Big Bang Theory - Funny show with lots of questionable content

[sgmusic1987]

Love the characters on this show but some of the content is a bit much.  The sleeping around and the homosexual references...drinking etc

I find myself having to turn it when my 13 year old is in the room.

Does anyone else feel like supporting a show like Big Bang Theory is unacceptable for a Christian?   Or is it just  entertainment and you just try and block out the worldy aspects of it?  Thoughts?

[p.progress]

Love the characters on this show but some of the content is a bit much.  The sleeping around and the homosexual references...drinking etc

I find myself having to turn it when my 13 year old is in the room.

Does anyone else feel like supporting a show like Big Bang Theory is unacceptable for a Christian?   Or is it just  entertainment and you just try and block out the worldy aspects of it?  Thoughts?

Whether this show (or others like it) is 'acceptable' or unacceptable for a mature/serious believer ('Christian') to spend their time on, is one question. The answer lays in the more important question needing to be asked and addressed here: What degree of godly environment do you desire to provide for your children? What kinds of things will best provide them what is necessary to ensure as much as possible, a healthy environment, where they can blossom mentally and spiritually? Those who not only claim to love and fear God, but actually do; I believe are the ones who'll most likely find themselves in a position to best discover these answers.

While this show can be characterized from the standpoint of this present evil world as 'entertainment' (entertaining). What needs to be examined here is whether or not Satan has successfully found a avenue to enter and undermine by stealth, whatever level of godliness you have been able to attain unto (have achieved) over time, through your past willingness and love for the Lord, to yield to the promptings of His Spirit in your life. We can be "spoiled" you know (Col.2:8; S.of S. 2:15), of the good things we once gained through the grace of God (read what the true grace of God teaches in Titus 2:11-12, contextual settings, no less then from 2:1 onward, read though 1:10-11 for greater insight).


Ask yourself: "What is it about this form of 'entertainment' that appeals to ('entertains') me?" Is it the overall seemingly benign nature of the various characters that make up the 'show'? Are the humorous exchanges between the characters 'just too funny' to deny that they are; and so to deny yourself the moments of lightheartedness and laughter that you experience in watching this 'show' seems too, too rigid a stance to take ('I mean, what else makes me laugh so hard and spontaneously as this sort of thing?' Right?)?

I am older now. I have no children about to raise or care for on a daily basis (how I wish I did again), so I may think I have less of a stake than you at present to help direct and shape (influence) children; and so I can 'afford' to indulge myself in such 'light entertainment' as this sort of 'show' provides. But that is merely an illusion.

What we allow to enter the eye gate and the ear gate of our soul (what we watch and what we listen to); ...what we give our attentions to, spending our precious time on, has its effect.

You have children - or at least one 13 year old. You might think you can 'handle' being bombarded by the images and philosophies that you confess offend and grieve your better sensibilities, in order to 'enjoy' what you judge to be of some value 'entertainment' wise (with regard to that show - and others perhaps); but can you confidently affirm the same is true for your children?

If your answer is no, or no, not even in the least bit - as that is the truth; then I think you know what you need to do. But will you do it? That is where the rubber meets the road is it not with respect to a genuine walk with the Lord.

Can you as a believer, sit down before your set, listen and watch this 'show' with your children, without having to tensely hold your remote, fingers on the mute or change the channel buttons?

If you were required to walk along a rough narrow mountain road with a shear drop off on one side; and you did so having to guard and guide your children along the way as well. Who would need to advise you to keep your children as far away as possible, from the edge of the road where the drop off is?

When your daughter was small, you protected her from the many physical dangers that she as a small child was not cognisant of, as yet. That sphere and area of 'protection' may have changed in a drastic way over the years (though she is still vulnerable to certain physical dangers now). But now, what she needs is for her parents to guard and guide her with respect to the ideas and philosophies that are bombarding her in this world and at this time and stage in her life - which can do even greater damage than the physical dangers she has faced, faces now and will face latter. For ideas (philosophies) when adopted and followed, have consequences in following them; consequences you can testify too, I am sure, which last a lifetime...even for eternity in many cases.


Personal note:
When our children were small, my wife and I 'amputated' out of ours and their lives, the TV set.

