Is it ok to watch the simpsons?

[philN]

I am watching the Simpsons as I type this. Next to me I have the first five season on DVD, Simpsons Pez dispensors, and a dancing Homer doll.

Needless to say, I like the Simpsons. I am also a christian. Regardless of what some people think, the two are not mutually exclusive.

TV shows are amoral. They are not good or evil. They have characters that do evil things sometimes, but there is nothing wrong with watching/reading about other people sinning. The Bible is full of stories of people who sinned. Is it wrong to read those parts of the Bible? Obviously, it is not.

The only reason it would be wrong to watch the Simpsons would be if it causes you to sin in some way. If you cannot watch something without discerning what is right and wrong in it, then you probably shouldn't watch it. Otherwise, there is nothing wrong with it.

 

[Hydra009]

I don't think it is.

How are you serving God by watching the simpsons? To me, it is just a senseless waste of time, time that you otherwise ought to be using to serve God. I think it's a sin to watch the simpsons. On top of that, from the episodes I remember back when I did watch the show, often times they would make fun of God.

Im not just picking on the simpsons either, but also shows like seinfeld, that 70's show, etc.,

And if one is unsure about whether it is a sin or not to waste ones own time, but continues to do so, that person is sinning.

Romans 14:23

But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

Wow. I hope I never ever ever get to be like this. Apparently, the only thing that is acceptible for a Christian to do is go to church. And even then, no one would be let inside unless they adopted a Puritan dress code.

 

[Lifesaver]

The human mind, to work well, needs diversion from exhaustive activities, to restore its energy and be able to focus its reason more fully on serious matters later on.

That is why watching some TV, listening to secular music, playing games, etc is not evil. It is actually a good if it helps our minds to remain healthy.

However, we must all beware of not letting these activities become the focus and end of our minds and lives.

 

[John812]

Ok-e-dok-ee then, don't YOU watch the Simpsons, but don't judge anybody else who does. Cause if you do judge them it might be the log in your eye that is obscuring the dust-mite in theirs.

Im not judging them. God will judge them. I am trying to help them turn away from something that in my opinion is a sin.

God Bless!

 

[philN]

I'd love to hear a biblical case for how watching something that does not make you sin is sinful?

Please, elaborate.

 

[John812]

Next to me I have the first five season on DVD, Simpsons Pez dispensors, and a dancing Homer doll.

Matthew 6:19-21

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

TV shows are amoral. They are not good or evil. They have characters that do evil things sometimes...

The simpsons, much of the time I think, glorifies evil. How is this not evil?

The only reason it would be wrong to watch the Simpsons would be if it causes you to sin in some way.

Your watching a show that has nothing to do with God in order to satisfy your desires. I think that's a sin.

 

[philN]

Haha. Do you even realize some of the implications your statements have?

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Do you have any cds, books, works of art, stamps, money, et cetera? Well you should probably get rid of them as you are just storing up treaures on earth. Please. With that logic we could never buy anything without feeling guilty. Paul was a tentmaker, does that mean that he was allowing for people to buy tents and store up for themselves treasures on earth?

The simpsons, much of the time I think, glorifies evil. How is this not evil?

I don't think it glorifies evil. The characters do evil things (often willingly), but they usually suffer the consequences of their actions. And even if it did glorify evil, would that make the show itself evil? What exactly is evil? The pictures? The words used? These things are all amoral.

Your watching a show that has nothing to do with God in order to satisfy your desires. I think that's a sin.

Are you trying to imply that the sacred is hierarchially better than the common? Jesus was a carpenter. This job had nothing to do with the church. He must have been selfishly using his time to sate the desires of the flesh. Have you ever gone to an amusement park? That's pleasure for the sake of pleasure. Is that wrong? Is God only glorified through things that directly mention Him?

 

[philN]

Also, I don't think that was a biblical case. It seemed more like you trying to force your opinions/convictions on others.

 

[dkara]

I said:

Ok-e-dok-ee then, don't YOU watch the Simpsons, but don't judge anybody else who does. Cause if you do judge them it might be the log in your eye that is obscuring the dust-mite in theirs.

You said:

Im not judging them. God will judge them. I am trying to help them turn away from something that in my opinion is a sin.
God Bless!

And now I say---hahahahahahahaha ROFL!!!! Thanks I needed that. In other words, it's only your OPINION that they are watching something that is sinful=therefore they are sinners. But you're not judging.....hahahahah

Blessings 2 U 2

 

[John812]

Paul was a tentmaker, does that mean that he was allowing for people to buy tents and store up for themselves treasures on earth?

If people needed tents for shelter, I don't see anything wrong with that. People don't need dancing Homer dolls.

