In case you're wondering why we chucked our TV...

I am not for chucking tv's. I might Bill them or Sally them but never chuck them.

 

Deliberately exposing your young ones to violence. I'll flog you as soon as I find a wet noodle. :wavey:

 

We ditched ours before our daughter was in first grade. She will be 22 this June.

 

Even before I was a Christian, my former husband and I limited our son's TV. He hardly ever saw TV. Now he's 28 and doesn't own one nor does he want to own one.

 

I have a TV, but it doesn't get a signal (things are set up that way here). If we wanted to watch programing, we would have to get a satellite dish, which we have no desire to do (if you think American TV is bad...).

Instead we watch VHS tapes, DVDs, and play the wii. We are careful of content, and most modern movies will not enter our home. It's our policy.

 

I have 6 TV sets scattered thoughout my house.

And I know exactly how to turn them off!

I perfer my children to learn to discern the difference between the good and the bad and see no reason for them to be shocked when they learn that the world is, well, worldly. I don't buy into the idea that I'm exposing my children to temptation by allowing a tv in my house. Instead, I am training my children how to "resist the devil and he will flee from you".

 

Hmm - with all the rubbish just a click away online have you also chunked your computer and internet connection?

 

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/vchip.html

 

There's three ways that something gets viewed on TV in my house. First, over-the-air TV...mostly PBS. Second www.skyangel.com, though it has a lot of Catholic programming. Third, www.clearplay.com.

We still watch, monitor, and discuss with our kids what's on TV.

 

Totally up to you, but I find much more problem with the internet than television.

Every family should make their own choices on television and the internet. Thing is they are their choices and does not make them any more or less godly or spiritual.

 

Let me tell you something, something I learned by personal experience. If you don't teach your children what is out there in frank terms, along with what is out there and how to defend against it, you are leaving your children defenseless. It simply isn't enough to say "that's sinful" without explaining what is sinful about and what the implications of that sin might mean in their lives.

Children need age appropriate discussions about what constitutes sin and what the consequences of their decisions might lead to. They need to hear "There is no way a 16 yo would ever become the VP of a company" (Tru Jackson VP, Nick and not a show I recommend, but I gaurentee all your children's friends have watched it). They need to have frank discussions about the difference between reality and fantasy, about Hollywood and living holy, and about how God expects us to live our lives. Then, when they leave our nest, they'll better be able to follow the Word.

You quote above, seems to imply that just because one has a tv they MUST be exposing their children to "things the Bible says we shouldn't". If you believe that getting rid of your tv will stop your children from being exposed to the world, I have a NICE peice of swamp land in Florida I need to unload.

Your children WILL be exposed to sin. WE are sinful creatures. You'd be amazed at some of the things my children learned in SUNDAY SCHOOL. You aren't going to stop it. What matters is how you respond to it. What will your children learn from it? Are you going to help them understand why things are sin, or are you just going to pitch a fit and tell them "IN MY HOUSE.....!" Cause that second way, just doesn't work. Ask my parents.

C4K had a good point about the internet. You say "you have to go looking for trouble on the internet." Okay, I got a dare for you.

Go to google and type in the words "why won't". you dont' have to put them into quotes, just type them in. You won't even need to click. I suggest you do this in private. Now come back and tell us again that you have to look for trouble on the internet.

Wikipedia? Yeah, better think twice about letting your kids do research there. (you would be amazed!)

 

I agree with you. I knew church kids that didn't have tv's in their own home but watched them (and everything on them) when they were at their friend's homes. This is a personal decision for each family, but we chose to have tv's in our home. However, no child had a tv in their own room. But we found that this was a great tool to teach our children.

Plus, how in the world can you watch March Madness??