Is it ok to watch the simpsons?

[SallyNow]

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.

I think that entertainment can be a good way to interact, to get to know people better, and it can teach you things. A lot of entertianment is also educational, and I mean that in a good way. You have to pick well, of course, but...

John812 The simpsons, much of the time I think, glorifies evil. How is this not evil?

No, much of the time the Simpson's does NOT glorify evil. The Simpsons pokes fun at hypocrites, at philanderers, at willful stupidity. Some of the classic Simpson's episodes are downright morality plays! (Lisa against stealing cable, Bart sells his soul and finds out how valuable it is, Homer learns to really love Marge during "Streetcar: The musical", etc) So many of theclassic (pre-1999) Simpson's eps what is wrong, what is right, and what is quirky in North American society today.

I don't think entertainment is bad in itself. Is there entertainment that brings society down, that makes us laught at human indignities? Yes. And those are iffy to watch. But the Simpson's? There is much funny, unsinful stuff to watch!

 

[Phinehas]

Is it ok to watch the Simpsons?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...

Okay, just a little.

Romans 14
2For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

13Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
14I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
16Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
17For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost

21It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
22Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
23And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.


Is it wrong for you to watch the Simpsons?
That could very well be.
If it's against your firmly held Christian convictions, then yes.
Remember, context is good.

 

[12volt_man]

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.

As a big fan of the show, I know nearly every episode word for word.

I defy you to show me one episode that makes fun of God.

May I suggest that you take a look at an episode called "Pray Anything", which shows the show's attitude toward God pretty explicitly.

Also, I know I'm late to this thread and I'm sure someone else has already brought it up, but you really should do yourself a favor and check out a book called, "The Gospel According to the Simpsons", before you condemn the show.

The book goes very thoroughly threw the show's episodes and makes a compelling point that, not only is the show not anti-Christian, it may be one of the best representations of Christianity on TV today.

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

Actually, that's not what this verse says.

 

[SteveR2021]

I think there is substantial biblical support for the view that our purpose on earth is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, and one of the ways we can enjoy Him is by taking pleasure in His creation, be it a trip to an amusement park or a half hour of the Simpsons.

I agree with you until you get to the amusement park and Simpsons. God does want us to enjoy His creation, but as a by product NOT a prime product.

I think there is a lot we can learn from simply observing children being children

Of course children being children is a product of the sinful nature...that's why we have to discipline children.

 

[SteveR2021]

Actually, that's not what this verse says.

You are right it doesn't say those exact words, but the message is very clear...

"If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning."

I believe that is the point he is driving at here. I hope that helps.

God bless you.

Stephen

 

[Lithium Hobo]

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.

Ask yourself the same question when you're own the toilet or when you're sleeping. Then, tell me how you served god by passing your bowels and resting your eyes and I'll tell you why I watch the Simpsons instead of pray.

 

[seebs]

"If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning."

Agreed.

But that means that, if I do not believe that watching the Simpsons is not right, I am not sinning by doing it.

 

[Lithium Hobo]

"If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning."



Stephen

Ah, Homer Simpson logic. "If I don't see it, it's not illegal."

 

[12volt_man]

You are right it doesn't say those exact words, but the message is very clear...

If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning." I believe that is the point he is driving at here. I hope that helps

That's different.

If we believe something to be sin, and do it anyway, that's sin.

But what he said is, if we act on good faith and do something that we don't know is sin, that's sin. I don't believe this is true and that's not what that verse says.

 

[John812]

But that means that, if I do not believe that watching the Simpsons is not right, I am not sinning by doing it.

Romans 14:10

"So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves."

Nevertheless, you should consider the matter seriously. Read the bible, talk to other Christians, pray, think about it. If you still truly believe in your heart that it's not a sin, then for you it isn't.

God Bless!

 

[John812]

If we believe something to be sin, and do it anyway, that's sin.

That's indeed the point I was making.

But what he said is, if we act on good faith and do something that we don't know is sin, that's sin.

I think you misinterpretted what I said.

God Bless!

 

[mustardseed74]

I used to be very against the Simpsons, but then I realised that God can actually be served through watching the Simpsons. Most people I know watch the Simpsons -- including my husband and my sister -- both of whom aren't Christians. The Simpsons provides an excellent opportunity to bring up matters about faith and to share some of my beliefs.

 

[robot23]

i think if you need to ask strangers advice on whether or not to watch a cartoon on tv you have big problems already

 

[SteveR2021]

But that means that, if I do not believe that watching the Simpsons is not right, I am not sinning by doing it.

Unfortunately that is not true. This is a positive command...God holds us responsible whether we are ignorant or not. His laws are not situationally specific - they are absolute...however, if someone has a very sensitive conscience he is better to heed it than to ignore it.

 

[SteveR2021]

I used to be very against the Simpsons, but then I realised that God can actually be served through watching the Simpsons. Most people I know watch the Simpsons -- including my husband and my sister -- both of whom aren't Christians. The Simpsons provides an excellent opportunity to bring up matters about faith and to share some of my beliefs.

I have heard that kind of argument before and I will leave that between you and God. However, I would caution you...I would not go to the strip club with my friends so that I can better understand them and share the gospel with them. We are better witnesses when we are salt - when we are different in positive ways.

I do appreciate your desire to reach friends and family.

God bless you.

 

[philN]

I have a great idea.

How about those who can watch the Simpsons without sinning or falling into some kind of temptation continue to watch the Simpsons, using discernment and understanding that it is satire.

And how about those who are offended or have convictions that deter them from watching the Simpsons continue to not watch the Simpsons and stop pushing their convictions on others, as the issue is not as black and white as they seem to think it is and watching the Simpsons in and of itself is not sinful.

There, see, we can all get along and we all get our way.

 

[SteveR2021]

And how about those who are offended or have convictions that deter them from watching the Simpsons continue to not watch the Simpsons and stop pushing their convictions on others

The question was asked.

Do you speak the same way to your pastor? Is he allowed to push his convictions on you from the pulpit or do you know best?

There, see, we can all get along and we all get our way.

But that's where you have it all wrong. It's not about OUR way it's about God's way - that is why we this discussion came up in the first place...what does God think? Our way has nothing to do with it.

 

[philN]

A pastor's job is to preach the word of God not to press his personal convictions on those in his congregation. If my pastor has a problem with alchoholism, then he should probably stay away from alchohol altogether (that is His personal conviction); I do not have a problem with alchohol, so I am fine having some on occasion (that's my conviction). Neither of us are wrong, we just have differing convictions.


Are you implying that by watching the Simpsons I am going against God's way? That's somewhat naive. Watching the Simpsons is not a sin. I am watching it right now as I write this; I can safely say that I am not sinning. If you disagree, that is because you have different convictions (unless of course, God has provided a personal revelation to you where He specifically condemned the Simpsons). It's not about getting our way, so much as it is enjoying our christian liberties without forcing our personal convictions on other Christians.

 

[kedaman]

philN, are you without sin?

 

[SallyNow]

I have a great idea.

How about those who can watch the Simpsons without sinning or falling into some kind of temptation continue to watch the Simpsons, using discernment and understanding that it is satire.

And how about those who are offended or have convictions that deter them from watching the Simpsons continue to not watch the Simpsons and stop pushing their convictions on others, as the issue is not as black and white as they seem to think it is and watching the Simpsons in and of itself is not sinful.

There, see, we can all get along and we all get our way.

I agree with what is above...great idea, philN!