*** lv chap. 6 pp. 65-70 pars. 10-15 How to Choose Wholesome Entertainment ***
Q10. What sort of reasoning about entertainment is dangerous, and why?10 Some may feel, though, that indulging in entertainment that graphically portrays immoral behavior is harmless. They reason, 'I may watch it in movies or on TV, but I would never do such things myself.' Such reasoning is deceptive and dangerous. (Jeremiah 17:9) If we find it entertaining to watch what Jehovah condemns, do we really "abhor what is wicked"? Repeatedly exposing ourselves to wicked conduct will dull our senses. (Psalm 119:70; 1 Timothy 4:1, 2) Such a practice could affect what we do or how we view the sinful conduct of others.
Looks like porn is a problem amongst JW's....
Q11. How has Galatians 6:7 proved true in regard to entertainment?11 This has actually happened. Some Christians have committed immoral acts because they were influenced by the entertainment that they habitually watched. They learned the hard way that "whatever a man is sowing, this he will also reap." (Galatians 6:7) But such a sad outcome can be avoided. If you carefully sow in your mind what is sound, you will happily reap in your life what is wholesome.-See the box "What Entertainment Should I Choose?" on page 67.
[Box/Picture on page 67]WHAT ENTERTAINMENT SHOULD I CHOOSE?
Principle: "Abhor what is wicked, cling to what is good."-Romans 12:9.
Would God be pleased if...
- The lyrics of the music I listen to make it difficult for me to keep my mind on chaste things?-1 Corinthians 6:9, 10.
- I imitate the negative speech and actions of people in the movies I choose to watch?-Luke 6:40.
- I choose to play video games that require me to act the part of a violent or an immoral person?-Psalm 11:5, 7.
- The standards that I preach to others are not the standards that I use to guide me in my choice of entertainment?-Romans 2:21.
Were Christians who "committed immoral acts" forgiven or was the "sad outcome" their forced shunning because of being disfellowshipped, despite showing repentance to a group of 3 imperfect men who sat on a judicial committee and who were not able to discern the condition of the heart
PERSONAL DECISIONS BASED ON BIBLE PRINCIPLES
Q12. How does Galatians 6:5 relate to entertainment, and what guidance do we have for making personal decisions?12 Let us now discuss the second category-entertainment that features activities that are neither directly condemned nor expressly approved in God's Word. When choosing from such entertainment, each Christian needs to make a personal decision as to what he finds wholesome. (Galatians 6:5) However, when faced with this choice, we are not without guidance. The Bible contains principles, or fundamental truths, that enable us to perceive Jehovah's way of thinking. By paying attention to such principles, we will be able to perceive "what the will of Jehovah is" in all things, including our choice of entertainment.-Ephesians 5:17.
Finally some refreshing words from the WBTS - "each Christian needs to make a personal decision as to what he finds wholesome" based on Bible principles.
WBTS - PLEASE print more of these types of comments!
Q13. What will move us to avoid entertainment that could displease Jehovah?13 Understandably, not all Christians have developed their moral perception, or discernment, to the same degree. (Philippians 1:9) Moreover, Christians realize that in the area of entertainment, tastes vary. Therefore, it is not to be expected that all Christians will make exactly the same decisions. Even so, the more we allow godly principles to influence our mind and heart, the more eager we will be to avoid any form of entertainment that could displease Jehovah.-Psalm 119:11, 129; 1 Peter 2:16.
"...not all Christians have developed their moral perception, or discernment, to the same degree." These sorts of comments allow for JW's to make distinctions amongst themselves and label others as "spiritually weak" or "lacking spiritual depth and appreciation".
Q14. (a) What factor should we consider when choosing entertainment? (b) How can we keep Kingdom interests first in life?14 When choosing entertainment, there is another important factor to consider: your time. While the content of your entertainment reveals what you find acceptable, the amount of time you spend on it reveals what you find important. For Christians, of course, spiritual matters are the most important. (Matthew 6:33) What, then, can you do to make sure that Kingdom interests remain first in your life? The apostle Paul stated: "Keep strict watch that how you walk is not as unwise but as wise persons, buying out the opportune time for yourselves." (Ephesians 5:15, 16) Indeed, setting clear limits on the amount of time you set aside for entertainment will help you to have the needed time available for "the more important things"-activities that contribute to your spiritual well-being.-Philippians 1:10.
