At Medjugorje, Our Lady told us not to waste our time with television since the majority of programs in it are not conducive to our spiritual health. However, if we had some true Christians working on the networks, things could really be different in society and the world would even convert over to Christ. Let us now imagine a Christian in the various departments of TV programs that I spoke of in the previous article:

 

1)    Late Night Shows:

 

      If the hosts were truly Christian, they would question the lifestyles and moral nature of the artistic works of the famous actors and actresses they invite to their show. They would have them make some serious reflections on how they affect the moral state of the country through their damaging films.

 

2)    Daytime Shows:

 

      Many guests on these shows have hurts and deep pains and wounds. The hosts could do them a real service by providing them with a professional team of health experts with whom they could pray together and be lead to recovery and healing.

 

3)    Serials:

 

       In Brazil, the Evangelicals have put together some modest serials of family problems resolved through understanding, love and prayer. These serials have done an immense amount of good in the country for the families plagued with troubles and broken relationships. Maybe someday the USA could catch up to this enlightened view of television watching in which people are helped instead of being despised and humiliated.

 

4)    News:

 

      There are so many good people in society doing many wonderful works of charity and love. This does not seem to interest our perverted journalists with warped ideas and minds. They only seek sensationalism and the woes and misfortunes of others (rapes, killings, thefts, accidents, etc) to blurt out to the rest of society. Such bulletins are not really “news” but “olds” since they are commonplace disgraces. To reveal someone else’s failings is not something that makes us feel good (unless we are sick psychotics), but to know that one good deed was performed in the local area gives a sense of joy, victory and hope to all of humanity.

 

5)    A true Christian could, in the advertising channels, show the needs of the extreme poor around the world and motivate people to open themselves to the needs of the less fortunate by sharing, instead of increasing, their material goods.

 

6)    Comedies:

 

       A Christian comedian could really poke fun at the devil and those who follow his lies by manifesting the stupidity, vanity, confusion, ridiculousness and uselessness of such life styles and mentalities. Making fun of an abortionist might end up bringing him to shame and changing his ways.

 

7)    Sports:

 

       A talented Christian sports caster could give a deeper meaning to the performance by putting a spiritual sense into it and tie it to moral victories, like St. Paul did so excellently when commenting on the Olympic competition games in Greece.

 

8)    Weather:

 

      At a certain point, Jesus reprimanded the Pharisees because they were able to interpret the weather very well but unable to read the signs of the times. We have tons of weather stations on TV that tell us that it will snow, rain, blow gusts of wind, be dry or wet, etc. Any half-wit can look out his window and see that. Do we need to waste so much space on TV for this? Yet, 1,200 babies are killed on a daily basis in the USA and no one mentions a word of it. How sick , ignorant and empty-headed can we get?

 

9)    Animated Features:

 

       Instead of cartoons that promote violence and hate, why not some that teach justice, love and forgiveness? A true Christian cartoonist could be very instrumental in causing the wholesome and integral personality development of a young child.

 

10) Pornography:

 

       A real Christian would set out to making good, wholesome and healthy productions that teach true values such as purity, self-control, authentic love and real psychological fulfillment.

 

10)                       Educational:

 

      The early Church Fathers always saw nature as a book that taught them about God. They would speak of the seas, skies, mountains, valleys, trees, flowers, animals and other things as instruments to praise the goodness, majesty and power of God. Secular science and their TV programs are extremely dry and boring when they don’t make the connection between nature and its Creator.

 

11)                       Music:

 

      Why not sing of God’s beauty and love and the wonder of his creation? Why sing and dance to lyrics that exalt the rhythms of a copulating body and blown out mind? The only difference between this and hell is the temperature and uncomfortable burning sensation.

 

 

12)                       Police shows:

 

       Instead of hunting down humans like chickens or rabbits, why not try to show some kindness and understanding and help them to come to self-assurance, self-esteem and self-dignity? By smashing them underneath one’s heal, we bring ourselves to the same level and lose our humanity as well.

 

13)                       Court Shows:

 

       They seemed to have improved and it is nice to see to how some of the judges actually seem to care for the accused and help him by paternal attitudes and counseling. Maybe the day will come when judges are no longer assassins and executioners, but human sympathizers of the weak and defenseless.

 

14) Soap Operas:

 

      A real Christian script writer could truly reap in some wonderful results if he ever had the courage and chance at producing a program. If he were to elaborate some interesting stories of human respect, love and chastity involving Judeo-Christian values and counsels, the face of America would truly change. One rare and courageous female soap opera writer from Brazil, directed a theme involving the struggles of an alcoholic who overcame his vice and brought happiness to those around him. This particular soap opera had strong positive effects on society and the phones did not stop ringing at her office. Hundreds of alcoholics sought treatment, while families, all of sudden, had some orientation as to how deal with the problem in their homes. It is unfortunate that more of such outlooks could not be presented to the public.

 

Father Anthony Mellace