Most of us grew up watching TV, and we have fond memories of certain TV shows or classic "TV moments." For decades, television has been a part of everyday life for most people. So much so, that the idea of completely ditching TV might be unthinkable to some.

So I don't want to be a kill-joy here. I'm writing this because it is from my heart, it's what I really believe. Although I'm sure you've heard this message before, people have different ideas on why it's better to turn off the TV.

So here are my thoughts on why people should kick their TV to the curb:

1. Propaganda

This first point could be a blog post in itself, but I want to try to be concise.

Some people may not realize that the major media is owned and controlled by a relatively small number of people. The concentration of media ownership is frightening, and it has been getting gradually worse. In 1983, 90 percent of the US media was owned by 50 companies. Now, 90 percent of the media is owned by 6 companies.

The people who own and control the major media have a political and social agenda. They fully understand the power of digital media, and they use that power for all it's worth, to push their agenda, which I believe is subversive, anti-truth and globalist.

They don't report the news as it is. They distort it, suppress it and basically spoon-feed the masses propaganda or half-truths.

One way to see this is to simply look at the difference between what is reported by the mainstream media and what is reported by the independent press. Usually it's like night and day. People who get their news from a variety of sources, read books and do their own research see a very different reality than what is put out by the talking heads on the major networks.

There is much more to be said about this, but for now I'll end this point with a reminder to be discerning and wise (Matt. 10:16) and take everything you hear from the the major media with a grain of salt.

2. "Bread and Circuses"

TV is also used as a distraction tool. It is used by those in power to keep you entertained and distracted from more important and consequential matters.

That's why the people who have control over the networks love pushing stories that have a "soap opera" feel to them. Famous trials, scandals, murder mysteries or celebrity "news stories."

Not only are those kinds of stories good for ratings, but they keep the masses hooked and distracted, so the powers-that-be are free to do what they want, with no accountability.

3. TV negatively affects you mentally

It's not called "the idiot box" for no reason. Studies have shown that too much TV actually has a negative effect on the brain.

Numerous studies have shown that TV decreases academic achievement ^{1, 2 5} and increases attention problems, social problems and delinquent behavior. ³

Interestingly, the negative effect even extends to "background TV." ⁴

Does TV put people in a trance?

Yes, in a sense, TV shuts down part of the brain. I'm sure you've seen kids watching TV with their mouths open, in a near zombie-like state.

Many years ago, Dr. Herbert Krugman did a study ⁷ on television and brain activity. He found that when watching TV, a person's brainwaves switch from Beta (the normal state of mind, when we are fully conscious and able to make logical decisions) to Alpha waves.

An Alpha state is the relaxed, day-dreamy state of mind. In the Alpha state, a person is more receptive and suggestible. In other words, too much television can put people into an almost hypnotic state, where they can be more easily influenced.

Is it becoming more clear why TV is used as a tool to influence the masses? And, of course, why advertisers pay big bucks for commercials? They understand the power of this medium, and the power of repetition.

4. TV negatively affects you morally

Gratuitous violence, casual sex, disrespect, materialism - are those the kinds of things you want to put in your mind?

Unfortunately, many busy parents use TV as a babysitter. And some don't seem to think that the things I just mentioned are a big deal.

From the book Big World, Small Screen: The Role of Television in American Society:

It is estimated that by the time an average child leaves elementary school, he or she will have witnessed 8,000 murders and over 100,000 other acts of violence.  By the time that child is 18 years-of-age; he or she will witness 200,000 acts of violence, including 40,000 murders. ⁸

What is the "fruit" of all that violence put into one's psyche? According to a 17-year study, "There was a significant association between the amount of time spent watching television during adolescence and early adulthood and the likelihood of subsequent aggressive acts against others." ⁹

I could cite more studies, but this should be common sense. What we put into our minds matters.

Just as putting junk food into our body will eventually have a negative effect on us physically - feeding our mind with junk will have a negative effect on us morally and spiritually.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. -Philippians 4:8

I'm picky about what movies I watch or what I put into my mind. I've even been made fun of for not wanting to watch violent, dark or ugly movies. But I just don't want to see that stuff anymore. Once you get that sort of imagery in your mind, you can't "unsee" it.

Being picky might make finding good movies to watch more difficult, but I want to take the words in Philippians 4:8 to heart. I try to always be careful about what I put into my mind.

5. TV negatively affects you physically

Sitting around and snacking is not a good combo, when one is doing that for hours, every day.

It is a known fact that physical inactivity is unhealthy and increases the risk of health problems, such as diabetes ¹⁰, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, heart disease and more.

I have to admit, I'm terrible when it comes to exercising. I don't watch TV, but I spend tons of time on the computer. So I'm definitely guilty of not being physically active. However, this point had to be added to the list, because it's true and it affects so many people.

6. TV keeps people from communicating and building relationships

Have you ever been at a get-together with friends or family, where people are talking... and then someone turns on the TV? As soon as the TV goes on, the interaction comes to a halt, as everyone is glued to the TV set.

Also, when TV becomes an addiction it causes people to prefer staying home to watch their favorite shows over socializing or being with loved ones.

7. TV is a time waster

TV can be addicting, and it certainly is a time sucker. According to a Nielsen survey, Americans spend 34 hours a week watching TV.⁶ That's more than 20 percent of one's week! (If I did my math right.)

Think about how much time you'd free up to do things that are good and healthy – reading, learning, working on your goals and dreams, spending time with loved ones... or real-life adventures! And of course, that time could be spent on seeking and doing God's will and growing spiritually. Time is precious!

8. Hollywood is anti-Christian, Don't support them

I can already hear some people saying, "What? That's crazy!"

I believe that the entertainment industry has an anti-Christian worldview and agenda. But this is also a whole blog topic in itself, so I'm not going to go into this in depth right now. You might want to check out this post, on the blatant Illuminati/satanic symbolism in mainstream music. I also hope you will do your own looking into this topic.

One thing that is easy to see is that much of what's on TV is very worldly and ungodly, as I mentioned in #4.

If you're a Christian, why would you want to support an industry that undermines the Christian worldview? Just a reminder:

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. -1 John 2:15-17

This doesn't mean we shouldn't love people. I believe the word "world" is being used in the sense of society in rebellion to God. If we love the same things the world loves... then we're really not that different than the world, are we?

God doesn't want His people to be wishy-washy or worldly. If you're spending lots of time watching TV, you're being supportive of something that the enemy uses as a tool to oppose God.

In fact, here's a quote, straight from the horse's mouth. From the founder of the church of Satan:

... The birth of TV was a magical event foreshadowing its satanic significance. The first commercial broadcast was aired on Walpurgisnacht, April 30th, 1939, at the New York World's Fair. Since then, TV's infiltration has been so gradual, so complete that no one even noticed. People don't need to go to church any more; they get their morality plays on television. -Anton LaVey, The Devil's Notebook

If enough people quit watching TV, it would send a message to Hollywood. Sometimes you have to take a stand, or else nothing ever changes.

There is power in unity. So if you haven't yet kicked your TV to the curb, I hope that this post will at least get you to think about doing just that.

This article originally appeared on Ashes to Beauty.  To access the footnotes and sources mentioned above, click here! 

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