Hey Jeff: That's a pretty severe way to deal with the issue but probobly the best option there is. About 5 months ago, to get our budget in line, the wife and I decided to give up our cable subscription. So, now we use our tv to watch movies for distraction, pop in Veggietales for fun and as media babysitting for the grandkids. It's been good for me to not waste time watching Myth Busters blow up a cement mixing truck (but that was really fun!). Now my wife is saying "couldn't we just get a set of rabbit ears so I can see stuff during the day?". We probobly will. And that's okay. My problem is that I have an addictive personality and I can be obsessed with not just TV but lots of other stuff. The thing I need is a change of character. I am beginning to find that by being a part of a Christ-centered 12 step group. God is using the group to get into my life and change me. So, although it would be fun to watch the TV explode by throwing it off a cliff onto a rock ledge, for me it doesn't fix the real problem, ME. Thanks for the article.
Thanks Jeff,
I can tell you from personal expereince that if you kill your television, you will not die. I first thought about life without TV when I visited Monticello, the former home of Thomas Jefferson in my home state of VA. After spending hours pouring over the work, the inventions, the plants, the books, the government, the nations, and the lives this man influenced with his it occured to me that my life could certainly be more fruitful if I didn't waste most of it in front of the boob tube. (Check out the movie "Idiocracy" to see where we are headed - "Ow, My Balls" is the most popular TV show in 2025).
It took me another 10 years to make the decision to kill my TV and I owe it to OJ Simpson for giving me the courage. It was 1995, I believe, when I, like most of America, was glue to the TV every hour to see what new development would surface in OJ's trial. Hard Copy kept telling me to come back for new developments! Day after day, week after week, I watched the same crap over and over again with nothing new ever being revealed. I realized I was being strung along by commercial television and was powerless to do anything about it. My 10 years of trying to find balance had failed. The time for drastic measures was upon me. So, I placed an ad in the paper the next day selling my old TV and VCR for 100.00. I got 50 calls the first day and sold it to the first person who showed up.
I haven't had a TV in my home since 1995 and I compare the sense of freedom and the miracle of my deliverance to that of my recovery from alcohol, drugs, nicotine, pornography and credit cards. Like you, Jeff, my wife and I have a movie player which we thoroughly enjoy. It gives us control over what we watch and we are not enslaved to any particular show nor do we schedule our lives and friendships around what is on the telly. I read, paint, write, walk, talk, and do a whole lot more of what constitutes life for me since I killed my TV. Like George commented, the real change comes from the inside out, but I can honestly tell you that getting rid of the noise box (with God's help) was one of the best decisions I have ever made. No regrets. (Twice a year, however, during the Super Bowl and the NCAA Men's B-ball Final Four) I do go looking for a friend with a TV.)
To make a long story short....My husband and I recently began to house hunt. We have realized that we need to save more for a down payment, so we started thinking about trimming the consumption in our home. We agreed that we should cut the cable in order to save. A few days later....the receiver for our satellite connection blew up. We concluded that God was listening and helped us take the next step.
Coincidence?.....I don't think so.
We serve an awesome God.
Internet is way worse than tv. you all should kill your computers.
Good post.
As a mother of teenagers, I despise the evil that comes seeping in through both cable and internet.
Not the T.V. I'm already following so many rules do we have to add T.V. to the list? I understand if it is overtaking your life. If men of families are coming home from work, sitting on the couch, turning on the toob and ignoring their families; that is not good. But come on, a little Greys anatomy once in awhile, who is that hurting? About six months ago we started this "monday night with Jesus" thing at our apt. It was supposed to be this community focused, Jesus focused, relationship focused event. Well it was great for about a month and then everyone stopped showing up. Now we do "monday night dinner and a movie" and people love it. In fact this week one of the girls that comes asked us if we could start praying a little together becuase this time on Monday was the only form of Christian community she has. AND IT WAS ALL FOCUSED AROUND A T.V. AND A MEAL. I think if Jesus was around today He would be a boob toob watcher too. Anyway thanks for the article.