Imagine this now:
After we removed the TV out of our home (the first time), someone gave us an even bigger and 'better' TV set than we had before. At first we accepted it. But then we gave it away, trying to focus on what we were just beginning to understand about what was most vital to us for our children and home. Later, again, someone else gave us another (I think) even 'better' TV than the last one. Why we accepted it I can't recall. But again, we got rid of it. We did keep a small black & white TV my father-in-law gave my wife before we knew each other. we kept it in a closet, and only used it on Saturday mornings, so our children could watch two children's programs on the local 'Christian' TV station. After a while, even those programs, though the most edifying of the lot on that station, were less than what we were becoming more and more aware of was what we wanted for and found we could provide for our children to 'occupy' or 'entertain' our children. We all watched these two programs together and they were very edifying from a scriptural perspective. But we got rid of it too as I said; choosing we believed to pursue and have what was more excellent over the 'better' or 'good' (as far as TV wise is concerned that is).

For many years afterwards, we rarely were exposed to TV programs of any sort. Our children excelled then as a natural consequence, in other pursuits, such as in the  reading of books, and exercising their imaginations in other 'old fashioned' ways. The kinds of books they read were either from authors of the latter 1800's or believing authors of this century or earlier.

We lived just south of Chattanooga, Tennessee. In Chattanooga, there was a flee-market bookstore that carried many of these older books...and sold then for only $2-6 or so dollars, mostly around $3! My children were beyond elated! These books though written for children, were not written the same way books are written today - even the same way authors write for grown-ups.

You'd have to read them yourself to understand what I mean; to see and experience how complex the sentence and paragraph structure is and how so rich the vocabulary was that the authors used in conveying the images and stories within their works. Phenomenal.

Naturally, as a consequence of reading such books, they one and all accrued to themselves a wide vocabulary, and their level of comprehension was greatly enhanced...not to mention the themes, characters and stories in these books set an example for good, wholesome and honorable conduct.

When others (even professing Christians) found out we did not have a TV (or celebrated holidays, etc. as most usually are in the habit of doing); they asked us 'What on earth do you do for fun or entertainment?'. An understandable question, coming from those who know nothing about us - save we don't 'have' this or that, or we don't 'celebrate' this 'holiday' or the other (no, we are not J.W's.). The answer though became no less natural for us to answer such things. That we have so much more time now and much less distractions to contend with to do the things that we have come to discover and enjoy; enjoy things we considered much better or more excellent things; things that edify, things that are true, things that are honorable, things that are just, lovely, pure, of good report, and things that are are from above. For creatures who are naturally inclined to think and practice evil, as mankind is; it was a wise God that encouraged (and not just commanded) us to pursue after such things that last.

Whatever 'benefits' or 'pleasure' you might imagine you gain in the time and attention you devote to this program (on a regular basis or 'from time to time'); the truth is, every second/minute/hour spend doing so, does at least one thing: it forever robs you of that time and gift of opportunity, to invest it directly into the life of your daughter. It is a forfeiture of the more excellent for what? Can it be said, watching such shows is trading the better or even the best for the most excellent? Yes or no? What do you want to look back upon ten, twenty years from now and remember of this time you had your daughter with you to do as you pleased? Will you have overmuch sorrow and regret; or rejoice in the fact, though you by no means perfectly did all things well; yet you with the grace of God and a diligent single eyed pursuit, did all you could every day to redeem the time with your daughter, pursuing what was wise, right and good for the welfare of your daughter (children).

Christ said to his weary disciples once, "Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat." We need to rest too. We need to rest though in the things God gives us to refresh ourselves, when we do rest. Relax with the children to be sure. Laugh, play and explore with them. God gave us this earth to enjoy and to stand in awe of his greatness in his creation of nature.

Here's a thought:
I would say not only take a rest from the TV (especially a permanent rest from bad programs); but think seriously about taking a rest from (quote) 'going to church'.

