I'm posting such a variety of blog entries this past week! I've really been having a blast blogging about whatever's on my mind and taking a week's break from my normal postings of menus, Works-for-me Wednesday tips, and Frugal Fridays at biblical Womanhood.

I love blogging about cooking and kitchen-related topics, but sometimes those things crowd out the everyday stuff that's really on my mind! Because no, I don't just think about cooking, recipes, and food all day!

And what I'm thinking about right now, is television. You can blame it on this post, where Barbara Curtis writes about her thoughts on television.

I've never owned a television, so the closest I've come to living with one has been when I've stayed at other people's houses. I don't think television "is evil". We choose not to have one for many reasons. Here are just a few, and in no particular order!

1. Our home is quiet. One thing I've noticed about a lot of homes with TVs is that there is constantly a background noise. The children aren't accustomed to quietness. Toys, games, and other entertainment (like TV) is loud and electronic. Maybe some people can think deep thoughts with such constant noise. I sure couldn't.

We often have classical music playing in the kitchen, but it actually lends to a creative, thoughtful environment rather than a noise-overload. And we're not afraid to turn off the music. We won't miss anything, because our CDs or the library CDs will still be here tomorrow.

2. We fill "TV time" with more creative activities. Whether I used a TV as a "babysitter" (instead of the children playing together, building things, or helping me with my work) or as a planned activity (like story time), it would be using valuable time that we presently spend together. Because...

3. Looking at a screen isn't really spending time together. Television, movies, video games -- none of these things seem to spark the conversation or interaction of activities like board games or outdoor games. I want my children to have creative hands-on experiences in a variety of things and to learn to interact with each other, as well as with friends.

4. People tend to rely on TV as a vital part of their everyday lives. I've never lived with a television, so I don't miss having one. I don't have trouble thinking of activities for my children. I never have difficulty filling the hours of the day. I never have to see immodest commercials. I never have to hear foul language. But I would if I watched television, because...

5. Television is full of sin, immodesty, and wickedness. I know, people say, "Well, the things I watch are only good things." I'm not saying that there is nothing good on TV. But from what I have seen and heard first-hand, the bad outweighs the good. We even find many of the commercials to be offensive. We don't want that in our home, and we have a choice, so we decided no TV! :)

6. Television takes time. When people find out we don't own a TV, they ask things like, "What do you do all day?!" or (Joshua's favorite), "How do you know what to think?!" to which he replies, "Well, I can read, you know..."

7. Television can have harmful effects (not just morally!) on people, especially children. Barbara linked to this article from the American Academy of Pediatrics about the effects of television on families. I think TV has been a contributing factor to the population's decreasing attention span. Viewers also tend to accept streaming information without the careful thought, scrutiny, and criticism given to the written word.

I'm sure there are more reasons not to have a television. I'm sure there are also reasons to have a TV. These are just some of the reasons I'm glad we don't own one. ;)