Something All Christians Should Hate
I have a great concern as a pastor. It is a difficult subject to tackle for sure. It certainly won’t make me popular. The subject of concern for me is something that is widespread. So many people who profess Jesus… even pastors… spend hours and hours engaged in this particular activity and I think it causes great harm. What is this point of concern? It is what we watch on TV.
Now before some of you start with the “amen’s” and “halleluiah’s” I want you to know that I am not talking about watching the E Channel or shows like It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia (because that would require that I not watch them anymore), I am talking about cable news shows. That’s right… cable news shows. I think these shows are much more damaging to the heart and soul than anything that could be seen on Grey’s Anatomy or re-runs of Will and Grace. The hate and venom is so overwhelming I find it difficult to watch the television news these days and more times than not, I end up with a huge knot in my stomach. Watching the cable news programs I hear so much hate and we the viewers, are encouraged to join them in the hate sessions. I guess this is what Orwell referred to as the "2 Minute Hate", but perhaps he didn't see that it would grow into the "24 Hour Hate".
I just recently heard that old phrase “garbage in, garbage out” as someone was talking about what we watch on TV… it wasn’t in reference to cable news though. But I often hear people state their opinions on subjects from the downfall of America to the character of a government official and it seems their thoughts mirror, nearly verbatim, what I just heard on some news program. They hate this one or love that one with such fervor, such energy and fully believe they are stating their own opinions, it seems most don't even recognize that they are echoing Shawn Hannity, Glenn Beck or for those of you on the left, Bill Maher and Keith Olbermann. But it’s the fervency of the ‘Christians’ who follow the former that is so concerning to me. I hesitate to use the words mind control, but sometimes I wonder what else it could be, perhaps they call them “programs” for a reason. I can't figure out why we listen to this angry blather? Is there just a part of us that loves to hate? Do we seriously believe that by condemning and mocking others we become a stronger nation?
I guess what I find most disturbing about these media driven hate sessions, is that many of the hosts claim that they are Christians themselves and use that as support for spewing hateful comments. And then the viewers gather behind the hosts (sometimes at rallies), hearing the word Christian, but not seeing the bitter fruits of the hater's actions.
To use the very tired mantra of the Christian sub-culture… WWJD? What would Jesus do? He told us to love our enemies, right? Would he be one of these blowhards on TV? Would he watch them? Would it sadden him? Jesus disagreed vehemently with the secular government system in his day… but we have no record of Jesus saying anything hateful about them or holding rallies. If crowds were what he wanted that would have been the way! How is this not more harmful than Oprah? We saturate our minds with the self-proclaimed Christian hosts of the cable news engaging in demeaning and hateful tirades. The message hits us loud and clear that if we do not agree with them, we are deserving of such attacks.
Recently, an even more frightening thought hit me, would millions of Christians across the world accept a Jesus offered to them by the way of the media? Would people just trust and believe these scripts? I know as far as I am concerned, if the mainstream media introduced Jesus, I would look in another direction (much like I do with Christian radio and TV), but what about the majority? How easy would it be to manipulate the faith of millions?
The doublespeak is all around us, but we do not see it. Many believe it is wrong to watch a TV show with questionable humor or violence or sexual innuendos, but OK to get fired up and down right angry and hateful watching a “news” show. We have learned the way to support our opinions is to hate, mock and name call. I see it spill over in the church all the time. The contradictions seem so clear to me… but so many don’t understand my concern.
I figure I have enough smarts that I don't need the news to tell me how I should feel, just simply give me the facts and keep all personal or corporate commentary to yourself. I remember a year or so ago, when I was spending far too much time watching all the news, I kept thinking, "How can this be all there is?" I couldn't understand how these 24-hour stations, which claim to be international had to continuously repeat the same news, the same headlines and have the same arguments. How could it be that when they are covering the world, they run out of information? There are billions of people on this Earth and yet, no news? That's when the subtle knowledge filled my mind that something was occurring that I was not supposed to see. It is only about ratings and ad revenue… it’s not about sharing the news.
Aren't our lives stressful enough between jobs, kids, ringing cell phones and responsibilities that the last thing we need is to have our blood pressures skyrocket by exposing ourselves to hate-filled and fear-based media programs? A few months ago I had saved several quotes by the likes of Bill Maher, Glenn Beck and Ann Coulter to prove my case about how hateful this world has become, but the funny thing was, while researching hate, I became ill. So I proved my own point to myself, not only is hate and anger not a proper spiritual ideology, it actually harms us physically!
That is about all I have to say about that… I need to watch something mindless now. I wonder what is on Bravo?
AMEN!!!!!!!!
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I think you are on to something. There is so much hate on both sides, but on the right it is always under a banner of "morality" or "Christian" making it somehow more righteous. I think that is one of the main reasons that "Christians" are perceived as hypocritical. As you said, not an appealing picture of Christian faith. I have to take issue with the Oprah comparison though. I think she is just as harmful! We laugh at my Dad because he is a total Fox News junkie! We don't even need to watch the shows, he can repeat all of their talking points verbatim! Keep the posts coming...we love them!
