A Discussion Board Assignment I Wrote on Books Over Television

I Will Have to Agree with the Lectures

In the first lesson, I agree, that absolutely, we have to look at literature in a Christian view, just as we have to look at the rest of the world. It’s a Christian’s duty to do so. I also concur that God is concerned about our complete being. We are told to fear Him who can destroy both soul and body. He created us as perfectly finished beings, and we are important to Him as a whole. I also see eye to eye with the lecturer that education has failed, and produces, as a whole, an ungodly society. God has been removed from public education, and learning has become of a secular and worldly ilk.

In accordance with the second lesson, I also have to agree with the speaker’s stance. I rarely ever watch television. I never turn it on myself. My husband does, and I passively watch with him, as I tend to other things, but as I rule, I don’t watch. We are actually avid book collectors, and I can testify to the fact that reading opens your mind, while television is best, in general, at destroying Christianity.

In Lesson 3, I have to say that even though I am a dedicated reader, I don’t peruse a lot of literature. I read more facts and history than I do short stories or great pieces of prose, but I do agree that electronic media causes one to think more unconsciously than does reading, which targets and moves one to think.

In Response to a Fellow Student

I have already remitted my paper and response to the grading area, so I don’t think that this will be for grading, (therefore, I am not counting words,) but I do feel not only compelled, but obligated to answer Heather’s response. I feel the connotation of my paper may have been misconstrued among the class, and I certainly have to clarify that.

First of all, I had mentioned in my position paper that I agreed with the lecturer that literature has to be looked at from a Christian view, just as does the rest of the world. Heather and I got our wires crossed there, and what I believe to be a big misunderstanding occurred. Please allow me to explain the true meaning of what I said, but first I need to say that Heather thought I meant that all literature has a Christian theme to it, and that by looking for it we can find it. Not at all is that what I meant! What I did mean, was that we as Christians, when reading literature, have to be Christians full time with the discernment that God gave us, and decide if it is in His will or not, as we have to do so with the rest of the world – meaning that we have to be Christians full- time and not part-time.

For instance, I look at everything the same way. When I get on the bus and I hear someone’s cell phone ring, and the ring tone is one of a secular type I feel how sad it is that they don’t use a gospel song to glorify God, or when I see a liquor store open for business, I think how sad that there is not a Christian bookstore in its place, drawing people for God, rather than it drawing people for Satan. This isn’t being judgmental either. This is obeying the command we have been given to discern between the righteous and the wicked, and to discern between those who serve God and those who do not, as cited in Malachi 3:18, and according to Matthew, Chapter 7, where we are told that we will know a person by their fruits. We have to definitely know our surroundings, including what we view and what we read, in order to know what we are doing, and if it glorifies God or not. That’s what I meant when I said everything, including literature, has to be looked at from a Christian’s perspective.

Also, Heather misunderstood me when I said that television at best, in general, destroys Christianity. I agree with her; not all shows do destroy it. There are a few which do not and do glorify it. I feel that we have to have VERY strong discernment; however, to judge between the good and the evil shows. I know that the Andy Griffith Show is one of my favorite shows. For the most part, it is a wholesome, family orientated show, but there have been some episodes where I notice the devil has crept in. For instance, some programs display Andy smoking a cigarette. That’s certainly not Christian, (and I was a smoker for almost 14 years until Jesus delivered me,) but it could influence some Americans to think that since a fine, upstanding member of the community like Sheriff Taylor smokes, that it is alright for all average Americans to smoke. "The Munsters" are another good example. They for the most part are a fun, humorous and innocent family, but there is a lot of use of magic, from the character Grandpa, in that show. Magic is an abomination to God, and when we watch that show we are glorifying the very thing that Jesus hung upon that cross to destroy.

I have just used examples of “good old” family shows, which contain no cursing or blood and gore, and have pointed out tools of Satan, used in them to destroy God’s people, but what else does Satan use? Could he use preachers too? Yes, there are some pastors on television, which Satan uses too. Creflo Dollar has given a sermon stating that since we are made in the image of God, that we are produced as “little gods,” which leads people into the faith of humanism or pantheism, depending on which path they discover first. Paul Crouch has said the same thing. Many preachers preach prosperity. Jesus did not teach us to be prosperous, but to store our treasures in Heaven. All these things do harm Christianity.

While I know that Christianity will never be totally destroyed, for man cannot destroy anything that God makes, Satan uses men to pervert it and to turn people away from the firmness of the faith. If a person is not FULLY grounded in the Word of God, that person is going to slip and fall away, turning to traditions and fables of men, and for that, I do say television, at best, is destroying (not totally, but is in progress until Christ returns,) Christianity.

I also have to add, that just because a show talks about morals, that is not always a good thing. Men created morals, and they are man-ascertained and are only relative to truth, but are not divine revelation. We have to really be careful or shows that claim to teach morals and values, because what someone else considers to be moral or valued – your ideas might be different. A lot of morals today are overcome with the idea that – if it doesn’t hurt anyone, it’s OK. That is a humanist value and is against what God teaches.

As far as my reading, and how it makes me think more consciously, I read a lot of history and government books. I read how socialism has been secretly instituted in America, through the Fabian Society and labor unions, and how it is a plan to bring about communism, and finally, the utopia which the antichrist will promise when his kingdom rises, and with which he will destroy many as they will say “Peace and safety, but destruction will come upon them suddenly.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:3. I have read many other things as well, which really lay out the road map to his kingdom, and how, more than likely, it will be implemented. God commands that we be sober, in 1 Peter 5:8, because Satan is walking among us seeking whom he might devour. Truly, we have to keep our eyes on these things, so we will certainly be able to identify with and stand up against his wiles and darts, mentioned in Ephesians 6.

© 2010 Kimberly Padilla, A.A Religion