Screenit has given the new movie 300 an "extreme" rating for sex and nudity. Its stated reasons for doing so are too embarrassing for me to even summarize in this post. If you're even considering going to see the movie, I would recommend checking out the review. If you're not thinking of seeing it, I would recommend not even reading the review.
Would anyone mind sharing his thoughts as to how a Christian man can justify going to see such a movie? You can post anonymously if you wish.
20 comments:
I've had the very same thoughts.
And when I read comments like "watch this movie with discernment", I think to myself that the discernment part comes before the watching.
I have seen it. I read the review from Dobson's site and asked someone who had seen it what was in it. The reviews (warnings) were (in my opinion) over-exaggerated. Not that there weren't any breasts seen - but in this type of movie only a PERVERT would get off on it. I am not saying that they were of purpose, but they were not in your face SEXUAL. The war fighting violence is rated R! Heads and Limbs do fly and Blood is all over! The Computer Graphics in this movie are amazing. If you struggle - then be discerning before you go see it. If you have seen the movie TROY, I believe it was a lot worse on the nudity/sexuality aspect of it. This movie was too "artistic" to get a rise out of someone. AGAIN this is my opinion!
and there you have it...
1. it's not as bad as it could be.
2. if you struggle, the problem is your weakness, not that you went to see it
3. some apparently, have elevated their spirutal life to where seeing another woman but their wife's breasts is a commendable thing
and we haven't even brought up the fact that it is a noble way to learn about our culture so that we can maintain relevancy.
I guess I'm just trying to understand the cost-benefit analysis here.
I know that if I go to see this movie, I will see real-life women baring their breasts for the camera, I know that I will see real-life naked people pretending to have sex for the camera, but, on the other hand, it is still worth going to see because...
Obviously, there are Christian men who believe there is some benefit that finishes this sentence in a meaningful way. I'm just trying to understand what that could possibly be.
Thanks, Danny. There's one possibility (tongue in cheek as it may be): maintaining cultural relevance.
Any more?
Danny, quit trying to preach to someone who has already agreed with your opinion. One question that would have to be asked if you are dealing with this stuff is the question: DO you Have a TV? Is is CABLE? And what was and is your favorite movie?
Brad,
Thanks for posting the review. I must admit there was a moment when I wanted to see the movie and tried to justify the violence, but in the end I just couldn't bring myself to it - and your post confirmed that decision.
Orb,
As one who use to think it was no big deal to watch rated R movies or have cable I understand your point. However, you simply can not justify with Scripture seeing such a movie. We are to bring our lives into submission to the Word, especially when our flesh tells us not to.
orb,
who are you suggesting i was preaching at, you or brad?
orb,
brad alerted me that my statement 3 may have been the one to get your ire up. therefore, i'll respond to your question, assuming that was the case.
yes we have a tv. we sort of have cable. it's a package that just gives us local channels, since they otherwise don't come in clear up here...but it is fed through the cable company. favorite movie? i guess "strange brew."
your point is well taken. it is inconsistent for a man to preach against playboy if he oogles at the victoria's secret catalog...or is it? if he has a self-righteousness that pretends he is immune to the whole issue...then he is in error. but going out and purchasing that which the government has even placed under age restrictions (because of offensive content) should send up red flags.
you're totally right. we shouldn't celebrate any violence, whether tv, movies, or even abusing an animal. however, the things described about this movie far surpass the standards that even television would allow. do i allow garbage in my life? yes. (although, brad challenged me recently about a show i've regularly said i'm a big fan, and he was right...i've quit watching in mid season.)
to make he argument that "300" is ok because people can watch questionable shows on television is like eating an entire can of lard because i had a big mac for lunch. both will clog my arteries, and both should probably be eliminated from my diet, but i could at least exercise wisdom and eliminate that which is obviously bad.
that's the amazing thing about sanctification....the more the Lord provides, the many more ways you see you need it!
Any more takers on why viewing these kinds of movies is acceptable? I'll leave the thread open till tomorrow night, then I'll try to find time to throw in my two cents.
Hold on, I'm still looking for my TV...
LWOL (Laughing way out loud).
Looking upward - who needs a TV when you got that kind of comedy within your own mind...
Agree with Brad...LWOL!!!
I guess I'm just trying to understand the cost-benefit analysis here
Cost in terms of what?
Benefit in terms of what?
Hmm. I guess I'm trying to understand how someone could see any kind of benefit outweighing what I suppose would be a primarily spiritual cost.
Obviously, any rational person who goes to see it believes that in some way they'll get more out of the experience than they will lose. Maybe someone is thinking that there is a more important spiritual benefit in viewing such a film. Maybe someone doesn't really believe there is any spiritual cost in doing so.
I don't know if that answers your question. If not, tell me so, and I'll try again
Sorry I'm late ... I had a small blog break.
I think it's important that we evaluate the main message (worldview) of a movie before seeing it. Sometimes the good (or good ability to begin dialogue) in a worldview that aligns with spiritual truth is enough to merit seeing how that plays out in the midst of muck. I would liken movies like Gladiator, Braveheart and To End All Wars as R-rated movies that do that.
I didn't like the previews for 300. I didn't even consider seeing it. And I think that we must be very careful what we allow ourselves to watch and be influenced by. It must be a case-by-case decision.
But to answer your ultimate question, I think sometimes we can justify seeing movies because the ultimate worldview shows us truth through the midst of the mud of life. It's probably not a great thing to do every day or even every week. And I think it must be done carefully to avoid falling into a "justify anything" mindset.
Thanks, Dale.
Perhaps I should clarify that I have an easier time understanding the case for viewing movies that portray violence or generally immoral behavior. I don't have much objection to the movie Gladiator. I would actually recommend To End All Wars. My question primarily concerns movies that present graphic sexual content.
I'll even go as far as to say, for the sake of discussion, that I can see how it might, I stress might, be acceptable to go to a movie like Braveheart, knowing that one could avert their eyes at the inappropriate scenes. But what I don't understand is how one could justify purposefully watching those scenes.
Brad your last comment makes no sense at all. One could have done the same thing in this movie as well.
And Danny you are wrong about the Cable vs. Movie thing. The channel FX has shows that are way worse sexually and graphically than a lot of movies - including the one we are speaking of - but that is my opinion.
If you are that convicted - throw out your t.v. like Brad did! - and just drink.
-Just Kidding!
Orb,
I'm just trying to be as open-minded as possible (not the easiest thing for me).
But even assuming, again just for the sake of argument, that someone could justify using this method for some movies, they obviously couldn't do so for all. I can't imagine someone saying, "Yeah I watch adult films, but I close my eyes for the really nasty parts." No, I take that back. I can imagine it.
I'm sure there's no magic line between "movies you can go see if you close your eyes" and "movies you shouldn't even go see." As far as Braveheart goes, I've never read the Screenit review, nor have I ever seen an uncut version, so I don't know for sure how the two would compare to 300.
I suppose the specific question I'm asking, is how can one justify "watching scenes like this", rather than "going to see movies like this". Truth is, however, most guys don't go through the trouble of looking away from anything they're watching, so the distinction between the questions is probably not that practically important.
orb,
if you noticed...i don't get fx.
and i guess i think the worldview lessons we can learn from any movie are better taught in the Word of God.
can we please admit that tv and movies are entertainment and that none of us attend or watch either with the view that it is labor and we are doing field research?
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