Inured
by Ted Slater on 06/20/2008 at 2:15 PM
My dad took a class in medical school that dealt with emergency care. Over the course of the semester, his professor showed the students photos of gruesome car accidents, bloody shooting victims, gray bloated drowning victims, victims of suicide, and so on. They saw every kind of horror you can imagine.
Initially the images were nauseatingly shocking. But over time, as the students grew more familiar with grisly death, they became less disturbed. Eventually, the sight of death for these medical students became common. They had become inured.
Another series of visual images have similarly desensitized me: movies.
I was in college, and had gone to see the latest psychological thriller. As the closing credits of "Silence of the Lambs" crawled up the screen, I remained in my seat, stunned. I was deeply affected by the fascinating story, the masterful acting and production, the insights into sexual perversity and cannibalism.
Years later I found myself similarly moved by "Fargo" and, to a lesser degree, "The Professional."
One night I came home from work, and my roommate had gathered some friends to watch "Fight Club" in our living room. I joined them, and that eerie feeling returned. I could feel my heart hardening, becoming brittle and dark, could feel it grow less sensitive, more cynical. As I sat at the top of the stairs following the movie, I had no choice but to determine not to continue doing this to myself. For the sake of my heart, what Scripture calls "the wellspring of life," I must not pour into it things that make it less sensitive to the gentle voice of my Lord.
Gradually, my sensitivity has returned. Last time I watched "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," for example, I was surprised and embarrassed at how much sexual innuendo was threaded throughout, something I hadn't noticed years earlier.
I've wanted to watch the "Matrix" sequels, but after reading what was in them, determined that they would probably not be good for me. The trailers for "Sin City," a modern film noir, fascinated me. So did the ones for "300." But in an effort to "guard my heart," I chose not to ingest these films.
These edgy movies may help me explore intriguing aspects of life. They may spark fascinating discussions with my unsaved friends. But the potential benefits aren't worth the damage they might inflict on my heart and mind. To paraphrase from a recent Plugged In Online review, the danger in watching these movies was that I might become just a little bit more comfortable with my own sinful self.
Sometimes I have to say "no" to my inclination to see a movie, despite its cultural significance. Yes, for the sake of spiritual sensitivity and at the expense of cultural relevance, sometimes I have to throw the baby out with the bath water.
1. Ame said the following at 3:14 PM on Jun 20:
I absolutely support you here.
One of the very nice things about being divorced from my ex is that I'm no longer exposed to movies and TV shows like that. We had a standard date night on the weekends with babysitters and all ... and he always wanted to go to the movies and out to eat. When the bad parts came up, I would close my eyes and plug my ears and humm so I couldn't hear or see ... then he'd tell me when it was over. I don't have to do that anymore. I am so thankful.
Sometime after he moved out I went to see a movie with a friend ... a rare thing for this single mom to see an adult movie ever, especially in the theater. I forget the name of the movie, but 'living together' was norm. The movie exposed other frailties, for which it was heralded, but I could not get over how much they normalized living together! My friend, who watched movies more than I, was taken aback that I was so disturbed because she was desenstiized.
I don't want to become that desensitized. I want to recognize the difference between what is of God and what is not easily.
Yeah, I'm limited in what I can see ... but I'm not hurting any for it!
I found a quote I wrote down sometime ago. I do not remember the author, but here's the quote:
"May I see sin as You see it. May I hate sin as You hate it. If *this* is wrong, put a heaviness on my heart."
2. Amir Larijani said the following at 3:52 PM on Jun 20:
Ted: I absolutely agree. This reminds me of an incident at Southern Seminary, which occurred the semester before I arrived.
A professor--Papa Sierra (phonetic initials)--was teaching a ministry and sexuality class. In the course of dealing with handicapped people, he showed a video of a married handicapped couple engaging in marital relations.
This, of course, provoked a firestorm that resulted in his departure.
We were discussing the incident in the formation for ministry class that all students had to take. My position was that showing the video was wrong, because (a) this is Southern Seminary, not UCal Berserkely, (b) while ministers are expected to provide Biblical counsel regarding matters of sexuality, they are not sex therapists; and (c) such videos are making public an act that ought to be private.
A lady in the class interjected and yelled at me, insisting that--as a minister--it is my OBLIGATION to watch a video like that because IT IS MY DUTY TO KNOW what handicapped people go through...
