How Bad Is Too Bad? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

How Bad Is Too Bad?

What movies can a Christian watch?

37
How Bad Is Too Bad?
ThePathway

Christians can have a hard time deciding which movies are appropriate to watch. Is there entertainment that we should not endorse? Or does it even matter what we watch as long as we're adults who know what we believe? This dilemma is especially difficult at the college age as we come out from our parents' protection and have to make our own decisions as adults. I do not have a concrete the answer to this question, and I doubt anyone can find one. But don't stop asking the question.

In Plato's Republic, Socrates' proposal for censorship of poetry would amaze even the most conservative Christian parent. He says in Book X, "What's in the balance here is absolutely crucial -- far more so than people think. It's whether one becomes a good or a bad person." Plato treats this issue so seriously, he claims the contents of poetry determine a person's moral condition. In high school, I had several friends who were very careful about which movies they watched. We had late night conversations about whether or not Christians could watch certain subject matter. Looking back, a part of me always felt as though I were doing something wrong when they took issue with a movie I did not. I don’t think that guilt was justified.

I do not think watching sin is a sin. In Matthew 15:11 Jesus says, “It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” Obviously, in context this verse does not mention watching movies, but it does claim that our flaws come from within us, not from external influences. Sin existed long before movies, and people can do the vilest deeds without ever seeing them on the silver screen.

On the other hand, Plato had a point, and I do not think that my high school friends were just hyper-sensitive or silly. The things we expose ourselves to do matter. Philippians 4:8 says “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” The movies we watch can affect us, and the images we see stay with us, whether they be worthy of praise or no.

To help navigate this issue, screenwriter Brian Godawa provides a nine point list to help Christians find the message of the film. The list leads the audience to notice key points such as whose actions are commended and whose are condemned, the mindset of the protagonist and the antagonist, and the protagonist’s self-revelation. Godawa focuses on the overall purpose of the content. For example, Les Misérables shows many sinful acts, yet the overall message of the movie is Jean Valjean's transformation through forgiveness and grace. The true, honorable, lovely, and praise worthy elements of the film stand out even more noticeably because of the dark background.

Most movies have some redeeming quality for the Christian viewer to find. That being said, there are some things I don’t want to see based on my preferences and my level of maturity. I don’t care how redeeming it is or what purpose is behind it; I just don’t want to watch.

Exposure to evil can affect us. However, even when it does, the wicked, vulgar and malicious deeds we see do not make us sin, and they do not make us sinful. They are the catalyst. The elements of sin are already in our hearts, and they will surface. Exposure to the negative elements of a film can speed that process. That is all, and that is enough.

We will have to face our flaws regardless of which movies we watch, but some movies may make us deal with these flaws before we have the maturity to do so. They can persuade us that our vice is desirable or worse, insignificant. For this reason, we need to continue to question movies before, during and after we watch them. We also need to be gracious to one another. Just because you can watch a movie and feel unaffected does not mean everyone can. And just because you can't bear a certain movie does not mean every Christian will boycott it with you. Because of this, I can’t tell you what to watch and what not to watch. That is a question that we all must ask ourselves, and in order to do so, we need to understand our own preferences, beliefs, and maturity.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

443213
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

16642
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

41615
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Types Of Students You Will Meet In College

You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.

21285
cool group of lazy college students in class
StableDiffusion

There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

321725
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments