You cannot condemn entertainment which involves sinful characters.  What is important is how that sin is portrayed.  Are we morally obliged to steer clear of Shakespeare?

I've only read Othello, and I've never seen the Office series so I can't comment on those, but I don't think the criteria is how a sin is portrayed, it's whether or not watching the show is an occasion of sin.

A person might not be tempted to the sin of lust at seeing a women in a short skirt or be having second thoughts when they consistently hear the name of God taken in vain, but I boldly say that such a person is very likely to be in a spiritual state of lukewarmness.

Quote from: Walty

You cannot condemn entertainment which involves sinful characters.  What is important is how that sin is portrayed.  Are we morally obliged to steer clear of Shakespeare?

I've only read Othello, and I've never seen the Office series so I can't comment on those, but I don't think the criteria is how a sin is portrayed, it's whether or not watching the show is an occasion of sin.

A person might not be tempted to the sin of lust at seeing a women in a short skirt or be having second thoughts when they consistently hear the name of God taken in vain, but I boldly say that such a person is very likely to be in a spiritual state of lukewarmness.

Yes, there are two ways to look at something.  If it presents an occasion for sin directly (such as showing something pornographic) or if it promotes or is complacent with immoral behavior (making pornography look ok).  My argument is that certain shows are being labelled as immoral without proof of either sort of transgression.

I just know took a look at the thread at FE. It all just sounds like to me that the point he/she is trying to make is that we have to re-evaluate what is acceptable. Like the example given about tattoos. (It's forbidden in Leviticus--pretty sure--, but I don't think it would constitute a mortal sin, depending on the tattoo at least).

I use to listen to rock, but I never did pay attention to the lyrics, I merely enjoyed the melody, but even now I wouldn't go back to my same old habits. Although, talking with my confessor he tells me to avoid that music anyway.

I understand most people's lots in life are not as a religious (monk/nun), but can't we all agree we're at least called to live in the world, but remain separate from it?

I remember the old arguments on that forum about pants. Personally, as a young man, tight clothes on a woman which explicitly defines a woman's curves I believe is sinful for them to wear. I have to constantly avert my eyes while at college.

I have never seen the show but from the little I have read about it, it does not look like a suitable show to me. Considering that The Office is a modern tv comedy show and not a Shakespearean morality tale, I would be very surprised if there are not more problems with it besides those indicated here:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Office_(U.S._TV_series)
Michael Scott, regional manager of the Scranton branch of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, feels he is the life of the office; his employees feel otherwise. His former co-manager, sales representative Jim Halpert is newly married to the former receptionist turned sales representative, Pam Halpert (née Beesly). Their relationship comes after three seasons of friendship laced with romantic tension.

The accounting department features the uptight Angela Martin, who wishes to keep things orderly and make sure situations remain as serious as possible; Kevin Malone, a sardonic, overweight man who revels in juvenile humor and is addicted to gambling and M&Ms; and the patient Oscar Martinez, whose ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖity and Mexican American heritage make him a favorite target for Michael's off-hand comments. ...

 A story arc at the start of the fifth season has Holly Flax transferred to the office as Toby's replacement. She acts as a love interest for Michael, as they share very similar personalities. However, Holly is transferred away after corporate discovers that Michael and Holly are involved, resulting in their break up.

Former main characters no longer part of the show include Pam's ex-fiance, Roy Anderson, who left the show in the third season after nearly assaulting Jim in the workplace; and Michael's former love interest—and former Vice President for Regional Sales for Dunder Mifflin -- Jan Levinson, who broke up with Michael in season four and subsequently became pregnant via sperm donation. Both characters returned for brief appearances in season five, but neither was seen in the sixth.

I like Gerard's posts most of the time over there at FE. I'd guess he shows up around here once and a while.

I have never seen the show but from the little I have read about it, it does not look like a suitable show to me. Considering that The Office is a modern tv comedy show and not a Shakespearean morality tale, I would be very surprised if there are not more problems with it besides those indicated here:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Office_(U.S._TV_series)
Michael Scott, regional manager of the Scranton branch of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, feels he is the life of the office; his employees feel otherwise. His former co-manager, sales representative Jim Halpert is newly married to the former receptionist turned sales representative, Pam Halpert (née Beesly). Their relationship comes after three seasons of friendship laced with romantic tension.

