TCH: Television & Movies

The Television and Movie Dilemma

This month in Decision magazine were some really great articles on Hollywood - "Hollywood: Entertaining Ourselves To Death?" by Franklin Graham, "The Immoral Agenda of Hollywood" By Charles Chandler...

"TV poses a difficult challenge for most believers. Is TV watching just harmless fun? Should we indulge in hours upon hours of "mindless" entertainment? Or should we only watch clean, uplifting, family-friendly shows? Or is the solution simply to take a sledge hammer to the TV screen and the toss it out in next week's recycling bin?" ~ Faith and Pop Culture

I have often wondered what other Christian women watch and how they decide which shows are appropriate. And that is what this swap will be about. In this swap, we will write a letter to our partner about our opinion of TV and movies. You will write about what you watch and how you decide. You may write this in letter form or you may wish to write some and then, answer the questions below in another way.

Some things to include in your letter...

• I like watching TV because...

• My favorite movie is... Because...

• I draw the line at watching...

• Is there a movie that you're ashamed to admit that you love?

• Can you imagine a life with out TV or movies? what might you gain from such a lifestyle? What might you lose?

• Many Christians use Philippians 4:8 to condemn watching movies, especially those with objectionable content like foul language, violence, or sex. Read Philippians 4:8. Do you agree with this application of the passage? Should this passage be the guideline on which we base our movie-going decisions? If so, how should it serve as a guide line? If not, why not?

• Television shouldn't replace human relationships or drown out time with God. How do you decide how much television you watch? Does it ever take away from family or your time with God?

With your letter and answers to these questions, also include a list of movies or television shows that you feel are acceptable for Christian women to watch. Also, I believe it would be neat to see what others are watching. So if you would like, add a page with all the shows you have watched for a week. Or did you decide to go a week without watching any TV or movies? Tell us about that week.

• Pray about the ways you've felt challenged by God while thinking about television and movies, asking for wisdom and commitment to respond to God's leading in your life and in your media choices.

Letters must be at least 2 pages. They may be typed. Feel free to add as much as you like to your letters. You may wish to include much more in your letter than just the above questions.