Why You Should Vote IN FAVOR of Resolution 4

[Malvaro]

Originally Posted by HADDOCK

My dad and grandad were both UPC ministers but both passed away in 2000. I haven't attended a GC since Toronto. I remember in years past this same issue coming up.

Does anyone know how many times this issue has come to a vote??

Is this the ONLY debated issue before the GC this year?

Are there areas of the country that lean for or against or districts that can be labeled one way or the other? I remember discussions before and certain districts were 'known' to be for this or against that. Same way with maybe North and South and such.

a) easy answer; until the TV deal passes....

b) certain districts, do in fact, have particular leanings on numerous issues....

[Felicity]

In regard to the TV issue.......

Some of my friends are for it. Some of my friends are against it.

I'm going to support my friends!

[Truly Blessed]

Twenty years ago preachers in the UPCI had their "monitors" for their new VCR's and even then you could pick up local TV stations from your VCR. It's hard for me to believe that 20 years later with internet added to the mix that the majority of preachers in the UPC aren't watching TV. It's like someone wanting me to believe all these preachers who are avid sports fans are simply listening to their favorite sports on the radio. I notice that most UPC preachers are very aware of what is being broadcast on TV. Yet, we're supposed to believe they never watch it?

IMHO the UPCI should simply remove their opposition to TV all together. This would be a big step towards allowing its members to be more transparent and real. They could then focus their attention on addressing proper use of TV and trust their people to the guidance of the Holy Spirit as they must do when it comes to books, magazines, DVD's, and the internet.

[OP_Carl]

Originally Posted by Felicity

In regard to the TV issue.......

Some of my friends are for it. Some of my friends are against it.

I'm going to support my friends!

Decisiveness at last!

[HADDOCK]

Growing up in a UPC minister's home we did not have TV, and my age would tell you that the internet wasn't around, so that wasn't an issue. My parents raised a grandchild and I remember the first monitor that came into the house to play pac-man on! However, if we traveled we would watch TV in the hotel :sshhh Dad loved baseball and GC time fell around world series time and he would catch some of the game. :sshhh My kids would go on vacation with my parents and were allowed to watch TV. :sshhh

I have no vote in the matter and really am not concerned which way it goes. It just seems like there are more imporant matters facing the Christian world today.

[OP_Carl]

Originally Posted by HADDOCK

It just seems like there are more imporant matters facing the Christian world today.

Like promoting societal conformance, docility, ignorance, and acquiescence?

I fail to see how focusing on passive entertainment is going to strengthen Christianity, much less America.

The idiot box is lulling the world to sleep. The population is becoming more ignorant, uninformed, and incapable of critical thought, and yet somehow it is believed that Christians should strive to be more like them.

When peer pressure and emotionalism run the church, how is church any different from junior high?

[Felicity]

My testimony:

My parents bought a tv when I was 6 years old. I remember distinctly. We had one in our home the whole time I was growing up and I can't remember it ever being a problem in our home.

It never affected me spiritually for sure. I never ever 1 time missed church or a prayer meeting or a fellowship meeting or choir practice or Wed. nite Bible Study or campmeeting or ANYTHING because of television. It simply didn't figure much in my life at all. And I can say truthfully I spent a whole lot more time reading and playing and involved socially with friends than I ever did watching tv.

Later, I got married, and my husband was licensed with the UPCI. Therefore, we never had a television in our home. My children grew up without it.

They have told us repeatedly that they're SO GLAD we didn't have one. They never missed it, have never resented the fact that we didn't have one and have no bitterness or "issues" today as a result.

They feel they were the richer and better off not having had one and I'm glad we didn't have to deal with the issues that having a television in the home bring with it.

We have one now. I hardly watch it. I find it hugely boring for the most part and hugely insulting to the intelligence, my eyes and my ears. For the most part. Of course that excludes some good British drama and mystery series that I enjoy watching.

[StillStanding]

Originally Posted by HADDOCK

Growing up in a UPC minister's home we did not have TV, and my age would tell you that the internet wasn't around, so that wasn't an issue. My parents raised a grandchild and I remember the first monitor that came into the house to play pac-man on! However, if we traveled we would watch TV in the hotel :sshhh Dad loved baseball and GC time fell around world series time and he would catch some of the game. :sshhh My kids would go on vacation with my parents and were allowed to watch TV. :sshhh

I have no vote in the matter and really am not concerned which way it goes. It just seems like there are more imporant matters facing the Christian world today.

I had pretty much the same experience as you growing up in the UPC. To many conservative preachers though, the TV issue is the line in the sand.

When it comes to TV, some will break instead of bend!

[HADDOCK]

Originally Posted by OP_Carl

Like promoting societal conformance, docility, ignorance, and acquiescence?

I fail to see how focusing on passive entertainment is going to strengthen Christianity, much less America.

The idiot box is lulling the world to sleep. The population is becoming more ignorant, uninformed, and incapable of critical thought, and yet somehow it is believed that Christians should strive to be more like them.

When peer pressure and emotionalism run the church, how is church any different from junior high?

But is the vote about people having TVs or using the media to advertise and broadcast? What percentage of UPC members do you think have TV? My dad didn't have one and would not have a board member that had a TV, but the majority - big majority - of the members all had them.

When I married my husband wanted to get a TV. I had never had one and wasn't sure if I would become a TV addict. But I don't care for TV watching. When my kids were small I would get quite frustrated because the TV would be on for hours and no one would talk and interact.

My statement was relative to the vote. I still feel there are more important issues for the org to deal with.

[HangingOut]

Seriously, ask your co-worker what you should do if you have a television and you are spending too much time watching it or watching things that are not appropriate to one's Christian beliefs. Bet ya they would suggest turning it off or practicing some self control. Most people I work with don't sit in from of TV's every evening however.

This subject is so out-dated given all the ills in society. I would be embarrassed to share the UPC's battle with people I know over TV advertising.

Originally Posted by chseeads

This stupid TV crud dont' mean jack to the average ordinary individual. Nobody gives a hoot about it except for the political-minded goobers.