Is it ok to watch the simpsons?

[John812]

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

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by Christian liberty. Could you define what you think Christian liberty is?

 

[Faithful nonbeliever]

I honestly hope that the two of you really examine your beliefs at some point, because it would be a very sad thing for you to realize you've wasted your entire life away when you reach the end of the road. From my view you guys are completely fanatical and have loss some touch with reality. There are many faithfull christians who spend their time helping others and spreading their beliefs, and they still manage to enjoy the some of the wonders we are offered in this life.

If you're serious then I feel very sorry for you.

 

[John812]

And that's ok for you, but not for all people.

The joy in serving God is for all people, not just for me.
I pray that everyone will feel it, sooner or later

God Bless!

 

[Eve_Sundancer]

Not everyone is the type of person to take it that far. Some are completely happy keeping their life the way it is and experiencing faith their own way. We should allow everyone the freedom to choose rather than to force everyone to your way.

 

[Finella]

Not everyone is the type of person to take it that far. Some are completely happy keeping their life the way it is and experiencing faith their own way. We should allow everyone the freedom to choose rather than to force everyone to your way.

And actually, I think God gives us what we need in order to be closer to him. This may mean we need to laugh, this may mean we need to be serious. God wants us to be in balance -- for some of us being serious is harder work than being humorous, and vice-versa. We each have our individual needs and tendencies when it comes to God.

The satire and humor in the Simpsons reminds me that sometimes we take the practice of our religion way too seriously, and that such practice can often take us away from God.

 

[John812]

We should allow everyone the freedom to choose rather than to force everyone to your way.

God allows freedom of choice

God Bless!

 

[SteveR2021]

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

Freedom from sin NOT freedom to sin. Sure there is freedom...from ceremonial rituals. God's laws still stand.

 

[SteveR2021]

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.

I'm sorry you have that kind of image. I am actually a very emotional person...and I have a good sense of humor (a selective humor) but I don't laugh as much as I used to. It would be inappropriate to laugh at the funeral of some young person killed before their time...as I see it there are millions of people like that who are going to hell and I grieve for them.

I honestly hope that the two of you really examine your beliefs at some point, because it would be a very sad thing for you to realize you've wasted your entire life away when you reach the end of the road. From my view you guys are completely fanatical and have loss some touch with reality. There are many faithfull christians who spend their time helping others and spreading their beliefs, and they still manage to enjoy the some of the wonders we are offered in this life.

Brother there is NO greater joy than having intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ. I get no greater pleasure than giving Him glory and seeing Him smile. I have not lost anything if I have traded a world of things that will fade away for an eternity of things that will never fade away.

I have far more joy now than I did when filled my life with entertainment and pleasure.

If you're serious then I feel very sorry for you.

I am serious, but please do not feel sorry for me. I feel profoundly privileged...I could choose to live any other way but I do not.

Not everyone is the type of person to take it that far. Some are completely happy keeping their life the way it is and experiencing faith their own way. We should allow everyone the freedom to choose rather than to force everyone to your way.

You are right. God has given each of us freedom...I only encourage my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to consider their use of time - how you use it is between you and God.

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.

I don't mind shortening my life. I'd rather die young because I poured my life out in service and prayer, than die old because I took such good care of my own body.

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.

I am not anti-fun. I would just encourage other Christians to consider how they use their time and consider a life of sacrifice for that which matters most than a life of fun. I take great joy out of the simple pleasures of life, but this is a secondary joy (a by-product)...these things that I take joy out of are things that come with the life of service that I have committed myself to.

I'm sure you would honor a doctor who went to Africa and dedicated her/his life to serving AIDS patients...it may not be a life filled with pleasure but we can sure respect the sacrifice and the end which it achieves.

I see my life that way...it's to be poured out and spent for God and people. That's my philosophy and I wouldn't force it on anyone else.

I hope that helps some of you understand where I am coming from.

God bless you.

Stephen

 

[Hydra009]

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.

Like computers?

 

[John812]

Like computers?

No, I don't see anything wrong with computers. What we use them for is another matter.

God Bless!

 

[SteveR2021]

Like computers?

As a Christian everything must be subject to God including computers. I personally got my computer because I am in a Master's program and found it almost impossible to work solely on school computers...I use my computer for school work, listening to sermons, and this forum.

