"R" rated movies

[jahjahwarrior]

I find it quite ironic how some Christians believe that just because a movie is rated "R", it's automatically a sin to watch it. But yet those same Christians find it okay, and is some cases "mandatory" to watch Passion of the Christ. Passion of the Christ is rated "R"....FYI

Your thoughts?

 

[farouk]

I find it quite ironic how some Christians believe that just because a movie is rated "R", it's automatically a sin to watch it. But yet those same Christians find it okay, and is some cases "mandatory" to watch Passion of the Christ. Passion of the Christ is rated "R"....FYI

Your thoughts?

j: Well, that Passion of Christ movie doesn't really appeal to me, either: and I'll tell you why: there is such a lot of emotion there. But the question I have is, does clear Biblical doctrine come across as to WHY the Lord Jesus suffered and died at the Cross?

 

[Matthew G]

In my opinion, "R"- rated films fall into the "doubtful disputations" category in Romans 14. But not all of them.

"R" rated movies is a very broad topic. In my opinion, anything that is basically an all out porno, or exists only for that purpose (something American Pie, or one of those Teen Movie movies, for example) should be avoided completely.

By and large though, I think it's up to the individual. I think if you're mature enough to handle the subject matter (minus the film types mentioned above), then watch your film.

My wife and I both are horror movie fans. We have been most of our lives. We watch these kinds of films often, but we are mature enough to turn it off if it goes too far. Too much gore, sexuality, violence, or even a film that contains blasphemy (we've seen that on occasion), and we turn it off because we just don't want to take part in that. I know some out there will disagree with me, but I don't begrudge them that. That's their opinion, and they are more than welcome to it. I can honestly say the movies I watch don't affect my walk with Christ negatively, and in a strange way a few out there have actually strengthened it. So no, I don't feel any guilt or shame in viewing R rated movies, though sometimes we see one that goes too far, and we turn it off.

So again, I think it's up to the individual. If you can watch it with no ill effect, go ahead. If you can't, then turn it off. That's my opinion, anyway, for what it's worth.

 

[evenifigoalone]

To me it depends on what the movie is rated R for. I draw the line at explicit sexual content. Also, I would avoid media with a purposeful glorification of something that's definitely wrong. Example: Violence in and of itself will not stop me from watching a movie. I would avoid said movie, though, if the purpose of the movie was to glory in killing people.

I'm into anime, and anime tends to be more mature than the kind of cartoons from the US and western hemisphere. There is a lot of variety, though.
The stuff that makes up mature content is nothing more than part of the story, it adds to the story. If the story is good overall, and especially if it has a good moral(s), I'll still watch it.
Anything I watch is going to have something I personally disagree with somewhere, so that in itself won't stop me.

 

[farouk]

To me it depends on what the movie is rated R for. I draw the line at explicit sexual content. Also, I would avoid media with a purposeful glorification of something that's definitely wrong. Example: Violence in and of itself will not stop me from watching a movie. I would avoid said movie, though, if the purpose of the movie was to glory in killing people.

I'm into anime, and anime tends to be more mature than the kind of cartoons from the US and western hemisphere. There is a lot of variety, though.

questdriven:

Actually I think your comment applies more broadly as well beyond North America. In Europe for example, what may be deemed acceptable beachwear might be not be okay in the US. In fact, a court in Canada has given women the right to remove their tops on a beach, etc. (not that I advocate it).

So if something is directly crude, then turn away from it, of course. But what constitutes acceptable and unacceptable will vary a great deal, I think.

As with so many things, common sense should prevail, I think.

Blessings.

 

[farouk]

In my opinion, "R"- rated films fall into the "doubtful disputations" category in Romans 14. But not all of them.

"R" rated movies is a very broad topic. In my opinion, anything that is basically an all out porno, or exists only for that purpose (something American Pie, or one of those Teen Movie movies, for example) should be avoided completely.

By and large though, I think it's up to the individual. I think if you're mature enough to handle the subject matter (minus the film types mentioned above), then watch your film.

My wife and I both are horror movie fans. We have been most of our lives. We watch these kinds of films often, but we are mature enough to turn it off if it goes too far. Too much gore, sexuality, violence, or even a film that contains blasphemy (we've seen that on occasion), and we turn it off because we just don't want to take part in that. I know some out there will disagree with me, but I don't begrudge them that. That's their opinion, and they are more than welcome to it. I can honestly say the movies I watch don't affect my walk with Christ negatively, and in a strange way a few out there have actually strengthened it. So no, I don't feel any guilt or shame in viewing R rated movies, though sometimes we see one that goes too far, and we turn it off.

So again, I think it's up to the individual. If you can watch it with no ill effect, go ahead. If you can't, then turn it off. That's my opinion, anyway, for what it's worth.