Utter hogwash. If a couple wants to spice up their sex life, it's not my obligation to wear the hat of sex therapist. In terms of Biblical counsel, there's this wonderful book in the Bible called the Song of Solomon.
Nothing like Bible study, with practical applications... ;)
3. Jasmine said the following at 4:14 PM on Jun 20:
Guarding your heart and mind is important in being spiritually pure. I too have to be careful of what I watch, read, and listen to. In this culture, that is very hard to do since the promotion of ungodliness is so popular. I remeber, when I was little I used to not watch bad things on TV, like sex, violence,etc. I would close my eyes and ears and wonder why people would watch this kind of stuff anyways.
However, my cousins, who were as young as me, were okay with watching these things and would tease me becasue I did not. I would usually feel bad about being teased, but I could not watch anything that I did not feel was right.
Now that I am older, I can see that God was trying to protect my mind and spirit from these things so I could live purely and know what is of GOD.
4. Adam T. said the following at 4:29 PM on Jun 20:
Completely, completely agree, Ted. Unlike Ame and Amir, I can't think of any specific examples, but I do know that since I've quit watching TV (which has been a few years now), anytime I do see a TV show - at a friend's house, for example - I'm often shocked by what I see, in a way that I didn't used to be.
Even commercials do it to me... I wish I could think of examples, because I know it's happened.
5. brx said the following at 4:39 PM on Jun 20:
"Sometimes I have to say "no" to my inclination to see a movie, despite its cultural significance."
I totally agree with you, Ted. I haven't seen many of the films you mentioned, and didn't like most of the ones I did see, for the same reasons. And yeah, it's kind of funny how that sexual inuendo and potty humor went right through without much notice in my teen and early college years, but not now!
However, I still think Christians may disagree on what they think is acceptable - because their focus is on different things. For example, I didn't appreciate and we skipped through the detrimental sex frenzy in the Matrix sequel but I really liked examining the philosophical illustrations and conundrums in the film. I never had a desire to see Fight Club until I learned what it was about; then, I became focussed on seeing the story. [I think it's quite noteworthy in depicting the violence and significance of man's inner battle - one the main character didn't even realize was going on though the effects were all around him.] Would I recommend everyone see it? - No, and definitely not without prayer and an eye for analyzing it. If one still wants the story but not the pictures on the screen, consider reading the book instead.
I rather think all media we decide to watch should kind of be viewed the way a movie reviewer/analyst would - and prayerfully - with brain engaged. I know I find myself changing the radio station more frequently that way (no, it's not always on an explicitly Christian station).
Grace & peace
6. Jared said the following at 5:39 PM on Jun 20:
Currently I'm a medical student who has been exposed to many of the things you talk about in real life. Before i did medicine i was a forensic scientist. This job in particular exposed me to homicides, suicides, vehicle accidents etc that would make most people run for the hills. And to this day, none of it has ever really affected me, i have never felt a slow inuring effect of being exposed to these things.
My question is, are some people more vulnerable to it than others? These are both jobs that have to be done by someone, and i enjoyed both career paths immensely (although medicine more than forensics, hence the change).
Movies i have found also to have had little affect on me, which can lead me to one of two conclusions, either they dont affect me like they effect others, or i'm already corrupted and i cant tell that they affect me. I'm leaning towards the former. This doesn't mean i watch any movie there is to watch, i still prefer a decent story with some meaning behind it instead of violence and gore for the sake of it.
Another comment which i might add is, i'm currently doing surgery out in the Outback of Australia, where there is a large indigenous population that are frequently uneducated, and, for lack of better descriptions, often act like animals a large part of the time. Children and wives are constantly the victim of domestic violence, incest, and abuse of all sorts. Its a sobering environment to be in. People from the main city centers don't believe it happens, because the choose to not expose themselves to these things. The reality is, that in the world over, there are more horrendous atrocities being committed on a daily basis that what any movie portrays, and as Christians, its our duty to NOT shelter ourselves from them, but to immerse ourselves and bring the love of Christ.
The risk of keeping a 'pure soul' can sometimes lead to ignorance of the needs in this world.
7. Marie said the following at 7:45 PM on Jun 20:
This post was so encouraging to me. It is encouraging to hear other people thinking like I do, and to know that I'm not the ONLY one who tries to avoid garbage that might sear my conscience, desensitize my soul, and "quench the Spirit." I do not consider it worthwhile to sacrifice purity of heart & mind for the sake of art, entertainment, etc.
