Plugged-In Ethical Question

[tellville]

So I use this site a lot as it helps me avoid a lot of garbage. I know a lot of you do as well. But I've been wondering. Someone has to watch these movies. And they don't just watch the movies where people might think they are clean and accidentally go and see them. They watch them ALL.

So, if you knew someone from your church whose job it was to watch all of this garbage for the benefit of the church how would you view them? Would you look down on them, even subconsciously, for making a living out of watching depravity even though it is for the benefit of the church as a whole?

How as Christians do we approach jobs that involve actions that we would normally consider sinful? What sort of context is needed to make such jobs acceptable for Christians?

Here is the site FYI
Plugged In Online

 

[Knoxienne]

 

[charliejunfan]

goooood question, I would say that some Christians are stronger than others and can handle watching evil movies for the sake of the weeker, and besides, they don't know what will happen in the movie anyway. I am sure they would close their eyes at the nudity scenes and so on.
Also, when someone says GD on a movie or something like that, it is not the viewer who sinned, it is whoever said GD, otherwise everytime one would go to McDonalds and hears some punk say GD they would be in sin. Now if it were an XXX film the Christian is obviously not going to need to preview it lol.

 

[Craig]

Honestly...you can usually tell if a movie will be having explicit content...even in the previews on t.v. it will say what the ratings are for...if you see "nudity"...you can pretty much be assured you shouldn't be seeing it.

If there's foul language, consider what the plot line is (after all, who goes to a movie before looking at IMDB, or something like that get get info?)...if you're unsure whether you should be laughing about sodomy, fornication, and the like...you got bigger problems that plugged-in probably will not be able to help you with.

 

[he beholds]

I like what Charlie said. I would watch a movie like Kill Bill which has violence and swearing, but I would not watch a movie that has nudity,gratuitous sex scenes, or gay scenes.
I would be able to view the violent and make recommendations on that, but maybe someone else can stomach the sexier movies.

 

[LawrenceU]

That is a good question. But, I have a follow up: Why must Christian go to even marginally questionable movies? There is no spiritual benefit to them. Even minor things in movies that are contra the Scriptures are of no benefit and actually desensitise us to sin. Having to put up with language or corrupt behaviour in the workplace is one thing. Choosing to do so because of entertainment is a whole other thing.

Frankly, I believe that most Christians are hooked on entertainment and don't realise it. We push the line of secularism far too easily.

But, I'm a prude.

 

[Knoxienne]

I like what Charlie said. I would watch a movie like Kill Bill which has violence and swearing, but I would not watch a movie that has nudity,gratuitous sex scenes, or gay scenes.
I would be able to view the violent and make recommendations on that, but maybe someone else can stomach the sexier movies.

Jessi - did you see Kill Bill? I talked to a woman who wasn't a Christian who said she saw it and it was torture sitting through it with all the violence. This is a woman who sat through Old School and Love Actually without blinking an eye, so I figured Kill Bill must have been pretty bad. Quentin Tarantino movies usually are. The violence in Braveheart and the Patriot didn't bother me at all, but the fornication scene in My Big Fat Greek Wedding did. Even the decent movies always have to have that one little scene.

 

[he beholds]

I like what Charlie said. I would watch a movie like Kill Bill which has violence and swearing, but I would not watch a movie that has nudity,gratuitous sex scenes, or gay scenes.
I would be able to view the violent and make recommendations on that, but maybe someone else can stomach the sexier movies.

Jessi - did you see Kill Bill? I talked to a woman who wasn't a Christian who said she saw it and it was torture sitting through it with all the violence. This is a woman who sat through Old School and Love Actually without blinking an eye, so I figured Kill Bill must have been pretty bad. Quentin Tarantino movies usually are. The violence in Braveheart and the Patriot didn't bother me at all, but the fornication scene in My Big Fat Greek Wedding did. Even the decent movies always have to have that one little scene.

I did see it and I did like it.:blush: When we saw it we were with another Christian woman who hated it, and I would assume most Christian women and even many Christian men would hate it. I would assume most women period would hate it.
I hated Pulp Fiction and I think I've seen another of Tarantino's movie and hated it, too, but I did like Kill Bill. It is sick and twisted and there is some crudeness, profanity, and even Lord's name in vain (which I hate even more than nudity!!!) but the violence is truly disturbing. I don't know how I liked it!! (My ring tone is actually whistling from that movie...I am truly disturbed!)
The violence in Braveheart was noble, so that might have been a difference.

I used to like scary movies and had to walk out of Texas Massacre because the gore was unbearable, so I do have some limits!

I think even the "decent" movies have to have gay scenes, and that is what I hate most!!

