TV

aidan

I limit my tv watching as far as is conceivable when living with others who feel less scrupulous than I.

When I do watch I tend to watch comedy shows. There is usually little to nothing of any real value (this is the UK).

I feel I shouldn't be watching much at all, probably not profane comedy, but what does anyone think about this subject?

 

sodr2

tv (or computer) can be addicting

i spend probably all my day if thers nothing to do on my computer...  :'(

copticmark

you know, every thing has it's good side and was created by God for our benefit, what matters is how we use it. For example i can use the car for serving God or use it to go places that God might not want me to be at. I guess I want to say T.V , Computer, cell phones, ipods, mp3, cars......etc are all good if we use them the right way. You know there are things that we might think are evil, but you will discover later they have a value.
We just need to have the wisdom and discernment.
God bless

the_least

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
(Titus 1:15-16)

jesusmystrength

"Therefore, let us pursue the things which make for peace and things by which one may edify another." Romans 14:19

"All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify." 1 Corinthians 10:23

We're all human, even though we're Christians it doesn't mean we're always in church and praying and doing something spiritual. Even abounas and the most spirtual people (living in the world anyway) watch tv sometimes and have facebook and all that. We gotta do everything in moderation. But like copticmark said, "We just need to have the wisdom and discernment." And of course we gotta keep our senses and our thoughts pure. It's okay to watch tv If we feel that anything is gonna threaten that (for example, an image or words on tv) then we should "flee". We need to try to avoid temptation, and if we fall into it, then try to resist it.

:) hope that helps :)

Ioannes

The television is an open door. Does anyone open their front door to let foul mouthed abusive psycho's into their house for their children to learn from? I hope not. There is iconography of God and iconography of the devil, pornography is the devils iconography (Fr. Seraphim Rose) and the television is pornography. The word pornography is greek, porn  meaning prostitute or whore and graphy means to sell, so the television fits this as it is prostituting itself to the viewer. This does not mean you cannot watch anything, it means you have to be responsible and careful. Sometimes the show is very good and educational by Orthodox standards but the commercials are raunchy, violent, sexually suggestive, and bombarding us with advertisements to buy. Notice the commercials are always louder than the programming. If your eye causes you to sin gouge it out, if your television causes you to sin throw it in the trash where it belongs.

aidan

Ioannes, I tend to agree with you if immoderately put, but judging by your photo I guess you are not living with someone with whom you have to compromise (although that word seems hateful to you!). I mean a spouse or even a flatmate, someone who does not see the full extent of your reasons for not wanting 'it' on.

Apart from acceptable TV programmes (in this country (UK) there are a few) I feel that TV itself has a distracting, hypnotic, seductive power that leaves me frankly dissatisfied (The medium is the message-how true). But we don't live in the age I remember, the radio age; or the one my grandmother knew when people talked to each other in the home or sewed or learned a musical instrument or did any manner of active pursuits. What do we do when we live with those who welcome the occasional use of TV and enjoy it? We just leave the room if we can, I guess.

So what ways do you find to relax?

Ioannes

[quote author=aidan link=topic=8435.msg107346#msg107346 date=1256748128]
Ioannes, I tend to agree with you if immoderately put, but judging by your photo I guess you are not living with someone with whom you have to compromise (although that word seems hateful to you!). I mean a spouse or even a flatmate, someone who does not see the full extent of your reasons for not wanting 'it' on.

Apart from acceptable TV programmes (in this country (UK) there are a few) I feel that TV itself has a distracting, hypnotic, seductive power that leaves me frankly dissatisfied (The medium is the message-how true). But we don't live in the age I remember, the radio age; or the one my grandmother knew when people talked to each other in the home or sewed or learned a musical instrument or did any manner of active pursuits. What do we do when we live with those who welcome the occasional use of TV and enjoy it? We just leave the room if we can, I guess.

So what ways do you find to relax?




Actually my wife and I both do not like television. It is usually off for weeks at a time, when my parents come they usually watch it. And we do watch movies, mostly Ethiopian church movies as well as coptic ones. We dont completely object to television, just as the internet can be a great resource it also can be destructive. So if someone were to turn on the television, as long as it is not a program my son shouldnt be watching, I dont mind. If it is not appropriate for my son, I politely ask that the channel be changed. Most everyone understands. Television, just as almost anything else, needs moderation. I do however like watching that Bob Ross guy.

mabsoota

good point, ioannes.
i also love saint movies, you can watch some here:
http://stmarycoptic.com/movies1.htm
i didn't find it myself, i copied the link from another post on this forum, hope i will get time to watch some soon!

aidan

If you like saint movies I strongly recommend the Russian film called Ostrov (The Island). Its about a Russian monastery in the frozen north. One of the monks is saintly and I'll say no more about him. People at my church love it. I anyone has seen it maybe they would like to comment.

God bless

Oh and I downloaded the film about Abouna Youstus os St Anthony's also worth a look

mabsoota

thanks for your recommendations.
this is a great program broadcast yesterday on bbc4 (uk cable channel) about the history of Christianity. unusually for a west european secular perspective, the coptic church gets a mention! also fairly accurate, if, of course, oversimplified for mass education/entertainment. i recommend you want it and discuss it with your friends, especially those who are not Christian (it is aimed at the uneducated secular person living in a developed country, but somehow contains important gospel truths as well).
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00nrtr8/A_History_of_Christianity_The_First_Christianity/

godislove260

Dear aidan,

can you give us a link to where we can find this russian movie?


Thanks

aidan

I don't know how to download movies. I have children who seem to manage it. I bought the dvd.
Sorry