Are T.V. and radio used abusively by most people as their plug-in-drug?

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Seeking God requires a certain amount of quiet time. We naturally become uncomfortable when alone for very long with our thoughts and conscience. That small suffering can prompt us to pray or reflect on the meaning of life or find novel solutions to our boredom. Too often the electronic media is used to fill in all the quiet gaps with information that isn't all that relevent or it simply amuses us into a kind of numbness. Other things besides T.V. and radio are used similarly but these two are very widespread, tapping the time of all ages at all levels. As a solution we might allow them for ourselves only at work, in the car, at the theater or at the club but not at home. What do you think, are they our plug-in-drug?

-- Michael Hitzelberger (michael.hitzelberger@vscc.cc.tn.us), January 26, 2002

Answers



-- (_@_._), January 26, 2002.

You forgot video games and the internet also! :)

I agree, that one of the reasons why the great loss of faith occurred in the 20th century is the rise of distractions. Never in the history of the world have we had so many devices that entertain us. It has largely replaced direct social entertainment with other human beings also, even though the amount of social interaction has gone up with the internet.

In a simpler world, God occupied more of our thoughts, and with times of quiet, we were more exposed to God's promptings in our life, to pray for example. Now God cannot get through the noise, when our attentions are focused so strongly on what we are doing, like watching TV for example, which as you know, a program we really like, practically closes us off from reality, and rivets us to a fantasy that requires so much of our attention.

One of the biggest problems with the rise in distractions, is the opinions that oppose a belief in God. Our media today is full of atheistic doctrine, and religion and God's morality is cut down all the time. They even propose that any belief in God is fantasy, and their non-belief is based on science. Simple statements of religion existing only to keep society ordered, is widely believed with no evidence to back it up. We are exposed to an anti-God FAITH besides being distracted all the time.

I have heard the TV referred to as the beast in revelation, in that the whole world will adore it, and I wonder if that is true. Of course there is some good in certain TV programs, and internet sites that promote good morality, and there is general entertainment that is not offensive to morality or faith, is fine also, but we have to remember that we are servants of God, and here to serve God, and so we have to give ourselves to him in everything that we do. You ask if it is a plug-in-drug. No question! I base this on the fact that almost all of us, would feel withdrawal symtoms if we lost these distractions. A lot of us, would not know what to do with their time, and would be bored. I know I would read a lot more spiritual books, which I notice has gone way down ever since the internet has come along. I once lived 2 years without a TV, and it only takes a short while to not miss it, as I did not know what was on TV to miss. I read a lot more, and especially newspapers. I also talked a lot with my roommates at that time.

Funny thing is that when I was over at a friends house to watch a bit of TV during that 2 years I was without one at home, I could not believe how enjoyable it was! In other words, when you have ready access to your drug all the time, you get used to it, but when you go without it for a long time, your sensitivity to it goes up. It like fasting and then eating again, as the enjoyment of food goes up.

-- G Vink (gordonvink@bigfoot.com), January 26, 2002.


Great thoughts Gordon!

I have had many of the same experiences as you. Most people I tell these things to just say it's fine if I want to do without media at home and that is all they say. They have no real interest in why anyone might do without TV or radio at home, they never ask me further about it. I was tempted to get a radio for Christian music listening last month, and I did, but my prayer fervor and spiritual reading all but dried up and very quickly so I returned it to the store.

About that content of shows, that bothers me too. I know some Simpsons and South Park addicts, one is a family member. I have been shown a totally blasphemous episode of South Park that frightened me to think anyone would put this on public view. On radio stations you get to listen to condom ads or if it is a Christian station you still have the rock star syndrome to fall into even if it is Christian. Who do we love more, Christ or the musician? I think Christ's life was much more humble than that of the Contemporary Christian musician on radio. Also, if the music sounds very attractive, I never want to turn it off. As soon as I get a chance I want to flip it on.

1 KINGS 19:12-13 After the earthquake there was fire--but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him, "Elijah, why are you here?"

I want to be able to hear His whispers but I am tempted away.

-- Mike H (michael.hitzelberger@vscc.cc.tn.us), January 26, 2002.


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