Mynyel Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 I am on a thread on Facebook that is having a heated argument about being "Christian" and watching The Walking Dead. Why can't you be a Christian and watch that show? I don't get it. According to a few of them it is their Christian duty to show the people the err of their ways in watching such an evil show. What constitutes an evil show? I have watched CSI (people killing people), Sherlock Holmes (the one with Cumberbatch, again, it is about crime,)Grimm (fairy tail creatures come to life,) Once Upon a Time (again fairy tales and magic, wouldn't magic be evil?), Nashville (people sleeping with other people) and I could go on. So what, exactly, is an evil show? We could extent it into the realm of movies. I love The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, however, it is full of magic. It has a wizard in it. Wizards are evil. If we call one thing something shouldn't it be applied to all? You could almost construe that any show is inherently evil is some way. So where does it stop? I know, we could all just watch Honey Boo Boo because there isn't any magic, death, blood or mystical creatures. I am sure this thread has the capacity to become heated as well. Aside from personal convictions how can one say you are less Christian for watching that program or any other? Furthermore what gives others the right to judge them as being less Christian for watching them as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mytwomonkeys Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Christian here & rather conservative in many regards. I'm not afraid of Walking Dead, Harry Potter, Trick or Treating, or Santa. Zombies are not real. The show is fiction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 "Christian" does not describe a behavior, it describes a relationship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in Neverland Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 "Christian" does not describe a behavior, it describes a relationship. My favorite post of the day. No of the week. No, of the year. Seriously. Can I steal this quote? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Christian here. Lot of great sci fi and horror movies and books and TV series that I have loved over the years. I started reading sci fi and horror when I was about 10 (selling girl scout cookies in front of a grocery store in VERY cold wx so we took turns running inside and the book section was near the door so I found a LOT of interesting books to browse and discovered a real love of science fiction that has lasted for decades). Doing just fine, thanks. But there are those, no matter what the belief, that feel obligated to brow beat the rest of the world into following lock step what they believe. Probably won't change their minds so I tend to just avoid the subject or ignore them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricket Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 There is no reason apart from personal conviction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mynyel Posted February 10, 2014 Author Share Posted February 10, 2014 So now people are going to hell because others don't want to tell them they are erring in their ways. Yet we wonder why so many are turned off from the Christian Religion? I digress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 My favorite post of the day. No of the week. No, of the year. Seriously. Can I steal this quote? It's gleaned from C.S. Lewis; can't take credit and shouldn't have made it appear it was my own thought--sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomatHWTK Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Being Christian, as mentioned above involves having accepted the gift of Christ. Following Christ's teachings and the teachings of the Bible are a completely different thing. One can be a "Christian" without being able to overcome any number of "sins." It may also depend on what your definition of "evil" is. If someone defines anything that is not of God as 'evil' and to strive toward avoiding it- then most modern television programs would fit the bill. If you reserve the term evil for the the worst of the worst, then I can imagine TV shows aren't even on the list. KWIM? As to why some might consider watching the program sinful, that is a matter of personal conviction. I would imagine verses such as Philippians 4:8 would be a starting point. But again, if you don't personally see it, then it may not be an area of conviction for you. There's plenty of stuff God wants us all to work on- just not everyone is working on the same thing at the same time. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Christian here & rather conservative in many regards. I'm not afraid of Walking Dead, Harry Potter, Trick or Treating, or Santa. Zombies are not real. The show is fiction. What she said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paige Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 I'm a Christian and I don't see anything anti-God in Walking Dead. I suspect those that are telling others it is a sin to watch have never seen it. Herschel was a Christian and there was a nice scene a while back where he talked of his faith and I believe a Bible was shared with Merle or maybe one of the convicts found in the prison. The zombies themselves do not, to me anyway, contradict Christianity. It is seen as a disease, and while we never have seen a disease like it, I can suspend disbelief enough to go with it. If we can have cancers that take over within the body duplicating themselves why is it such a stretch to think of a larger cancer like virus that replicates itself by using the whole body? I don't know...I think in the string of bad shows on tv, this one is pretty low on my offended meter. I think Honey Boo Boo is much worse as I feel watching it and keeping it on the air directly contributes to the future problems that poor little girl will have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Because I've been around people who believe like that, I'm surmising that their rationale goes something like this. It's not that the show itself is evil, it's the whole zombie culture. It perpetuates the belief that there is nothing after death, that somehow death can make us turn evil or monstrous. Life after death is supposed to be a