8. Casey (the male student nurse) said the following at 7:55 PM on Jun 20:
Ted, I definitely agree with you buddy. A couple recent movies that moved me in the same way those did you were "The Departed" and "Sweeny Todd". The Departed left me speechless, a masterful storytelling tour de force, however one fraught with extreme language and graphic violence. And i almost walked out of Sweeny Todd, what with its stylized depiction of removing that which is so key: our life blood.
The funny thing is, many of my youth group students failed to see a problem with either, and i think subconsciously labeled me as a prude for thinking this way.
The youth group leader even stated that it was a rare thing for someone to truly analyze their media intake, and curb their life to match that of God's own will in these matters.
But hopefully, overtime, we'll all be able to better discern our place in the modern movie and media landscape.
9. Jeremy said the following at 8:28 PM on Jun 20:
"My question is, are some people more vulnerable to it than others?"
My feeling is that yes, some are more vulnerable -- or perhaps a more accurate word might be "sensitive" -- to this sort of thing than others. I, like Ted, can recall "shock" experiences with certain films, but unlike him, almost all the ones I remember were very positive and ultimately uplifting experiences (Requiem for a Dream and Seven come to mind).
However, for the most part, I am not disturbed by -content- in film, and it always seems surprising to me when people are to the level Ted and others describe. That kind of sensitivity and obsession with objectionable content strikes me as odd, something akin to noticing only the frame around the Mona Lisa.
Movie-nerd side note to Ted: none of the films you mentioned semi-wanting to see are really worth seeing. The Matrix sequels are awful, 300 is minor and forgettable, and Sin City, while interesting from a technical standpoint, is similiarly mediocre overall.
10. Lis said the following at 8:56 PM on Jun 20:
I completely and totally agree.
11. Ted Slater said the following at 9:21 PM on Jun 20:
Jeremy, you wrote, "That kind of sensitivity and obsession with objectionable content strikes me as odd, something akin to noticing only the frame around the Mona Lisa."
You make it sound like such sensitivity is a defect.
FWIW, my wife earned her master's degree in cinema/TV; one of mine was in communication theory. Neither of us are naive about this medium. Indeed, we recognize its sometimes-subtle, sometimes not-so-subtle, influence over us. And so we both have chosen to avoid movies that may inure us to the sacredness of sex, the preciousness of life, the holiness of the Creator, and so on.
12. George Ong said the following at 10:27 PM on Jun 20:
I definitely agree with guarding the heart. Yet, sometimes, just to be 'salt of the earth', we need to know the relevance of these movies that impact our culture.
So, I am just wondering if watching these "heart-hardening" movies, and then processing it with like-minded brethren to be relevant to the culture, and at the same time, being accountable to the brethren and protecting the wellspring of life, might be possible?
13. Ted Slater said the following at 11:28 PM on Jun 20:
George, that sounds reasonable at first glance. But in my 41 years, I've never had a life-changing conversation with either an unsaved or saved person centering around one of these "edgy" movies. Ever.
The truth of the gospel changes lives, not a discussion about the themes involved in, say, "Sex and the City."
Seriously, who watches this kind of movie in order to facilitate salvation for an unsaved loved one, or even merely to gain an understanding of popular [Hollywood] culture? On the other hand, how many folks watch this kind of movie simply because it's entertaining?
The gospel is the power of God unto salvation, as Romans 1:16 states. Not cultural relevance brought about by watching "edgy" movies.
In my opinion.
Of course, that's not what this blog post is about. It's about my personal journey toward practicing media discernment. ;-)
14. Amir Larijani said the following at 5:15 AM on Jun 21:
It should be a federal crime to produce a movie that contains both sex and violence. Corrupting a perfectly good, violent, bloody, gory kill flick with a sex scene is just...wrong!
Seriously, Jared, it would not be prudent to take your last point--which is legitimate--to extrapolate a case for why Christians ought to watch movies that are borderline pornographic or the themes of which are spiritually corrosive.
That there are hideous atrocities in the outbacks of Australia does not make a case for the Christian to watch Sex and the City.
On the other hand, your words do give one pause to consider our fine misionaries--Jim Elliott, Nate Saint, Ed McCulley, Pete Fleming, and Roger Youderian--who went to Ecuador to take the Gospel to the Auca tribes, known for their barbarity. They died in the effort, but the Gospel produced fruit.
One must also consider Amy Carmichael, whose efforts saved over a thousand children from temple prostitution.
