Thomas Smith

1502 29th Street West Bradenton, Florida 34502

(941) 748-5029

November 28, 1995

Letters Editor

Bradenton Herald

P.O. Box 921 Bradenton, Fla. 34206

Dear Letters Editor:

This letter is in response to a letter you published on Nov. 28, 1995 regarding the use of television entitled, "Disconnect TV to Return to a Better Life." While I agree with Missy Simmons that there is a lot of garbage flowing from the TV, I disagree that the television is one of the least important things in life.

Ms. Simmons makes a few strong statements in regards to the Television set. The first is that "all of our fears of our fellow man --come from this tool that Satan uses to discourage us against our fellow man." Ms. Simmons makes reference to, "us Christian people .... " Being a Christian, I wonder if she has ever listened to ev:mgelists such as Oral Roberts, Charles Stanley, or Robert Schueller on the television. They, and many evangelists like them, reach millions of viewers each day, with their telecasts. As a matter of fact, there is at least one entire cable channel devoted to Christians, and the word of God. She alleges that watching programs such as America's Most Wanted and Cops On Location, discourages us from helping our fellow man who may be "broken down on the roadside." Making this assertion is like saying all people of German dissent are evil because you just watched a program about the holocaust. Wake up Ms. Simmons! Each and every information service, whether its' the television, radio, or print media, carries reports of violence in our society, each day. To do otherwise would be irresponsible. Use the information provided to educate yourself.

Ms. Simmons goes on to say that the'television, "brings about a division in the family." I would say that declining family values is more to blame. What about the times when we sit down as a family, to watch a program, and discuss the content with our children? Not all viewing is solitary. Furthermore, I cannot imagine God telling Ms. Simmons to dismantle her television set, as she claims happened to her. I'm sure that even God, can find some redeeming value in televised programs!

In conclusion, I would like to say to Ms. Simmons that destroying your television set destroys your freedom of choice. Turn the channel, if you don't like the program. Find a program that gives good uplifting moral support. Talk about it with your family. Use the programs you watch to educate yourself, and yes, in .his day and age, do be wary of strangers in public.

Sincerely,

Thomas J. Smith