The accounting department features the uptight Angela Martin, who wishes to keep things orderly and make sure situations remain as serious as possible; Kevin Malone, a sardonic, overweight man who revels in juvenile humor and is addicted to gambling and M&Ms; and the patient Oscar Martinez, whose ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖity and Mexican American heritage make him a favorite target for Michael's off-hand comments. ...

 A story arc at the start of the fifth season has Holly Flax transferred to the office as Toby's replacement. She acts as a love interest for Michael, as they share very similar personalities. However, Holly is transferred away after corporate discovers that Michael and Holly are involved, resulting in their break up.

Former main characters no longer part of the show include Pam's ex-fiance, Roy Anderson, who left the show in the third season after nearly assaulting Jim in the workplace; and Michael's former love interest—and former Vice President for Regional Sales for Dunder Mifflin -- Jan Levinson, who broke up with Michael in season four and subsequently became pregnant via sperm donation. Both characters returned for brief appearances in season five, but neither was seen in the sixth.

Half of the things that you have highlighted here are mere mentionings of two people being in a relationship. I'm not sure how that's sinful. The first couple mentioned get married and have a baby.

There is a ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖ character but he never prostelytizes about it. It's more or less there as something that he gets ragged on for.

Again, I just think it's a little much when people condemn others for watching a television show which they've never seen and have little evidence to back themselves up.

Quote from: Roman Catholic

I have never seen the show but from the little I have read about it, it does not look like a suitable show to me. Considering that The Office is a modern tv comedy show and not a Shakespearean morality tale, I would be very surprised if there are not more problems with it besides those indicated here:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Office_(U.S._TV_series)
Michael Scott, regional manager of the Scranton branch of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, feels he is the life of the office; his employees feel otherwise. His former co-manager, sales representative Jim Halpert is newly married to the former receptionist turned sales representative, Pam Halpert (née Beesly). Their relationship comes after three seasons of friendship laced with romantic tension.

The accounting department features the uptight Angela Martin, who wishes to keep things orderly and make sure situations remain as serious as possible; Kevin Malone, a sardonic, overweight man who revels in juvenile humor and is addicted to gambling and M&Ms; and the patient Oscar Martinez, whose ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖity and Mexican American heritage make him a favorite target for Michael's off-hand comments. ...

 A story arc at the start of the fifth season has Holly Flax transferred to the office as Toby's replacement. She acts as a love interest for Michael, as they share very similar personalities. However, Holly is transferred away after corporate discovers that Michael and Holly are involved, resulting in their break up.

Former main characters no longer part of the show include Pam's ex-fiance, Roy Anderson, who left the show in the third season after nearly assaulting Jim in the workplace; and Michael's former love interest—and former Vice President for Regional Sales for Dunder Mifflin -- Jan Levinson, who broke up with Michael in season four and subsequently became pregnant via sperm donation. Both characters returned for brief appearances in season five, but neither was seen in the sixth.

Half of the things that you have highlighted here are mere mentionings of two people being in a relationship. I'm not sure how that's sinful. The first couple mentioned get married and have a baby.

There is a ɧoɱosɛҳųαƖ character but he never prostelytizes about it. It's more or less there as something that he gets ragged on for.

Again, I just think it's a little much when people condemn others for watching a television show which they've never seen and have little evidence to back themselves up.

Why would God approve of a show that has gαy characters in it? Should someone watch a tv show that has a Satan worshiper in it just because he never talks about worshipping Satan? It's now official: The Office should be avoided AT ALL COSTS.

I used to watch the British (original) version of The Office, and I must admit it was often hilarious!

However, as with a lot of really entertaining stuff, it is a bit of a Trojan horse for unsavoury things. So, I can quite appreciate people's objections to it.

There were some very funny moments in it though!

(Trojan horses are like that.)