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Thoughts on Entertainment

Entertainment is that activity we do to bring pleasure.  For some it is sports, others may like a good book and there is always television.  In the gym I attend, there are 13 televisions.  They usually are tuned to many different things, unless Trump is giving a speech.  Today, the television right in front of my treadmill was tuned to a Kardashian show.  Various Kardashian ladies were sitting around talking.  Then Bruce, the fruit loop, Jenner came in wearing a wig and gave some sort of support.  There was closed caption and it was rather hard to follow.  That show is vapid, vacuous, void of all meaning and a waste of airtime.  The Kardashians do have a really nice, mountain top home with an insane view from their pool.  So they are rich and famous and on TV and people call that entertainment.  Reality shows, scripted TV and scripted reality and news (fake and real, I suppose) are what people watch for pleasure.

I have also been told that entertainment is a way of escape.  When I ask what people want to escape from, I am told that all sorts of stresses and problems and relationship issues.  I have been told that this is why people drink and use drugs.  Their life is so painful and out of control, they need an escape to handle the pain, problems and stress.

I understand the value of entertainment.  My wife and I have been to several plays.  There is a comedy playhouse in Gilroy, California that we like.  We have also seen plays with my cousin in them.  They are enjoyable and fun.  However, when they are over, we have no problem going back to the tedious grind of life, because our lives have worth and value.  This is because our lives are centered in Jesus Christ.  A live based on Christ is still a life of problems and challenges and issues and even stresses, however, it is also a life full of truth and meaning and purpose and a life that I do not need to escape from.  I have to wonder if a person needs to escape from or forget their lives for hours every week or even every day, why don’t they find another life.

Entertainment is good, fun and pleasurable.  Back in the day people would use the word wholesome to describe things what were fun, yet worthwhile, entertaining, but also that build up.  I think we need more wholesome entertainment today.  I believe each person needs to figure out what that is for them, however, there are some guidelines.  If you feel uplifted when you are done, then that is good.  I think people can watch the procedural dramas because they are interesting and make people’s mind work.  However, if they prevent you from sleeping at night, avoid them.  Seek entertainment that you could watch with Jesus sitting right next to you.  If you are ashamed, avoid it.  If it is vapid and vacuous, leave it alone.

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