In response to numerous requests, the contents of this column in August, 1951, have been printed in pamphlet form ( with slight alterations) under the title of "Television-Should it have a place in the Christian's home?" These are now available from the publishers.
In recent months we have received clippings and notes regarding the dangerous and crime provoking character of television programs. These have not been based on any religious scruples, but solely on the moral question. One clipping, supposedly from a Los Angeles newspaper, says that a certain survey counted "127 murders, 101 'justifiable killings,' 357 attempted murders, 93 kidnappings, 11 jail-breaks," and many other crimes in just one week from the seven Los Angeles stations' programs. Another clipping, dated April 29, 1952, says that 70 percent of all children's programs depend on crime and violence for their appeal. Still another clipping, from another state, dated May 14, 1952, quoted a certain survey which said they had counted 91 murders and scores of lesser crimes in one week, only between the hours of 6 and 9 p.m.
The results of such crimes being enacted constantly before the eyes of the youth of the land will produce either a frightened, unhealthy state, or a cold calloused indifference—a cheapening of the value of human life, and a reckless disregard for all virtue. Will anyone dare say that Satan is not behind all this? He is leading the so-called Christian nations down the road trodden by the antediluvian earth, at an accelerated pace. Corruption and violence filled the earth in that day until God had to bring in the flood "upon the world of the ungodly"; corruption and violence are now being taught and demonstrated hour upon hour right in the homes. A liberal, visual education in sin and lawlessness is being broadcast day and night. The seeds of crime are being sown now in abundance; the reaping time will bring a harvest that men will not know how to handle. Everything is being readied for the final scenes of man's lawlessness. The red horse of Revelation 6 will bring in a time of bloodshed—peace shall be taken from the earth, and they shall kill one another.
Christian parents have a greater task today than ever before in seeking to bring up their children in "the right ways of the Lord." They need to seek special grace from on high for wisdom and help in this responsibility that is theirs. The word still is, "Bring them tip in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." This is obviously impossible if television is allowed in the home, for how can one teach the ways of the Lord to children under the same roof with the world teaching visibly all sorts of crime and moral corruption.
Perhaps the children will beg for a TV set, but the parents, not the children, are responsible for what comes into the home. Should they not be instructed that it is not pleasing to the Lord? It calls for exercise and much dependence on the Lord to instruct them so that they will understand; but understand or not, the parents are responsible.
Let us suppose a case in a home where television is allowed: the children have been drinking in all the hair-raising, breath-taking excitement of a telecast, when the father says, "Turn off the television set and let us read the Word of God." Now, we ask, are those children capable of sitting quietly and listening to the calm reading of the Word of God? To say that they are would be to display a complete lack of understanding of human nature. They may have to turn off the switch of the set, but it will not turn it off in their minds, be assured.
Christian parents, to bring television into your home is like planting the most noxious and poisonous weeds among your choicest flowers and plants, and then hoping the weeds will not grow. Some people may reply that their children will see these programs elsewhere; perhaps this can be greatly reduced or eliminated if they are properly instructed in what is pleasing to the Lord. You cannot always shield them from evil in the world, but if through the grace of God they desire to please the Lord, then they will turn away from it there. But in any event they can learn that you do not approve and will not allow it in your home. If your neighbor keeps rattlesnakes in his yard, it is no reason for you to do so. It would be folly to keep the venomous reptiles so the children would learn to handle them.
We would add the same word of caution spoken before in this column—even the better things of the world shown on television are still the world that lies in the wicked one ( 1 John 5:1919And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. (1 John 5:19); N. Trans.). The programs are designed by the god of this world to keep men in spiritual darkness, to blind their eyes. The lusts of the eyes and the pride of life are as much a part of the world rushing on to its doom, as are the lusts of the flesh -the corruption and violence. So if the breath-taking violence does not appeal to you, beware of the more subtle influence of the world in its better things. "If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:1515Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:15).
We have heard of a few who think they can control the monster. To all such we say, "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." We do not believe it can be controlled, but suppose you can control deadly cyanide poison; are you willing to take a chance and have it laying around your house, perhaps on your food shelf? And do not forget, if you allow television in your home, it may be a snare to others to whom you set an example. Let no man set an occasion to fall in his brother's way (Rom. 14:1313Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. (Romans 14:13)).
We have heard a few loose remarks to the effect that television is like all inventions that have come in—radio, automobiles, etc.—that though Christians at first hesitated to accept them, they finally were accepted by all. This is specious reasoning. The world has many inventions that the Christian should not use.
Take the theater or the picture show; they have come of age, and are accepted by Christendom generally as fitting and proper; but are they suitable for a child of God? Would you want either the Lord or your brethren to see you entering these places? would you take your family to them? Then why bring them into your home? Television is worse than either of those mentioned, for it brings the same things in where they can be secretly seen, and where they can be watched hour upon hour.
To those who would liken television to radio, we say, The misuse of radio has been bad enough. It has done no little damage to spiritual growth; but the demoralizing potential of this later invention which conveys scenes as well as sounds is frightfully worse. Through this medium immodesty, indecent dress, actions suggestive of improper conduct, to say nothing of murder and other crimes, are visually reproduced in the home. It is true that "the eye takes in more than the ear." It also remains more indelibly impressed on the mind. May God graciously forbid that television should ever be accepted among the saints of God. It would be the sign of general and grievous departure from God.
"Be astonished, O ye heavens; at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD. For My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water." Jer. 2:12, 1312Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the Lord. 13For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. (Jeremiah 2:12‑13).
We trust our readers will not weary of our repeated pleas against television. We feel duty bound before God to "cry aloud" and "spare not." The Word of God is plain, that if a watchman sees danger coming and does not warn others, then their blood is upon his head; if he warns them and they do not heed, then their blood is upon their own heads (Eze. 33:2-62Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: 3If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; 4Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. 5He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. 6But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. (Ezekiel 33:2‑6)). The Apostle Paul evidently referred to this when he said to the Jews at Corinth, "Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean." Acts 18:66And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. (Acts 18:6). He also said to the elders of Ephesus, "I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." Acts 20:26, 2726Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. (Acts 20:26‑27).