Subliminal messages

• Messages sorted by:[ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]

In a previous message, Frederick Braam said:
> 
> > Hi Thomas,
> > 
> > When you disposed of your TV, VCR and associated things (could you be
> > more specific on this?), did you also get rid of:
> > 
> > 	1. any radios in your car and home?
> > 	2. audio cassette players?
> > 	3. CD players?
> > 	4. computers?
> > 
> > -- 
> > Boisy G. Pitre
> > The opinions expressed herein, unless otherwise stated, are mine only.
> ===============================
> 
> 	Umm, Boisy, I don't see you point with getting rid of the rest of
> that stuff.

Let's see if I can help you understand.  You and others on this list seem
to be making the distinction between "audio" and "video."  The former
is acceptable; the latter is reprehensible.  Let me see if I understand
you:  if an electronic device shows moving pictures at 30 frames per
second, then it's considered to have "an appearance of evil?"  If an
electronic devices plays audio, then it is "Christian-safe?"

Is it the concept of moving pictures that is sinful?  If so, shouldn't
we have been born blind? :-/

Let's look at the radio.  It is a "receptor" device; that is, it receives
frequencies and converts those frequencies to sounds which we can hear.
A television does primarily the same thing, though the video element is
added.

I can turn on my radio and tune (or dare I say "change the channel")
to a variety of programs:  rap music, country, rock-n-roll, R&B, classical,
etc.  Do these genres of music "glorify the Lord?"  Do they have any
redeeming Christian value in them?  I think you would say "No."

Apply that same logic to the television.  You can "tune" or "change
the channel" to a number of different stations.  Depending on the
broadcast, you can see anything from educational shows to decadent
programming.

Why then, do you allow radios into your home and not TV's?  Do not both
allow you to hear things which may be a detriment to Christian living?
Do you know what your children are listening to on the radio?

Your message continues...

> The radios are easy to control as to what you hear on them, or`
> haven't you ever heard of good old gospel music tapes.

Ahhh.  So is it the degree of difficulty in controlling a device which
makes it wrong?  Are radios easier to control than TV's?  Is algebra
easier than trigonometry?  Don't you think answers to questions like
these depend on the person?

> Computers are also easy to control as to what goes on to them, and
> they are not supported by advertisers dollars.  Nothing wrong with word
> processing or email listservs.

I'm sure you've heard of the problems with pornography on the "net" and
the concern that people are raising about it.  Right now from my workstation,
I could pull up a web browser and get URLs to dozens of adult, X-rated pictures
(even moving ones).  Should I get rid of my workstation?

You can buy CD-ROMs filled to the brim with graphic pictures depicting all
types of sexual behavior.  Better yank that CD-ROM drive from the
computer, folks... While we're at it, throw that VGA monitor out too...
It looks too much like a TV.  Sigh... get my point?

It's funny you should bring up advertising dollars as an issue.  Did you
know that a considerable source of income for radio stations is
advertising dollars?

> 	The Bible tells us to avoid all appearances of evil, and as far
> as the TV and VCR's are concerned, they are used for an awful lot of 
> evil.

So are computers...  So are radios...  So are cassette players....  Shouldn't
you be getting rid of them too?

> You can defend it by saying that you control what your children
> or yourself watches, but I don't really know a show on television that
> actually displays biblical family and life values.

I don't know of a radio program that portrays biblical family and life
values, except perhaps some Christian radio stations.  But the same
argument could be made for Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcast Network
on television.  (Differences in doctrinal beliefs notwithstanding.)

Have you ever looked at the educational programs on TV?  The Learning
Channel?  The Discovery Channel?  Does EVERYTHING in your life have to
have a biblical slant?  I assume you value education; is there something
wrong in watching an educational program?

> As far as using the VCR only to show tapes to your children, that's a
> decision that you need to make.  But I have seen talk on this listserv
> about Star Wars, and other non-Godly "entertainment".

You indicate in your message that you disposed of your VCR.  Did you also
get rid of any audio cassette players?  What's the difference?  YOU
have a choice of what tape you put into a VCR.  The same goes for a cassette
player.  The only difference?  One has audio, the other has audio and
video.

> 	Also, the Bible says to give no place to the devil, and if you
> watch any television, there is an extreme temptation to watch something
> that you know you shouldn't.

I have a television in my home, and my main channels are the educational
ones I mentioned above along with local news and CNN.  And I don't even
claim to be a Christian.  If I can do it, why can't you?

> Also, try watching advertising, and tell me that they are all wholesome
> messages, concerned only with your salvation and spiritual health.

Tell me any secular advertising you see that is concerend with your salvation
and spiritual health.

> 	One final note before I go.  The pastor for our church also
> preaches against having a TV in your home.  He has a list of 45 sound
> Biblical reasons why you should NOT have a TV in the home.  It was 
> really hard for me to get rid of the television, but I finally saw the
> light.  

And I'm sure you could apply those same 45 reasons to computers, radios,
CD players, and audio cassette players as well.

Frederick, if you want to live without a TV and VCR, that's your choice.
But please, be consistent; it would give validity to your arguments.

> TV's - Trying living without them, you'll like what you find.

Technology -  Try utilizing it responsibly :-)

> 
> ====================> Frederick R. Braam <=====================
>   "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon 
>    us, that we should be called the Sons of God"- I John 3:1
>        braam@mtu.edu   and   http://www.me.mtu.edu/~braam
> =============> Michigan Technological University <=============
> 
-- 
Boisy G. Pitre
The opinions expressed herein, unless otherwise stated, are mine only.