Nick
P.S. I haven't had cable for over a year now and it's great. I just tivo all the shows I love at my parents and buy dvd's like a mad man. Still I would hate it if my parents gave up their cable. ha ha
Years ago , of all people John Denver had a song called Blow Up Your TV.
Here is my question. By getting rid of the TV do we get rid of the real issue?
To me TV is the symptom of the real issue which is that people are more interested in being soothed into a comfortable never never land rather than being part of the revolutionary relationship with Jesus and what that would do to change the world.
The problem with destroying the TV is that the addiction can and will move to something else. Could be video games, the internet, sports or anything really. Whatever it is , until the actual problem is addressed it will migrate to the next zone.
So we would be placing a band-aid on the melanoma once again.
So maybe we all need to examine what we do and why we do it and how that relates to our relationship with Jesus.
This used to be called contemplation.
Oh Jeff, did you buy the bat???? Has the deed been done?
Nick,
Sorry to break it to you (Actually... no, I'm not), but you're going to have to give up a lot more than TV to be a follower of Jesus. He said that if we're going to follow Him, we have to give up EVERYTHING. If giving up everything in order to gain Christ does not sound enticing to you, then you'd better check your conversion, because there's a strong chance it wasn't real. If you're attitude is right, "giving up everything" won't sound like a drag. What it means is (a) ridding your life of anything and everything that has the potential to hinder you from being all you could be in Christ, and (b) using everything in your life--your time, talents, possessions, money, hobbies, career, family choices, place of residence--to glorify God by becoming a better disciple and helping others to become better disciples.
Jesus won't and can't be your savior if He isn't your Lord. And He isn't your Lord if you aren't willing to give up everything to follow Him. If you've got a beef with that, go back and read the Gospels (and don't just cherry pick them for the parts that make you feel warm and fuzzy).
I appreciate this article and the Matt's previous comments for reminding me what I have forgotten.
My husband and I gave up TV a few years ago and did without it just fine. Friends and family couldn't figure out why or how we did without TV. We enjoyed reading, going for walks with our dogs, riding bikes, taking in coffee and conversation at a local coffee bar and actually spent time in God's Word. During that time, so many things in church sermons and water cooler talk were lost on us because we had no idea what was going in the world of TV. But last summer a friend of ours was on reality tv show so we borrowed a TV from our landlord (it was just to be for the 6 weeks or so that the show was to be aired). Once we had a TV again we both got hooked on LOST (and now own 1&2 seasons on DVD) and The Office among other shows. The reality show ended (our friend didn't even make it past the 2nd episode) but we were hooked on TV all over again. Then we were unhappy with the tv reception so we got a special deal on a cable package, then we had to go buy a DVD player so we could subscribe to netflix and catch up on al the shows we'd missed during the time we weren't watching TV.
It's actually quite ridiculous and it wasn't until I read this article that I realized I never noticed how quickly TV came in and robbed us of our time together and with God. I personally have been dealing with bouts of depression and anxiety the last few months and have been frustrated with both my husband and God. If I'm perfectly honest with myself, the only thing that I seem to look forward these days is a new episode of LOST.
Thanks for this article, it's given me a lot to consider.
i probably shouldn't comment - i spent most of the night watching tv last night. we have a thing at our house that thursday night is "tv night" and i joined right in last night. that said...i appreciate the encouragement to turn the tv off.
tv is mostly a distraction - from real life, God's presence. I don't look at it as another rule. it's more than that. it's choosing to be fully surrendered and present to God and others. it's choosing not to feed the "flesh" and really live instead of watching others live. thia is a bit of a guilt edged question, but do i spend more time watching tv, playing games, surfing the net, or more time serving and praying - most weeks all the other distractiosn win. Kyas right right - it's an addiction to escape and be soothed that is the real issue.
it's kind of a romans 7 and 8 issue for me. as i see it - i spent most of the night last night in the "flesh". there were moments of heart and spirit, and being present to my family, but it was mostly "flesh" - especially during the commercials! as i understand it, whatever i feed the most wins, and in spite of my night last night - i really do want more of the Spirit in my life.
besides who really cares about most of the crap on tv? do we need all the additional drama in our lives? i forget who said it, but some noted religious speaker (maybe Richard Rohr) said he believes the tv sitcom may be the ultimate downfall of American society (accept for Seinfeld).
