We canceled cable last year right after October General Conference. We have gone TVfree several times in our married life and we love being TVfree. It usually takes about a week for the kids to adjust to TVfree. They wander around picking fights and complaining of boredom and then suddenly they remember how to read, hangout with friends, play outside, find other activities to fill their time.
We watched videos - especially with winter weather. They were mostly the old stuff, Cosby Show, Muppet Show, Lost in Space (good stuff - parents are really in charge in that show), Andy Griffeth, and the boys liked it.
Noah would tell his friends we didn't have TV (we have a nice, new, big flat TV and a Video Projection Big Screen downstairs) just to watch their horrified reaction. He was proud of the fact that we didn't have TV. He asked us repeatedly to not get TV ever again.
We got cable again last month for NCAA playoffs and General Conference viewing. It came in a fancy package with cable phone and it was much cheaper than the old phone service, so we said yes.
Here are my observations:
After 6 months with no TV I realize how aggressive TV is. We have to make the choice NOT to watch it. We have tried very hard to keep it turned off. We watched Top Chef and every other word was bleeped, people were throwing fits and being horrible and my boys were sitting, glassy eyed, soaking it in. I don't worry that my boys are going to turn into cussing chefs, but I don't want that negative harsh attitude in my home, not for one minute.
Some shows that I thought were great (Battlestar Gallactica) offend me with their sexuality and violence. Some shows that were just purely entertaining (The office) make me feel uncomfortable when the kids are watching with me.
And I have had an "ah - ha" experience with Oprah. Oprah was my nursing girl friend. When I was nursing my 4 babies I planned the day so that I could nurse while Oprah was on TV. She made me laugh and made me cry. What Oprah said was law for me. When she said "Don't wear blue eye shadow" I threw mine out. When she said 40 is the new 30 I was relieved. When she suggested a book to read I put it on hold at the library. I haven't watched Oprah in probably 8 years.
I have been DVRing her show and something was really bothering me about Oprah. It made me feel uncomfortable. Maybe I feel this because I am no longer getting up all night with babies and I can think more clearly, or maybe because I am older and have something to compare to, or maybe because her underlying message is just more obvious - but I find that Oprah doesn't help me be a joyful person.
Then my mom sent me this clip.
It feels alarmist and extreme and normally I would say, "these people need more in their lives", but actually, it speaks to exactly what I was feeling while watching the two episodes I have seen.
She talks about "opening" her mind - calling Christians "closed minded" is an over used attack.
The whole jealous God comment made me wonder if she knew the rest of the scripture, and finally "If God for you is about a belief, it is not truly God". She says God is a feeling.
What do you think?
9 comments:
I completely agree with you. I have had this exact discussion with several people. I believe Oprah is the definition of "scripture, mingled with the teachings of men". She has done good in spotlighting issues such as child abuse, sexual abuse, autism and the human rights situation in Africa.
However, the bulk of her shows teach, "If it feels good, do it" and "there is no sin" and "healing and self-awareness come from within". Her ideas feel good. They are warm and fuzzy and easy. But, there is no acountability, no rules, no higher law.
I congratulate you on observing this yourself. Someone told me these same thoughts and I violently disagreed. But as I watched Oprah, while nursing a baby ironically, I couldn't help but hear that nagging little voice. I started to see past the warm fuzzies. And so, I no longer watch Oprah.
I completely agree with Jenn that she is a false prophet, exactly what we hear about. I still watch her at time for entertainment, but anyone who takes her word as truth has problems.
We have tv. Someday I want to be rid of it... but I am still "nursing baby mode" and he grabs at books... so the tv it is. We watch a dang lot of QVC though, they don't curse, there is no violence, and they are modestly dressed.
About Oprah. Powerful Powerful woman. "My" message board that has hundreds of women was discussing her last week and the whole Texas Mess. They felt like she didn't react very disgusted at the Polygamist lifestyle and people do whatever she approves of... Scary stuff.
This is very interesting. I think the last time I watched Oprah was about 9 years ago and I thought she was great. But then I just didn't have time, and she wasn't quite interesting enough to record, so I totally lost touch with her. But I had no idea that this was her agenda. I agree with all the previous comments. Scary.
-KK
I think the thing that impressed me about this video was when Oprah is talking about how everyone finds salvation their own way and it doesn't matter how you do it.People in the audience are nodding in agreement and it all sounds nice and then suddenly the women in the audience says, "What about Jesus Christ? That is the only way. Jesus is the only way." I was impressed at her example, that she stood up to Oprah. It made me wonder if I would have even thought to do that.
What an amazing example that woman was of standing for truth and righteousness.
She is the very definition of the philosophies of man (or in this case, woman), mingled with scripture. I have only watched her show twice, and on both occasions she has made me uneasy. She is a smooth talker, and she knows it. I call her a snake in the grass.
I didn't watch her for a few years and than within the past couple of weeks, I started to dvr her show because I remembered watching her while I nursed Kaylee. So, I have watched the past couple of shows and I have to agree with Jen. Some of her shows are fine, but every once in awhile I get that nagging feeling in my gut that makes me uneasy. Especially the other day when her show had a man pregnant (he/she changed)and a couple of days later Selma Hayek who proclaimed that mothers at a young age don't appreciate it as much as she does at 39 and she doesn't need to be married because she doesn't need anyone else. I was furious!! Of course Oprah agreed.
At that time, I decided to turn off Oprah. I just found myself getting mad.
I was also very impressed with the women that stood up. What great courage and what a great example.
Oprah is the devil.
Ok, Robin, you discovered another pet peeve of mine. One that bothers me so much that I actually have to get it out. Oprah Winfrey. The woman drives me nuts and has for awhile. (And I'm even from Chicago!) She acts like what she says is law. Whet she says goes. Have you ever noticed when she interviews people she askes them a question and before they've finished answering she says, "So what your trying to say is this..." Well, how would she even know what they're trying to say when she doesn't let them finish their own answer? And as for publicly backing Obama? Does she really have that much power and pull in the political world as well? Scary. Let's just hope her viewers can think for themselves on how to vote.
Post a Comment