Blasphemy on TV

I recently decided that if I heard blasphemy on a TV show, that I would either change the channel or turn the TV off. I started out by changing the channel, but then I just decided not to watch TV because it is inevitable that it is going to happen. I can't even watch the local news or Jeopardy without hearing a blasphemy. I cut the cable a while ago, but there is a lot of filth on just the network channels.

This is a personal conviction of mine that I have decided on. Some may say this is legalism. Romans 14:1 says, "As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions." Some may say that I am weak in my faith because I don't want to hear blasphemy on TV. They have a tendancy to get stuck in my head and I will replay them.

Romans 14:20-23 says, "Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin."

Paul gives us an example here of something that what one person stumbles over, another does not. This example deals with food. Another example in Romans 14 deals with which day you esteem for worship. There are areas that we can hold different view points on and both be justified. You may say watching TV shows with blasphemy in them is another one of those.

The difference between what you eat and what day you worship and blasphemy is that blasphemy is an actual sin for all of us. I'm not demanding that everyone stop watching TV, but just think about this. For example, you may only eat vegetables while I may eat meat and vegetables. Neither one of these personal choices is a sin, but blasphemy is a sin for both of us.

Let's take another example. Is it OK for a Christian to watch pornography? Of course not. It is filth and violates the 7th commandment. So why is it any different with blasphemy? Just because it has become the norm in society? Just because it doesn't seem as offensive? Would you watch a TV show that spoke ill of you, your wife, or you children? How would you feel about the rest of the world watching that show that spoke ill of you, your wife, or your children? How much more vile is it when it is the name of the Lord?

Again, you may say I am weak because I choose not to watch TV with blasphemy and you are the stronger one because you have no problem with it. The difference between this and what you eat is that one is clearly sin and the other isn't. You may say that you won't be able to watch TV anymore if you were to take this stance. It greatly offends me (as it should) when someone uses the Lord's name in vain- whether it be in person or on TV.

I don't curse, blaspheme, murder, etc.- so why should I watch it on TV? Is that what really what I need to be entertained by? I would rather not watch TV than watch something that would offend my Lord, be it if that includes almost everything on TV. This is my personal opinion and I'm not forcing it on anyone- this is just how I feel.

Edit: I wanted to clarify a point- I am not calling people sinners for watching TV or a movie with blasphemy in it, although it may seem that I am walking a very fine line. I do understand there is a difference between viewing it on TV or a movie and committing it yourself. That being said, I also believe there is a difference between willfully putting yourself in a situation where you know it is going to be done and being in a situation where the outcome is uncertain.

One may say that limits who one can talk to. In this regard, I say that this person needs to be loving confronted with the law and gospel (Christian and non-Christian alike). The gospel is always the correct answer. If someone is blatantly personally committing this sin in front of you (Christian and non-Christian alike), is it more loving to let them continue to commit the sin or confront them lovingly about it? I stress personally because I am referring to them committing the sin and not the context of viewing material in which the sin is committed by another.

Again, these are my opinions. I also know evolution (aside from observable natural selection) is a hoax and the Earth is about 6,000 years old (because the Bible tells me so), but that is for another time.