Matthew G:

Hi there; interesting point, the highlighted part, above.

So how do you mean, exactly?

Blessings.

 

[forgiven]

I personally do not think that all R rated movies are horrible. Some may cross the line for me but not all. I believe as long as I know when a movie has crossed a line for me then I turn it off. As another poster stated I believe this one goes back to Romans 14. I personally do not choose to watch a movie with sexually explicit content or excessive violence in the movie, to me that crosses the line. I read more than I watch TV and I find that this also applies to the books I read as well.

 

[Matthew G]

In my opinion, "R"- rated films fall into the "doubtful disputations" category in Romans 14. But not all of them.

"R" rated movies is a very broad topic. In my opinion, anything that is basically an all out porno, or exists only for that purpose (something American Pie, or one of those Teen Movie movies, for example) should be avoided completely.

By and large though, I think it's up to the individual. I think if you're mature enough to handle the subject matter (minus the film types mentioned above), then watch your film.

My wife and I both are horror movie fans. We have been most of our lives. We watch these kinds of films often, but we are mature enough to turn it off if it goes too far. Too much gore, sexuality, violence, or even a film that contains blasphemy (we've seen that on occasion), and we turn it off because we just don't want to take part in that. I know some out there will disagree with me, but I don't begrudge them that. That's their opinion, and they are more than welcome to it. I can honestly say the movies I watch don't affect my walk with Christ negatively, and in a strange way a few out there have actually strengthened it. So no, I don't feel any guilt or shame in viewing R rated movies, though sometimes we see one that goes too far, and we turn it off.

So again, I think it's up to the individual. If you can watch it with no ill effect, go ahead. If you can't, then turn it off. That's my opinion, anyway, for what it's worth.

Matthew G:

Hi there; interesting point, the highlighted part, above.

So how do you mean, exactly?

Blessings.

Well, just as an example, take The Exorcist. A very brutal film that I will say for my taste very nearly goes to far. However, a film critic on a podcast I listen to (Stuart NLA on "Now Playing Podcast") summed it up pretty well in my opinion.

He said the film is a religious experience. That it goes to painstaking lengths to show you the realism. The realism of the girl's actions, just how outlandish and insane they are. They real and medically accurate (at the time) tests performed to find a problem in her brain. The director makes every effort to show you the realism, to show you every detail, not just in the affliction, but also in the search for a cure. But at the end of the day, science can't answer the question. Only the church has the answer. And you see this and because it's presented in such a realistic fashion, you have to stand back and ask yourself what you think. Was it real? Was the exorcism just a placebo effect, or was it a real demonic possession? He even went so far to say that in his opinion, this film is the best on-screen endorsement the church has had in the last 40 years.

For my own part, ****SPOILER ALERT*****

One of the last scenes, where Father Karras ends up possessed by the demon, raised some honest questions from my wife as to whether that was possible. I should clarify this by telling you that, while she is a believer, she is not as well-versed as I am. Not that I know it all, but I minister to her in that way so to speak. Anyway, this lead us to studying the Word to answer definitively that Christians cannot be possessed.

Basically, this brutal, genuinely horrifying film lead to us getting into the Word together and seeing what God had to say. And there are other films where we've had this experience as well, and have gotten closer to the Lord and each other through mutual study of the Word brought on by my wife asking a question or twelve (lol) about something in one of these films.

Kinda wordy I know, but that's the best way I can explain it. I hope that clarified my meaning a little.

 

[farouk]

In my opinion, "R"- rated films fall into the "doubtful disputations" category in Romans 14. But not all of them.

"R" rated movies is a very broad topic. In my opinion, anything that is basically an all out porno, or exists only for that purpose (something American Pie, or one of those Teen Movie movies, for example) should be avoided completely.

By and large though, I think it's up to the individual. I think if you're mature enough to handle the subject matter (minus the film types mentioned above), then watch your film.

My wife and I both are horror movie fans. We have been most of our lives. We watch these kinds of films often, but we are mature enough to turn it off if it goes too far. Too much gore, sexuality, violence, or even a film that contains blasphemy (we've seen that on occasion), and we turn it off because we just don't want to take part in that. I know some out there will disagree with me, but I don't begrudge them that. That's their opinion, and they are more than welcome to it. I can honestly say the movies I watch don't affect my walk with Christ negatively, and in a strange way a few out there have actually strengthened it. So no, I don't feel any guilt or shame in viewing R rated movies, though sometimes we see one that goes too far, and we turn it off.

So again, I think it's up to the individual. If you can watch it with no ill effect, go ahead. If you can't, then turn it off. That's my opinion, anyway, for what it's worth.

Matthew G:

Hi there; interesting point, the highlighted part, above.

