Should Christians Watch Television, especially Hollywood movies?

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Jan 30, 2025
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#1
I posted on another post & somehow, this point I brought up (thread "not secure in my salvation (under "Bible Discussions"))


I feel very strongly JESUS has warned me several times to put the remote down....now when I say such a statement it appears I am trying to win the argument... NO!

I simply say that HE has warned me about no television.... I certainly was heavily, and I say again heavily addicted & had, and still have a love for those Hollywood movies.... Of all the addictions this has been one of the hardest ones to shed... ( perhaps the hardest by a long stretch)... GOD is still working on me lots....pray HE continues to mold and shape me to be more like JESUS..

I am genuinely curious what you Christians think on this topic,,, ask it appears (on my 1st day here) that there seems to be some serious Brothers and Sisters here!

as I said 1st day here, not sure if this topic was already covered
 
K

keepingthingsreal

Guest
#2
I never willfully watch TV. Sometimes, it is unavoidable...like if I am in the breakroom at work.

For starters, I hate, no, I abhor the news. To me, it is mostly all propaganda, brainwashing, fearmongering, and social conditioning. The TV shows themselves? They pretty much all contain that which God deems to be sinful, so why would I want to feast my eyes on any of that? The commercials? They might be the worst of all, and especially the non-stop bombardment of ads from "Big Pharma."

That said, I will occasionally stream something on my laptop. Maybe a documentary, or maybe a movie about love, but not perverted love. I will also, on rare occasion, put on a football game, but normally only when my mind needs a brief rest from the burdens of this life. Basically, I try to only put in me what I want to come out of me, and TV offers very little, if any, of that.

Psa 101:3
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
28,679
10,254
113
#3
I posted on another post & somehow, this point I brought up (thread "not secure in my salvation (under "Bible Discussions"))


I feel very strongly JESUS has warned me several times to put the remote down....now when I say such a statement it appears I am trying to win the argument... NO!

I simply say that HE has warned me about no television.... I certainly was heavily, and I say again heavily addicted & had, and still have a love for those Hollywood movies.... Of all the addictions this has been one of the hardest ones to shed... ( perhaps the hardest by a long stretch)... GOD is still working on me lots....pray HE continues to mold and shape me to be more like JESUS..

I am genuinely curious what you Christians think on this topic,,, ask it appears (on my 1st day here) that there seems to be some serious Brothers and Sisters here!

as I said 1st day here, not sure if this topic was already covered
Been there.

For me it was video games. I had no life so all I did with my time was video games. So of course it got way out of its place where video games should be in my life. I begrudged going to church, family dinners, anything that interrupted my games.

Of course I had to just totally quit video games. Sold a perfectly good PlayStation 2. Yeah, it was that long ago.

After a few years I went back to games. I play them now... But they are in their proper place in my life.

As you said, that was a ME thing, not something everyone should be required to give up. Just because I didn't have a life and let games become the most important thing to me doesn't mean video games are inherently evil. It just meant I needed to reprioritize my life.

Pretty cool that you can see that for your matter. :cool:
 
Jan 30, 2025
56
33
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#4
Psa 101:3
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.[/QUOTE]

helpful via encouraging scripture...thanks!
 

TabinRivCA

Well-known member
Oct 23, 2018
13,585
11,078
113
#5
The majority of TV, music and movies are smut but not all. I watch TBN, the world-wide Christian Network which is on 24/7, I have some fave shows there. My favorite secular TV program is a show where either adopted children or the parent of a child they had adopted have the 2 hosts find their 'Long Lost Family'. It's heartwarming to see families reunited after yrs apart. Also I confess to liking Columbo and Agatha Christie murder whodunits, classic good themed movies and swashbucklers like The Count of Monte Cristo. God actually is a theme throughout the movie. Oh and of course Hallmark movies where there is always a happy ending🤩
 

HealthAndHappiness

Well-known member
Jul 7, 2022
11,392
4,947
113
Almost Heaven West Virginia
#6
The majority of TV, music and movies are smut but not all. I watch TBN, the world-wide Christian Network which is on 24/7, I have some fave shows there. My favorite secular TV program is a show where either adopted children or the parent of a child they had adopted have the 2 hosts find their 'Long Lost Family'. It's heartwarming to see families reunited after yrs apart. Also I confess to liking Columbo and Agatha Christie murder whodunits, classic good themed movies and swashbucklers like The Count of Monte Cristo. God actually is a theme throughout the movie. Oh and of course Hallmark movies where there is always a happy ending🤩

Just one more thing......😉
 
Jan 30, 2025
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#7
The Count, or the reuniting is GOD THEMED,,haha... reuniting with our lost family in heaven.. I have often thought if I make it thru, I will be finally free to ball my eyes out,, saying to my heavenly family did I make it!....

