I Learned it from TV (Originally published August 25)

Many Christians are appalled at the language on television these days. Curse words and the taking of God’s Name in vain seem to be routine on television anymore. Sadly, many Christians do not even care!

However, there are other lessons that we “learn” by watching television. Think for a moment about the more popular sit-coms, reality shows and day-time soaps. What lessons do they teach us (and our children)? Here are some things our children might say if you asked them what they learn from television:

• If you’re having a bad day, head to the local bar or grab a beer from the refrigerator.
  If you are celebrating, join your friends down at the local pub.
• Every problem can be solved in 30 minutes (or, if they are really big problems, one hour).
• Parents are not to be respected; they are to be made fun of.
• Rules are made to be broken.
• Cheating is only wrong if you get caught.
• Traditional families are not really normal.
• It’s okay to sleep around, just be careful.
• Having sex before marriage is part of growing up, just make sure you “truly care” for him/her.
• Homosexuality is perfectly normal behavior; in fact, it’s cool.
• If your marriage doesn’t work out, it’s quite alright, just try again.
• “Reality” involves a one-million dollar check at the end of a challenge.
• Housewives and stay-at-home moms are not real women; they are just weak relics of the past.
• Your Senior PROM will be the greatest day of your life—because anything goes on that night.
• Only the best looking people matter, and modesty is old-fashioned.

Do these sound like lessons you want your children to learn? How would you feel if someone came in your front door and starting teaching these things to your family? Would you be mad? Would you be mad enough to make that person leave?

Of course you would!

However, many Christians don’t seem to have a problem with the very same lessons being taught by the television. In fact, by not turning the channel orturning the set off (there’s a concept), we actually endorse these things and teach our children that they’re okay! Are we willing to say that all the things on that list are alright?

Let’s be more discriminate in our entertainment choices! Remember, those who “give approval to” sinful practices (and, wouldn’t watching and laughing be “approval”?) are deserving of death (cf. Romans 1:28-32). Will we lose our souls just for the sake of a few hours of laughs on television?