Yep...there's evil in the world; and Christians ought to be leading the way in confronting it with the Gospel.
That said, this does not make a case for the Christian to watch certain movies, or other media just to get in better touch with what is going on. Nor does avoiding such media indicate that one is sticking his proverbial head in the sand.
After all, one hardly needs to watch hard-core porn (or soft-core for that matter) to understand the extent to which humans have corrupted the marital act that God ordained.
15. Anastasia said the following at 9:43 AM on Jun 21:
You need to make a distinction between your Dad becoming inured to the stuff he would encounter in an emergency situation and the stuff you voluntarily expose yourself to (if you can't handle it).
Emergency personnel, doctors, nurses, etc., need to be inured or they would never be able to function day after day. As it is, they need time and space to recuperate from what they see and have to do and experience.
So how you can compare the two is beyond me.
I never watch horror stuff. First of all, it's only shocking, not truly frightening. Secondly, it's just not worth the money or brain cells.
16. Sarah P. said the following at 9:50 AM on Jun 21:
I read this post yesterday, and I've been thinking about it, measuring its truth against the truth Jared (#6) brings up. Jesus said that it's not what goes into a person that defiles, but what comes out. In other words, the heart condition. Now, you might be saying, how could anyone possibly watch Movie X, Y, or Z and retain a pure heart? The answer in every instance is Jesus' free grace, because none of us have a hope of owning a pure heart, even if we never read anything but the Bible, unless Jesus gives us that purity.
In one of Paul's epistles, he is writing about eating food given to idols. He says, if you abstain, abstain in faith. If you eat, eat in faith. How can you eat something impure in faith? Because you truly believe that you have absolute freedom in this earth because of the reach of Jesus' grace.
But shall we sin that grace may abound? God forbid! Now, sin is something that happens in the heart, and it is anything that pulls us away from God. So here's where I agree with you, Ted, and I applaud your decision not to watch raunchy movies that suck at your love for God.
In contrast, here's where I agree with Jared: I'm not in this world for my own comfort, but to (A) grow to be more like God, and (B) help others do the same. This means that I have to see as clearly as possible, which means that I have to be able to fit the omnipresent truths of death and pain into my view of reality as well.
Some of the darkest, most brutal stories can sear images into our memory that push us closer to Christ, the Man of Sorrows - so long as they consciously show where hope lies. They must have truth, goodness, and/or beauty.
Schindler's List. Hotel Rwanda. Shawshank Redemption. Les Miserables.
hehe, this sounds like a philosophical treatise. Can I just add, I really appreciate the discussions you start, Ted S.?
17. Rebecca LuElla Miller said the following at 10:45 AM on Jun 21:
Great post, Ted. And responses to the comments. Actually I think Jeremy's analogy with the Mona Lisa and the frame it's in is apropos. Some of us have "multi-tasking vision," meaning we can't help but see the frame as well as the picture. And if the frame is spirit corrupting, it doesn't really matter how well-painted the picture is.
However, if I could edit your post, Ted, I'd change your last line. I think the real baby is spiritual sensitivity, so by throwing out the bath water, you're keeping the baby safe.
Becky
18. Jeremy said the following at 10:55 AM on Jun 21:
"You make it sound like such sensitivity is a defect."
I didn't mean to imply that at all, any more than sensitivity to the fact that meat was sacrificed to an idol is a defect. I just meant that since it does not bother my conscience, it strikes me as odd, in much the same way someone whose conscience was not bothered by the meat issue might find it odd that another would become so obsessed with that fact when trying to grab some lunch.
"Seriously, who watches this kind of movie in order to facilitate salvation for an unsaved loved one, or even merely to gain an understanding of popular [Hollywood] culture? On the other hand, how many folks watch this kind of movie simply because it's entertaining?"
In this you are painting with an awfully broad stroke. Of course there are movies which function primarily as pure entertainment (many of the summer blockbusters, for example). But there are also many more films that exist (or aim to exist) as works of art, and I firmly believe that artistic experiences can be uplifting and God-honoring in and of themselves, even without the "practical" considerations of how the artwork might enter into a salvation conversation or how it might help to illuminate culture. Our God is the God of beauty, and his first pronouncement (it is good) was primarily an aesthetic one.
19. Rich said the following at 11:17 AM on Jun 21:
To a large extent, I agree with the thrust of Ted's question: We ought not kid ourselves...99.8% of us watch these movies for entertainment. The "engaging culture" thing is *usually* an excuse for the real motive of entertainment. Most of us watch SATC just because we want to. Simple as that.