 

[seebs]

Freedom from sin NOT freedom to sin. Sure there is freedom...from ceremonial rituals. God's laws still stand.

[bible]Romans 14[/bible]

Whether something is sin or not is not always independent of the actor.

There's a video game for the gamecube called Animal Crossing. It's a cute and amusing game with absolutely no violence, which teaches players about friendship and community service. The reward mechanism is to accumulate money which can give you access to a larger house.

I can't play this game. The materialism thing is a serious personal weakness, and I just plain can't go there. This is not, according to the Bible, just a personal quirk; it would be real live sin, every bit as much sinful as going out to an orgy or stealing cars.

On the other hand, many people feel convicted against video games with magic in them. I don't. It's just not an issue for me.

The interesting question comes when we become stronger. Obviously, some sins can cease to be sins. What about others? I do not know what the boundaries are. It seems unlikely to me that strong faith could make it no longer sinful for me to kill innocents.

However, it is abundantly clear to me that watching TV is in the realm of Christian liberty. This is sin only because of how it affects us personally. If you are not convicted against it, it is probably not sinful for you.

There is no Christian prohibition on things that are "unclean", because they are not unclean in themselves, but only when we see uncleanliness in them. If we come to see them as cleansed, then they are.

This is utterly unlike the Old Covenant, and represents a major departure from it. But, it is what Christ gave us.

 

[SteveR2021]

However, it is abundantly clear to me that watching TV is in the realm of Christian liberty. This is sin only because of how it affects us personally. If you are not convicted against it, it is probably not sinful for you.

I would say it is sinful to waste time and that each of us should check our use of time including our TV time...you are right - TV is not sinful in and of itself, but I didn't say it was. I'm addressing the issue of time.

There is no Christian prohibition on things that are "unclean", because they are not unclean in themselves, but only when we see uncleanliness in them. If we come to see them as cleansed, then they are

There are in fact many christian prohibitions and many ambiguities. The ambiguities are left up to us - our principle should be God's glory. there is much that I could laugh about that is objectively (according to the Bible) indecent.

This is utterly unlike the Old Covenant, and represents a major departure from it. But, it is what Christ gave us.

Christ gave a higher standard not a lower standard. The new standard strikes at the heart and motives. We are free from ceremonial rule but we are not free from God's moral law.

 

[John812]

I would say it is sinful to waste time and that each of us should check our use of time including our TV time...you are right - TV is not sinful in and of itself, but I didn't say it was. I'm addressing the issue of time.

Here are some quotes that give this matter more substance:


2 Thessalonians 3:13

And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.


Colossians 3:1

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.


Galatians 5:13

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love


1 Corinthians 13:5

(Love)... it is not self-seeking...


1 Corinthians 10:23-24

"Everything is permissable" - but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissable" - but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.


Believe me, if you choose to not watch simpsons and instead read the bible or do something else that is constructive, you will be blessed!

God Bless!

 

[spinto]

Is it ok to watch the Simpsons?

Ummmmmmmmmm, yes!

 

[Donut Hole]

If you don't watch the Simpsons, you will go to hell. I know this by faith.

 

[snowydc2003]

Do you not think that 'God' has better things to do than worry about whether you watch the simpsons or not?

 

[SteveR2021]

Do you not think that 'God' has better things to do than worry about whether you watch the simpsons or not?

I suppose it depends on who that God is...and that is a discussion to be held in another forum I suppose. It does, however, seem to me that the Christian God cares deeply about the little details of life. And that same God seems to expect his followers to show they love Him by caring about the little details of life.

I generally prove my love for my wife best in the little details of life.

 

[philN]

No, I don't see anything wrong with computers. What we use them for is another matter.

God Bless!

And this is where we differ. If someone uses a computer in a wrong way, does that make the computer evil? No. The persons actions are evil, the computer is a computer. Guns can be used for murder, but that does not make the gun sinful, the murder is. The same thing goes with TV shows. The shows are not evil, unless they cause you to sin in someway, in which case the shows are still not evil, but you should stop watching them that you might avoid sin.

 

[John812]

If someone uses a computer in a wrong way, does that make the computer evil? No. The persons actions are evil, the computer is a computer.

Agreed. The computer is not evil. Just like the internet is not evil. However, I think pornography is evil, and I think movies made for the purpose of training satanists are evil.

God Bless!