reward, not a damnation (if you've chosen the right side, of course ;) ), plus it could be seen to trivialize killing. I, otoh, just finished watching the new episode and love it. It's my favorite show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 The Walking Dead is not a show about zombies. I wouldn't have much respect for someone who can't understand the purpose of fiction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Christian here & rather conservative in many regards. I'm not afraid of Walking Dead, Harry Potter, Trick or Treating, or Santa. Zombies are not real. The show is fiction. Well, technically, po*rn is fiction, so I don't think something being "fiction" gives it any kind of automatic pass. There's plenty of fiction (books, shows and movies) that I might skip as a Christian. I don't really have an opinion on the Walking Dead, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 There's always going to be someone with rules she follows that she claims make her a better [insert title here]. She will talk about these rules loudly, and she will insist that everyone who does not follow the rules is NOT a [insert title here]. In middle school, one crazy church lady went bananas on my friend for carrying a Liz Claiborne purse and would get up and talk about how Proctor & Gamble products were satanic. Yeah, well she and her husband were stealing from the church while he was treasurer. You can't debate crazy. At least not people you know IRL. It's kind of fun on the interwebs. ;) On FB, unfriend or hide posts. N.b.: I'm only using she for pronoun agreement. She can be a he, of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 There's always going to be someone with rules she follows that she claims make her a better [insert title here]. In middle school, one crazy church lady went bananas on my friend for carrying a Liz Claiborne purse and would get up and talk about how Proctor & Gamble products were satanic. Yeah, well she and her husband were stealing from the church while he was treasurer. You can't debate crazy. At least not people you know IRL. It's kind of fun on the interwebs. ;) On FB, unfriend or hide posts. She was probably using Tide, Bounty & Crest the whole time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 There are some shows I truly don't feel comfortable watching, nor do I actually think any Christians should watch them. The Walking Dead isn't one of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 She was probably using Tide, Bounty & Crest the whole time! Ha! My dad tried to use it as a reason to buy cheap generics. My stepmother did not let him get away with that. Thank goodness. He lurves Aldi now, bless his frugal little heart. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ipsey Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Being Christian, as mentioned above involves having accepted the gift of Christ. Following Christ's teachings and the teachings of the Bible are a completely different thing. One can be a "Christian" without being able to overcome any number of "sins." It may also depend on what your definition of "evil" is. If someone defines anything that is not of God as 'evil' and to strive toward avoiding it- then most modern television programs would fit the bill. If you reserve the term evil for the the worst of the worst, then I can imagine TV shows aren't even on the list. KWIM? The biggest confusion, I think, lies in the fact that for many things, what constitutes "evil" and "God-honoring" is unclear, even among Christians. I was part of a Christian group for a while whose leader was quite vociferous about how evil and non-Christian C.S. Lewis' Narnia stories were. It would be laughable if it weren't so sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mytwomonkeys Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Well, technically, po*rn is fiction, so I don't think something being "fiction" gives it any kind of automatic pass. There's plenty of fiction (books, shows and movies) that I might skip as a Christian. I don't really have an opinion on the Walking Dead, though. Well, with that example I completely disagree. I really don't feel that saying "zombies aren't real" equates to "porn isn't real" either?? But if it does to you, we will just agree to disagree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 I have much more of a problem with my Christian friends who watch the Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, and Glee. The immorality shocks me. That is all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Well, with that example I completely disagree. I really don't feel that saying "zombies aren't real" equates to "porn isn't real" either?? But if it does to you, we will just agree to disagree. My point was to your original point about being fictitious. P*rn is not portraying a real relationship, it's portraying fictitious ones. My point is, the fact that something is fictitious does not *necessarily* mean it's okay to watch/read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 There are some shows I truly don't feel comfortable watching, nor do I actually think any Christians should watch them. The Walking Dead isn't one of them. I have never seen the Walking Dead so I can not comment on it. There are all kinds of shows that I'm surprised when I hear a Christian friend watches but I don't find it my duty to tell them what they should and should not be watching unless they directly ask my opinion. I have deleted a few Christian Facebook friends lately because every post was about harshly judging fellow Christians. It just became too much for me and I consider myself a conservative Christian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mytwomonkeys Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 My point was to your original point about being fictitious. P*rn is not portraying a real relationship, it's portraying fictitious ones. My point is, the fact that something is fictitious does not *necessarily* mean it's okay to watch/read. In no way did I imply fictitious means always enjoy. I specifically said zombies aren't real and the show is fiction -- a specific answer to people getting upset on Facebook over a dumb tv show. Your example of porn involves clear sexual sin & destroys lives. I'm not sure why I'm having to make this distinction. So. To be very clear, I do not