Your Views On Horror Movies

[Guest Butero]

 

... But I really believe movies have nothing to do with how Christians your are or not.

 

I believe you missed the point. It isn't about "how Christian you are." Rather, it is about what you are filling your mind with.

 

Are you taking into your eyes (the lamp of your body - Matt. 6:22) that which true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, of virtue, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8)?

Or are you taking into your eyes adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such (Gal. 5:19-21)?

 

I completely understand your position Nebula, but how do you feel about television and movies in general?  Lets say we are talking about a sitcom like "Everybody Loves Raymond?"  That is a funny show, but it does have some curse words in it, and the characters do sin.  Should Christians watch it?  How about the nightly newscast?  There is nothing more depressing than watching all the stories about wars and murders, etc.  Doesn't that conflict with Philippians 4:8?  Where do you draw the line?  I know you have watched movies in the past, because you told me you saw "Exorcism Of Emily Rose," and on another occasion, you saw the movie, "The Dish."  I saw both those movies too, so I am not criticizing either one.  I got something out of them both.  It just seems like you don't have a problem with tv across the board, so I don't understand how you can use that scripture to prove your point?  In addition to that, the verses in Galatians are dealing with actual behavior, so you are taking them out of context for this discussion.  The one from Philippians is valid, but as long as we are in the world, we are going to be faced with times where we will encounter sinful actions around us.  We don't have to put them in front of our face, but again, where do we draw the line?  That is my only question? 

[Guest Butero]

Amen. Movies are made to entertain, make you think, cry, laugh. And that's not ungodly. God created a world of imperfection. And that's up to us to go toward perfection or not. But I really believe movies have nothing to do with how Christians your are or not.

I am open to listening to their arguments, but at this time, I have no convictions that horror movies are sinful.  What is amusing to me is that I know those on the other side of this debate are convinced that horror movies are wrong, and they can't understand how any Christian can not see that?  It is a frustrating feeling.  I have my own convictions, where I feel the same way.  I believe tattoos are sinful, and I can't see how any Christian is unable to see that, and I get frustrated over it too.  The same thing applies to certain articles of clothing, and hair length.  Those things are obvious to me, based on scripture, but others will get mad if I bring them up and attack me as a legalist. 

 

Again, the question in my mind isn't whether or not horror movies are wrong?  The question in my mind is whether or not Christians need to separate completely from all forms of worldly entertainment?  If someone wants to go down that road, I am open to considering it, but all this is to me is an attack on a genre of movie that certain people don't like anyway.  It is like the ministers that preach against Soap Operas, and how evil they are.  It is easy to do so because they never watch them, and would prefer it if their wives never watched them.  At the same time, they are fine with watching other shows with similar content at night.  I think there is more going on here than just trying to stand for the Bible.  If this is a genuine conviction, and it is based on Philippeans 4:8, then the real discussion should be over all worldly entertainment, period, not just horror movies. 

[RustyAngeL]

So many horror movies are based on pure evil.  I don't think that glorifies God and it does not build us up.  So my feeling is I don't watch them and I don't suggest any Christian watch them.  Just my opinion.

[Guest Maryseblossom]

Butero, that's it.

If there is condemnation to one entertainment, should be the same for the rest of it. Apparently tv is evil. Radio is evil. So go live like a Amish if that is the kind of things that makes life real for you. But don't try to convince that your truth is the same for everybody just because you don't like it or don't find anything to learn from something.

[Guest Butero]

Butero, that's it.

If there is condemnation to one entertainment, should be the same for the rest of it. Apparently tv is evil. Radio is evil. So go live like a Amish if that is the kind of things that makes life real for you. But don't try to convince that your truth is the same for everybody just because you don't like it or don't find anything to learn from something.

That is how I view it.  It is one way or the other?  It makes no sense to me to attack horror movies without attacking all forms of worldly entertainment.  I am open to living like the Amish if necessary, but not this silly attack on one genre of movies.  Why not start a bunch of threads like the following?

