Jul 22 2010
Reality TV, HD, & Social Networking
I remember visiting my great-grandmother in Minnesota as a young girl, and our favorite thing was to watch soap operas together. By the end of the summer I knew the lives of each character as if they were a part of my family. In the ‘90s we were presented with MTV’s The Real Word and Road Rules. It was easy to get wrapped up in the adventures of those REAL people.
After those creations, it seemed that every station wanted a piece of the reality scene. In 2002 CBS came out with Survivor and now you can flip through the channels to find The Bachelor, Bachelorette, Project Runaway, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, American Idol, and The Biggest Loser.
As if reality TV wasn’t enough; we all now think we have the need for HD TV, which has a superior resolution and sound to make TV and movies appear more real. If we don’t think we are getting enough of reality, we can always go on YouTube and find humorous videos from REAL people. Now, if you really want to get real, why not join a social-networking site like Facebook, My Space, or Twitter to connect with REAL people that you know and don’t know?
In a postmodern society, those around us and even we may reject objective truth, and be tempted to create our own. Does there really need to be a right and wrong? Can’t we all be right? We are surrounded by those who strive to cancel out black and white, while creating their own grey. Despite this generation that runs away from written truth (the Gospel), they chase after truth. They want something real and genuine. Yet they have the whisperings of Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris who teach we live in a world without a Father or Savior. Instead of flipping open a bible, they flip on the TV or visit YouTube. Their heart yearns for truth, yet is never fulfilled because they reject the Truth that continues to knock on the door of their heart.
When we enter conflict, both parties are seeking to find truth. It is our job to help them find it.
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” –John 14: 6
Truth can’t be found without the acceptance of God’s mercy through the sending of his perfect son to die a brutal death so that we can have life, know the truth, and have a relationship with our Maker forever.
The next time you notice the world searching for truth, but coming up empty, ask yourself:
Am I doing the same thing?
Bethany, this is a great blog. Thank you so much for putting these thoughts into words — and you “Love Never Fails” blog too!! It is a blessing that you are sharing what God is teaching you!
Sorry, this post doesn’t make any sense to me. You start by talking about reality TV and how people are looking to get real thru reality shows and then out of the blue start talking about postmodern relativism and how people are looking for truth.
Which is it? Are they looking for truth or are they looking for relationships?
If you mean they are looking for both, then you need to tie these together somehow.
As it is, I don’t understand what one has to do with the other.
Hope this is helpful for you.
(BTW- I would hardly call how Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris are spouting their vile venom “whispering.” )
To Mr. Bethany Amman,
Your blog is very simple yet twisting and make us think of the real meaning of it. Maybe that’s makes Mr. TJ said that your blog is doesn’t any sense but if you read it and your open to find the contain of this message you will have it and your heart open up together with your mind. You will think of the strategy and plans on how to let other people who are already know the truth but refuse to accept the truth.
Hi Miles. I think Bethany has good points, but the article is not well written. It does not flow or transition in a coherent way. I want her to develop her thoughts a bit more fully, so that as a reader, I can see how she sees our society’s desire for ‘reality,’ ‘relationship,’ and ‘truth’ connecting within the context of peacemaking. (I think Bethany is female.)
Thank you TJ for your constructive criticism. I think you got the point that I was saying that our society is looking for truth (something real) as well as relationships. Although, the central focus of this blog was not relationships. I often think that post-moderns are looked at as relationship seekers but not truth seekers. (This is my oppinion.) But I believe this generation is very much looking for truth (something real & genuine.) The Truth is found in the gospel but also expressed as we live it out. The world will not know His love unless they see our love.
When we continue to look to the world to fill us with truth, lies are planted in our hearts. It is easy to get distracted with ideas that are planted by the enemy that have the power to tear us apart inside and out. This happens to those who don’t know Christ but also to those who do. But, we can not share truth if we do not know and live it. Truth = Love.
Does that make sense?
Hi Bethany. Yes, I think that helps a lot. I wasn’t totally sure if that was what you were going for, but it makes more sense now. I used to be a magazine editor, so I suppose my bent is to “fix.” If you’ll forgive my perhaps too judgemental “constructive criticism,” I’ll look forward to reading your future posts. Actually, either way, I’m fairly sure that I will continue to look forward to them. Thx, TJ
Hi TJ. I am thankful for your honest feedback. I prefer it to fluffy encouragement because I can always grow in how I communicate.
I tend to be abstract in thought and communication, and I am always willing to clarify if there is confusion. Thank you for being bold enough to express your oppinion. I look forward to writing future blogs and I hope that you will join me in other conversations. Blessings, Bethany.