The Count was a favourite movie of mine as well, all you mentioned, save Agatha, and the Christian Network..yet I have American Pure Flix I imagine the same idea...

yet I have had the remote down for a minute now (trying to obey JESUS Leding me although I often flounder),, the news was the last to go....

thanks for sharing,, was surprised to see a few post against, wasn't sure if there was going to be a yes I watch! thanx for your opinion... I am still not free at heart, only my eyes... I was surprised the tv still calls out to me in the wee hours of the night.....
 

Gideon300

Well-known member
Mar 18, 2021
5,934
3,633
113
Frankston, Victoria
christianlife.au
#9
I posted on another post & somehow, this point I brought up (thread "not secure in my salvation (under "Bible Discussions"))


I feel very strongly JESUS has warned me several times to put the remote down....now when I say such a statement it appears I am trying to win the argument... NO!

I simply say that HE has warned me about no television.... I certainly was heavily, and I say again heavily addicted & had, and still have a love for those Hollywood movies.... Of all the addictions this has been one of the hardest ones to shed... ( perhaps the hardest by a long stretch)... GOD is still working on me lots....pray HE continues to mold and shape me to be more like JESUS..

I am genuinely curious what you Christians think on this topic,,, ask it appears (on my 1st day here) that there seems to be some serious Brothers and Sisters here!

as I said 1st day here, not sure if this topic was already covered
Some TV is ok. I watch very little now. I prefer youtube as I can choose what I watch. Sometimes I watch documentaries. I watch preaching and teaching. You can find the greats like Watchman Nee, Derek Prince and many others.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,911
3,910
113
#10
I posted on another post & somehow, this point I brought up (thread "not secure in my salvation (under "Bible Discussions"))


I feel very strongly JESUS has warned me several times to put the remote down....now when I say such a statement it appears I am trying to win the argument... NO!

I simply say that HE has warned me about no television.... I certainly was heavily, and I say again heavily addicted & had, and still have a love for those Hollywood movies.... Of all the addictions this has been one of the hardest ones to shed... ( perhaps the hardest by a long stretch)... GOD is still working on me lots....pray HE continues to mold and shape me to be more like JESUS..

I am genuinely curious what you Christians think on this topic,,, ask it appears (on my 1st day here) that there seems to be some serious Brothers and Sisters here!

as I said 1st day here, not sure if this topic was already covered
I don't know about what other Christians should do, but I always like to ask myself, will this please God or myself. I'm not one who thinks all TV and movies should be avoided; but there's a line I don't like to cross over.
 

HealthAndHappiness

Well-known member
Jul 7, 2022
11,392
4,947
113
Almost Heaven West Virginia
#11
I thank the Lord for good wholesome TV shows since I was a kid.

I don't believe He inspired them.
He has given many gifts, many blessings though. Entertainment, whether a child's toy or our favorite plays, songs, games, wildlife shows and blessings of all kinds are a reflection of our Father's loving kindness. There are things that the Bible forbids and we should know to avoid those.

When I was on the school board of a Christian school, one rule was no Hollywood movies at the theater. I abided by that rule for those years in spite that there may have been a movie or two that were not filled with temptation or demonic themes.
I provided wholesome family entertainment through education to the churches, schools, special events with no complaints about the nature of them. They were akin to Steve Irwin's Crocodile Hunter shows. I have a different style, personality and my main goal was to lead others to faith in Christ ; whereas his was conservative from an evolutionary perspective.

Here's my favorite TV series...

1738364884768.jpeg
 
Jan 30, 2025
56
33
18
#12
checking out Prince now, perhaps Watchman soon... never heard of them
 

Ballaurena

Well-known member
May 27, 2024
498
348
63
#13
I posted on another post & somehow, this point I brought up (thread "not secure in my salvation (under "Bible Discussions"))


I feel very strongly JESUS has warned me several times to put the remote down....now when I say such a statement it appears I am trying to win the argument... NO!