 

Your Views On Comedies?

Your Views On Sit-Coms?

Your Views On Dramas?

Your Views On Murder Mysteries?

Your Views On Biographies?

Your Views On Novels?

Your Views On Sci-Fi?

 

We can simply cut to the chase by asking someone's views on all forms of worldly entertainment and be done with it.

[nebula]

 

 

I believe you missed the point. It isn't about "how Christian you are." Rather, it is about what you are filling your mind with.

 

Are you taking into your eyes (the lamp of your body - Matt. 6:22) that which true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, of virtue, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8)?

Or are you taking into your eyes adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such (Gal. 5:19-21)?

 

I completely understand your position Nebula, but how do you feel about television and movies in general?  Lets say we are talking about a sitcom like "Everybody Loves Raymond?"  That is a funny show, but it does have some curse words in it, and the characters do sin.  Should Christians watch it?  How about the nightly newscast?  There is nothing more depressing than watching all the stories about wars and murders, etc.  Doesn't that conflict with Philippians 4:8?  Where do you draw the line?  I know you have watched movies in the past, because you told me you saw "Exorcism Of Emily Rose," and on another occasion, you saw the movie, "The Dish."  I saw both those movies too, so I am not criticizing either one.  I got something out of them both.  It just seems like you don't have a problem with tv across the board, so I don't understand how you can use that scripture to prove your point?  In addition to that, the verses in Galatians are dealing with actual behavior, so you are taking them out of context for this discussion.  The one from Philippians is valid, but as long as we are in the world, we are going to be faced with times where we will encounter sinful actions around us.  We don't have to put them in front of our face, but again, where do we draw the line?  That is my only question? 

 

 

I can't actually "draw a line" for other people. That's what legalism does.

 

Now I did draw a line for myself when it came to sex scenes simply because I was sick and tired of those scenes replaying in my head (as a single, abstinent person that was torture).

Likewise, In the past 3-4 years, I haven't watched any TV (as much a result of circumstances as choice - i.e. I don't have time to devote myself to watching any weekly programs) except for when I was at my brother's home. When I saw an episode of "The Big Bang" with them, I noticed how much of the humor came from cut-downs, bad attitudes, and other worldly behavior. It affirmed to me that I'm really not missing anything.

 

But that's me.

 

I have had times where the Holy Spirit spoke to me through a TV show or a movie. So I'm not running around the streets crying, "Sinner! Sinner!"

 

Rather, I'm saying, "Guys, before you go jumping in that water, please take into the consideration the leeches, water moccasins, and crocadiles that are in there."

 

Or I'm saying, "If you are going to run in that race tomorrow (1 Cor. 9:24), please reconsider eating that bag of chips for dinner tonight."

 

 

And I'm also saying that I disagree with the notion that watching these things has no effect on you.

 

Prov. 23:6-8

6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:

7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink , saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

8 The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up , and lose thy sweet words.

 

 

Yes, entertainment is a part of our culture. But have we made an idol out of it? (Just like Rome - you know, "bread and circuses".)

[Guest Butero]

 

 

 

I believe you missed the point. It isn't about "how Christian you are." Rather, it is about what you are filling your mind with.

 

Are you taking into your eyes (the lamp of your body - Matt. 6:22) that which true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, of virtue, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8)?

Or are you taking into your eyes adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such (Gal. 5:19-21)?

 

I completely understand your position Nebula, but how do you feel about television and movies in general?  Lets say we are talking about a sitcom like "Everybody Loves Raymond?"  That is a funny show, but it does have some curse words in it, and the characters do sin.  Should Christians watch it?  How about the nightly newscast?  There is nothing more depressing than watching all the stories about wars and murders, etc.  Doesn't that conflict with Philippians 4:8?  Where do you draw the line?  I know you have watched movies in the past, because you told me you saw "Exorcism Of Emily Rose," and on another occasion, you saw the movie, "The Dish."  I saw both those movies too, so I am not criticizing either one.  I got something out of them both.  It just seems like you don't have a problem with tv across the board, so I don't understand how you can use that scripture to prove your point?  In addition to that, the verses in Galatians are dealing with actual behavior, so you are taking them out of context for this discussion.  The one from Philippians is valid, but as long as we are in the world, we are going to be faced with times where we will encounter sinful actions around us.  We don't have to put them in front of our face, but again, where do we draw the line?  That is my only question? 