Are you trying to imply that the sacred is hierarchially better than the common?

If you mean are heavenly things better than worldly things? absolutely.

Jesus was a carpenter. This job had nothing to do with the church.

I don't see any problem with working in order to make money to buy food/clothing/shelter and other such basics.

Have you ever gone to an amusement park? That's pleasure for the sake of pleasure. Is that wrong?

I think Going to an amusement park for the sake of pleasure is a sin. I think watching t.v. for the sake of pleasure is a sin. I think getting drunk for the sake of pleasure is a sin. I think doing most things, if not all things, for the sake of pleasure is sin.

God Bless!

 

[John812]

In other words, it's only your OPINION that they are watching something that is sinful=therefore they are sinners.

This is a debate. I am stating what I believe on the subject. I am not labelling anyone a sinner. Tell me, if 2 Christian men are commiting sodomy, and it's your opinion that they are commiting a sin, would you talk to them about it to perhaps see the matter from your point of view? The sodomizers are obviously sinning, we ought to help bring them to repentance.

God Bless!

 

[philN]

Pleasure for pleasure's sake is sin?

I went out for coffee with a friend of mine just to sit and talk and get caught up. I should probably ask for forgiveness. Do you celebrate birthdays? I think that we can glorify God by enjoying the things that He has given us for pleasure. Husbands and wives don't just have sex because they are married, most of them get some pleasure out of it. God created many things that we can enjoy, and it can be a very worshipful experience recognizing, acknowledging, and thanking God for the small blessings and pleasures that make each day easier to get through.

 

[philN]

Are you comparing watching an amoral television show is comparable to something that the bible specifically condemns. Stop pushing your convictions on others; stop pushing your agenda on God's word.

 

[philN]

If you mean are heavenly things better than worldly things? absolutely.

Do think that all things secular are evil?

 

[seebs]

I do not think the Simpsons "glorifies evil". They depict it sometimes, but in fact, nearly everything they depict is depicted as a topic for amusement. The show "Lisa and the Eighth Commandment" is a brilliant study on human morality...

 

[John812]

I went out for coffee with a friend of mine just to sit and talk and get caught up.

I don't know what the nature of your conversation was, can't really comment on it.

I caught up with one of my friends today, havn't talked to her for a long time. We got caught up about our lives, talked about her ministry, praised God together. This is fine, I think.

Do you celebrate birthdays?

I try not to, their somewhat senseless. I try to avoid drawing attention to my own birthday.

I think that we can glorify God by enjoying the things that He has given us for pleasure.

God created many things that we can enjoy, and it can be a very worshipful experience recognizing, acknowledging, and thanking God for the small blessings and pleasures that make each day easier to get through.

I agree

However, the forces of darkness have also created many things that we can enjoy that at the same time will condemn us.

 

[chari.chari]

Here's what Christianity Today had to say:

After 14 years, The Simpsons is still one of the most popular (and funniest) TV shows. It's also one of the few about a family that regularly goes to church together. That doesn't make the show a Christian comedy. It addresses Christian issue regularly—sometimes with respect, but usually with a mocking tone. The Simpsons seems to find ways to laugh at every kind of religion, belief and lifestyle. The show's creators certainly aren't just picking on Christians.


When it comes to Christianity, the message of The Simpsons has been mixed. Of course, Ned Flanders and his boys are made to look ridiculous for their Christian faith. But we've also seen Ned keep his faith through hard times, and he is consistently kind and loving to the people of Springfield. Meanwhile, Homer and family have been everything from reverent to painfully mocking when it comes to God.


It's great that the show is willing to deal with issues of faith. It seems that the writers are being honest with their questions and criticisms of Christianity. On the other hand, who wants to see their Lord mocked by cartoon characters?


Whether you should watch it or not is between you, your parents and God. If you do watch, realize that the show's attitude toward Christianity represents the thinking of some people in your neighborhood or at school. Let it remind you to ask God to help others to consistently see Christ in you.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/cl/2004/001/20.19.html

 

[John812]

Do you think that all things secular are evil?

No, I don't think food is evil, unless its an offering to demons or some other evil purpose. I don't think rocks are evil. These are a couple examples I can think of, I think there are probably lots more.

 

[Ghostgirl]

Go join the Amish.

Wait, what am I saying? People like you run the FCC.

 

[Chajara]

I would think that not taking advantage of and enjoying all the different things God has given us would be a sin. You honestly think you can spend every waking moment glorifying God? I would think that would make you a very bored and depressed human being, the former because you don't take time to enjoy life and the latter because it's impossible to do it 24/7. God wants you to be happy and have fun, not cut everything that doesn't directly glorify him out of your life.