(Originally written 7/22/11)
I recently wrote about the show Secret Life, and now I have
decided to write about the show Family Guy. I am frequently asked about the
content of this show, so I wanted to share a little bit about what I know.
This show was actually cancelled in 2002 because of its
crude, offensive content. Sadly, popular demand brought the show back. High DVD
sales and ratings of reruns led to a rebirth of the show, which is ranked #1
among 12-34 year old viewers.
The show follows the life of the family guy, Peter Griffin.
Among the other characters are the talking family dog and the incredibly
inappropriate baby Stewie. This show routinely mocks God and Jesus, frequently
depicting them hanging out in bars to meet girls, even trying to impress them
with their deity powers.
One episode charted Meg’s (Peter’s daughter) conversion to
Christianity. This episode showed Christians to be ignorant, which was
evidenced by the church book burning of the mythical book called First Grade Logic (the joke here would
be that simple 1st grade logic refutes Christianity, and therefore
Christians must burn these books). Meg then outs her friend for being an
atheist so that he can be stoned to death; this friend later talks her back out
of the faith by pointing out that if God were real, He would not have made her
so ugly.
The language on this show goes beyond being offensive. Part
of the draw of the show is the shock value, where characters continue to say
things that should not be said on T.V. (or anywhere, for that matter). The show
constantly makes references to pornography and graphic sexual terminology,
including statutory rape and bestiality. The baby Stewie often plots to murder
his own mother.
The purpose of this note is not to shock people; I have
tried to give a glimpse into what takes place on the show without actually
typing those crude words they so often use. Instead of continuing to list
offenses with this show, I will stop and hope that the point is clear.
I am not trying to engage in a debate on whether or not a
Christian should watch garbage like this. The Bible is clear on almost every
page that we should put nothing evil before our eyes, not lust, not condone
immorality, etc. If anyone does any arguing here, it is the person trying to
manipulate the Bible or abuse grace and give themselves the license to sin.
So instead of asking yourself if you can watch the show, why
not ask yourself why you would watch
the show? Why would you watch a show that found its niche as the show that
depicts our crucified Savior as a bar hopping womanizer like He is Charlie
Sheen, or that relies on perversion to gain viewership?
There are things that confuse me in Christianity, like how
God could love me, or how blood can forgive sin. But more confusing than that is
when I get on some Facebook pages and see someone’s info page say religious
view: Christian. Shows: Family Guy.
How is it even possible to call yourself a Christian and
watch such an unchristian show? That is like calling yourself a vegetarian as
you sink your teeth into an all-beef patty.
Parents, I hope that you pay attention to what your children
are watching. Equally as important, know that they are paying attention to what
you are watching. “Do as I say, not as I do” does not work. The only way that
you have the moral authority to prevent your children from watching trash like
this is by making sure you aren’t watching it yourself.
This show is another classic case of Hollywood trying to
destroy the family. Don’t let your family fall prey to the Family Guy.
Family Guy's many depictions of Jesus
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