Is it ok to watch the simpsons?

[seebs]

You honestly think you can spend every waking moment glorifying God?

Yes. I don't see how you could do anything else. In the end, it all works out...

 

[Chajara]

I meant that in the sense that you're constantly thinking about it. Picking up something someone dropped for them is glorifying God, but you don't really think about it if you're a Christian... you just do it. I'm talking about micromanaging everything you do so it directly mentions God. Sorta sucks a lot of fun out of life.

 

[David Gould]

"A person will be called to account on Judgement Day for every permissible thing he might have enjoyed but did not."

A quote from the Talmud which I thought appropriate.

 

[SteveR2021]

Laughter is prayer.

How so? I would say that unless you are saying something to or about God it cannot be prayer.

Is it ok to watch the simpsons?

Never mind the simpsons...is it ok to watch TV? Is it ok to watch movies? You have raised the point about time, so really the simpsons are a non-issue. the question is: how do I spend my time in a way that is glorifying God?

I'm an extremist (a fanatic or something like that) so I don't watch TV and I don't watch movies - in fact there are a lot of things i don't do anymore (and I am cutting back on posting on this website...although it can be edifying etc. it can take up too much time...and time is very precious). But I suppose it is more important to ask what you ARE doing instead of what you aren't doing. It's one thing to cut out the simpsons...so what are you doing instead? Are spending time in prayer? Are you cultivating important relationships? Are helping the needy? Or are just watching some other TV program instead?


And seriously (well maybe not too seriously), let's not pick on the simpsons - they get enough heat. Pick on the activity you cherish most...golf, reading, football, hockey (i'm Canadian), movies...now ask yourself: Am I spending more time with that activity than I am with God? So, I would say that the simpsons have very little to do with it...each one of us have things that take up our precious time and those things are the things to be ruthless about.


I love the question though. God bless.


Stephen

 

[seebs]

How so? I would say that unless you are saying something to or about God it cannot be prayer.

What joy could be not-about-God?

 

[SteveR2021]

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.

I couldn't disagree more. Nowhere does it say that God wants us to have fun. We are here for God's pleasure...not ours.

There is no need for entertainment when we have true joy. True joy comes from glorifying God - not from pleasing self.

Sorta sucks a lot of fun out of life.

I think it puts the joy back into life.

 

[SteveR2021]

What joy could be not-about-God?

lots of people laugh without Godly joy. Lots of people laugh about things that are indecent...(simpsons are an example i suppose)...in fact I think we laugh too much. There is a time and a place for joy and laughter...so not all laughter is about God.

 

[SteveR2021]

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.

That sounds a lot like Finney, and I like it. Pleasure is ok as long as it is a by product NOT a prime product.

Brother - where did you come from?...it's been a long time since I met someone with such a perspective...and I'm glad to know I'm not alone.

God bless you.

 

[seebs]

lots of people laugh without Godly joy. Lots of people laugh about things that are indecent...(simpsons are an example i suppose)...in fact I think we laugh too much. There is a time and a place for joy and laughter...so not all laughter is about God.

I don't think "indecency" makes laughter ungodly. Malice does. Schadenfreude does. But... Just plain funny? No. I don't care whether a joke is crude or not, if it is non-malicious, and my reasons for finding it funny are non-malicious, then any laughter comes from true joy in one of the wondrous qualities of Creation, and there is no sin in it.

 

[SteveR2021]

I don't think "indecency" makes laughter ungodly. Malice does. Schadenfreude does. But... Just plain funny? No. I don't care whether a joke is crude or not, if it is non-malicious, and my reasons for finding it funny are non-malicious, then any laughter comes from true joy in one of the wondrous qualities of Creation, and there is no sin in it.

indecency doesn't fit with Paul's list in Philippians 4:8.

I think that lightness and frivolity can be sinful in light of the gravity of sin (James 4:9) and in light of the plight of a world that does not know Christ. I for one mourn far more than i laugh - but it could be a personal calling.

 

[Cassandra]

Soo....does that mean it's wrong that I'm a fan of Nancy Cartwright? Because...I mean...anyone who could do that voice and make it sound so natural is awesome in my book.

In fact...I've started watching the Simpsons so I can learn to imitate her Bart voice.

 

[seebs]

indecency doesn't fit with Paul's list in Philippians 4:8.

Ahh, but Christian liberty trumps pretty much any attempt at lists.

I think this is a proper example of liberty. I am not offended easily (by anything), so I can witness to people who are offensive, but I must be very careful what I do in front of people who are easily offended.

 

[blackwasp]

Ahh, but Christian liberty trumps pretty much any attempt at lists.

I couldn't agree more seebs. This is something I'm learning a little more everyday.

 

[blackwasp]

I think too many of the christians in this thread are forgetting about God's sovereignty. Did He create the world so that you could hide from it in fear?

In addition, what is time? You are going to shorten your life by ten years from all the strain you are putting on your heart, fretting that you might waste a second.

 

[Nae]

lots of people laugh without Godly joy. Lots of people laugh about things that are indecent...(simpsons are an example i suppose)...in fact I think we laugh too much. There is a time and a place for joy and laughter...so not all laughter is about God.

What? How can you laugh too much? I've never come across people like you in my life, i feel sorry for you.
People don't laugh enough IMO.
And i'm sure if god did exist, he wouldn't be that pedantic.
You have been so totally brainwashed, do you actually have any natural human emotions?
I just hope none of my family, present or in the future never have to have a conversation with someone like you.
It scares me.

Nae

 

[Ryal Kane]

This is one of the saddest threads I've seen in a long time. Some brands of Christianity have the image of being anti fun but in this thread we've had at two posters who are literally and adamantly advocating lives without any personal enjoyment. Personally I think that's extremely unhealthy.
And frankly, it wouldn't surprise me if you were just having fun with us.

 

[kedaman]

I guess it all boils down to the question, is hedonism ok?

 

[Finella]

You do realize that there is a book called The Gospel According to the Simpsons? it's a serious Bible study book. And I heard that there's actually people in Europe who dress up as Flanders and evangelize to people in public. I'm not kidding. There was also an issue of The Door magazine devoted to the Simpsons and religion, and dangit, I can't find it in the house. It was great.

It all proves that God has a sense of humor. The Simpsons rock my world, and I know we all need laughter to lighten our hearts so we can work in the world as God calls us.

 

[John812]

Some brands of Christianity have the image of being anti fun but in this thread we've had at two posters who are literally and adamantly advocating lives without any personal enjoyment.

I used to be atheist too. I did many "fun" things, like watch the simpsons.
Now that I am serving God, the joy I feel is far beyond that of watching the simpsons, or any other ungodly things I was doing for fun.

God Bless! I will pray for you Ryal!

 

[Eve_Sundancer]

I used to be atheist too. I did many "fun" things, like watch the simpsons.
Now that I am serving God, the joy I feel is far beyond that of watching the simpsons, or any other ungodly things I was doing for fun.

And that's ok for you, but not for all people. Some(most) people would feel that the life you lead is joyless. You feel it is full of the greatest joy of all.

Ahh... the liberties of individuality.