think something fiction means watch it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mytwomonkeys Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 So are you saying zombies are not real? :huh: I am saying in the context of Walking Dead, no. I'm sorry to say that they are not real. However, if a vampire bites you during a full moon and you die before dawn - then (and only then) can you actually be a zombie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeacefulChaos Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 I am on a thread on Facebook that is having a heated argument about being "Christian" and watching The Walking Dead. Why can't you be a Christian and watch that show? I don't get it. According to a few of them it is their Christian duty to show the people the err of their ways in watching such an evil show. What constitutes an evil show? I have watched CSI (people killing people), Sherlock Holmes (the one with Cumberbatch, again, it is about crime,)Grimm (fairy tail creatures come to life,) Once Upon a Time (again fairy tales and magic, wouldn't magic be evil?), Nashville (people sleeping with other people) and I could go on. So what, exactly, is an evil show? We could extent it into the realm of movies. I love The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, however, it is full of magic. It has a wizard in it. Wizards are evil. If we call one thing something shouldn't it be applied to all? You could almost construe that any show is inherently evil is some way. So where does it stop? I know, we could all just watch Honey Boo Boo because there isn't any magic, death, blood or mystical creatures. I am sure this thread has the capacity to become heated as well. Aside from personal convictions how can one say you are less Christian for watching that program or any other? Furthermore what gives others the right to judge them as being less Christian for watching them as well? Some people are just like that. I don't mean to sound flippant, but I feel like I've seen it all... as a Christian myself, I'm relatively middle-of-the road when it comes to pretty much everything. I don't think what a person watches makes them Christian or not - I don't understand that mindset, either. I have extended family that does think that way. I get annoyed when Christians take it upon themselves to say that just because THEY don't watch ____ for whatever reason, that means that ALL OTHER Christians should do the same, because obviously they have the inside track on being holy. Some recent things I've seen: 'My Little Pony has too much magic in it to be a kid friendly show! I don't want to bring that in my house!' :blink: (aaaand cue my UO from the other day - who in the WORLD did these people grow up with who all became practicing sorcerers of the evilest style by watching cartoons with magic in them? Good GRIEF!) 'Well, *insert specific tv preacher here* would definitely have something to say about you reading Harry Potter.' (Yes, I still hear crap about HP. It's ridiculous. And what do I care what some TV preacher would say about it? What do I care what ANYONE says about it?) 'No way, Pokemon is evil! Sorcery, witchcraft, very very evil stuff!' I have no words. :001_huh: I could go on and on. Seriously, I don't understand these people. They can think whatever the heck they want - just don't push it on me. I'm fine where I am, thank you... and the last I checked, it wasn't ANYONE'S job but my own to make sure I'm 'right with God'. :banghead: :rant: Aaaand that's all. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 In no way did I imply fictitious means always enjoy. I specifically said zombies aren't real and the show is fiction -- a specific answer to people getting upset on Facebook over a dumb tv show. Your example of porn involves clear sexual sin & destroys lives. I'm not sure why I'm having to make this distinction. So. To be very clear, I do not think something fiction means watch it. I didn't imply that either. Being "fictitious" is not sufficient to make something okay to watch. Being "unreal" doesn't either. The whole Twilight Series is based on "unreal" vampires. So, I think these things have to be judged on a case by case basis. The fact that it's "fictitious" or "not real" is not enough to give it a pass simply on that basis. ALL of videogaming is unreal. But not all of it is okay for my kids to use. (as judged by me on a case by case basis) Now, how do people feel about Zombie P*rn? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 I am saying in the context of Walking Dead, no. I'm sorry to say that they are not real. However, if a vampire bites you during a full moon and you die before dawn - then (and only then) can you actually be a zombie. Back to school for you, young lady. Your assignment is to read "Dracula," by Bram Stoker. People who are bitten by vampires do not become zombies. Goodness. :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 But aren't those shows fiction, too? Are you now assigning order to things you find sinful? Magic in Harry Potter is ok fiction, killing in Walking Dead is ok fiction, immorality of BB is a problem? Where do the shows that promote willful stupidity fit in with this? I'm curious. How about Breaking Bad? I'd love to know how that rates with you. :huh: Ok, well, if you do not see the difference, then I cannot explain it to you. And FTR, I watched the first episode of Breaking Bad. Horrible, dreadful show. I wanted eyeball bleach. It haunted me for days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mytwomonkeys Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 I didn't imply that either. Being "fictitious" is not sufficient to make something okay to watch. Being "unreal" doesn't either. The whole Twilight Series is based on "unreal" vampires. So, I think these things have to be judged on a case by case basis. The fact that it's "fictitious" or "not real" is not enough to give it a pass simply on that basis. ALL of videogaming is unreal. But not all of it is okay for my kids to use. (as judged by me on a case by case basis) Now, how do people feel about Zombie P*rn? lol. I don't disagree. I thought I said that already though. Zombie porn is okay with subtitles only. Of course! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TranquilMind Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 This! Being Christian, as mentioned above involves having accepted the gift of Christ. Following Christ's teachings and the teachings of the Bible are a completely different thing. One can be a "Christian" without being able to overcome any number of "sins." It may also depend on what your definition of "evil" is. If someone defines anything that is not of God as 'evil' and to strive toward avoiding it- then most modern television programs would fit the bill. If you reserve the term evil for the the worst of the worst, then I can imagine TV shows aren't even on the list. KWIM? As to why some might consider watching the program sinful, that is a matter of personal conviction. I would imagine verses such as Philippians 4:8 would be a starting point. But again, if you don't personally see it, then it may not be an area of conviction for you. There's plenty of stuff God wants us all to work on- just not everyone is working on the same thing at the same time. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joker Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 :huh: Ok, well, if you do not see the difference, then I cannot explain it to you. And FTR, I watched the first episode of Breaking Bad. Horrible, dreadful show. I wanted eyeball bleach. It haunted me for days. We kept hearing how we should watch Breaking Bad and how much we would love it. We watched three or four episodes and just couldn't do it anymore. My dh, who is an atheist, said he wished he could erase it from his mind as well. He thought it was one of the worst things on tv. I'm Christian and I have no problem with Walking Dead (dh and I just watched last night's episode this afternoon together). I don't have a problem at all with what other people watch and have never felt a need to judge how religious one is by what they watch. It's seems rather ridiculous actually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrissiK Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Well, I believe that whether you are a Christian or not is certainly not dependent on what sort of tv show you watch or books you read. However, I think the rub comes when as Christians, we are exhorted in Philippians 4:8 to think about things (which would probably include putting these things into your mind) that are truthful, pure, lovely, commendable and excellent. And so, as a Christian I should then place the books I read, tv shows and movies I watch, and music I listen to against this standard to see if it measures up. And then, if you are a Christian, and want to live your life according to Scripture, can you justify what you are watching, reading and listening to? I'm not going to be the judge of any of these shows and I admit that some of the shows I watch do not measure up to that standard. We need to judge for ourselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joker Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Well, I believe that whether you are a Christian or not is certainly not dependent on what sort of tv show you watch or books you read. However, I think the rub comes when as Christians, we are exhorted in Philippians 4:8 to think about things (which would probably include putting these things into your mind) that are truthful, pure, lovely, commendable and excellent. And so, as a Christian I should then place the books I read, tv shows and movies I watch, and music I listen to against this standard to see if it measures up. And then, if you are a Christian, and want to live your life according to Scripture, can you justify what you are watching, reading and listening to? I admit that some of the shows I watch do not measure up to that standard. I have no problem with that verse and watching The Walking Dead (or many other things). Maybe I would if it started consuming my thoughts after watching, but it doesn't. I watch an episode with dh, we talk about it for a bit, and then I move on. I'm not putting it into my mind and dwelling on it because it's just not that important. It's just something fun and interesting for dh and I to do together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susankenny Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 The problem with telling others how to live, is those same people are often wearing a telephone pole in their own eye, while looking at the speck in their neighbor's. It amazes me that gluttony, gossip, judgment, etc don't seem to convict them -- but make sure you take a stand against magic and zombies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saddlemomma Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 I'm also a conservative Christian and watch OUT, Harry Potter, Grimm (occasionally), Hobbit and so on. I love the fantasy genre. However I don't watch anything involving vampires, zombies, Supernatural (the show), or paranormal things. In fact, my DH forbids me to watch anything paranormal because of my life history and my proclivity to be extremely sensitive to such phenomena (which DH, ex-DH, and both DDs have witnessed). Having said that, the only reason I don't watch them is because of the sensitivity issues and the fact that I think zombies are silly. Otherwise, it wouldn't be much of an issue. I don't let my younger DD watch excessive violence. For instance, she was allowed to watch all the Harry Potter movies except the last two. She has a tender heart so doesn't really like anything too violent anyway. Zombies and vampires are not her cup of tea. They creep her out. She likes the fantasy stuff - especially Percy Jackson. I think that you need to use common sense regarding these issues. If you know that some type of media could induce you to engage in questionable habits because you get immersed in a genre, then you should limit that genre, whether books or media. However, if you're a fairly well-adjusted adult who knows the difference between fiction and non-fiction and can walk away from it without compromising the grounding of your faith, then enjoy. We are told to use discernment to make choices, and I think we do. I think its really sad that Christians are always fighting with each other about such trivial (to me anyway) issues, like the debate you are talking about, when there are so many more important issues we should be addressing together as the body of Christ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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