I quit watching the news on television during the first Gulf War when I was pregnant with our firstborn. I read somewhere that babies started to recognize the voices in their lives before they were even born, and I didn’t want our baby to think Tom Brokow was her father.
I subscribed to Newsweek, though, so I kept current with the news. Until I had our second child and didn’t have as much time to read, so I switched to radio news. I’d listen in the car and on the stereo at home.
Finally, I realized that teaching full time and parenting full time gave me no time for quiet, so I quit the news cold turkey. Call me an avoider or an ostrich, but I’ve come to the conclusion that I haven’t missed anything.
The weather is too hot or too cold.
Nations can’t get along with each other and there’s a war or genocide or act of terror or aggression going on.
Somebody killed somebody else in cold blood.
The economy is either going up or down.
A natural disaster claimed lives.
Somebody famous did something that has earned everyone’s ire/respect/vitriol.
A politician has lied or broken a promise.
With social media, I can keep track of the real news—whose child has made a great choice. An unexpected kindness from a stranger changes someone’s day. A friend or a stranger needs prayer.
I’d go so far as to say that the news is unbiblical. Paul tells us in Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
The news? It certainly doesn’t meet those standards!
The news just doesn't meet the standards I want to live by. Click To TweetWhat are your thoughts on the news?
