That is why the Church exists.

Dan L
Very well put Gregory, As I told an earlier poster it is not our own “Judgemental Opinion” but we are quoting the Teaching of the Catholic Church. (when bragging about her co-habitation) The “grey areas” must addressed. To stick our heads in the sand and say not my problem, it becomes your problem as we watch society decline.
 
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kaymart:
Very well put Gregory, As I told an earlier poster it is not our own “Judgemental Opinion” but we are quoting the Teaching of the Catholic Church. (when bragging about her co-habitation) The “grey areas” must addressed. To stick our heads in the sand and say not my problem, it becomes your problem as we watch society decline.
OK all good and fine to call sin “sin”. I agree. It is fine to tell someone who is cohabiting that what they are doing is a sin (lovingly PLEASE). But it is NOT ok to tell someone that watching their choice of a tv show is a sin!!! Viewing the show itself is NOT a sin!! If you are watching it and sinning in some way as a result, by all means, go to confession and stop watching it!! Desperate Housewives is no worse than CSI or Law and Order (since these are the other 2 shows mentioned). And BRAD with your historical violence— I know your type!! I know people who enjoy sci-fi and watch the show “Alias” but condemn people who watch Desperate Housewives. If your thing is history and that is what you entertain yourself with, fine. You are no better than someone who entertains themself with fictional shows!! Please don’t put yourself on a high horse by saying that watching this stuff “keeps history from repeating itself”, etc… Like you are doing some service to mankind by watching something that has to do with history! It’s what you ENJOY. You are ENTERTAINING yourself!
 
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