After a weekend of having sick kids, I have say that I have had my fill of television! I don't watch a whole lot of TV - partly because of disinterest and partly because of having no idle time. When you're sick in bed, especially for a kid, there's not much else you can do. We haven't had cable until this summer, which has both good and bad points. Bad- I really have to work at monitoring their TV time and what they are watching (though they know what is appropriate and are very honorable in that area). Good- there is a larger selection of programs (educational and otherwise) which I find helpful.
Maybe it's the time of year, especially considering that Friday was "Friday the 13th" that has caused programing to be so sickening. Trying to keep track of what the kids were watching was quite a task. It seemed like every kids channel had on monsters, witches, ghosts, scary movies or things related to superstitions or Halloween. Of course, there are other channels that are always "blocked", which probably had worse things on them!
There was some good to come of it since we were able to communicate about topics that we don't normally discuss: superstitions and whatnot (knocking on wood, salt over the shoulder, walking under ladders, Friday the 13th, breaking mirrors, black cats, bad "luck", Halloween, witches, spells, etc.) I even spent some time researching the origins of superstitions on the internet to better share with my children. I encourage everyone to do the same. It's amazing to me that people still believe in things like that today! It was also shocking to me to learn of the explanations and estimated origins of some traditions and symbols we use today that no one would think anything about. It was eye opening.
As a Christian, I do not adhere to superstitions or anything else that goes against my personal beliefs in God or Jesus Christ. That doesn't mean I am 100% successful, though. We do what we can and trust God to take care of it. I try to ask myself if what I or the kids do is building up good character or bad character. Is it strengthening what I believe or tearing it down? Some people would think that's taking "religion" a little too far and that "entertainment" doesn't have anything to do with God. Does it? Are they failing to see that many beliefs are wrapped up into the enticing aroma of entertainment? Is it just harmless fun?
I am a firm believer (and this goes for those who are religious or not) that what you feed your body, mind, spirit, and emotions is exactly what you will get back in return. Garbage in... garbage out. Good things in... good things out. The Bible would say it's the principle of reaping and sowing.
As an example: having candy is not bad in and of itself, but if you eat too much your health will be affected. Certain things can be enjoyed in moderation, but then again there are some things that are not beneficial at all, yet people indulge in them. What surprises me are the Christians who allow their children to indulge in things that aren't spiritually good for them. Who knows why. Even if 90% of something is good, if it is 10% bad... it ruins the whole thing. "Do you not know a little leaven leavens the whole lump?" Some one said that brownies made with a teaspoon of arsenic, though all the other ingredients were good, will still kill you every time. This would include movies (and some about Witches have become very popular as of recent years), books, video games, magazines, television, board games, etc. Even certain holidays could be thrown in there.
Today, I am asking all of us to pray about what we are allowing our children to indulge in through the guise of "entertainment". Entertainment can be damaging to spiritual growth. IF we acknowledge Him in all our ways, He WILL direct our path... even when it comes to things like entertainment. Think and pray about it. I know I am.
