Is anybody else distressed by the Charlie Sheen fiasco being aired by the media? I sat in horror yesterday morning as I watched the Today show and saw this poor man's mind unfolding right before my eyes. It reminded me of this verse:
"And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind...." Romans 1.28
As distressing as it was to watch, what upset me more is that the media saw fit to air it for the world to see. Probably even more upsetting was that people, just like me, sat there glued to the television unable to NOT watch it.
Then this morning, watching the Today show again (I really need to stop watching that show), they announced that Meredith Baxter (supposedly a beloved TV mom) was going to be interviewed and tell us all about being gay and other very personal information about herself.
What made Ms. Baxter think it was important for us all to know that she is gay? When did this type of information become "news" that needed to be shared with the world?
When I stopped to think about it, I realized it is because this kind of "news" sells in our society today. We watch it when it's on TV, we buy the books, and we clamor for the newspaper when we know there is a story about someone messing up.
But why?
I think that's a question that each of us needs to ask ourselves. I also think that when we stop feeding the media, they will find more news worthy things to share.
Food for thought.
Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming.....
Concur. It reminds me of the old practice in some European mental hospitals of charging people admission to view the crazy patients.
ReplyDeleteThe ultimate for me came this morning, when I saw a clip of CNN's Piers Morgan -- who interviewed Sheen on live TV Monday -- being interviewed himself by Conan O'Brien. In passing, Morgan described Sheen as someone "who really wants to be left alone." But if that's the case:
a) why did you interview him?
b) why is he giving out -- in some cases, SEEKING out -- all these interviews?
Because if you want to be left alone, the last thing you do is give interviews. And if you feel someone wants to be left alone, why aren't you doing it? (Unless, maybe, because you believe your ratings are more important ...)
I can't claim to know what's going on inside Mr. Sheen's head, though the few recent things I've heard/read about him remind me of people I've known with serious psychological issues. But it does strike me that if we find another person's mental breakdown to be entertaining, there's something wrong with our psychological makeup as well. Whatever he's going through, it's NOT "winning" -- and if we're feeding it, neither are we.
Sue:
ReplyDeleteThis is no different from what we see on most television programs today. It is up to the believer to pick and choose what he/she renews their mind with. Many believers think this is harmless to watch and it's no big deal. I would disagree and say that anything we see with our eyes or hear with our ears should be carefully scrutinized. The more we expose ourselves to such garbage the more insensitive we become to spiritual things.
I choose not to watch a majority of what is on the tube. There isn't much that is edifying or that can be a blessing to me or anyone else.
I challenge believers to turn those programs off and not watch the garbage they produce. The list of programs is endless.
It's a choice we are free to make. Not only is it for our benefit to stay away from such nonsense but it benefits the children in the home. We are to set an example for them by our actions on how to renew our minds......garbage free.
Tess
I think we all clamor to read up on someone else messing up because in our little minds it makes us look better. We are forever comparing ourselves to other people but scripture tells us that is unwise to do so. Can't think of the verse at the moment but I read it last week.
ReplyDeleteJust my extra 2 cents...
Tess
I love your 2 cents Tess, between you and Ray, your "sense" adds up to a great wealth of wisdom!!! ;-)
ReplyDelete