 

[Berean]

That is a good question. But, I have a follow up: Why must Christian go to even marginally questionable movies? There is no spiritual benefit to them. Even minor things in movies that are contra the Scriptures are of no benefit and actually desensitize us to sin. Having to put up with language or corrupt behavior in the workplace is one thing. Choosing to do so because of entertainment is a whole other thing.

Frankly, I believe that most Christians are hooked on entertainment and don't realise it. We push the line of secularism far too easily.

 

[Knoxienne]

I like what Charlie said. I would watch a movie like Kill Bill which has violence and swearing, but I would not watch a movie that has nudity,gratuitous sex scenes, or gay scenes.
I would be able to view the violent and make recommendations on that, but maybe someone else can stomach the sexier movies.

Jessi - did you see Kill Bill? I talked to a woman who wasn't a Christian who said she saw it and it was torture sitting through it with all the violence. This is a woman who sat through Old School and Love Actually without blinking an eye, so I figured Kill Bill must have been pretty bad. Quentin Tarantino movies usually are. The violence in Braveheart and the Patriot didn't bother me at all, but the fornication scene in My Big Fat Greek Wedding did. Even the decent movies always have to have that one little scene.

I did see it and I did like it.:blush: When we saw it we were with another Christian woman who hated it, and I would assume most Christian women and even many Christian men would hate it. I would assume most women period would hate it.
I hated Pulp Fiction and I think I've seen another of Tarantino's movie and hated it, too, but I did like Kill Bill. It is sick and twisted and there is some crudeness, profanity, and even Lord's name in vain (which I hate even more than nudity!!!) but the violence is truly disturbing. I don't know how I liked it!! (My ring tone is actually whistling from that movie...I am truly disturbed!)
The violence in Braveheart was noble, so that might have been a difference.

I used to like scary movies and had to walk out of Texas Massacre because the gore was unbearable, so I do have some limits!

I think even the "decent" movies have to have gay scenes, and that is what I hate most!!

Not judging you at all. Very relatable. But I know what you mean. We all have our own little types of twistedness I guess. I have an appetite for really zany, loony, crazy stuff (and old corny nostalgia) even if there's some stuff in it that isn't edifying in and of itself. There are some DVD's I keep out of the living room, so general visitors won't know I like certain "nutty" shows. Someday if we ever meet in person I'll let you see my collection!

 

[he beholds]

Jessi - did you see Kill Bill? I talked to a woman who wasn't a Christian who said she saw it and it was torture sitting through it with all the violence. This is a woman who sat through Old School and Love Actually without blinking an eye, so I figured Kill Bill must have been pretty bad. Quentin Tarantino movies usually are. The violence in Braveheart and the Patriot didn't bother me at all, but the fornication scene in My Big Fat Greek Wedding did. Even the decent movies always have to have that one little scene.

I did see it and I did like it.:blush: When we saw it we were with another Christian woman who hated it, and I would assume most Christian women and even many Christian men would hate it. I would assume most women period would hate it.
I hated Pulp Fiction and I think I've seen another of Tarantino's movie and hated it, too, but I did like Kill Bill. It is sick and twisted and there is some crudeness, profanity, and even Lord's name in vain (which I hate even more than nudity!!!) but the violence is truly disturbing. I don't know how I liked it!! (My ring tone is actually whistling from that movie...I am truly disturbed!)
The violence in Braveheart was noble, so that might have been a difference.

I used to like scary movies and had to walk out of Texas Massacre because the gore was unbearable, so I do have some limits!

I think even the "decent" movies have to have gay scenes, and that is what I hate most!!

Not judging you at all. Very relatable. But I know what you mean. We all have our own little types of twistedness I guess. I have an appetite for really zany, loony, crazy stuff (and old corny nostalgia) even if there's some stuff in it that isn't edifying in and of itself. There are some DVD's I keep out of the living room, so general visitors won't know I like certain "nutty" shows. Someday if we ever meet in person I'll let you see my collection!

I should say it isn't my favorite movie and is definitely not my favorite genre! My favorite genre would be Bill Murray comedies or 80's summer camp movies, and both of those are filled with terrible relationship dynamics*sigh*

 

[PresbyDane]

That is a good question. But, I have a follow up: Why must Christian go to even marginally questionable movies? There is no spiritual benefit to them. Even minor things in movies that are contra the Scriptures are of no benefit and actually desensitize us to sin. Having to put up with language or corrupt behavior in the workplace is one thing. Choosing to do so because of entertainment is a whole other thing.

Frankly, I believe that most Christians are hooked on entertainment and don't realise it. We push the line of secularism far too easily.

