Reality TV
The Bachelor, Big Brother, Jersey Shore, The Kardashians, Real Housewives...the list goes on and on. We're talking about reality TV. To be clear, I'd like to draw a distinction between variety shows or game shows which are also unscripted, yet have a definitive format. Remember shows like, Kids Say the Darndest Things or Star Search? Now we have similar shows such as Little Big Shots and America's Got Talent, and while both game/variety shows and reality TV are similar in that they're unscripted, the latter draws its content from participants' dramatic lives rather than a specific skill or ability highlighted by the game.
When I use the phrase reality TV, I'm referring to shows that focus on the life of the contestants over a period of time where the script comes from dramatic situations rather than a particular skill or funny phrase. In general, reality TV tends to follow the format set forth by Real World on MTV.
We have a saying in our house, "No one is allowed to use other people for their personal entertainment." In other words, you don't get to have fun at someone else's expense. While pranks happen from time to time, no one can be harmed in the process. Teasing occurs daily (thanks to my husband), but the teasing cannot embarrass or put down others. To find joy or entertainment in someone else's struggle doesn't coincide with the Christian life.
I realize everyone who signed up to be on reality TV had an idea of what they were getting into. I know the Kardashians have built an empire upon it. But what is the biblical principle we should be following? Should we endorse all forms of entertainment if the entertainers are willing? After all, male and female strippers sign up for their jobs as well. A person's willingness to participate does not excuse a Christian from exercising wisdom.
I've watched some reality TV, and without fail, I always see people getting hurt. Here are a few examples. Women compete for the lust/love of a man, but only one women can "win." Women are inevitably hurt. A group of people employ tactics either on an island, underground house, or naked in the woods, to win some type of game and come out victorious. But the winner is nearly always the best liar. Wealthy wives sit around and gossip about one another and talk negatively about their husbands. Sometimes there are physical altercations between people who are drunk or even sober. We seem to have an appetite for this kind of entertainment in America. And now, our political system and news media are beginning to employ similar tactics to gain influence, power, and money.
Christians should be known for their love. It should be the defining characteristic of our lives - to love as Jesus loved. 1 Corinthians 13:6 reads, "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth." As we consider our viewing habits, we should ask ourselves: "Does this show delight in other people's suffering? Am I showing love to people by considering their lives to be my personal form of entertainment? Would Jesus find this show to be entertaining?"
If we take a close look at reality TV, we will be hard pressed to find entertainment that doesn't exploit people. As Christians, we should always be against the exploitation of people. It isn't loving. We should stand against people who exploit others, not only in our hometowns but also in the entertainment industry.
When I use the phrase reality TV, I'm referring to shows that focus on the life of the contestants over a period of time where the script comes from dramatic situations rather than a particular skill or funny phrase. In general, reality TV tends to follow the format set forth by Real World on MTV.
I realize everyone who signed up to be on reality TV had an idea of what they were getting into. I know the Kardashians have built an empire upon it. But what is the biblical principle we should be following? Should we endorse all forms of entertainment if the entertainers are willing? After all, male and female strippers sign up for their jobs as well. A person's willingness to participate does not excuse a Christian from exercising wisdom.
I've watched some reality TV, and without fail, I always see people getting hurt. Here are a few examples. Women compete for the lust/love of a man, but only one women can "win." Women are inevitably hurt. A group of people employ tactics either on an island, underground house, or naked in the woods, to win some type of game and come out victorious. But the winner is nearly always the best liar. Wealthy wives sit around and gossip about one another and talk negatively about their husbands. Sometimes there are physical altercations between people who are drunk or even sober. We seem to have an appetite for this kind of entertainment in America. And now, our political system and news media are beginning to employ similar tactics to gain influence, power, and money.
Christians should be known for their love. It should be the defining characteristic of our lives - to love as Jesus loved. 1 Corinthians 13:6 reads, "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth." As we consider our viewing habits, we should ask ourselves: "Does this show delight in other people's suffering? Am I showing love to people by considering their lives to be my personal form of entertainment? Would Jesus find this show to be entertaining?"
If we take a close look at reality TV, we will be hard pressed to find entertainment that doesn't exploit people. As Christians, we should always be against the exploitation of people. It isn't loving. We should stand against people who exploit others, not only in our hometowns but also in the entertainment industry.
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