TV...The Promoter of Materialism

THCTHC Posts: 525
edited January 2007 in A Moving Train
Most if not all religions are against materialism. YOu turn on the tv...and it litterally preaches materialism. By default...i'm going to have to say for the most part...TV teaches a doctrine that is against our general religious beliefs.


What do people think?
“Kept in a small bowl, the goldfish will remain small. With more space, the fish can grow double, triple, or quadruple its size.”
-Big Fish
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Comments

  • JeanwahJeanwah Posts: 6,363
    I wouldn't say it's just tv--it's all media that's promoting materialism. It's society here in the U.S. Keeping up with the Jones' has everything to do with materials, and not what really being happy is all about.

    As far as religious beliefs, well, it depends on one's resilience, thinking for one's self, and not being easily influenced by society.
  • THCTHC Posts: 525
    Jeanwah wrote:
    I wouldn't say it's just tv--it's all media that's promoting materialism. It's society here in the U.S. Keeping up with the Jones' has everything to do with materials, and not what really being happy is all about.

    I think you are right...its really all media.

    which is unfortunate...because this mentality will lead to unhappiness. you can never have 'enough' in this culture.
    “Kept in a small bowl, the goldfish will remain small. With more space, the fish can grow double, triple, or quadruple its size.”
    -Big Fish
  • CollinCollin Posts: 4,931
    TV doesn't promote anything, it's an object. It's people that promote materialism.

    Also, I am not religious.
    THANK YOU, LOSTDAWG!


    naděje umírá poslední
  • THCTHC Posts: 525
    Collin wrote:
    TV doesn't promote anything, it's an object. It's people that promote materialism.

    Also, I am not religious.

    alright...well...people promoting materialism through the television then.
    and to make it more simple then....and to take out the loaded word of "religion"....why don't we just say....materialism vs. non-materialism.

    some of the greatest people i've met recently do not consider themselves 'religious'. so i'm beginning to wonder what that word even means anymore....
    “Kept in a small bowl, the goldfish will remain small. With more space, the fish can grow double, triple, or quadruple its size.”
    -Big Fish
  • know1know1 Posts: 6,794
    People have nobody to blame for their problems - whether it's materialism or whatever - but themselves. Blaming the media, their parents or whatever is just a cop out.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • CollinCollin Posts: 4,931
    I'm gonna go with Tyler Durden on this (who I met through TV, by the way):

    The things you own end up owning you.
    THC wrote:
    some of the greatest people i've met recently do not consider themselves 'religious'. so i'm beginning to wonder what that word even means anymore....

    Was your previous assumption was that great people were religious and non-religious people couldn't be great?

    If not, than I don't think anything changes your definition of 'religious'.
    THANK YOU, LOSTDAWG!


    naděje umírá poslední
  • CollinCollin Posts: 4,931
    know1 wrote:
    People have nobody to blame for their problems - whether it's materialism or whatever - but themselves. Blaming the media, their parents or whatever is just a cop out.

    But more and more children are growing up with the idea that more is better and the more you have the happier you'll be. Their parents teach materialism.
    THANK YOU, LOSTDAWG!


    naděje umírá poslední
  • THCTHC Posts: 525
    Collin wrote:
    I'm gonna go with Tyler Durden on this (who I met through TV, by the way):

    The things you own end up owning you.



    Was your previous assumption was that great people were religious and non-religious people couldn't be great?

    If not, that I don't think anything changes your definition of 'religious'.

    yeah...i love tons of those tyler durden quotes from fight club. I love the "Let Go" bit too....(i think i agree w/ the line about what you own eventually owns you.)

    what i was saying about 'religious' is that....i went to a grad school recently and met some amazing professors. one imparticular who's doing what i would consider "God's work". She is in conflict resolution...and goes to places like Kosovo to do reconciliation work. and the Sudan...and Isreal. She told a story of how she was going through the jungles of Burma (where if caught she would be killed). And she's a 60 year old women...doing this kind of stuff for years and years and years! She says she is not religious....doesn't really have that one particular guide or doctrine she looks to. I find that amazing. Also, there seem to be many who claim to be religious who do not act in such a way. That is why i said...I'm not sure what the word "religious" means anymore. Its a very relative term i suppose.
    “Kept in a small bowl, the goldfish will remain small. With more space, the fish can grow double, triple, or quadruple its size.”
    -Big Fish
  • DPrival78DPrival78 CT Posts: 2,263
    Collin wrote:
    But more and more children are growing up with the idea that more is better and the more you have the happier you'll be. Their parents teach materialism.

    as does the tv they sit in front of for 8 hours a day
    i'm more a fan of popular bands.. like the bee-gees, pearl jam
  • know1know1 Posts: 6,794
    Collin wrote:
    But more and more children are growing up with the idea that more is better and the more you have the happier you'll be. Their parents teach materialism.

    My parents taught me a lot of things that I disagree with. Just because your parents say so, doesn't mean you have to believe it for your whole life.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • JeanwahJeanwah Posts: 6,363
    know1 wrote:
    My parents taught me a lot of things that I disagree with. Just because your parents say so, doesn't mean you have to believe it for your whole life.
    You may not believe your parents, but I bet you believe half of what society tells you to. It's hard to fight what's all around you. Only the most resilient and objective are able to separate it.
  • miller8966miller8966 Posts: 1,450
    whats wrong with materialism?

    I like to buy new stuff, i just dont over do it.