HOWEVER (could you tell that was coming?), it *is* a bummer that we don't have more people who are *genuinely* engaging culture with movies. Given the inordinately amount of authority Holywood has in our culture (H-wood and the university are two structures in our society that own the keys to the plausibility structure of our culture), we need more Christians out there in the public who are confronting movies et al with a robust, Christ-centered, intellectually rigorous, emotionally alive, and existentially relevant worldview.
BTW, the CT review of SATC is NOT a good example of this...:) I'm just sayin'.
20. Ted Slater said the following at 1:18 PM on Jun 21:
Anastasia, I'm using "inured" as a synonym for "desensitized."
Just as a physician grows desensitized to the horror of death, it's possible for me to grow desensitized to the horror of sin. It's good for a physician to grow desensitized to death; it's not good for me to grow desensitized to sin.
21. Ted Slater said the following at 1:25 PM on Jun 21:
Jeremy, you wrote, "Our God is the God of beauty, and his first pronouncement (it is good) was primarily an aesthetic one."
I disagree. The first pronouncement was primarily a moral one, not merely an aesthetic one. While visual beauty is important, the Creator is more concerned with the heart of the matter.
22. Marie said the following at 2:12 PM on Jun 21:
But maybe, let me throw this out there... that the fact that it doesn't bother the conscience is because you were exposed to it from very early (that was my situation) OR because when your conscience objected you ignored it until you became desensitized to it.
Does the fact that something no longer affects us make it right? There are certain pervasive sin patterns in my life that I know are there but I don't "feel guilty" when I fall in those areas because I have lost sensitivity in that area. Something I'm praying about.
My media choices was one of those areas. I didn't notice it until I watched some movies I owned in the presence of my kid sister several years back. She's 10 years younger than me and not a believer. There was something inside of me that just revolted at exposing her to that. Then I realized, and really began to pray to God to give me a sensitivity in that area.
A good rule of thumb for me, if I would feel uncomfortable watching a movie in the presence of my pastor, or other mentors in my life, OR somebody that I'm mentoring, then I shouldn't be watching it.
23. Marie said the following at 2:17 PM on Jun 21:
Sorry, something I forgot...
There is a HUGE difference between meeting people where they're at in the world with love for Jesus... and embracing sin as entertainment. Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners, but he didn't go to the brothels or the temples in his free time just for kicks.
24. Jeremy said the following at 3:23 PM on Jun 21:
"I disagree. The first pronouncement was primarily a moral one, not merely an aesthetic one."
I'll admit, I am confused and intrigued.
"Then God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light. God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness."
It is your contention that the way in which the light was good, was ... morally?
And just so no one is confused, I am not in any way saying that aesthetics are more important to God than ethics, I don't believe that to be the case. What I am saying is that beauty is of value to God as well.
25. Carrie (the original) said the following at 4:24 PM on Jun 21:
You know, there is not only your heart to consider, but it's also a question of why you are taking time out to watch whatever you are watching.
I think that if one spends time - hours upon hours - watching movies and T.V. there is something wrong.
I'm one week away from beginning to live without a T.V. . These last couple of months I've sought to stay busy so I won't miss it when it's actually gone.
There is something to be said for simplicity.
26. Amir Larijani said the following at 5:29 PM on Jun 21:
Carrie: I have turned on my television once in the last 3 months, 4 times all year. Not missing it.
27. Kimberly Eddy said the following at 5:50 PM on Jun 21:
I think it does desensitize us over time...we also watched Ferris Bueller via Netflix just a few months ago, and I had not remembered "all of that" being in there, or in War Games for that matter, which I remembered as a family friendly movie. (gee that dates me, doesn't it?)
As for engaging the culture, I really think that nine times out of ten that is a big cop out, and an excuse to keep on doing what we want. What is more important in winning souls for Christ than a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, and His leading in our lives? We can't dull our spiritual senses by watching movies full of blasphemy and sensuality, and shows that mock the God we claim to serve, and still expect to be open to the Spirit's leading in any area, much less talking to others about Christ.
That doesn't mean you have to live with a complete disconnect from the "real world" because we are commanded to be in the world, not of it. We live in this world, but we don't have to drink from the same cesspool of immorality that everyone else does ... whether it be watching adultery on TV or committing it ourselves.