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Thanks Bonnie... Oprah has her issues too... just saying.
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I can't tell you how many women I have heard quote Oprah as if it were the same as quoting scripture! It is almost funny!
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And its usually the Oprah haters that are the biggest Glen Beck junkies LOL!!!
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Love it! I'm not a theologian or pastor or anything, but I'm pretty sure Jesus wouldn't shop at a Christian book store either...
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So what do you propose? That we allow our country to become socialist while we politely stand by and watch? Sounds like you are part of the problem. You don't think we should speak up for what is right? I hope Ozark is proud of their Timothy.
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Case in point. Why politely disagree when you can sling accusations and degrade a person all at the same time. So much more "Christlike".
If our allegiance is to the U.S.A., then we're probably within our "right" to say whatever we wish. However, if our allegiance is to Christ, then our words matter.
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Although I'm not a total fan of the cable news shows to which you refer, I do not find that they are more harmful than some of the shows you passively mentioned. It is precisely shows like Will and Grace which helped to aid in the desensitization of many people toward homosexuality which, according to God's word, is outright sin.
I feel that your stance is somewhat akin to "throwing the baby out with the bath water." Do I believe that some conservative shows are a bit overboard? Absolutely, at times. As if the liberal media doesn't utilize every venue possible within its powers to promote an increasingly godless culture.
Every man (and woman) is entitled to his (or her) own opinion, however it is important to remember that opinion is not equal to God's word. Where either the conservative or the liberal strays from God's word and will, there will always be trouble. It has been my experience that the "liberals" are the ones who have strayed farther and more often.
Christians do need to take a stand against evil...and to do so, they need to be informed.
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Dave and FA... (nice screen name btw FA... would love to know the real name some time)
First, thanks for posting. I have to say that I was not prepared to have several new responses to a blog post from back in April. I have had to refresh my thoughts a bit. Never a bad idea.
I would point out that my naming of various TV shows like “Will and Grace” and “Oprah” was intended to be a form of hyperbole. I wanted to try and conjure up the same ire for commentary based news shows as some people have for these shows, because I think there is a terrible double standard.
It is precisely the acceptance of certain behavior while maintaining such anger for another that has me so troubled. People will shout at the top of their lungs that the TV shows I mentioned are infecting the minds of our society... my point is that if you say that is true for sit-coms and talk shows you must certainly say the same for these kinds of “news” shows as well. I see way to many followers of Jesus turning into fearful and fanatical followers of media sellouts trying to get ratings… ranting and raving and even hating others who disagree. This is not a forum to receive information… these programs feed on opinion (not God’s but man’s) and fear so they can create more viewership in order to make money for their network.
We can disagree about substance in a conversation without becoming red faced, screaming and downright mean! Being angry is not a sin, but the actions of many of the followers of these shows sure are. After all, they will know we are Christians by our love… not our spiteful blather. And what are these people defending? Scriptural truths or political alignment? As proud members of this movement we should remember our adopted mantra, “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things love.” What is the argument? Jesus? No. American politics? Yes. If followers of Jesus spent more time spreading the message of Jesus and less time arguing the message of Glenn Beck, I would suggest that we would have fewer issues all together. Let me ask you... what if we elected every single person in government that we wanted and we inacted every policy that we felt strongly about... would that save the heart of man kind? No government policy or ideal can save the heart of man… only Jesus can do that. It's all a distraction.
As for holding others to the standard of Christ… I cannot hold anyone outside of Christ to his perfect standard… but I should expect a follower of Christ to hold to that standard. If we call ourselves disciples of Jesus Christ, we should act like him.
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Perhaps in your circle you run into these red-faced, screaming, blathering idots. I truthfully can say that I have not. Oh sure, there are strong debates, but I haven't witnessed personally (not counting TV) the venomous style of ranting to which you refer.
I'm wondering: when you say "the actions of many of the followers of these shows", are you speaking of people you have personally dealt with, or are you talking about the media coverage of folks like those who stand on the street with ugly signs and shout ignorant statements like God hates..."?
I've seen those folks on TV, but I believe them to be an extremely small percentage of those who hold to truly conservative moral values. But I do notice how the mainstream media tends to show much more of that while choosing not to show such footage of the liberal extremists as they show their idea of "tolerance."
I agree with you that as Christians we must always be concerned with what message we present and share, but this must always be supported by our willingness to oppose evil as scripture calls us to do. And to oppose evil, we must see it, recognize it, and understand what is truly going on.
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I think you must be a libral left winger and probably are tolerant of alot of things we should be against as Christians. Evil should make you angry.
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Ralph, I know a lot of people that might be called as liberal left wingers that radically love Jesus and are doing his work. Sometimes Christ's followers defy our classifications. Sometimes His students don't fit in the current conservative evangelical box...thankfully.
-Tom Cotter (another OCC Graduate)
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Nice post,
Keep up the good work,
Thanks for writing, most people don't bother.
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