From Our Pastor...

Make the Switch

      I gave up watching TV almost two years ago now. Most of the thanks go to my husband, Steve. Ultimately, it was simply a matter of deciding not to subscribe to cable, dish or satellite, and knowing that there was no way that a simple antennae would provide any television coverage at our house. It took a while, but now I don’t miss it one bit. What is shocking though is that when I do see television now -- if we happen to be staying in a motel, or at a friend’s house – I am appalled at just how lousy the vast majority of broadcast programs have become. On reflection, what is really scary is that television has probably always been that shoddy, but I only notice it now, because I haven’t watched regularly for so long!
      Based on at least a couple of reports, the average American watches 28 hours of television each week. That means that for most American 65 year-olds, they have given up 9 years of their life to watching television! If that is not shocking enough, one of these reports notes this comparative statistic: “Number of minutes per week that parents spend in meaningful conversation with their children -- 3.5 minutes”, versus “Number of minutes per week that the average child watches television -- 1,680 minutes.” I hope that is disturbing enough to every parent, grandparent and Godparent out there to switch the television off for a while (or for ever!) Incidentally, the average American youth spends 900 hours in school each year, but 1500 hours a year watching television! Clearly begging the question of who is educating our children? This is not even to mention the number of violent scenes, or commercials that we are offered for our viewing pleasure during all those hours of TV.
      While television clearly has some major benefits, watching it should never be a passive activity! Would you allow just anyone to enter your home and pour into your mind whatever they say is acceptable or even good? Unfortunately, television can be that stranger if we do not exercise caution in what we listen to and watch. We may not have thought of television as anything but a way to relax at the end of the day. However, television is so huge in our culture and our lives that simply because of the amount of time we give up to viewing, it has a massive influence over who we are, and what we value. Given the level of TV time that our children and youth enjoy, the culture of television programming is also shaping the future of our country, and the world. Do we really want a nation shaped by the values portrayed on popular sit-coms, reality TV, in advertising, and on music videos? Is there a better way? Do you wonder what Jesus might say about the current state of this medium of communication and indoctrination? What are the values, and other messages we welcome into our homes each day just by switching on the TV set?
      Rather than giving up something for Lent, much has been made in recent years about taking on something for Lent. Especially something that will make a difference in the world, or in other words put a dent into the massive injustices of societal norms. Both choices offer spiritual benefits, and both choices can still make a difference in the world. Ironically, one of the most frequent issues we all face is the question of having the time, or making time in our lives to work on those positive changes. If you have not yet considered what you might offer to God during our Lenten journey -- in sacrifice, or in service -- perhaps one little switch can give us the time, some additional money, and the quiet through which God most often speaks, to make a difference. May God bless us all with peace and freedom in Christ Jesus.