28. Jeremy said the following at 5:53 PM on Jun 21:
"Does the fact that something no longer affects us make it right? There are certain pervasive sin patterns in my life that I know are there but I don't "feel guilty" when I fall in those areas because I have lost sensitivity in that area."
You are absolutely right that for issues of univeral sin, it does not really matter whether our consciences bother us or not. This is only an issue in areas like this, conscience-based choices like seeing movies that contain sexuality or violence. These choices are not inherently sinful, but for the person whose conscience is bothered, it could well be that "to him it is sin".
The difficulty as I see it is that in this day, there is such rampant posturing and self-righteousness within the church that there is very little credence given to this aspect of Paul's teaching. Most Christians these days think in black-and-white terms, whereby everything that they think of as wrong, even issues of conscience, they feel should be proscriptive for every Christian. I myself often struggle with this.
29. Anastasia said the following at 6:18 PM on Jun 21:
Just one comment on becoming desensitized to death.
Doctors and others become desensitized to the processes before death, and do stuff and things to try to hold it off, or try to catch disease before it causes death.
I have yet to meet a physician (I work in a hospital) that is desensitized to death. They may not always outwardly express it, but when a patient dies, it is the worst day in the world for them.
They come and talk to us (in their department) and curse death and say and do other things.
They can be knee deep in blood and guts in the ER where there is hope of saving a life and it passes over them. But if the patient dies . . .
30. John said the following at 6:55 PM on Jun 21:
Sara P.
You are completely taking scripture out of context.
You are misapplying what Jesus said and twisting it to mean something totally different.
Go back and read the entire text and if you still don't understand come back and I'll explain to you what the scripture you posted really means.
Point of fact, what we watch DOES affect our hearts and CAN make us unclean!
31. Ted Slater said the following at 9:54 PM on Jun 21:
Jeremy, yes, beauty is of value to God. Consider Genesis 2:9, for example: "And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food." It is clear that God is concerned not just with the function of something (good for food), but also with it beauty (pleasant to the sight).
But in the end, what God looks at is the heart, not mere appearance.
32. Sarah P. said the following at 9:22 AM on Jun 22:
John (#30): Which Scripture did I misinterpret?
Point of fact, what we watch DOES affect our hearts and CAN make us unclean!
I agree with you 100%! My first main point is that our hearts are always unclean, never pure, and so God's grace is always covering us no matter what. No matter how far I fall, Jesus' grace will still cover me.
And then my second main point was that it is indeed sin and incredibly disrespectful and hurtful to our Lord to watch things that pull us away from Him.
To sum up, we learn through maturity which deep, dark things will pull us closer to Christ and which away. I listed movies that are deeply redemptive. I so agree with Carrie (#25) - there isn't even time for me to watch the many lame, sorry excuses for art that exist.
In that passage in Matthew, which I read in devotions a few days ago, Jesus is talking to the Pharisees about the way He and His disciples are eating. They object, and He tells them that they are striving to uphold one of their own customs while at the same time imposing another custom over clear Mosaic law (honor your father and mother). This is the definition of legalism.
33. Leah said the following at 6:54 PM on Jun 22:
Jared, you said "People from the main city centers don't believe it happens, because the choose to not expose themselves to these things"... I'm from a smaller, more regional "city centre" (Townsville), and believe me, I sure believe it happens... that's why I'm all for the intervention in the NT.
Anastasia said "I never watch horror stuff. First of all, it's only shocking, not truly frightening." Hmm, I dunno about that. There's a lot of pretty terrifying horrors out there. I don't watch horror either, because I know I'll get scared. The shocking wouldn't honestly bother me that much- sure, I'd be grossed out and think "do we really have to see that?" but it wouldn't have any lasting effect on me. However, I'd never watch such movies as Wolf Creek, The Ring, Saw, Dawn of the Dead, Vacancy, etc because I know that gore aside, the storyline would haunt me for weeks afterwards.
Re: The Matrix sequels... I still haven't seen Revolutions :( That makes me sad. I did see Reloaded, and I LOVED it. Stupid sex scene aside.
But honestly, even though I watch the Matrix trilogy for entertainment and not "cultural connection" purposes, the Matrix DOES give me a great tool to witness to two of my friends.
There was a group of us in high school who were diehard matrix fans, and there is SO MUCH different religious symbolligy in that movie, including Christianity. And both of my friends- one specifically- would come and ask me questions about the Christian symbolligy in an effort to understand the movie better, but at the same time, it would get them intrigued about the biblical context and then they'd ask questions about that.
