Should the world's entertainment be the Christians entertainment?

[M Wickens]

Having glanced through the favorite movies forum and just through general experiance it seems what Christians enjoy is identical to what the world enjoys. Should entertainment made by the world and for the world according to the worlds standards be accepted by Christians? Let's reword that. Can entertainment made by the Devil's children, for the Devil's children and according to the Devil's children's standards be enjoyed by Christians?

Can we hear the same rebellious music (words and music) and not be affected? Can we watch their TV and not be influenced by their ethics and morals? Does it please God when we "tolerate" a "little" cursing, blasephemy, nudity and violance?

According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me. Hosea 13:6

 

[SBG]

I agree with your thoughts. Your question; Can we hear the same rebellious music (words and music) and not be affected? Can we watch their TV and not be influenced by their ethics and morals? Does it please God when we "tolerate" a "little" cursing, blasephemy, nudity and violance?

I don't think we can. That is why I refrain. I don't listen to any secular music, or read any fiction books....am I holier than thou? NO, it's just my convictions.

 

[Ernie Brazee]

1 John1:15Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

 

[SBG]

Amen Bro. Ernie!!!! And PTL!!

 

[AdoptedDaughter]

Originally posted by M Wickens:
Having glanced through the favorite movies forum and just through general experiance it seems what Christians enjoy is identical to what the world enjoys. Should entertainment made by the world and for the world according to the worlds standards be accepted by Christians? Let's reword that. Can entertainment made by the Devil's children, for the Devil's children and according to the Devil's children's standards be enjoyed by Christians?

Can we hear the same rebellious music (words and music) and not be affected? Can we watch their TV and not be influenced by their ethics and morals? Does it please God when we "tolerate" a "little" cursing, blasephemy, nudity and violance?

According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me. Hosea 13:6

We are to be in th world, not of it. I will admit that I do watch some of the "worldly" television, but there are some clean shows out there! When I was growing up, I watched Sesame Street and other children shows. What today's society's problem is that they will find any way they can to destroy the reputation of the show. For example, Teletubbies, clean show right, except one's purple and carries a purse and is a guy.

If we want to be technical, why not ask, should we walk outside and go into businesses. There we will see obscenities, revealing clothing and hear an earful of profanity.

Let's face it, we live in a fallen world, and the children that we shelter the most are the ones who rebel the worst. Let the children be exposed to the world, but explain to them why it's wrong, and let them make up their minds. SHould we allow them to watch? Yes, but also explain that this is how the world thinks, and ask them how they think reality should really be.

Our kids are smarter than we think!

In Christ's gracious love,
Teresa

 

[M Wickens]

Without a doubt some tv and music is fine and I would be the last person to advocate sheltering children from the world. Running off and hiding is the monk's/nun's way of dealing with things.

My question involves the standards that we should have.
You said "If we want to be technical, why not ask, should we walk outside and go into businesses. There we will see obscenities, revealing clothing and hear an earful of profanity." Let me ask this, do you feel it right to PAY to see/hear obscenities and revealing clothing? The apostles would have seen/heard as much as we did but would they have PAID to see and hear these things?

I try to be cautious of going to the extreme and being legalistic, but where do we draw the line?

 

[Squire Robertsson]

By and large, the answer is no. We are to dilight ourselves in the Lord. However, does this mean that I won't watch Good Eats on the Food Network, Junkyard Wars, Trading Spaces, or Ground Force? No, I'll watch these programs and listen to my J.P. Sousa CDs. But, I won't confuse the two sources. And I will remember that the purpose of a worship service is just that. It is the worship (dare I say entertainment) of God. The purpose of a worship service is not (in the main) the entertainment of man.

 

[BrianT]

Originally posted by M Wickens:

I try to be cautious of going to the extreme and being legalistic, but where do we draw the line?

Good post.

The line is often blurry, and I think can even be in different places for different people. We shouldn't cross the line, but we also shouldn't tell others where their line is.

 

[AdoptedDaughter]

Originally posted by M Wickens:
Let me ask this, do you feel it right to PAY to see/hear obscenities and revealing clothing? The apostles would have seen/heard as much as we did but would they have PAID to see and hear these things?

I try to be cautious of going to the extreme and being legalistic, but where do we draw the line?

Sadly enough, there will always be revealing clothing wherever we go. So, should we, no, but often times the places we go, we pay to get in, and there we see the clothing and hear obscenities.

Let's take a look at movie theatres, there are some clean movies, but too often it is what is in those theatres that is more effective than the movie. Kids start young these days seeing the revealing clothing, everywhere, and sadly too often it is the church goers who are wearing these clothes.

Waterparks, amusement parks, you name it. You pay to get into amusement parks and waterparks, however, I do believe that you are paying the park to allow skimpy dressers into the park, and your children are seeing it everyday.

It seems to have become societies standard that the less clothes you wear, the more you are accepted. So, since everything can be connected to everything else, I'm sure someone out there would argue that no matter what you pay for you are supporting the world. Should you allow your children to watch aforementioned shows and listen to aforementioned words and music? The choice is up to you. I say it's fine as long as the show is appropiate for anyone to watch, and use it as a tool for your child to learn about the world and instead of forbidding, which too often in life results in rebellion, allow your children to be exposed to the world, just keep their minds and hearts pure.

~Teresa~

 

[BrianT]

Originally posted by M Wickens:

Let me ask this, do you feel it right to PAY to see/hear obscenities and revealing clothing? The apostles would have seen/heard as much as we did but would they have PAID to see and hear these things?

