Have you noticed that these "reality based tv show" are getting wilder and wilder. The other day I saw a promo for fear factor, of a person jumping out of a window to try to win a $50,000 prize. And on Big Brother 2 has some pretty mean people this season. I saw one show and I can't watch it. I enjoyed big brother last year. The house guests were pretty nice. When I shared this with my daughter. She said "Mom they were too nice!" that's why there ratings were not that good. And this year they are doing really well, because they have mean people." I told my daughter I wanted to come up with a tv game show that would be called the "The good samaritan" where there would be two teams and who ever helped the most people in two days would win the prize of eternal live with Christ!" What do you think of these shows, and how do talk to our youth about these shows.

-- Anonymous, July 25, 2001

Answers

I like your "Good Samaritan" idea! I have to confess to being sucked into the Big Brother vortex a couple of weeks ago. Thankfully, I've had such a full schedule lately that I haven't been able to see it since Saturday. My good friend stated the other day that those reality-based shows are a symbol of the decline of our civilization. I would not have couched my opinion in quite those terms, but I do believe they have little redeeming value and they cater to the more prurient and salacious side of the human psyche. I'm going to do a much better job of steering clear of them.

-- Anonymous, July 25, 2001

Well Denise, since I already have a confirmed reservation for my heavenly home, you need to come up with a different prize for me as a contestant. How about a round-trip ticket for 2, a one week stay at a 5 star hotel in the 19th Episcopal District and free snorkeling lessons :-) QED

-- Anonymous, July 25, 2001

Bill since you already have your reservation. Here is my earthly prize for you. An invitation to you Jenny and the kids to visit Montana and I will take all of you to visit my neighborhood park. Which by the way is called Yellowstone National park. And just for you I will cook up some elk.(Which I have in my freezer). But seriously Mr. Richardson brought up a thought provoking statement he said his friend said "these shows may be the decline of civilization" The roman empire had their own version of a "reality tv show" they would put christians in a colessium and then set lions to eat them. And the act of crucifixation was a common phenomon in the day of Christ. Christ was born at a time when there was tremendous political injustice.He was born when people were killed for sport. He was born at a time when we did not value ALL human life. He was born at a time when the emphasis was on the collection of taxes at the expense of the poor. The so called "reality shows" I think they are mirroring something that is happening in our society. People are "spiritually" hungry. A void is being felt by many and thus the excitement of being contestants of a show where they are humiliated or risk the loss of life. God is still breaking through into history, he continues to send his son through us. I think these shows and the ones to follow should energize us as A.M.E's to be strong in our faith, to reach out to those in our community who do not know God, who do not belong to a church. Let us begin today! Call someone and invite them to church on sunday, pick them up and bring them. For we want all to know the "Spirit Based reality show" called LIVING WITH CHRIST.

-- Anonymous, July 25, 2001