In regards to the movie content itself, yes, there's a sex scene (5 minutes, if that)- I actually think the sex scene with Trinity and Neo is less offensive than the rave party (of a very sexual nature) in Zion. (These scenes were happening at the same time- switching back and forth- for only a few minutes). The only nudity you see in Trinity & Neo's part is from the back and their faces- you see a bit more & very suggestive dancing in the rave party.
But as I said, that's only for a few minutes. As for the rest of the movie- it has one of the BEST car chase scenes in movie history. Some people might be offended by this, but I don't see a reason to. You don't see anyone get hurt (I can't even remember if anyone does), just cars getting smashed up a bit. I guess you'd presume those cars have drivers, but you don't see them. The movie has some pretty awesome fight scenes too- but if those offend you, then you would have been offended by the first movie too. It was several years ago that I saw Reloaded last, and I don't remember any gore (I could be wrong though).
Question: Has anyone seen The Exorcism of Emily Rose? The name makes it sound risqué, but from what I've read about it, I'm incredibly intrigued. I'm not sure whether to think it will be scary or blasphemous or both, but apparently it's based on a true story. Maybe I'll have to check Plugged In :P
34. Alex C. said the following at 10:29 PM on Jun 22:
I've seen the Exorcism of Emily Rose! I thought it was pretty good. The director is a christian, and I thought the movie did have a very pro faith message to it. Plugged In did a review of it when it came out: http://www.pluggedinonline.com/movies/movies/a0002320.cfm
I agree with Ted's message; we definitly need to be observant about what we watch when it comes to movies and TV shows. I love cinema and TV (My dream job is to be a film critic) but I know there have been times when I've watched certain movies and then regretted it, or been too desensitized to negative content. I used to be a HUGE fan of horror movies, the gorier the better, but now, though there are still some that I count among my favorite movies, I'm much more aware and sensitive to the gratuitous demeaning violence that so many films in that genre have.
But I also agree with some of the things others have been saying. The issue of "how much bad content is too much" is very hard to agree upon, and there have been many hard, "graphic" films that also managed to be powerful, moving, pieces of art. From my own personal expierience; it was (some would say ironicly) a graphic, violent, gory story that actually changed my perspective on the violent, gory horror movies that I used to watch so often; the intense but (from my experience) very powerful japanese book/film/comic Battle Royale.
35. Kelly said the following at 6:06 AM on Jun 23:
I mostly watch science fiction. Okay, that means I get a huge dose of violence but it's often bloodless and (by the very nature of the genre) so far removed from our everyday life that I don't think it causes de-sensitisation to real issues.
[That said, I find "Battlestar Galactica" so hard to watch because it depicts how a human can become corrupted by war.]
I recently hung out with friends who were watching "Grey's Anatomy". I was HORRIFIED at the morals (or lack thereof) that the main characters displayed. No respect for marriage, there was casual discussion of friends-with-benefits, cheating....
And this is one of the most popular tv shows out there?
I rarely watch sitcoms either and when I do catch one, I find them to be full of innuendo for 'cheap laughs'. I find this sort of thing so much more dangerous than an R-rated movie because people are absorbing sinful messages without even realising it.
36. Nick said the following at 8:56 AM on Jun 23:
I commend you for your stand! It is a struggle to not see the latest popular movie. Ultimately the future joys will be that much greater because we are living for that day when we will be with Christ (Col 3:4).
37. PLH said the following at 1:42 PM on Jun 23:
I don't disagree that we should be careful about what we watch, but at the same time, the Bible contains countless stories of adultery, erotic language, tales of violence, destruction, etc. Should we ban little children from reading certain passages/books in the Bible because they might become desensitized?
38. Michelle said the following at 2:02 PM on Jun 23:
Thank you so much for bringing this to light. I often feel as though my husband and I are the only ones that have a standard like this...we are certainly the only people we know that do. It helps to hear of others.
There is a quote from John Piper that I have found helpful in determining which movies to watch. He said, "My parents almost never went to movies, and I almost never go to movies. The reason is very simple: there are almost no movies that don't ask me to be entertained by attitudes, motives, and actions which Jesus died to eradicate. My heart will not allow me to be entertained by worldliness."