 

 

I can't actually "draw a line" for other people. That's what legalism does.

 

Now I did draw a line for myself when it came to sex scenes simply because I was sick and tired of those scenes replaying in my head (as a single, abstinent person that was torture).

Likewise, In the past 3-4 years, I haven't watched any TV (as much a result of circumstances as choice - i.e. I don't have time to devote myself to watching any weekly programs) except for when I was at my brother's home. When I saw an episode of "The Big Bang" with them, I noticed how much of the humor came from cut-downs, bad attitudes, and other worldly behavior. It affirmed to me that I'm really not missing anything.

 

But that's me.

 

I have had times where the Holy Spirit spoke to me through a TV show or a movie. So I'm not running around the streets crying, "Sinner! Sinner!"

 

Rather, I'm saying, "Guys, before you go jumping in that water, please take into the consideration the leeches, water moccasins, and crocadiles that are in there."

 

Or I'm saying, "If you are going to run in that race tomorrow (1 Cor. 9:24), please reconsider eating that bag of chips for dinner tonight."

 

 

And I'm also saying that I disagree with the notion that watching these things has no effect on you.

 

Prov. 23:6-8

6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:

7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink , saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

8 The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up , and lose thy sweet words.

 

 

Yes, entertainment is a part of our culture. But have we made an idol out of it? (Just like Rome - you know, "bread and circuses".)

 

This is very interesting.  So you do recognize that the issue goes far beyond horror movies?  You can see the evil in today's sitcoms as well?  Good.  You don't draw the line for other people?  So that means that you have no problem if someone else is going to run a race, and they decide to eat a double whopper with cheese before starting?  That is 100 percent up to them to decide? 

 

How do you determing whether or not an individual has made an idol out of entertainment?  I know you can do that, like you can make an idol out of anything, but how do you know when the line is crossed? 

 

BTW, I agree that anything we watch effects us in some way.  All I said with regard to horror movies is they don't leave me in a constant state of fear.  I can watch one all by myself in the cab of my truck, and go to bed and get a good night's sleep. 

[LadyKay]

 

BTW, I agree that anything we watch effects us in some way.

I don't see how any of them have ever effected me. My life nor my believes have never changed just from watching a movie. I am the same person going into the move as I am coming out. So I can't saying they have effected me at all. I just don't see it.

[nebula]

This is very interesting.  So you do recognize that the issue goes far beyond horror movies?

Yes.

 

You can see the evil in today's sitcoms as well?  Good.

Yes.

 

You don't draw the line for other people?  So that means that you have no problem if someone else is going to run a race, and they decide to eat a double whopper with cheese before starting?  That is 100 percent up to them to decide?

I wouldn't say I "have not problem." I may think they're acting foolishly. But it is not for me to dictate and control what they do. 

 

How do you determing whether or not an individual has made an idol out of entertainment?  I know you can do that, like you can make an idol out of anything, but how do you know when the line is crossed?

I guess the same way one determines if anything has become an idol.

I know it is an idol in our society. I mean, we worship celebrities. And that's just a part of it.

  

BTW, I agree that anything we watch effects us in some way.  All I said with regard to horror movies is they don't leave me in a constant state of fear.  I can watch one all by myself in the cab of my truck, and go to bed and get a good night's sleep.

I understand. wE all have had different encounters, or  not, with the spirit realm that impact our perceptions on the matter.

[Guest man]

The devil doesn't make these types of movies because he's bored.