There is danger in believing everything that is aired on television. In fact, habitual and consistent watching of television broadcasts can and will negatively affect the individual’s psyche, belief, and moral standards. This is not to say, however, that one is not to believe anything he sees on television; or is it saying that there are no benefits or advantages of watching television. When a person allows himself to believe the whole lot on television, then he is basically just exposing himself to many potential dangers that can harm his perspective of and behavior in life. Many of today’s broadcasts—news, movies, documentaries, cartoons, reality shows—more often present acts of violence and profanity and unrealistic concepts of magic and fantasy to the viewers. Tragically, there are quite many nowadays who believe most of what they see on television, if not all. This is especially true of little children who are more likely to believe and imitate what they see in the cartoons and animated movies. There are a few cartoons indeed that can be educational and beneficial for children, but most cartoons now are quite secular and drastically unrealistic in their themes. When children start imitating certain characters (superheroes especially) from cartoons or movies, their mentality and behavior will considerably change and develop in accordance to that of their supposed “heroes.” The result, moreover, is not always pleasant. Little Bobby was a normal kid who was raised by moral parents who loved him and disciplined him well. This jolly little fellow enjoyed playing with his friends and family but favored watching violent Japanese anime and eventually became addicted to those animations. He even tried several violent acts on his two little brothers and on his school friends. As the years progressed, these cartoons or anime led to movies that reflected similar violent themes. Bobby made these shows such a part of his life that he no longer was the jolly little fellow that everyone once adored: he did not care for rules, and he did not care for discipline. Many years after, innocent Little Bobby is replaced with this ruthless murderer and rapist who was to face the horror of the gas chamber. What did watching and believing what he saw on those shows do to him? It desensitized him, robbed him of his innocence, and promoted his violent and irresponsible behavior. Furthermore, “If I am to believe everything I see and hear on television, then what about my own belief and morals? Do they not matter anymore?” All the programs, shows, movies, and news aired on television are seldom unanimous in their themes and morals. In other words, all these different TV shows have their own agenda that they want to present to the viewers. For one to believe everything on television would mean that he might even have to contradict his own belief in the process of doing so. Furthermore, he is then supposed to accept the teachings and morals of other men. For the Christian individual that would mean the acceptance of sinful principles. Most TV shows today are not written with obedience to God in mind. In fact, even some Christians claim that they do not accept such sinful principles, yet they continually watch certain programs that convey those principles. Soon they will be found opposing the principles of Scripture and even rebuking those who bring the truth. This will sow discord among the brethren and confusion in the life of a young believer. TV shows such as Supernatural, Charmed, and Mindfreak are just a handful of a multitude of haunting and frightening shows that the devil uses to ensnare the minds of many. Watching these shows is merely a waste time and a breeding of unreal fear. Too much television can in fact cause one’s faith to waver and cause him to question his belief. The devil especially wants the viewers to believe his lies as the final truth. “My believing everything that is said and done on television is the refuting and contradicting of my very own belief and morals.” Most television programs are designed with the purpose of reprogramming a person’s mind by breaking down his defenses so he will accept a lie as truth. His beliefs do not matter anymore because he now has to accept what is shown on television. The ultimate danger of believing everything on television would be chaos, corruption, and confusion in each individual’s life if everyone were to believe all of television. Thus, it would be best for man to prohibit himself from falling prey to the snares that are so cunningly concealed by television; snares that can so easily corrupt and twist the mind.
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