 

[OPC'n]

Well, here's my own person belief on the matter which could be wrong. I think Hollywood has their agenda which they place in movies/tv. It can be extremely subtle to where if you watch it all the time you won't even notice it, or it can be very noticeable to where a Christian would reject it. It really doesn't matter which show it is there you will find their agenda and they will shape the culture by shaping people's thought processes. So my advice is to stay away from movies unless they are old ones before all the politically correct garbage came along.

 

[ww]

Tarantino and Kill Bill is a genre all of its own. Seen both movies several times each fascinated with the Crazy 88's, the Revenge, the Actors like David Caradine, Lucy Liu, and Uma Thurman. It is a Classic of sorts. But the Gratuitious Violence and the Language leave much to be desired.

Based on my new and most recent commitment to be more discerning with movies, music, and the like, I more than likely would pass seeing it again or any movie with similar objectionable items. I am trying to be more selective in finding edifying movies these days. I want to be more holy in my walk with God and I'm afraid I haven't been as discerning as I should have been in the past. I know I have no room to judge in some of my choices of movies in the past but am just sharing my thoughts.

I know there are a lot of folks who would object to a movie like "Kill Bill" but wouldn't have any issue with watching a Rated R War Movie with Gratuitous Violence and Language. This to me is hypocrisy. By the way most of these folks are in my former Fundamentlist days not referring to anyone here on the PB!

-----Added 5/12/2009 at 03:34:24 EST-----

That is a good question. But, I have a follow up: Why must Christian go to even marginally questionable movies? There is no spiritual benefit to them. Even minor things in movies that are contra the Scriptures are of no benefit and actually desensitise us to sin. Having to put up with language or corrupt behaviour in the workplace is one thing. Choosing to do so because of entertainment is a whole other thing.

Frankly, I believe that most Christians are hooked on entertainment and don't realise it. We push the line of secularism far too easily.

But, I'm a prude.

 

[caoclan]

I have had the same problem as the OP pointed out, even to the point of the movie review being too graphic, which I probably should have stopped reading or not started. I don't read those reviews anymore, when I think they discuss explicit matters. Below is a copy of my email to them:

Maybe I need to remove your website from my bookmarks list, but there is definitely information I use and appreciate (like reviews containing information on blasphemy, violence and sexuality). But as someone who has fallen into the sin of p0rnography in the past, I think there are certain movies you could avoid reviewing altogether, based on the obvious sinful content (such as those with extreme violence, and perverse sexuality). I understand you may want to warn people of these dangers in popular movies, but sometimes your reviews are too graphic. I, as a 31 year old man, feel very uncomfortable in reading these reviews. I can only imagine the damage being done to the reviewers of these horrible movies. Sending someone, especially a Christian, to review these movies is irresponsible and unnecessary. Your organization could easily judge these movies as unworthy and dangerous for any person to view just based on the reviews provided by the studios or other reviewers. I have certainly stumbled over reading some of your reviews. Please use some discernment in the movies you review in graphic detail, consider the Christians who have decided to consult your reviews prior to allowing their children to watch movies or even for themselves. Remember that from which Christ has saved us and don't risk causing a brother or sister to stumble. Do you really need to send a reviewer to screen Friday the 13th or House on the Left??? I think your audience would be best served by saying "Such and such movie should NOT be seen due to extreme violence, sexual content, etc." I understand you can't make across the board moral decisions for all, but you don't have to describe graphic violence or rape scenes. I don't think people should have to sensor a Christian ministry site.

Please accept these pleas and suggestions in the as constructive, I can't be the only one who feels this way, whether expressed or not.

In Christ,
Sean

I did get a response, though I don't have it anymore. Paraphrasing, they said they take their responsibility seriously and with prayer, but basically, they don't agree with my assessment.

 

[Tripel]

Jessi - did you see Kill Bill? I talked to a woman who wasn't a Christian who said she saw it and it was torture sitting through it with all the violence.

I'm not Jessi, but I'm going to answer as well. I saw it. Bought it. Love it. Tarantino might be my favorite screenwriter and director. I've purchased all of his movies, and I can't wait for Inglourious Basterds to hit theaters.

His movies have a lot of foul language and violence, but I think they are excellent nonetheless.

-----Added 5/12/2009 at 03:52:28 EST-----

That is a good question. But, I have a follow up: Why must Christian go to even marginally questionable movies? There is no spiritual benefit to them.

First of all, I don't think it helps to talk about what a Christian "must" do. There is no need to for a Christian to see ANY movie or read ANY book, other than the Bible.
Second, is our guideline in life to do only those things that have a spiritual benefit? Is there a spiritual benefit to watching the nightly news? Is there a spiritual benefit to reading a Jane Austen novel? Is there a spiritual benefit to viewing a painting by van Gogh?