Say "No" to TV

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I have nothing against TV (if I don’t like a show, I don’t watch it) and there are several shows that I do enjoy watching but I can live without it.

The main reason we don’t have TV is to save money. My boyfriend and I have a huge collection of videos and DVDs and watch those instead. Maybe some day when we have more money we’ll probably get cable again…but I can live without it.
 
If it wasn’t for the fact that there is so much secular garbage on TV, I’d get cable, but then again I can get a lot more satisfaction from radio, streamlilnking EWTN, and just listening to Catholic music to satisfy me.

After hearing about the commericals that were aired during the World Series, I am greatful to try to keep my mind pure.

Reading has been an enjoyment.

go with God!
Edwin
 
Im never going to say no to tv alltogether. when theres severe weather here in west michigan here what county the warning for on the radio doesnt cut it! I want to see radar immediately. in the last several years Ive been very near the severe damage was glad to know what was coming and able to take cover.
the medium of tv in of its self isnt bad, its some of whats on it… at late night after one of my long work days I .I like to realx to tv, if something I like is on. Im wiped out to do anything else, but I need some wind down time before I can sleep well. my 40 yearold wife unlike most her age has arthraitis that is getting progressively worse. theres days where she is in too much pain to do anything on her feet or with her hands so she watches tv then. neither of us waist all day watching tv, but its something to relax to when we need to chill.If we had kids, theres lots we wouldnt let them watch, and no tv when its nice and sunny out. but theres nothing wrong wtih relaxing once in a while. I think the better idea would be say no to bad tv.
 
Edwin, I am glad you are keeping your mind pure. We have TV, but not cable. We have never seen idol, or any of the reality shows. My kids watch PBS and I watch the news at 10:00 pm and rerun of Everybody loves Raymond and Will and Grace and that is all. When I have a chance, I watch PBS --mainly Antiques Road Show. Keep your mind pure and dont’ fil it with the **** that is shown on most Tv shows Plus you will save alot of money on cable.
 
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Edwin1961:
To save money in 2002, I had stopped my cable tv service. Little did I know that I really haven’t missed much. I receive all my news from radio and Internet.
Another discovery that I found was that content on televison today is less than moral. These distractions elimiated has been a blessing to me.
I have NEVER seen an episode of Survivor, Fear Factor, The Apprentice or even American Idol! And to be honest, I can care less!

So, what to you my fellow Catholic/Crhistian community think about television and the lack thereof?

I have been viewing video tapes and DVD’s. And I really rarely look at those too.

What advice to you give to those who want to cut TV from the family ‘diet’?
What experience do you have since your family has cut TV out?

Go with God!
Edwin
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Dear Edwin:

WAY TO GO!!! i SAY EXPOSE KIDS TO MORE CULTURE-----music, literature, etc…Families are SEVERELY lacking in any in this day and age. It makes me literally sick too!

Teach your kids such! God Bless~~
 
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sparkle:
Dear Edwin:

WAY TO GO!!! i SAY EXPOSE KIDS TO MORE CULTURE-----music, literature, etc…Families are SEVERELY lacking in any in this day and age. It makes me literally sick too!

Teach your kids such! God Bless~~
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I just spend my time HERE!
The forums give me (and I am sure everyone else) a chance to voice opinions and become a community of our own!
 
Karl Keating:
I can top that, Edwin. I gave up television long enough ago that I am one of the few people who never saw an episode of “Seinfeld.” I know that the show existed, but I don’t know anything about it otherwise.

I do watch a little television: Every two years I spend an hour or two watching election returns. And I did watch some of the news coverage after 9/11 and during the big fires that burned much of San Diego County last year.

Otherwise, I find I don’t miss television at all, and I am amazed that I once spent so much time in front of the box.
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Dear Brother Karl:

I have to hand it to you–for your ability and choice to boycott TV so to speak. Isn’t there just so much more out there in this world? Music, Art? YES, I know we both think the same here. Just wanted to say YES, right ON Karl? Are you a father? Do you have kids? CUZ it makes even more difference in this life.

God Bless!!
 
I posed the option to my boss at work… “Try turning the tv off for a week and spending more time reading and talking to your husband.” Her response…" I don’t think I could survive." I think she watches a TON of tv. every night she’s got some show. She even tivo’s some shows and watches them later. My parents are the same way. They have at least 1 show a night. Quite a few nights they have 2-3. I just don’t understand that! Maybe it’s because I teach in the evenings, but how can people just sit down in front of the tv all the time? I’m no saint, mind you. i love my movies and my sports, but I can survive if I don’t get them.
 
I like to only watch disney and old balck and white films.

there is so much garbage on t.v now a days. I dont like my kids watching very much.
 
It’s so easy to use TV as a babysitter. But easier still to assign kids household chores–and then when they complete them–play Scrabble as a family or tell them to go outside and play catch or basketball or frisbee.

I’ve totally learned how we parents have to set an example. What our kids see us doing–THEY will do. I’m so thrilled that I’ve set just lately a little routine–that after bath time at nite–I FINALLY sit on the couch and read my mail–magazines–devotional, etc. and this is when one my little sons will do HIS reading at the opposite end of the couch. It’s become such a nightly routine. And HE was the one that hated reading for years. This is the first year he has started enjoying it. Maybe cuz he sees Mom doing it–and now he looks forward to it. PTL

My point? Kids need routine. AND examples.

If we read the Bible–they will. If we pray the rosary or get concerned watching EWTN–so will they. What a thrill. Guess though it works the opposite too–if they see us swearing, talking negative–so will they. I’ve learned this too!!! The hard way!!! Let’s us parents try to set good examples TODAY O.K.?
 
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sparkle:
It’s so easy to use TV as a babysitter. But easier still to assign kids household chores–and then when they complete them–play Scrabble as a family or tell them to go outside and play catch or basketball or frisbee.

I’ve totally learned how we parents have to set an example. What our kids see us doing–THEY will do. I’m so thrilled that I’ve set just lately a little routine–that after bath time at nite–I FINALLY sit on the couch and read my mail–magazines–devotional, etc. and this is when one my little sons will do HIS reading at the opposite end of the couch. It’s become such a nightly routine. And HE was the one that hated reading for years. This is the first year he has started enjoying it. Maybe cuz he sees Mom doing it–and now he looks forward to it. PTL

My point? Kids need routine. AND examples.

If we read the Bible–they will. If we pray the rosary or get concerned watching EWTN–so will they. What a thrill. Guess though it works the opposite too–if they see us swearing, talking negative–so will they. I’ve learned this too!!! The hard way!!! Let’s us parents try to set good examples TODAY O.K.?
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Eariler this year, I heard a news story on the radio about newborns and television.

As I remember the news story, that infants who are placed in front of a tv or simply near one, will notice the moving, bright colors and will crawl towards the tv.

The suggested course of action was to put the highchair or crib as far away from the television as possible.
 
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Ana:
I am considering dumping the TV.
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This post was written in July. I am glad to say we did cancel cable about three months ago.

Since then my husband has read more in the last three months, than he has in our entire marriage!

My children are not so bombarded by advertisements trying to make them feel they “need” this or that toy. They are more content with what they have.

There is more time to do other things, such as play board games, puzzles etc.

We go to bed earlier!

God bless!
 
TV is the wasteland of the mind. I may watch one hour per week.
Reading good books is where it’s at!
 
We gave up television only a year ago. We live out in the country far enough that the only way we get t.v. is if we pay for cable or dish. Not having t.v. to “distract” us from using our heads or our creativity has helped us be more involved in community things and to spend better more quality time together. When you have t.v. to watch, you feel drawn to needing to watch the next show, the next episode, and to learn more of what the t.v. programs teach you. When you have no t.v. you don’t miss it, you are not drawn to the trance-like box. We now choose what we watch and when by renting videos from the library and from netflix. I much prefer a life with no addiction in the family room.
 
Faithful 2 Rome:
Tv like most anything else in moderation is fine… and with all the reality junk, there isnt much on anyway… but I DO like some shows and aint about to give up TV on a permanent basis. We NEED to have cable or we simply DONT get a clear picture… we would need to get a roof antenna if we canceled cable…and if I did that…no more EWTN??? nope…aint gonna happen… plus, there’ Fox News on Cable… I need news PERSPECTIVE not useless news readers…ie…Cronkite…Jennings, Rather…AND…there’s STILL another season left for the Sopranos! the ULTIMATE DYSFUNCTIONAL CATHOLIC FAMILY!!! I needs my mobster fix… 😛

PLUS>>

I aint giving up…Everybody Loves Raymond, King of Queens, Still Standing, American Idol… 😛

I’m a HUGE dvd collector…but there is still some halfway decent stuff on TV…aint knocking those who dont have a use for it…but those who love it shouldnt be condemned either. 😃
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You can read conservative news online at at least one website. Here’s one: townhall.com Spirit Daily is a wonderful Catholic website: spiritdaily.com I don’t miss out on the news! (DH and I have no TV and we don’t want one) there are plenty of news websites; it just takes a while to find a reliable website or two…
 
I just officially gave my tv over to my brother. (it even had a DVD & VCR built in).
If I want to watch DVD’s , I’ll use my compter…AND EWTN Too! Other than that, I;m DONE with TV!
 
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Edwin1961:
To save money in 2002, I had stopped my cable tv service. Little did I know that I really haven’t missed much. I receive all my news from radio and Internet.
Another discovery that I found was that content on televison today is less than moral. These distractions elimiated has been a blessing to me.
I have NEVER seen an episode of Survivor, Fear Factor, The Apprentice or even American Idol! And to be honest, I can care less!

So, what to you my fellow Catholic/Crhistian community think about television and the lack thereof?

I have been viewing video tapes and DVD’s. And I really rarely look at those too.

What advice to you give to those who want to cut TV from the family ‘diet’?
What experience do you have since your family has cut TV out?

Go with God!
Edwin
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Now, Edwin…you know I love you BUT…
I just cannot give up my Law and Order Re-runs.
Maybe I need another 12 step group!

Besides, if I had no TV I would never have discovered EWTN which really has helped me during some very difficult times.

You know what it is, guys? Being back in the arms of the Church has forced me to be a part of society in a different way. I have to make choices based on a firmer moral ground than ever before and I do welcome the opportunity to apply my faith in a very practical sense. I have never seen Survivor, Fear Factor or American Idol because I think the premise is dumb. I watched the Apprentice the first season, enjoyed some of it but saw it as a really graphic example of the dangers of materialism. Later, I was introduced to JPII’s evaluation of materialism on EWTN and it made so much more SENSE to me.

So I do applaud everyone who has made the decision to give up TV. I may join you one day. But right now I love to go to Mass on Saturday evening, come home, make a nice dinner for me and Mom, take the dogs for a walk and then watch some tv.

Then, because I get up at 4:30 in the morning, I FALL ASLEEP.:sleep:
 
People like to blame TV for kids becoming drug addicts or criminals. I think that’s a cop-out. I grew up watching TV and I never became a juvenile delinquent. I’ve seen all sorts of TV violence and I’ve never come close to killing anyone or packing a firearm.

It all comes down to training. If a child has been raised correctly he might veer off-course a bit, but he will by and large stay true to that raising.

Had I not had PBS, etc. when I was a kid, I wouldn’t be as intelligent, cultured, and well-educated as I am today. And I think a good grounding in pop culture helps kids to be able to fit in with their peers. (And I know somebody’s gonna go off the deep end with that line and conclude that letting kids have even the slightest exposure to pop culture will all turn them into Marilyn Manson clones.)

I think TV can help or harm, depending on how it’s used. But I find it really tiresome hearing people gnash their teeth over how terrible TV is and how great and morally pure they are in condemning it.
 
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Edwin1961:
So, what to you my fellow Catholic/Crhistian community think about television and the lack thereof?

I have been viewing video tapes and DVD’s. And I really rarely look at those too.
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I’m the same. Right on!! We have satellite but I almost never watch TV anymore. I pick up movies with friends on occasion but I just find that between work, exercise, the forums, reading, prepping for college, spending quality time with family and friends, working on my computer, selling stuff online, planning my new car sound system, going to church, and all the other stuff I do, that I have little need or desire to watch and little room in my schedule even if I did want to. But hey, I don’t like to relax, I much prefer to be occupied with something.

Eamon
 
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