So for me the question is simple: Does this movie/tv show/magazine/novel portray sinful behavior in a manner that is "normative" or glorified? Almost always, the answer is yes, and I choose to honor the work of Christ by not allowing myself to be entertained by thoughts, attitudes and actions He suffered and died to pay for. I don't believe this is a subjective "matter of conscience," as some have said.
God calls us to uncompromising holiness. He calls us to set no vile thing before our eyes. (Psalm 101) We must be careful to not call "good" what is "evil" (Isaiah 5), and we must spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10).
I would like to encourage all those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ to search the Spirit, not their conscience, on this matter. Let's ask, "How can I reflect the character of God in my entertainment choices?"
I believe this is more important than we give it credit for.
Thank you again for opening the dialogue on a topic I am so passionate about.
39. Jean said the following at 9:45 PM on Jun 23:
I am concerned about the rise of desensitization in our culture. Consider this assignment from a Trinity Extension class on Administration:
"Assignment # 7: Leadership Movie Review—10 points Watch and review one of the following movies listed. Give an in-depth review on the leadership style found in the central character. Provide an analysis of negative and positive leadership characteristics filtering through key teachings from classroom discussions and assignment readings. MOVIE SELECTIONS: Elizabeth, Crimson Tide, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Kingdom of Heaven, Brave Heart, Hell House, Jerry Maguire, Apollo 13, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Glory, The Aviator, and Dave."
http://trinet.tiu.edu/sites/Syllabi/0708Syllabi/EM6000Sp08AkronSmith.pdf
When those charged with teaching future pastors are pushing this R-rated, sex, nudity, and violence-saturated fare on their students, I wonder what our churches will look like in 10 years?
40. Reg S. said the following at 6:36 AM on Jun 24:
We first must realize all media has a message . Be it from TV , music or the big screen. A world view is presented and the question has to be , is it one I should give consent to or expose myself to. It is also very naive to think that constant exposure to certain types of messages will not affect us in some way . We must use discernment and wisdom when watching or listening to something. This is not to say for example all horror movies are off limits , I still enjoy the old movies that still had a strong element of good triumphing over evil . Plus as one writer already pointed out , does it glorify sinful behavior with a almost glee or does it show it as normative or even something not to be pursued. I do not see the arts as something that needs to be eradicated from our diet as some do , for God did give us imaginations and even non-believers can bring truth to a subject and one that a believer can appreciate but with the liberty we have in Christ , we must exercise it with caution .
41. Jean said the following at 10:46 AM on Jun 24:
Reg S. said, "It is also very naive to think that constant exposure to certain types of messages will not affect us in some way."
$2.7 million.......Price for a 30-second ad during the Superbowl in 2008. Companies are betting $2.7 million that they can change your opinions, and indeed, your behavior in 30 seconds. They wouldn't keep shelling out that kind of $ if it didn't work. Makes you think....
42. Remie said the following at 4:08 PM on Jun 25:
I agree that participating in media (movies, music, written words) that convey messages contradictory to Christian morals and values is desensitizing and contend that it slowly eats away at your moral psyche/compass as well. How else do you explain people who can watch an assault and not try to stop it? Or the booming popularity of those cage fight venues? I believe that the behaviors that many young people today are exhibiting: inappropriate public displays of affection, unleashed swearing, video taping themselves doing private things and sending it out to the general public, and their attitudes toward sex ("oral sex is not sex"), lying and cheating - are examples of a generation who believes that these behaviors are the norm because that is what they see and hear on a daily basis. It makes me very sad and frightened for our society.
43. Remie said the following at 4:10 PM on Jun 25:
I agree that participating in media (movies, music, written words) that convey messages contradictory to Christian morals and values is desensitizing and contend that it slowly eats away at your moral psyche/compass as well. How else do you explain people who can watch an assault and not try to stop it? Or the booming popularity of those cage fight venues? I believe that the behaviors that many young people today are exhibiting: inappropriate public displays of affection, unleashed swearing, video taping themselves doing private things and sending it out to the general public, and their attitudes toward sex ("oral sex is not sex"), lying and cheating - are examples of a generation who believes that these behaviors are the norm because that is what they see and hear on a daily basis. It makes me very sad and frightened for our society.
44. John said the following at 9:16 AM on Jun 28:
Sara P.
You second post contradicts your first. In your first you were misapplying scripture, but in your second you show the clear meaning of it.
That's all
45. Mike Thiebaud said the following at 10:26 AM on Jul 15:
Finally. Someone gets it.