Every other weekend or every other third or so weekend 'come apart' and rest from the monotony of the routine. If that generates alarm or a sense of guilt in doing so, consider this. Pray as a family that today being devoted to family, we nevertheless remain ready and willing to be used by the Lord to speak to and perhaps encourage or help whoever the Spirit of God might bring us into contact at the park, or the lake or elsewhere. If the Lord is appealed to in this way, you can be certain he's aware you're not of the mindset that is merely seeking to satisfy selfish pursuits. Just as there is a time to fast from food, or physical intimacies, exercise or work; there are times to fast from the 'business' of other routine endeavors. The routine of 'going to church' is no less a busy pursuit. And honestly, for many it is a thing they over indulged in, in an unhealthy and unscriptural manner. The overall and long-term health of the family can and does suffer, when a parent (parents) in more of a robotic-like manner, is determined to 'go to church' - 'faithfully' 'go to church' (as they are taught to think of it), at any and all costs (they think is required to pay). Where does it command this though? Hebrews 10:24-25? Hebrews 13:17? Elsewhere? Better study those passages on your own for a good spell. The 'doing God's will' with respect to our assembling with others "of like precious faith" encompasses more than a rigid single interpretive notion about what it means to 'go to church'. But I digress here a bit.

But I encourage such a worthy and important study in the scriptures, to see what He (God/the Lord) actually says and teaches in this area. I encourage you more so, to devote your life and love to your children while you have them under your roof and still so young (even 13 is still young). And in my studied opinion, it will demand of you things you may think are too important to deny yourself now; but later you'll not regret losing such things to gain lasting things of value.   


So, if you are hearing me aright, you will understand that there is a choice you need to make (on your own), whether it is right and wise to ponder such questions any longer; or put one foot in front of the other and make some serious and perhaps to many, some radically significant decisions about these things. Decisions that you may not have contemplated were so sobering.

If you disagree with all this 'bit of' advise, that is certainly your husband's and your prerogative. But you asked for some feedback, and so here is mine.

As for the show you spoke of, a little more direct advise: "Beware that a little leaven leavens the whole lump". And further, it has been said that what you may tolerate in moderation; you children may indulge in excess.


My own experiences and observations over many years, leads me to say this as well regarding TV and the programs found therein; and how to best navigate through decisions with respect to them:

While a rigidly-legalistic mindset and approach to such things in the long haul is an unhealthy and loosing proposition to count upon as a 'conducive environment' in which to nurture and rear children to become healthy and wise themselves; so is the mindset that vainly conceives that it is virtuous to exercise 'moderation' in the toleration of evil...that we can't protect our children from the world and to so, is to invite failure, and doom our children to being unprepared for the 'real world'. Both are wrong. The former is one side of the ditch, the other is no better, just another ditch on the opposite side of the highway to life.

Joy, and showing boundless affection and love to our children, without compromising what is required to guard and guide them into all truth and wholesomeness of that truth, speaks a great deal to what it takes to wisely raise them to be able on their own to stand against the growing tide of evil and lawlessness we and they are surrounded by in this culture and time.
     
Start with the little things, such as cutting out things that may be cleverly 'humorous' and 'entertaining', but are really just a clever way for Satan to gain ground in you and then your children.

Take as instructional exhortation, and out of sincere love for you as a fellow pilgrim through this world.

p.progress

[Wilderness Wanderer]

I havent seen a complete epsiode myself, but I have heard from others that its not the 'best' show going around as far as morals and humour.
The question I have is, why is it appropriate for you and not for your 13 year old? You want to shield them from the trash, why allow your own mind to be filled with it?
God calls us to holiness and purity. Does the big bang theory honour that calling?

A christian colleague at work just destroyed his box set of it as he felt it was not according to his conscience any more and it was a stumbling block.

[Job314]

I have to say that I have "amputated" the TV from my live a long time ago and I find this to be a significant improvement, which I can only recommend. 

[OldDad]

It's a funny show but it's not for kids. Teens maybe, if you're willing to talk about the themes and philosophies that run counter to biblical truth.

I've got all the available seasons on Dvd.

[normfromga]

I am not a fan of the series...I don't find nerdiness funny, probably because I was a bit of a nerd growing up.

But looking back at the bits and pieces I have sat through, I suspect that the series has captured some of the fans of the old Seinfield show.  Of course, they are in different orbs intellectually, but as to their interactions with others as well as each other, the characters sort of make up their rules as they go along, and have rather amoral, rather than immoral, attitude.  Or, at least that is how I read it.