I find television (and most video entertainment) disturbing for several reasons. It creates an "artificial" world of action, emotions, feelings, often making it difficult to have true feelings for real life. While I understand the comments about "community" in watching a movie, it can also separate persons in a household, creating a false sense of unity based on "TV emotions" rather that real interaction and relationships. While there is plenty of objectional material ON the airwaves, I object rather to the "empty" calories it gives one of "feeling" like they are living life or having real relationships with TV characters. I would much prefer to have true, face-to-face relationships with people; to say when I died I "experienced" knowing lots of different people - not how many TV shows I kept up with.
Several years ago, my church called a week-long fast. In addition to some food-fasting, I also decided to fast media for the week, not intending for it to become a new lifestyle for me. At the end of the week, I found that my thoughts were clearer, I felt more at peace, I was not as concerned with body-image stuff (whereas before, I was obsessed with wanting a bod like Jennifer Aniston), and I did not feel like my life would not be complete until I had the newest trendy shoes out there. I also found that I was able to do the Bible studies and devotionals I couldn't seem to find the time for before.
In general, I felt so much better about so many things, I decided to go for another week... then another... until I decided to move my TV into the closet and only get it out when I wanted to watch a DVD/video. I have picked up some movies at the Salvation Army for those nights when I just want to veg out (this happens about once a month or so), but otherwise, I spend my evenings reading, talking on the phone with friends, praying, and enjoying actual QUIET. I go to sleep at a reasonable hour and sleep soundly. In general, my thoughts and emotions are less cluttered - which is quite a feat living in New York City. I also find that I have had much less struggle with the "works of the flesh" listed in Gal. 5:19 and more of the fruit of the spirit coming through my heart and mouth.
All this from getting rid of TV.
I got a really nice wooden bat with some dead guys signature on it...wanna use that one?
For the most part I agree with this article. About two years ago I gave up TV for a month and it was one of the best experiences I ever had. I'm not saying that TV is evil and that you can't enjoy it, but I agree with the fact that a lot of the time it hinders us from living out our full potential.
I watch television. I listen to music. I chat online. I read books. I paint pictures. I write stories. I have sex. I eat good food. These are things that I enjoy. And everyone of them in the wrong proportion and with the wrong perspective can be an idol - an addiction - a distraction from my Father's Kingdom. I could even add church, fellowship and the rightness of my theology to that list for that matter.
All of those things I do, I do with thanksgiving. And I truly mean that. I don't just mean that I toss out a flippant "thanks God" before scarfing down a burger. I realize that everything is a gift. Occasionally I sit down with pen and paper and list everything that I am thankful for - starting with His Kingdom and my family and going down through The Beatles and Lost and ending somewhere around the color red, beignets and the sound of pool balls dropping after you've put your money in a pool table.
I receive with thanksgiving because in the last few years God has taught me that not only is television a non-essential gift, so is running water and electricity. It's all gravy. It's all extra. And its all to be received with thanksgiving.
And of course, there are times to refrain. Gratefulness is not an excuse for gluttony. (In fact, the deeper the gratefulness gets the less that gluttony has to hold onto.)
So, maybe TV is in your way. So be it. Unplug it. Give it away. (I would advise against the wastefulness of destroying it though...Americans waste enough resources as it is...)
Or maybe, you like me, are totally rapt by Lost. Watch with this in mind: That hour of story is a gift. You aren't owed it. It's gravy. Watch with thankfulness.
And most of all, listen to Father. He will guide your watching and your reading your eating and your painting and your chatting. Let Him.
