I’ve always been a fan of talent shows.  I enjoy the variety and being exposed to talents that would otherwise go unseen.  However I have some mixed feelings about what television has been producing as of late when it comes to the various “talent show” venues.  It seems to me that they take great pleasure in embarrassing, ridiculing and belittling people.  Even though they eventually weed out those who lack the expected giftedness, I am having a hard time understanding the need to parade them in front of millions of viewers.  I don’t understand the point of breaking down and humiliating someone, perhaps even killing their spirits, week after week.  I’m sure that some of those people are aware this is a chance they take, but I don’t see the benefit of cruel and blunt criticism.  Why do they put people they know they are going to reject on their shows in the first place? Ratings? I shudder to think that millions of viewers tune in just for the bashings.  What does this say about the viewing public?  I know I’m naïve, but I would rather see talent nurtured and developed so that it can be used for God’s glory instead of the malicious pleasure some take in beating someone down.  That’s not to say that those that lack obvious talent should be coddled, I just think there are better ways to handle those situations than the way television is doing publicly.  We may be losing out on seeing some truly gifted people perform for their fear that they won’t measure up.  I understand that it is a competition, but I think it would serve the public better to put talents of the same caliber together instead of what is being presented to us now.  I think God’s kingdom can be better served if words of compassion are spoken more often than the bitterness of scorn.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Colossians 4:5-6  Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.