I'm aware I may be about to kick up a bit of a storm but I've been thinking about this for a while. A while back Lucy and I debated getting rid of the TV licence and just watching DVD's and things available via on demand services online. I We know lots of people who do it, but just because we can should we?
s it right to buy a TV licence even if we only watch things via iPlayer? The TV licence isn't a licence to have a TV its a licence to watch BBC broadcasts. I know that the law of the land permits it but as those who love and follow Jesus the question we ought to be asking is 'what does the spirit of the law say?' 'What does it mean for me to love my brothers and sisters in the BBC?' 'What does it mean for me to honour the creative work of those who have made those programmes using their God given gifts?'
Now I want to go on record as saying that we don't watch much TV, we watch particularly little BBC TV, mostly its the Six Nations Rugby, Match of the Day, The Football League Show, Dr Who and children's programmes with the boys. But that is besides the point, the question is not about value for money that is a totally different issue. I wonder if we should be asking what is loving?
Is it loving for me to not contribute anything towards the creation of the programmes I enjoy? To not pay the wages of those employed to do so? To avoid supporting those who work hard using their incredible creative talents to entertain us even though I watch them delayed and online?
Does the spirit of the law call on us to love our neighbours and honour their work by supporting them by buying a TV licence even if we only watch content online? Is it stealing to do otherwise? Is it just an issue of being tight with our money rather than being generous? Is it loving? As unbelieving friends and family look on what do they conclude about our actions in doing so?
It's an issue we need to answer for ourselves, I think my fear is that we aren't even having the discussion.
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