(11)
Hey Jeff: That's a pretty severe way to deal with the issue but probobly the best option there is. About 5 months ago, to get our budget in line, the wife and I decided to give up our cable subscription. So, now we use our tv to watch movies for distraction, pop in Veggietales for fun and as media babysitting for the grandkids. It's been good for me to not waste time watching Myth Busters blow up a cement mixing truck (but that was really fun!). Now my wife is saying "couldn't we just get a set of rabbit ears so I can see stuff during the day?". We probobly will. And that's okay. My problem is that I have an addictive personality and I can be obsessed with not just TV but lots of other stuff. The thing I need is a change of character. I am beginning to find that by being a part of a Christ-centered 12 step group. God is using the group to get into my life and change me. So, although it would be fun to watch the TV explode by throwing it off a cliff onto a rock ledge, for me it doesn't fix the real problem, ME. Thanks for the article. Posted by George C | Posted at 03/11/2007 4:41 AM
Thanks Jeff,
I can tell you from personal expereince that if you kill your television, you will not die. I first thought about life without TV when I visited Monticello, the former home of Thomas Jefferson in my home state of VA. After spending hours pouring over the work, the inventions, the plants, the books, the government, the nations, and the lives this man influenced with his it occured to me that my life could certainly be more fruitful if I didn't waste most of it in front of the boob tube. (Check out the movie "Idiocracy" to see where we are headed - "Ow, My Balls" is the most popular TV show in 2025).
It took me another 10 years to make the decision to kill my TV and I owe it to OJ Simpson for giving me the courage. It was 1995, I believe, when I, like most of America, was glue to the TV every hour to see what new development would surface in OJ's trial. Hard Copy kept telling me to come back for new developments! Day after day, week after week, I watched the same crap over and over again with nothing new ever being revealed. I realized I was being strung along by commercial television and was powerless to do anything about it. My 10 years of trying to find balance had failed. The time for drastic measures was upon me. So, I placed an ad in the paper the next day selling my old TV and VCR for 100.00. I got 50 calls the first day and sold it to the first person who showed up.
I haven't had a TV in my home since 1995 and I compare the sense of freedom and the miracle of my deliverance to that of my recovery from alcohol, drugs, nicotine, pornography and credit cards. Like you, Jeff, my wife and I have a movie player which we thoroughly enjoy. It gives us control over what we watch and we are not enslaved to any particular show nor do we schedule our lives and friendships around what is on the telly. I read, paint, write, walk, talk, and do a whole lot more of what constitutes life for me since I killed my TV. Like George commented, the real change comes from the inside out, but I can honestly tell you that getting rid of the noise box (with God's help) was one of the best decisions I have ever made. No regrets. (Twice a year, however, during the Super Bowl and the NCAA Men's B-ball Final Four) I do go looking for a friend with a TV.)
Posted by Dan Gilliam | Posted at 03/11/2007 8:58 AMTo make a long story short....My husband and I recently began to house hunt. We have realized that we need to save more for a down payment, so we started thinking about trimming the consumption in our home. We agreed that we should cut the cable in order to save. A few days later....the receiver for our satellite connection blew up. We concluded that God was listening and helped us take the next step.
Coincidence?.....I don't think so.
We serve an awesome God.
Posted by Tonya | Posted at 03/11/2007 3:41 PMInternet is way worse than tv. you all should kill your computers. Posted by Hippo | Posted at 03/12/2007 6:18 AM
Good post.
As a mother of teenagers, I despise the evil that comes seeping in through both cable and internet.
Posted by Marcia | Posted at 03/12/2007 6:39 AMNot the T.V. I'm already following so many rules do we have to add T.V. to the list? I understand if it is overtaking your life. If men of families are coming home from work, sitting on the couch, turning on the toob and ignoring their families; that is not good. But come on, a little Greys anatomy once in awhile, who is that hurting? About six months ago we started this "monday night with Jesus" thing at our apt. It was supposed to be this community focused, Jesus focused, relationship focused event. Well it was great for about a month and then everyone stopped showing up. Now we do "monday night dinner and a movie" and people love it. In fact this week one of the girls that comes asked us if we could start praying a little together becuase this time on Monday was the only form of Christian community she has. AND IT WAS ALL FOCUSED AROUND A T.V. AND A MEAL. I think if Jesus was around today He would be a boob toob watcher too. Anyway thanks for the article.
Nick
P.S. I haven't had cable for over a year now and it's great. I just tivo all the shows I love at my parents and buy dvd's like a mad man. Still I would hate it if my parents gave up their cable. ha ha
Posted by Nick | Posted at 03/12/2007 7:20 PMYears ago , of all people John Denver had a song called Blow Up Your TV.