Here comes the guilt trip"...the amount of time you spend on it reveals what you find important"
Further statements used to beat witnesses over the head with are "For Christians, of course, spiritual matters are the most important" and "...make sure that Kingdom interests remain first in your life" which of course means obediently follow the program of works the WBTS has defined as theocratic law for its members
Because if the indoctrination, reading Matt 6:33 and Ephesians 5:15, 16 the loyal witness is programmed to associate these to mean the preaching work, serving where the need is greater, attending all the meetings, giving your valuable things to the WBTS, simplifying your life to pioneer etc etc etc
Why are the "activities that contribute to your spiritual well-being" not qualified? Probably because in the mind of a loyal JW, there is no doubt that the WBTS treadmill of activity is what Jah requires them to keep up with and make sacrifices for...
Q15. Why is it wise to allow a margin of safety when choosing entertainment?15 It is also wise to allow a margin of safety when choosing entertainment. What does that mean? Consider once more the example of the fruit. To avoid inadvertently eating what is rotten, you cut out not just the exact area that is bad but also a margin around it. Similarly, it is wise to apply a safety margin in choosing entertainment. A wise Christian avoids not only entertainment that is clearly in violation of Bible principles but also types that are dubious or that seem to include elements that are spiritually unhealthy. (Proverbs 4:25-27) Sticking close to God's Word will help you to do just that.
"Sticking close to God's Word" or sticking close to the WBTS and its interpretations?
Congregation "Bible Study" Comments - Week Commencing 22 June 2009
by LUKEWARM 3 Replies latest jw friends
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LUKEWARM
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WTWizard
First, I will say that while they condemn people watching a story that features violence, they demand that people read material that depicts violence as future reality, that threatens them--they will become victims if they don't do everything the Filthful and Disgraceful Slavebugger tells them. Which is worse, violence that is fiction, or violence that is portrayed in an attempt to threaten people?
True, "bad" entertainment can lead to "bad" conduct. But it doesn't need to. If people truly had the ability to think independently, they would not have that problem. Case in point: I listened to a song that featured drunken brawls (in fact, it was one of my favorite songs). I did not like it because it featured drunken brawls, but because of a trip to Palace Playland I went on when the song first hit. The song disappeared off the radio (and my parents, who were Catholic, did not object to that song). I got it for Christmas on a Greatest Hits compilation in 1974 and literally wore out the record physically (I mean actually ruining the physical record, not getting tired of the song). Then, just before college, I got the record again--this time, I had a better needle and taped copies of the song on working tape collections. At no time did I get into a drunken brawl because of that song, despite the fact that beer was widespread on campus.
"Allowing a margin" is another guilt trip. What is going to happen is the hounders are going to start enlarging that "margin". What is on the borderline is now "bad", with another "borderline" that was once safe. Now this new border has to be extracted, leaving yet another new border. This will go on until there are only 135 songs one can listen to and a few videos to watch. As I see it, if it doesn't directly affect you (and it shouldn't affect you by a guilt trip), there should be no problem enjoying art of any kind, even if the subject is something you do not believe in, if the artistic merit is worth it.
Yes, hate what is bad. I hate the Washtowel Babble and Crap Slaveholdery, because of the way they ruin lives, hound and harass people, and continually insisting that people sell out and pio-sneer for the end when they know that the end is not coming at that time.
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insearchoftruth
Thanks Lukewarm, very helpful indeed......once again an attack on entertainment continues....do more service
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Billy the Ex-Bethelite
Thanks Lukewarm!
Better not read the Bible. It's full of violence and sex.
"To avoid inadvertently eating what is rotten, you cut out not just the exact area that is bad but also a margin around it."
Indeed, in order to avoid the rottenness of false prophecy such as 1975 and "this generation", one ought to cut a wide margin around anything Watchtower Corporation teaches.