Don’t expect the whirlwind of reality TV aka America’s “cheesy” entertainment to end anytime soon.
Staple television shows with an actual script seems to be a thing of the past as unpredictable reality TV has found a permanent home in most living room televisions.
Although reality TV is the new normal, should Christians tune into this programming without even batting an eye?
The takeover
Experts report this reality TV obsession is just the beginning, and networks are trying to get their hands on and produce as many as these shows as audiences continue to gobble them up.
On almost every channel, audiences can discover real people put into situations that people normally wouldn’t participate in. Most Americans are addicted to the goings on of these people in uncommon situations.
One popular show in particular among African-American women is the “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” a reality television series on the Bravo network that premiered in the fall of 2008.
The show follows six women living in and around the metro Atlanta area as they balance home, business ventures and their social calendars as a production crew follows their everyday activities. In 2009 “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” was one of Bravo’s most successful shows in terms of ratings and the highest rated of “The Real Housewives.” The Jan. 30, 2011, season-three finale episode brought in 4.4 million viewers making it the highest rated episode in “Housewives” history. That record was surpassed by the season-four premiere on Nov. 6, 2011.
Christian entertainment
Examiner.com says a show people have anticipated is mimicked from “The Real Housewives Atlanta,” known as “The Sisterhood” airing on TLC. This reality TV show stars five Atlanta preachers’ wives, but with a spiritual twist. These women take the viewer in their lives outside of the church walls.
Husbands make appearances on the show too. Scenarios include a pastor giving his two teenage daughters a lesson on the proper way to put a condom on a banana. He did it he said because he wanted to educate his daughters in case they do have sex. People magazine says the women “argue, get tattoos, work out to look hot and talk openly about sex, drugs and their not-so-godly pasts.” According to Rev. Willie Gholston II, pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Chicago, it’s imperative that Christians learn not to conform to the ways of the world. Unfortunately, individuals are trying to engage in various behaviors they see showcased on reality TV shows.
“The Bible says be not conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:1). Sometimes people act differently when a camera is on or when the lights and glamour is there,” Gholston said. “We are to remember God is the one who sees and hears all. We need to be aware that he is always there. There is a difference in living your life set apart.”
Corey Duncan, associate pastor of youth at New Beginnings Fellowship Church in Indianapolis, said Christians should not fall into the trap of reality TV and seek to maintain a Romans 12:1 focus.
“I believe that there are reality TV shows with positive, inspirational messages that motivate many people and that also seek to educate, encourage and enhance the quality of life and human existence,” Duncan said. “On the other hand, there are reality TV shows that promote and encourage ignorance, violence and aid in the dumbing down or deliberate diminishment of human intellect. What I see as a major problem is that we live in a generation where a great number of people would rather be entertained than enlightened.”
Christians
are people
Believers deal with everyday life like everyone else. However, their reactions to the trials of life should be different than the nonbeliever.
“Christians are human and it’s important that we recognize why we wrestle on a daily basis with this spiritual journey. If you stay true and steadfast, always doing the work of the Lord, God will show you how to align your life according to his Word,” Gholston said.
Christians should not be swept into the fantasy world of reality TV. Therefore Christians should look at the investment of their time and their mind when choosing programs to view, says Dr. Charles Ware president of Indianapolis’ Crossroads Bible College.
“Television as a whole creates a fantasy world, while entertaining it can deceive people about real life. Most research shows a tremendous decline in biblical knowledge and biblical worldview in the culture. This should concern all Christians to move towards reality versus the fantasy world,” Ware said.
How to deal
Christians have an option to engage in this means of entertainment. They must be careful with what they observe. Ministers advise Christians to be conscious and not to line their lives up with what they see on mainstream television, especially from a non-believers world.
Gholston advises Christians to look for the following in TV shows:
– Morals being portrayed.
– People working together cohesively.
– Unity and fellowship among friends.
– People atoning their lives for a better quality of life.
– People trying to enhance their wellbeing or overall life.
“Just be careful that you are not taking everything to heart and have spiritual discernment on what God is trying to tell you,” he says.