I simply say that HE has warned me about no television.... I certainly was heavily, and I say again heavily addicted & had, and still have a love for those Hollywood movies.... Of all the addictions this has been one of the hardest ones to shed... ( perhaps the hardest by a long stretch)... GOD is still working on me lots....pray HE continues to mold and shape me to be more like JESUS..

I am genuinely curious what you Christians think on this topic,,, ask it appears (on my 1st day here) that there seems to be some serious Brothers and Sisters here!

as I said 1st day here, not sure if this topic was already covered
I think TV is a common addiction that God sometimes takes his people through a season of abstinence on to restart them on better footing where they are better able to walk away when they need to. God did this with me and another family I know, but the point wasn't to stay there.

In fact, God has also given me seasons where he spoke to me through TV programs. Some did seem inspired as personal messages too me, other times just certain things were highlighted spiritually to me in their playing.
 

HealthAndHappiness

Well-known member
Jul 7, 2022
11,392
4,947
113
Almost Heaven West Virginia
#14
I think TV is a common addiction that God sometimes takes his people through a season of abstinence on to restart them on better footing where they are better able to walk away when they need to. God did this with me and another family I know, but the point wasn't to stay there.

In fact, God has also given me seasons where he spoke to me through TV programs. Some did seem inspired as personal messages too me, other times just certain things were highlighted spiritually to me in their playing.
I agree that it can become an addiction. Even wholesome entertainment can eat up too much time and focus. I went through a period of time like that. Now I have an old tube TV that I haven't used for years.

When I use the word inspired, I'm talking about the Bible. Ie "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God..."
No other recordings are inspired like that. God's holy Word ended with Revelation.

There are other definitions of non biblical inspiration where one is motivated or moved to accomplish a task. I think the Lord has used people online and locally to bring up subjects that I needed help with. For instance, I'm recovering from multiple injuries/ traumas that did serious damage to my body and soul. God has led special experts that I follow to teach me specific lessons how to improve little by little. He has begun a good work in me and is bringing it to completion. He can use individuals, fictional stories, circumstances and any number of creative ways to help, guide, comfort and strengthen. Many are reminders and additional information for positive choices. Now it happens almost daily, so I look forwards to His help.
 

SabbathBlessing

Well-known member
Dec 13, 2023
1,707
318
83
#15
I posted on another post & somehow, this point I brought up (thread "not secure in my salvation (under "Bible Discussions"))


I feel very strongly JESUS has warned me several times to put the remote down....now when I say such a statement it appears I am trying to win the argument... NO!

I simply say that HE has warned me about no television.... I certainly was heavily, and I say again heavily addicted & had, and still have a love for those Hollywood movies.... Of all the addictions this has been one of the hardest ones to shed... ( perhaps the hardest by a long stretch)... GOD is still working on me lots....pray HE continues to mold and shape me to be more like JESUS..

I am genuinely curious what you Christians think on this topic,,, ask it appears (on my 1st day here) that there seems to be some serious Brothers and Sisters here!

as I said 1st day here, not sure if this topic was already covered
Sadly I do not think there is even a rated G movie that doesn’t use God’s name in vain. Hollywood is not coming from God and if it’s not coming from God it means it is controlled by the other spirit. Secular movies and TV is terrible for the Christian mind so we have to be really careful what we watch.

God bless!
 

Eli1

Well-known member
Apr 5, 2022
6,449
2,858
113
47
#16
I feel very strongly JESUS has warned me several times to put the remote down....now when I say such a statement it appears I am trying to win the argument... NO!
Sounds good.
Knowing your weaknesses about an addiction is important so you can avoid the addiction.
However your addiction is not my addiction, therefore i have never had problems watching Hollywood movies.
 

maxwel

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2013
9,833
2,890
113
#17
Should Christians watch television:

Do people still own televisions?

.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
21,791
7,482
113
63
#18
Should Christians watch television:

Do people still own televisions?

.
Not all of us have evolved to one eye. Had surround vision developed as did surround sound who would be laughing then?
 

maxwel

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2013
9,833
2,890
113
#19
Not all of us have evolved to one eye. Had surround vision developed as did surround sound who would be laughing then?
When looking at a flat monitor... additional eyeballs are really just superfluous.

.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
21,791
7,482
113
63
#20
When looking at a flat monitor... additional eyeballs are really just superfluous.

.
Another anti-occultist. First Cyclops, and now you.

Aren't the new big screens starting to curve at the margins?