Sinful Technology or Sinful Content?

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by pelathais

Yeah. Those knitting shows get pretty intense.

BTW - what is "exc." ??? You've used that... uhm, abbreviation(?) repeatedly. What does that mean?

You might be able to benefit from some of that educational programming that the sister was talking about.

OMW, stop.............

I wanna borrow that for my sig line..............

[tv1a]

Hollywood may push sin, but the internet pushes pornography. Internet porn is easier to access on the internet than on television. Sexual predators aren't trying to get your kids through Dora the Explorer or Sesame Street.

The internet is more damaging to the family structure than television dares to be.

Originally Posted by OnTheFritz

Because it's been said before, does not mean it isn't a strong case

I respect your decision to not have a TV - we didn't for many years when I was a kid. My point is that you can demonize the technology all you want, but it is just a medium. There are plenty of good things to watch - some of which comes from Hollywood. I can name you numerous films with strong moral messages.

As an aside (and this may not apply to you), I always hear the anti-Hollywood arguments from people that have no issues with professional sports, and I'd like to suggest that is a bit of a double standard. People talk about the immoral examples set by actors and filmmakers, yet even many pastors have no problem supporting their local sports teams despite the decadence, drug use, alcohol, immorality and everything that goes along with that. I always find that irritating. Stepping down from the soapbox now.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Standards

I would like some of the cons. to pitch in on this debate, if you are willing. Hmmm. This could be one short debate seeing as how there's only three cons. on this forum.

Ok, so I've heard preachers say that they preach against Television because it's an evil device, exc. Others preach against the content (Hollywood, exc.). What is your opinion?

Originally Posted by pelathais

Yeah. Those knitting shows get pretty intense.

BTW - what is "exc." ??? You've used that... uhm, abbreviation(?) repeatedly. What does that mean?

You might be able to benefit from some of that educational programming that the sister was talking about.

exc = excluding Man this is really messed up now!

[tv1a]

I don't have a big enough mouth to swallow your statement the only thing you use the internet for is for AFF and music. I'll let that be between you and God.

In the past few years there have been close to 50 people I know who lost their families because of inappropriate behavior on the internet. They include preachers, musicians, elders, deacons, youth pastors, saints. Almost all of them were oneness pentecostals.

I've recently learned of two situations where people we used to attend church with, have left their spouses for people they met on the internet. They were legalists. They didn't believe in television. Women wore the skirts, didn't cut their hair, etc..

The internet is more dangerous to the family than television ever will be. They have detox centers in China for people who addicted to the internet.

I've noticed the only time legalists care what the world thinks is when the sinner says television is bad. Too bad the legalist doesn't ask if the internet is more harmful than television. When I asked, I got 100% yes.

Originally Posted by Standards

You might think that you are presenting your case well, but this has all been said before. Books are easy to control. I simply buy what I want to read, and abstain from books that could be harmful to my walk with God. Computer? The only reasons I use it is for this forum, music and my wife uses facebook. Radio? I only listen to Christian stations.

Whether you choose to admit it or not, people remember more of what they see than what they hear. This is a known fact. The sad thing is, my co-worker who is a sinner, will admit that Hollywood pushes sin. She'll admit it, but no one on this forum will. That's just sad.

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by tv1a

I don't have a big enough mouth to swallow your statement the only thing you use the internet for is for AFF and music. I'll let that be between you and God.

In the past few years there have been close to 50 people I know who lost their families because of inappropriate behavior on the internet. They include preachers, musicians, elders, deacons, youth pastors, saints. Almost all of them were oneness pentecostals.

I've recently learned of two situations where people we used to attend church with, have left their spouses for people they met on the internet. They were legalists. They didn't believe in television. Women wore the skirts, didn't cut their hair, etc..

The internet is more dangerous to the family than television ever will be. They have detox centers in China for people who addicted to the internet.

I've noticed the only time legalists care what the world thinks is when the sinner says television is bad. Too bad the legalist doesn't ask if the internet is more harmful than television. When I asked, I got 100% yes.

It is widespread in other denominations as well.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Standards

You might think that you are presenting your case well, but this has all been said before. Books are easy to control. I simply buy what I want to read, and abstain from books that could be harmful to my walk with God. Computer? The only reasons I use it is for this forum, music and my wife uses facebook. Radio? I only listen to Christian stations.

Whether you choose to admit it or not, people remember more of what they see than what they hear. This is a known fact. The sad thing is, my co-worker who is a sinner, will admit that Hollywood pushes sin. She'll admit it, but no one on this forum will. That's just sad.

I admit that Hollywood pushes sin.

satan pushes temptation towards me on a daily basis, but I don't have to give in.

With free will, I can choose to avoid sin.

With the Holy Ghost I have access to the power to overcome that sin-- so that no matter what's going on in or around me I can stand.

However, I can make it easier for me to stand by not exposing my eyes to the things that are most tempting to me and by monitoring my own thoughts.


Of course the technology is not sinful, but there are some battles I just won't have to fight by keeping some of our world's technology out of my bedroom and in plain view of others in my home as I "do what I have to do" in order to keep my testimony.


Being cautious with my freedom preserves my freedom.

Convictions and consecrations are personal and should never be applied in a "one size fits all" manner.

[tv1a]

I'm not suggesting other denominations are not dealing with those issues. My point is the legalists cannot claim the moral high ground in this issue because they don't believe in television. Legalists turn their eye to sin when they want to participate in something. Pharisees did the same thing. Turns out they were the biggest sinners of them all.

There is something wrong with your convictions if you cannot keep them across the board.

Originally Posted by Cindy

It is widespread in other denominations as well.

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

I admit that Hollywood pushes sin.

satan pushes temptation towards me on a daily basis, but I don't have to give in.

With free will, I can choose to avoid sin.

With the Holy Ghost I have access to the power to overcome that sin-- so that no matter what's going on in or around me I can stand.

However, I can make it easier for me to stand by not exposing my eyes to the things that are most tempting to me and by monitoring my own thoughts.


Of course the technology is not sinful, but there are some battles I just won't have to fight by keeping some of our world's technology out of my bedroom and in plain view of others in my home as I "work" to keep my testimony.

Being cautious with my freedom preserves my freedom.

Convictions and consecrations are personal and should never be applied in a "one size fits all" manner.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Cindy

Cindy,

the word, "work" has so many little nuances on a Christian board like this.


I am not saved or even kept saved by the "works" I do.

However, the Bible does call us to depart from sin and sometimes, obeying that command is hard work. Is this contradictory?