So how do you mean, exactly?

Blessings.

Well, just as an example, take The Exorcist. A very brutal film that I will say for my taste very nearly goes to far. However, a film critic on a podcast I listen to (Stuart NLA on "Now Playing Podcast") summed it up pretty well in my opinion.

He said the film is a religious experience. That it goes to painstaking lengths to show you the realism. The realism of the girl's actions, just how outlandish and insane they are. They real and medically accurate (at the time) tests performed to find a problem in her brain. The director makes every effort to show you the realism, to show you every detail, not just in the affliction, but also in the search for a cure. But at the end of the day, science can't answer the question. Only the church has the answer. And you see this and because it's presented in such a realistic fashion, you have to stand back and ask yourself what you think. Was it real? Was the exorcism just a placebo effect, or was it a real demonic possession? He even went so far to say that in his opinion, this film is the best on-screen endorsement the church has had in the last 40 years.

For my own part, ****SPOILER ALERT*****

One of the last scenes, where Father Karras ends up possessed by the demon, raised some honest questions from my wife as to whether that was possible. I should clarify this by telling you that, while she is a believer, she is not as well-versed as I am. Not that I know it all, but I minister to her in that way so to speak. Anyway, this lead us to studying the Word to answer definitively that Christians cannot be possessed.

Basically, this brutal, genuinely horrifying film lead to us getting into the Word together and seeing what God had to say. And there are other films where we've had this experience as well, and have gotten closer to the Lord and each other through mutual study of the Word brought on by my wife asking a question or twelve (lol) about something in one of these films.

Kinda wordy I know, but that's the best way I can explain it. I hope that clarified my meaning a little.

Matthew G:

Thanks a lot for the interesting explanation!

God bless you guys.

Blessings.

 

[farouk]

I personally do not think that all R rated movies are horrible. Some may cross the line for me but not all. I believe as long as I know when a movie has crossed a line for me then I turn it off. As another poster stated I believe this one goes back to Romans 14. I personally do not choose to watch a movie with sexually explicit content or excessive violence in the movie, to me that crosses the line. I read more than I watch TV and I find that this also applies to the books I read as well.

[MENTION=96530]forgiven[/MENTION]:

Exactly, yes. I agree; Romans 14 is so relevant. Mind you, I sometimes feel the need to be more strict with myself, but in terms of what other people do, Romans 14 is very important, I think.

Blessings.

 

[forgiven]

Exactly, yes. I agree; Romans 14 is so relevant. Mind you, I sometimes feel the need to be more strict with myself, but in terms of what other people do, Romans 14 is very important, I think.

Blessings.

Yes, and I feel the need to restrict myself on things, such as i used to read romance novels [as I said I do not watch much TV, I prefer to read] but I stopped reading most of the authors that I used to. Now I read primarily Christian romance as it is much cleaner and carries a message other than that of nonchristian romance. I do not judge others on what they are allowed by the HS, just know my own convictions and restrictions

 

[farouk]

Exactly, yes. I agree; Romans 14 is so relevant. Mind you, I sometimes feel the need to be more strict with myself, but in terms of what other people do, Romans 14 is very important, I think.

Blessings.

Yes, and I feel the need to restrict myself on things, such as i used to read romance novels [as I said I do not watch much TV, I prefer to read] but I stopped reading most of the authors that I used to. Now I read primarily Christian romance as it is much cleaner and carries a message other than that of nonchristian romance. I do not judge others on what they are allowed by the HS, just know my own convictions and restrictions

@forgiven :

Yes, more edifying to read about the spiritual values behind true love, and the instructive lives of Christian men and women in historical novels, than to seek a reading diet about the sort of love that revolves around bodily functions, right?

Blessings.

 

[forgiven]

to seek a reading diet about the sort of love that revolves around bodily functions, right?

Yes better to read about being 'in love' rather than 'in lust'! It was just one of those many things the HS has convicted me of since coming to grace. And the Christian based novels always have Christ at the center of the story's, at least the ones I have been reading. So it is not just about a love story between a man and woman but their love together for Christ, with usually one leading the other to Christ or something similar.

 

[farouk]

to seek a reading diet about the sort of love that revolves around bodily functions, right?

Yes better to read about being 'in love' rather than 'in lust'! It was just one of those many things the HS has convicted me of since coming to grace. And the Christian based novels always have Christ at the center of the story's, at least the ones I have been reading. So it is not just about a love story between a man and woman but their love together for Christ, with usually one leading the other to Christ or something similar.

[MENTION=96530]forgiven[/MENTION]:

Yes, and if the marital context is waited for in patience and faith, what would have been lust can indeed be part of true love. It's the overall context of edification that counts in literature, I think.

Blessings.

