TV (was Re: Pantyhose and Knee Highs)

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As my pastor put it Re: TVs, Videos, Movies, the Theater, magazines,
newspapers, books, etc.:

There is no Biblical mandate except to "watch what you watch" (para. Phil.
4:8).  If it causes you to think evil thoughts, or dwell on evil things,
you probably shouldn't be watching it.  However, if you aren't receiving
any "warning vibes" (my term, you know what I mean) from the Holy Ghost,
it's probably ok.

For example:
If I'm watching a documentary on Harry Truman (I actually did once, quite
interesting), it isn't the same thing as watching "Ellen".  If I watch the
Truman broadcast, it is because I'm interested in the history.  If I'm
watching "Ellen" (yuck), I would be constantly distracted by her lifestyle
(dwelling on an evil thing).

The same exact advice can apply to books, magazines, newspapers, and
various other non-electrical information/entertainment sources besides TV. 
I go to a Catholic University.  Every day I have to discern and discard
that which is "evil" (would distract me from God), such as "the Earth is a
billion years old" nonsense I hear in Intro. to Geology class.  Should I
then not attend College?  Because I might hear these things?  Because any
of my professors might show an "informational" video in class?  Of course
not.  I can let the Holy Ghost guide me to the truth of these matters.

The idea of "watch what you watch" (from Phillipians 4:8, already quoted in
another post), is intrinsically related to Paul's statement to "Prove all
things, hold fast to that which is good." (BCV escapes me at the moment). 
If we were to limit Phil 4:8 to TV, we are gravely misinterpreting the
scripture.  It applies to any "evil" we *allow* to influence us.

It is a principle to keep (influential) evil from distracting you from
Godly things, it is not (and really couldn't have been) a specific mandate
regarding TVs.  I've always had a TV in my home (my Dad was, and is, not
saved--*pray*).  I'm still just as saved.  I still believe in the standards
(not returning to that topic, but...).  I still attend church every week
and love it.  I still sing in the choir and mean it.  I still watch some TV
(and, yes, I have gone without it for days at a time--I'm not "addicted" to
TV), but I have enough *sense* (Holy Ghost sense) to know whether or not I
should be viewing a particular show or not.

An example regarding receiving a personal message from God:
Let's say I had a serious problem with shopping before I was saved (this is
*just* an example!).  I mean to the point where all 10 of my credit cards
were maxed out and I couldn't afford to pay them, and mail order catalogues
were my Bible.  I receive the Holy Ghost (repent, baptized, etc.) and am
delivered from this addiction.  God speaks to me and tells me to cut up the
credit cards and burn the mail order catalogues.  Does that mean I should
hold every one else to that conviction??? NO.  Neither does it follow that
someone who receives a personal message about card games should expect
everyone to adhere to their convictions.  Neither, then, does it follow
that simply because someone receives a personal message from God regarding
TVs that same restriction automatically applies to everyone.  See what I
mean?


Just my (actually closer to $2 and ) $.02,
Anneliese