    Not all of us want to sit in the woods with a bunch of hippies saying "Om"
    America...the greatest Country in the world.
  • even flow?even flow? Posts: 8,066
    "The god I know isn't short of cash mister" Bono
    You've changed your place in this world!
  • PJPOWERPJPOWER Posts: 6,499
    know1 wrote:
    People have nobody to blame for their problems - whether it's materialism or whatever - but themselves. Blaming the media, their parents or whatever is just a cop out.
    Is this a research based answer? Or are you just............assuming?
  • even flow?even flow? Posts: 8,066
    know1 wrote:
    People have nobody to blame for their problems - whether it's materialism or whatever - but themselves. Blaming the media, their parents or whatever is just a cop out.


    Can you blame god for creating problems?
    You've changed your place in this world!
  • CollinCollin Posts: 4,931
    miller8966 wrote:
    whats wrong with materialism?

    I like to buy new stuff, i just dont over do it.

    Not all of us want to sit in the woods with a bunch of hippies saying "Om"


    materialism (MONEY) Show phonetics
    noun
    the belief that having money and possessions is the most important thing in life:

    edit: do you always think in extremes?
    THANK YOU, LOSTDAWG!


    naděje umírá poslední
  • know1know1 Posts: 6,794
    Jeanwah wrote:
    You may not believe your parents, but I bet you believe half of what society tells you to. It's hard to fight what's all around you. Only the most resilient and objective are able to separate it.

    Nope. In fact, if a majority of society is doing something, I'm automatically skeptical of it.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • know1know1 Posts: 6,794
    PJPOWER wrote:
    Is this a research based answer? Or are you just............assuming?

    This is common sense. Just because everyone is doing or saying something does not mean you have to do it. You ultimately decide what you're going to do.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • know1know1 Posts: 6,794
    even flow? wrote:
    Can you blame god for creating problems?

    Only if you believe in God.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • CollinCollin Posts: 4,931
    know1 wrote:
    My parents taught me a lot of things that I disagree with. Just because your parents say so, doesn't mean you have to believe it for your whole life.

    I agree but to those kids it will be normal, especially if materialism is ubiquitous and seems to be the norm.
    THANK YOU, LOSTDAWG!


    naděje umírá poslední
  • PJPOWERPJPOWER Posts: 6,499
    know1 wrote:
    This is common sense. Just because everyone is doing or saying something does not mean you have to do it. You ultimately decide what you're going to do.
    Did you know that up to a certain age, a child cannot distinguish what is seen on TV from reality? You do ultimately decide what you're going to do, but the decisions many people make come from things they have seen, when they were seen, and how what they have seen is represented to them..........are you denying that?
  • miller8966miller8966 Posts: 1,450
    Collin wrote:
    materialism (MONEY) Show phonetics
    noun
    the belief that having money and possessions is the most important thing in life:

    edit: do you always think in extremes?

    I want to reward myself for the hard work i do. I see no problem with me buying a high definition tv and a nice car.
    America...the greatest Country in the world.
  • CollinCollin Posts: 4,931
    miller8966 wrote:
    I want to reward myself for the hard work i do. I see no problem with me buying a high definition tv and a nice car.

    Did you not read the definition? Do you think having money and possessions is the most important thing in life?
    THANK YOU, LOSTDAWG!


    naděje umírá poslední
  • know1know1 Posts: 6,794
    PJPOWER wrote:
    Did you know that up to a certain age, a child cannot distinguish what is seen on TV from reality? You do ultimately decide what you're going to do, but the decisions many people make come from things they have seen, when they were seen, and how what they have seen is represented to them..........are you denying that?

    But kids up to a certain age don't really have the money to buy material things.

    I'm not denying that people can be influenced, but it is up to them personally how much power they give to that influence.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • THC wrote:
    Most if not all religions are against materialism. YOu turn on the tv...and it litterally preaches materialism. By default...i'm going to have to say for the most part...TV teaches a doctrine that is against our general religious beliefs.


    What do people think?
    We all promote and take part in materialism....if we didn't, we wouldn't be on a computer right now talking on a message board.
  • CollinCollin Posts: 4,931
    Saturnal wrote:
    We all promote and take part in materialism....if we didn't, we wouldn't be on a computer right now talking on a message board.

    I disagree with this.
    THANK YOU, LOSTDAWG!


    naděje umírá poslední
  • know1know1 Posts: 6,794
    Collin wrote:
    I disagree with this.

    OK...then let's backtrack and discuss the definition of materialism.

    In my opinion, most people define it as "people who have more stuff than I do".
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • CollinCollin Posts: 4,931
    know1 wrote:
    OK...then let's backtrack and discuss the definition of materialism.

    In my opinion, most people define it as "people who have more stuff than I do".

    In my opinion, materialism is considering material stuff more important than it actually is, it's valueing them the same as non-materialistic stuff like love, friendship... it's an idealology that materials can give you true happiness.
    THANK YOU, LOSTDAWG!


    naděje umírá poslední
  • miller8966miller8966 Posts: 1,450
    Collin wrote:
    In my opinion, materialism is considering material stuff more important than it actually is, it's valueing them the same as non-materialistic stuff like love, friendship... it's an idealology that materials can give you true happiness.

    My xbox360 gives me happiness.
    America...the greatest Country in the world.
  • know1know1 Posts: 6,794
    Collin wrote:
    In my opinion, materialism is considering material stuff more important than it actually is, it's valueing them the same as non-materialistic stuff like love, friendship... it's an idealology that materials can give you true happiness.

    Well, that's just about as subjective as it gets. I think that gets back to my simpler definition - that it just means that someone has more stuff than you do.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
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