Here is my question. By getting rid of the TV do we get rid of the real issue?
To me TV is the symptom of the real issue which is that people are more interested in being soothed into a comfortable never never land rather than being part of the revolutionary relationship with Jesus and what that would do to change the world.
The problem with destroying the TV is that the addiction can and will move to something else. Could be video games, the internet, sports or anything really. Whatever it is , until the actual problem is addressed it will migrate to the next zone.
So we would be placing a band-aid on the melanoma once again.
So maybe we all need to examine what we do and why we do it and how that relates to our relationship with Jesus.
This used to be called contemplation.
Oh Jeff, did you buy the bat???? Has the deed been done?
Posted by steve kay | Posted at 03/13/2007 10:27 AMNick,
Sorry to break it to you (Actually... no, I'm not), but you're going to have to give up a lot more than TV to be a follower of Jesus. He said that if we're going to follow Him, we have to give up EVERYTHING. If giving up everything in order to gain Christ does not sound enticing to you, then you'd better check your conversion, because there's a strong chance it wasn't real. If you're attitude is right, "giving up everything" won't sound like a drag. What it means is (a) ridding your life of anything and everything that has the potential to hinder you from being all you could be in Christ, and (b) using everything in your life--your time, talents, possessions, money, hobbies, career, family choices, place of residence--to glorify God by becoming a better disciple and helping others to become better disciples.
Jesus won't and can't be your savior if He isn't your Lord. And He isn't your Lord if you aren't willing to give up everything to follow Him. If you've got a beef with that, go back and read the Gospels (and don't just cherry pick them for the parts that make you feel warm and fuzzy).
Posted by Matt Stephens | Posted at 03/23/2007 1:20 PMI appreciate this article and the Matt's previous comments for reminding me what I have forgotten.
My husband and I gave up TV a few years ago and did without it just fine. Friends and family couldn't figure out why or how we did without TV. We enjoyed reading, going for walks with our dogs, riding bikes, taking in coffee and conversation at a local coffee bar and actually spent time in God's Word. During that time, so many things in church sermons and water cooler talk were lost on us because we had no idea what was going in the world of TV. But last summer a friend of ours was on reality tv show so we borrowed a TV from our landlord (it was just to be for the 6 weeks or so that the show was to be aired). Once we had a TV again we both got hooked on LOST (and now own 1&2 seasons on DVD) and The Office among other shows. The reality show ended (our friend didn't even make it past the 2nd episode) but we were hooked on TV all over again. Then we were unhappy with the tv reception so we got a special deal on a cable package, then we had to go buy a DVD player so we could subscribe to netflix and catch up on al the shows we'd missed during the time we weren't watching TV.
It's actually quite ridiculous and it wasn't until I read this article that I realized I never noticed how quickly TV came in and robbed us of our time together and with God. I personally have been dealing with bouts of depression and anxiety the last few months and have been frustrated with both my husband and God. If I'm perfectly honest with myself, the only thing that I seem to look forward these days is a new episode of LOST.
Thanks for this article, it's given me a lot to consider.
Posted by raquel | Posted at 03/23/2007 2:17 PMi probably shouldn't comment - i spent most of the night watching tv last night. we have a thing at our house that thursday night is "tv night" and i joined right in last night. that said...i appreciate the encouragement to turn the tv off.
tv is mostly a distraction - from real life, God's presence. I don't look at it as another rule. it's more than that. it's choosing to be fully surrendered and present to God and others. it's choosing not to feed the "flesh" and really live instead of watching others live. thia is a bit of a guilt edged question, but do i spend more time watching tv, playing games, surfing the net, or more time serving and praying - most weeks all the other distractiosn win. Kyas right right - it's an addiction to escape and be soothed that is the real issue.
it's kind of a romans 7 and 8 issue for me. as i see it - i spent most of the night last night in the "flesh". there were moments of heart and spirit, and being present to my family, but it was mostly "flesh" - especially during the commercials! as i understand it, whatever i feed the most wins, and in spite of my night last night - i really do want more of the Spirit in my life.
besides who really cares about most of the crap on tv? do we need all the additional drama in our lives? i forget who said it, but some noted religious speaker (maybe Richard Rohr) said he believes the tv sitcom may be the ultimate downfall of American society (accept for Seinfeld).
