Tell me if this sounds the least bit familiar to you...
Coming home after school, do the chores, square the family pet away, hit the books, prepare for supper, watch television, take your bath (shower) and go to bed.
Yep, that's right - the eighties (1980's).
But, this is what's happening today...
Come home after work, ignore (or delegate) the chores, yell at the family pet, hit the ceiling when it leaves you a present, prepare for your favorite television show by nuking your supper to return back to the television and plop down to spend the balance of the evening (like a potato) until you cannot stay awake anymore - and like a zombie, stutter-step your way back to the crypt (bed)?
Yes, you got it - welcome to the 21st century American household... replete with the draw of (so-called) "Reality TV".
It's amazing how they (programming executives) really came up with a "winner" with this formula, right? I mean... it's like going down the interstate and seeing a wreck... and... you... just... can't... look... away.
It promises the titillation of being a voyeur with only half the calories (tongue-in-cheek). And, after all, it's not like we have anything else better to do, right?
Why do we gravitate towards "Reality TV"?
Are our lives less-than-interesting in comparison? Do we see in the stars and starlets the future we might have had? Does it allow us to displace our dreams and goals just long enough to fantasize about occupying the same space as those we see on the screen? Is it the appearance of affluence, the fame of being known (pseudo-worshiped) by all, or the way the actors/actresses are treated which cajoles us to the eerily lit screen in the den and/or bedroom?
"For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions - is not from the Father but is from the world." (1.Jn.2.16.esv)
Curve ball! Oh my!
Now let's read that paraphrased: "Everything in this world that entertains you - satisfying your sensual hunger, things you wish you had, and celebrating your (or others') possessions - is not from GOD but is from a broken world."
"Ooo, why you hit so hard?!" (Osmosis Jones, 2001)
In all honesty, I won't sit here and say I've never watched any of the "Reality TV" shows; but, in a very short while it gets wearisome to see "staged reality" try to convince you of what's important, what's right (and wrong), what's normal and what the majority of people like (or don't like). Take a look at this...
Show - [ chief avarice ] - what we see in light of Scripture
Keeping Up with the Kardashians - [ greed ] - desires of the flesh
The Glee Project - [ pride ] - desires of the eyes
Hell's Kitchen - [ greed ] - pride in possessions
So You Think You Can Dance - [ pride ] - desires of the eyes
Big Brother - [ greed ] - desires of the flesh
Jersey Shore - [ pride ] - desires of the flesh, desires of the eyes and pride in possessions
The Bachelorette - [ greed ] - desires of the flesh and desires of teh eyes
Seeing a pattern? List some of the shows you've seen and comment below. MMLIA
Coming home after school, do the chores, square the family pet away, hit the books, prepare for supper, watch television, take your bath (shower) and go to bed.
Yep, that's right - the eighties (1980's).
But, this is what's happening today...
Come home after work, ignore (or delegate) the chores, yell at the family pet, hit the ceiling when it leaves you a present, prepare for your favorite television show by nuking your supper to return back to the television and plop down to spend the balance of the evening (like a potato) until you cannot stay awake anymore - and like a zombie, stutter-step your way back to the crypt (bed)?
Yes, you got it - welcome to the 21st century American household... replete with the draw of (so-called) "Reality TV".
It's amazing how they (programming executives) really came up with a "winner" with this formula, right? I mean... it's like going down the interstate and seeing a wreck... and... you... just... can't... look... away.
It promises the titillation of being a voyeur with only half the calories (tongue-in-cheek). And, after all, it's not like we have anything else better to do, right?
Why do we gravitate towards "Reality TV"?
Are our lives less-than-interesting in comparison? Do we see in the stars and starlets the future we might have had? Does it allow us to displace our dreams and goals just long enough to fantasize about occupying the same space as those we see on the screen? Is it the appearance of affluence, the fame of being known (pseudo-worshiped) by all, or the way the actors/actresses are treated which cajoles us to the eerily lit screen in the den and/or bedroom?
"For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions - is not from the Father but is from the world." (1.Jn.2.16.esv)
Curve ball! Oh my!
Now let's read that paraphrased: "Everything in this world that entertains you - satisfying your sensual hunger, things you wish you had, and celebrating your (or others') possessions - is not from GOD but is from a broken world."
"Ooo, why you hit so hard?!" (Osmosis Jones, 2001)
In all honesty, I won't sit here and say I've never watched any of the "Reality TV" shows; but, in a very short while it gets wearisome to see "staged reality" try to convince you of what's important, what's right (and wrong), what's normal and what the majority of people like (or don't like). Take a look at this...
Show - [ chief avarice ] - what we see in light of Scripture
Keeping Up with the Kardashians - [ greed ] - desires of the flesh
The Glee Project - [ pride ] - desires of the eyes
Hell's Kitchen - [ greed ] - pride in possessions
So You Think You Can Dance - [ pride ] - desires of the eyes
Big Brother - [ greed ] - desires of the flesh
Jersey Shore - [ pride ] - desires of the flesh, desires of the eyes and pride in possessions
The Bachelorette - [ greed ] - desires of the flesh and desires of teh eyes
Seeing a pattern? List some of the shows you've seen and comment below. MMLIA
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