Sometimes, even though you may not be directly "paying to hear obscenities", you still pay for something where obscenites or revealing clothing may take place.

Two examples: I enjoy watching some sports. Yet often a player (or fan, or coach) will curse. And cheerleaders are present at many events. Alcohol is served at many events. Some of the athletes are abusing steroids. Am I paying for these things? No, and I don't think these things should prevent me from going to a good game.

I also enjoy opera and ballet. I don't recall ever hearing obscenities there, but there is often revealing clothing, portrayed acts of violence, and wine and champagne served in the lobby. I suspect some of the performers and members of the audience are homosexual, as are some of the world's best known classical composers. Yet I'm not going for those reasons, and year after year I plunk down my cash for season tickets, without the Holy Spirit convicting me.

 

[Johnv]

I agree with the Squire. I will wholeheartedly defend my Christian rite to watch as many episodes of "Trading Spaces" and "This Old House" as I can!!

 

[M Wickens]

With some the general idea then is that you will ultimately contribute to some bad source so don't worry too much about it. In a sense I can understand that. I have worked in supermarkets before that sell alcohole. Do I condone the drinking of it? No, but I do work there. SO I can see where some of the statements come from.

Sometimes seeing/hearing the wrong thing is unavoidable such as watching sports etc.

However, allow me to get specific. Would you sit and watch a film that you know contains cursing, nudity (partial/complete), violence and worldly philosophy? If so, what part of Christian freedom allows us to enjoy the sin that Christ paid the pricce for on Calvary?

 

[M Wickens]

Oh, and I think Junkyard Wars should be required TV in schools and educational institutions around the world.

 

[Pastor_Bob]

1Cor 10:31 "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do , do all to the glory of God."

I think Fundamental Baptist have beed scared off of the WWJD principle. I'll agree that the overwhelming majority of those who wear a WWJD bracelet, necklace, or what have you, never stop and consider "What Would Jesus Do?" That does not mean that we should abandon that principle. It is a Scriptural principle:
1Peter 2:21 "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps :"

When the question of worldly amusements or entertainment arise, this should always be our guide. Not even the issue of "right" or "wrong" should be our guide. Romans 8 is a great study on yielding rights on matters that may be "lawful."

God does not mind you and I having a good time. However, He does mind when you or I have a good time at His expense. He is a jealous God and very protective of His name. Anytime His children act in such a way to bring reproach on His name, He is not pleased. The surest way for a child of God to bring reproach on His name is to act like the world.

 

[just-want-peace]

God does not mind you and I having a good time. However, He does mind when you or I have a good time at His expense. He is a jealous God and very protective of His name. Anytime His children act in such a way to bring reproach on His name, He is not pleased. The surest way for a child of God to bring reproach on His name is to act like the world.

VERY, VERY WELL PUT!!!!

I used to teach a college SS class, & one point I tried to instill was: "If you are a Christian, then the Holy Spirit is dwelling in you, and each and every action of yours by default involves Him!!"

 

[Squire Robertsson]

I had a Pastor years ago who put it this way:

There is a difference between entertainment and amusement. While both are treated as synonyms, amusement carries in its roots the idea of being without thought.

Most of the "entertainment industry" is trying to sell amusement. It is trying to sell people something that will allow them to shut down their rational thinking. For example, it is one thing to follow a football team (Manchester United for example). However, it is quite another thing to go about with one's face painted in the MU team colors. For my fellow Yankees, please subsitute the NFL/NCAA team of your choice in the foregoing example.

 

[Maverick]

Just food for thought. If the chief end of man is to love God and serve Him forever do we really have time for entertainment? Relaxation, yes. Meditation, yes, but sports and things that do not mean a hill of beans in eternity? No? I lived across from a Mennonite for some time and they would view most of the things given here as a useless waste of the time we are to redeem. We need to work and rest, but just frivolous stuff would be taboo to them. They have some merit to their position. We see Christ and the Apostles working, praying and resting but not playing as we think of it. Yes, paul makes mention of sporting things but that only proves he was aware of the concepts and not that he participated after his conversion. We do waste a lot of time and money on stuff that will not count when we stand before Christ. Note, I said we. I grapple with this as much as anyone.

 

[Mike McK]

Originally posted by The Squire:
For my fellow Yankees, please subsitute the NFL/NCAA team of your choice in the foregoing example.

I'm not sure I appreciate being called a Yankee, Squire.

But, when I was younger, I did paint my face orange (an unfortunate color scheme for someone of Irish descent, to be sure) and blue in honor of my beloved Auburn Tigers and green and silver in honor of this seasons Super Bowl champions-to-be, Philadelphia Eagles a few times.

Once I quit drinking heavily, I realized how dumb this was so I quit doing it, but I still usually wear my Tommy Tuberville autographed ball cap or my Auburn vs Florida score shirt (23-20).

My chief source of entertainment is mainstream music. Other than one or two artists, I don't listen to Christian music and, other than one or two songs here or there, I really don't see anything objectionable about the music I listen to.

My pastor listens to many of the same artists I do and he's even sat in with my old band a few times so I imagine he feels the same way.

Mike

 

[VoiceInTheWilderness]

If so, what part of Christian freedom allows us to enjoy the sin that Christ paid the pricce for on Calvary?

Good post!

But I fail to see how watching someone curse means that I have to enjoy it, nor be a partaker of it?

Corinthian church member: "Paul .... can I eat this meat"

Paul says: "Yes and No"

 

[Maverick]

Smoke_Eater, he is living in England and to them we are all Yanks. In WWII, the classic statement about Yanks was "they are overpaid, oversexed and over here."