Posted by rod | Posted at 03/23/2007 3:12 PMI find television (and most video entertainment) disturbing for several reasons. It creates an "artificial" world of action, emotions, feelings, often making it difficult to have true feelings for real life. While I understand the comments about "community" in watching a movie, it can also separate persons in a household, creating a false sense of unity based on "TV emotions" rather that real interaction and relationships. While there is plenty of objectional material ON the airwaves, I object rather to the "empty" calories it gives one of "feeling" like they are living life or having real relationships with TV characters. I would much prefer to have true, face-to-face relationships with people; to say when I died I "experienced" knowing lots of different people - not how many TV shows I kept up with. Posted by Tolky | Posted at 03/23/2007 4:57 PM
Several years ago, my church called a week-long fast. In addition to some food-fasting, I also decided to fast media for the week, not intending for it to become a new lifestyle for me. At the end of the week, I found that my thoughts were clearer, I felt more at peace, I was not as concerned with body-image stuff (whereas before, I was obsessed with wanting a bod like Jennifer Aniston), and I did not feel like my life would not be complete until I had the newest trendy shoes out there. I also found that I was able to do the Bible studies and devotionals I couldn't seem to find the time for before.
In general, I felt so much better about so many things, I decided to go for another week... then another... until I decided to move my TV into the closet and only get it out when I wanted to watch a DVD/video. I have picked up some movies at the Salvation Army for those nights when I just want to veg out (this happens about once a month or so), but otherwise, I spend my evenings reading, talking on the phone with friends, praying, and enjoying actual QUIET. I go to sleep at a reasonable hour and sleep soundly. In general, my thoughts and emotions are less cluttered - which is quite a feat living in New York City. I also find that I have had much less struggle with the "works of the flesh" listed in Gal. 5:19 and more of the fruit of the spirit coming through my heart and mouth.
All this from getting rid of TV.
Posted by christy tennant | Posted at 03/26/2007 6:42 AMI got a really nice wooden bat with some dead guys signature on it...wanna use that one? Posted by Jay | Posted at 03/26/2007 8:39 PM
For the most part I agree with this article. About two years ago I gave up TV for a month and it was one of the best experiences I ever had. I'm not saying that TV is evil and that you can't enjoy it, but I agree with the fact that a lot of the time it hinders us from living out our full potential. Posted by Dez | Posted at 03/26/2007 11:44 PM
I watch television. I listen to music. I chat online. I read books. I paint pictures. I write stories. I have sex. I eat good food. These are things that I enjoy. And everyone of them in the wrong proportion and with the wrong perspective can be an idol - an addiction - a distraction from my Father's Kingdom. I could even add church, fellowship and the rightness of my theology to that list for that matter.
All of those things I do, I do with thanksgiving. And I truly mean that. I don't just mean that I toss out a flippant "thanks God" before scarfing down a burger. I realize that everything is a gift. Occasionally I sit down with pen and paper and list everything that I am thankful for - starting with His Kingdom and my family and going down through The Beatles and Lost and ending somewhere around the color red, beignets and the sound of pool balls dropping after you've put your money in a pool table.
I receive with thanksgiving because in the last few years God has taught me that not only is television a non-essential gift, so is running water and electricity. It's all gravy. It's all extra. And its all to be received with thanksgiving.
And of course, there are times to refrain. Gratefulness is not an excuse for gluttony. (In fact, the deeper the gratefulness gets the less that gluttony has to hold onto.)
So, maybe TV is in your way. So be it. Unplug it. Give it away. (I would advise against the wastefulness of destroying it though...Americans waste enough resources as it is...)
Or maybe, you like me, are totally rapt by Lost. Watch with this in mind: That hour of story is a gift. You aren't owed it. It's gravy. Watch with thankfulness.
And most of all, listen to Father. He will guide your watching and your reading your eating and your painting and your chatting. Let Him.
Posted by Sean | Posted at 03/27/2007 9:04 AM