My thoughts ...

Jesus was a carpenter FIRST. He became a Rabbi later.

He also walked among the people, seeing all the traits of life in his time. He did NOT recruit a bunch of Rabbis as his apostles. He recruited some of the vilest (by the standards of the time) cohorts to go with him. Tax collector - adulterer - fishermen ... (okay not vile, so much as smelly). :-)

I personally see nothing in Jesus' teachings or life that suggests we are intended to cloister ourselves away from the realities of the world. In truth, he spent much of his energy in seeking out those places that were considered taboo in his time.

Of course, TV is mostly about entertainment. In Jesus' time, there simply wasn't a lot of opportunity for entertainment. The masses had to work 24/6 for food, shelter and clothing. So, there's not much mention of entertainment in the gospels.

But, he did attend parties. Water into wine was a miracle not to get the party started - but at least to keep it going. (Though there are many denominations (I grew up in one) that view alcohol as every much a sin as adultery.)

Ultimately, I think Jesus would approve of TV in general, for one reason. It is a medium with incredible power to BRING US TOGETHER. In times of crisis this is patently obvious. But, water cooler discussions about last nights episode of this or that are often the seed for actually making a connection with co-workers we'd otherwise ignore. Most of the content is trivial and forgettable. Certainly some is vile and repugnant. Some is uplifting and fulfilling.

Ultimately, I believe that in order to appreciate and understand the Kingdom of Heaven, we *MUST* first see and experience the realities of the world. Nothing makes you appreciate sunshine more than a rainy week.

From a personal standpoint, the closer I get to God, the more I see myself changing the channel away from programs where people are mean and hateful. As I grow spritually, they cease to hold any entertainment value for me.

And I see positives. I see Jerry Springer rise and swoon. But Oprah, whose show has always leaned more toward the positives of humanity continues to thrive. I watched a dozen "Makeover" shows spring up - but the one that sustained was the "Home Makeover", where dozens of people volunteer their time and expertise to help others.

Considering how rarely his own disciples understood what He was teaching, I doubt Jesus would spend much time actually watching the evangelists, (though he might tune in to them - viewing them as sitcoms). But, I think he'd be an avid fewer of the shows where people help other people.

I am responding to Sandy & this article---About Jesus being a carpenter first and a rabbi second.  What?  Jesus' sole purpose was to die on the cross for our sins.  This is because man is wicked---the world is wicked!  The medium, TV, represents this wicked world!  As Christians, there is nothing wrong with seeking entertain if it is not negative.   Negative things are vulgar language, sex, materialism, violence, homosexuality, evolution, etc.  There are many positive things that Christians can be entertained by---reading the Bible, reading, socializing with family and friends, hobbies, etc.