The Movie Theatre

csmith said:

As you have probably encountered, many call it hypocritical to rent a movie from Blockbuster and then to "judge" them for going to the theatre.

It is hypocritical, especially if your objection to the cinema is based on the content of the movies. If that's the case, then simply changing the location at which they're viewed doesn't solve the problem.

From a different perspective, however, the objection might simply be outdated, not hypocritical. A century ago, the same objections were raised against the stage; read a book like John Angell James' Addresses to Young Men, and you find that in the Victorian era the theatre was seen as a house of ill repute where undesirable types found a convenient place to discreetly conduct shady business. I suspect the modern objections to the movie screen are based on the same idea, and thus watching a movie in your living room is "safe."

However, just as the playhouse has gone from scandalous to entertainment for the rich, so has the movie theatre gone from a seedy dive to a clean, comfortable, corporate environment. It ain't what it used to be.

I have heard one further objection to theatres: it might "harm your witness" if someone sees you there and doesn't know whether you've gone to see The Lord of the Rings or gratuitous full-frontal nudity. The objection fails: by the same logic, I could also argue that if I see your pastor go into the drugstore, I have no way of knowing whether he is buying aspirin or a six-pack of condoms so he can fornicate all weekend. Of course, I would assume the former - and if I saw him in the multiplex I would also assume the best.

I understand the issue with supporting the industry financially.

This is an issue that doesn't go away just by avoiding the movie at the cinema and renting it from the store. Hollywood gets profit from video rentals; in fact, many movies that close at a loss in the theatres recoup their costs once the tapes and DVDs hit the shelves.

Note that everything I have said above is independent of the content of any particular movie. Obviously any fair-minded person agrees that all movies are not equally suitable entertainment, nor are they all equally unsuitable. Phil. 4:8 applies.

 

It is way more acceptable to christians nowdays to attend movies so to me the theory of "what if someone sees me" just doesn't fly any longer. Our testimony lies deeper than being seen at a theatre or at a blockbuster renting, and for one to automatically assume the worst is going on well...frankly that person has some serious issues themselves. There is absolutely no difference in going to the theatre or renting a video where financially supporting the industry is concerned, you are supporting the exact same thing....plus whatever that establishment themselves support.

Karen

 

csmith asked:

Would you go see a PG or G movie.

Sure, I see lots of both PG and G movies (as well as a number of movies rated PG-13 and R; crude language and nudity aren't the only reasons movies get high ratings).

Would you take your children to see Schrek?

The question is too vague. Which children, what age, how many?

 

Yup.

I Cor 10:23 ¶ All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.
24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well -being.

Live and discern

 

Nope!!

I don't rent them and I don't go to the movie theater to watch them. In fact, these days I don't see much of any visual media. TV is becoming a vast wasteland of corruption and evil.

Is there some good there, yup, but so is there some good in the garbage can, but I don't go there either.

The day is coming when it might be an important matter for a true believer who wants to stay pure to get rid of the TV.

That's my opinion.

"Whether therefore ye eat or drink, [or watch] or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." There isn't much there that glorifies God! That's God's opinion.

[ March 20, 2002, 06:29 PM: Message edited by: Circuitrider ]

 

No, that is your opinion of what you think is God's opinion.

UNP
Adam

 

Our family does not go to movie theatres, nor do we rent movies of any sort. I don't care for what Hollyweird has to offer. Wicked, vile movies and shows that is teaching our children that premaritalsex is okay, homosexuality and violence. No thanks, I don't want any part of it. As far as me going to a movie or Blockbuster, I wouldn't want to be a stumbling block to my brother.

 

It makes me sit down and bang my head up against a wall with all that you are missing by not being willing to watch any movies. Just like books, you must disern what to watch. Yes, there are very horrible movies out there. And there are very horrible books. Does that mean you stop reading? Of course not.

UNP
Adam

 

I agree Adam, plus I still can't see how it could possibly be a stumbling block to a brother or sister.

karen

 

It is not only the movie theater we need to watch out for it is the local christian book store selling christian videos such at road to redemption , megiddio omega code 2, and left behind, these all use the Lord's name in vain, and that is so wrong!!!

Stand in the faith against these types of things happening right under our noses, Satan is very sly.

 

I am a sucker for those historical type dramas. The Patriot, Saving Private Ryan, Braveheart, etc. TV is a huge waste of time.

 

What are we missing by not watching movies? Fornication, cursing, homosexuality as an accepted lifestyle, single parent families are ok, get pregnant and have kids out of wedlock,
never attend church, don’t worship the Lord. Magic has more power than a holy and righteous
God. The means always justify the end.

Movies tell a story conceived by Godless men, to excite and inflame passions, historic films are
anything but, facts are changed to suit the director, producer and writers.

Yes Adam I am missing so much, but how much more could you gain if you spent the movie
time in the Word of God?

[ March 29, 2002, 09:16 AM: Message edited by: Ernie Brazee ]

 

Well, there you would find graphic descriptions of sex as well as rewards for prostitution (Genesis 38), graphic desriptions of male sex organs and semen (Ez. 23:20), Polygamy and regarded favorably (Genesis 29-30), the murder of innocent children (Judges 11:30-40), God getting someone to lie so that another person can be killed (I Kings 22:19-23), brutal violence exalted (Joshua 8:24-26 - just as an example), Necromancy (I Samuel 28:8-19), premarital sex encouraged (Ruth 3:14), and the list goes on.

Maybe Adam would be safer at a PG-13 movie.

Joshua

 

Oh,PlEEEEAAAASE!

 

I agree,Ernie. It is all about priorities in the disciplined life of a believer. We have seen a few movies,but only if we are SURE there is nothing in it that would be questionable. There are so many things we should be devoted to....reading and studying the Word,so that we can be ready to face the temptations of the devil and to know HOW to live,praying,spending time with family(encouraging those realationships through various activities),sports(being physically fit),reading(proper books,I might add)...to name a few.

Think about what the Christian community would be like,look like,act like if we were truly set apart and living out the Word. The lost could really see a difference in us. Our testimony would be clear and right. WOW! I want to be a part of that!

 

Ack...the dreaded...Double Post. (Moderators feel free to delete.)

[ March 29, 2002, 10:21 AM: Message edited by: Rev. Joshua Villines ]

 

Think about what the Christian community would be like,look like,act like if we were truly set apart and living out the Word. The lost could really see a difference in us. Our testimony would be clear and right. WOW! I want to be a part of that!

I am lucky enough to be part of that Christian community, and I hope that someday you will be able to be so too Molly!

UNP
Adam