 

[Nick]

In my opinion, "R"- rated films fall into the "doubtful disputations" category in Romans 14. But not all of them.

"R" rated movies is a very broad topic. In my opinion, anything that is basically an all out porno, or exists only for that purpose (something American Pie, or one of those Teen Movie movies, for example) should be avoided completely.

By and large though, I think it's up to the individual. I think if you're mature enough to handle the subject matter (minus the film types mentioned above), then watch your film.

My wife and I both are horror movie fans. We have been most of our lives. We watch these kinds of films often, but we are mature enough to turn it off if it goes too far. Too much gore, sexuality, violence, or even a film that contains blasphemy (we've seen that on occasion), and we turn it off because we just don't want to take part in that. I know some out there will disagree with me, but I don't begrudge them that. That's their opinion, and they are more than welcome to it. I can honestly say the movies I watch don't affect my walk with Christ negatively, and in a strange way a few out there have actually strengthened it. So no, I don't feel any guilt or shame in viewing R rated movies, though sometimes we see one that goes too far, and we turn it off.

So again, I think it's up to the individual. If you can watch it with no ill effect, go ahead. If you can't, then turn it off. That's my opinion, anyway, for what it's worth.

100% agree. I too am a horror fan

FYI in Australia the film rating is slightly different. Our MA is 15+, and R is 18+. For example, Passion of the Christ in Australia is MA15+, but Fight Club is R18+.

 

[farouk]

100% agree. I too am a horror fan

FYI in Australia the film rating is slightly different. Our MA is 15+, and R is 18+. For example, Passion of the Christ in Australia is MA15+, but Fight Club is R18+.

Nick:

I think, as well, that if all the films out there in film archives were classified all over again, quite a lot of them would be given different ratings. It's often a hit and miss affair, really, my two cents'.

Blessings.

 

[Nick]

100% agree. I too am a horror fan

FYI in Australia the film rating is slightly different. Our MA is 15+, and R is 18+. For example, Passion of the Christ in Australia is MA15+, but Fight Club is R18+.

Nick:

I think, as well, that if all the films out there in film archives were classified all over again, quite a lot of them would be given different ratings. It's often a hit and miss affair, really, my two cents'.

Blessings.

True. Ratings are a product of their day.

There's even been cases in Australia where the Classification Board has classified a movie, and then while in cinemas has changed the classification.

 

[farouk]

100% agree. I too am a horror fan

FYI in Australia the film rating is slightly different. Our MA is 15+, and R is 18+. For example, Passion of the Christ in Australia is MA15+, but Fight Club is R18+.

Nick:

I think, as well, that if all the films out there in film archives were classified all over again, quite a lot of them would be given different ratings. It's often a hit and miss affair, really, my two cents'.

Blessings.

True. Ratings are a product of their day.

There's even been cases in Australia where the Classification Board has classified a movie, and then while in cinemas has changed the classification.

...and I guess film directors and corporate lawyers will have gotten idea of law suits to change classifications to ones that are more financially advantageous.

And a mixed combination of good ol' boys and a bewildering array of religious groups will have considered counter-suits....

(And so it goes...)

Blessings.

 

[Nick]

100% agree. I too am a horror fan

FYI in Australia the film rating is slightly different. Our MA is 15+, and R is 18+. For example, Passion of the Christ in Australia is MA15+, but Fight Club is R18+.

Nick:

I think, as well, that if all the films out there in film archives were classified all over again, quite a lot of them would be given different ratings. It's often a hit and miss affair, really, my two cents'.

Blessings.

True. Ratings are a product of their day.

There's even been cases in Australia where the Classification Board has classified a movie, and then while in cinemas has changed the classification.

...and I guess film directors and corporate lawyers will have gotten idea of law suits to change classifications to ones that are more financially advantageous.

And a mixed combination of good ol' boys and a bewildering array of religious groups will have considered counter-suits....

(And so it goes...)

Blessings.

What's the North American obsession with law suits?

There was simply an extremely strong public opinion that the classification for the third Harry Potter movie should be decreased, and that I Am Legend should be increased. So the Board changed it.

 

[farouk]

True. Ratings are a product of their day.

There's even been cases in Australia where the Classification Board has classified a movie, and then while in cinemas has changed the classification.

...and I guess film directors and corporate lawyers will have gotten idea of law suits to change classifications to ones that are more financially advantageous.

And a mixed combination of good ol' boys and a bewildering array of religious groups will have considered counter-suits....

(And so it goes...)

Blessings.

What's the North American obsession with law suits?

There was simply an extremely strong public opinion that the classification for the third Harry Potter movie should be decreased, and that I Am Legend should be increased. So the Board changed it.

Nick:

Oh, I agree!

Blessings.