how about them movies?

I Decided not to attend movies just for the sake on how it may look on the outside to somebody. The last thing I need is rumors to get started. I would not drink my soda out of a brown paper bag because it would not look good to somebody else. The reason goes for me and the movies. Just my thoughts.

[ March 05, 2002, 07:52 AM: Message edited by: BrotherMatt ]

 

So basically your saying going to the movies is a sin and consuming any alcholoh is a sin...yet you say that you only don't do because someone might see you? So you would sin if you knew no one was watching? Actually I totally disagree with the premise. Watching a movie, similiar to drinking in moderation is not sinful, merely personal preferences (I don't and will never drink to any degree). When you walk into a movie at the movie theater- be sure its one you won't mind people seeing you walk into.

UNP
Adam

 

Not at all. Just my reason why I dont go. The last thing I need is for somebody to say "I wonder what movie Brother matt just watched?" To avoid rumors I don't go. Nothing wrong with drinking soda out of a brown paper bag, but I don't want anybody to think that I was drinking something other than soda. Just my 2 cents or in your opinion no cents all.

Where in that posts does it say that I said it was a sin to do those things, Oh yea it doesn't. Must have been something between the lines

[ March 05, 2002, 10:23 AM: Message edited by: BrotherMatt ]

 

You imply that it is sinful when you say "but someone could see me going into a movie". If its not a sin- then what's the problem. If someone wonders what movie that your watching, then they can ask. If they asume it is a sinful movie, then they are being judgemental. You cannot control what others think. Yes, I understand your reasoning, just as long as you remember that not going is a personal preference.

Peace Brother
Adam

 

A really good movie to see...John Q. it's very heart wrenching and yet motivating to see the extent of a true loving father's love for his child. I personally recommend this movie to anyone, then after you see it, go home and kiss your children and hold them tightly if you have any.

karen

 

As Christians, we should place a strong emphasis on holy living and sanctification. You see all these other religions of the world and how the followers of these religions are so devoted to their god and how their lives are patterned after their particular religion, but you can't keep Christians from the devil's playhouses! I, personally cannot see Jesus sitting at a movie theater. The argument was posted about Jesus eating with the sinners. He was witnessing to them. How often do Christians go to a movie theater to witness to people??? NEVER. Actually, you're supposed to be quiet!

Furthermore, we are to refrain from all appearance of evil. When you watch those movies with cussing, fornication, homosexuality, adultery, and other sins...did you know somebody had to imitate that so you could sit there and have pleasure in it??? The Bible says in Romans 1 that those who have pleasure in it, are just like those who are doing it. You can say "I only watch good movies." What good movies? Let me know of some, so I can watch them too. There are no TV shows these days that don't atleast make a reference to sin. We should hate the very concept of sin. And how could somebody possibly watch a movie and then go pray? The flesh will hold on to that stuff. The Devil will throw that stuff at you 24/7 to get your mind off of the things of God.

In Malachi, it says God hates divorce. Why, then, do some "Christians" insist on spending countless hours in front of Lifetime TV that is about people divorcing each other and committing adultery. I was lost at one time, so I know how the movies are. The best ones are the ones that portray the most grevious sins.

Why should we seek entertainment from something that God hates. Movie theater and Blockbuster...What's the difference? Can't take the family to watch Terminator at the theater, but we can watch him blow up the world from our living room! And that makes it ok?

Today's Christians have moved toward the position that "I'm saved by grace, so it doesn't matter how I live." Jesus never preached that, neither did any of His apostles. Actually, they preached that we should live a holy life. And I've heard the "you're a legalist if you preach sanctification" until I could literally throw up. Just go live like a sow if you want to, but don't use God's saving grace as an excuse. If you want to live like the world - fine, I'm sorry. If you want to live for Christ - even better, but at least act like it.

Next time you go to the movies and someone is acting out adultery or fornication, imagine the Lord Jesus who had died for that sin sitting RIGHT BESIDE YOU AND LAUGHING WITH YOU.

Why not throw down the TV guide and pick up the word of Almighty God for a change. Most people could tell you the schedule of Friday night's programs, but couldn't tell you John 3:16.

By His grace, Christopher

[ March 10, 2002, 02:00 AM: Message edited by: Christopher ]

 

It never ceases to amaze me the breadth of beliefs in baptist life. If, before I had read this thread, someone had told me that there were still churches (or schools - as one person mentioned) where people were discouraged from going to movies, I would have laughed and assumed they were joking.

Live and learn.

Joshua

 

Yes, Josh that is the reaction expected from you.

I agree with Christopher 100%.

Can any of you Christians who are living for the world and self instead of God explain why when I was saved I felt unclean and uneasy when attending Hollywood movies? Do you suppose it could have been the Holy Spirit leading me in truth and convicting my rotten blood washed soul that it was wrong to sit and watch the lost worlds view of the world, promoting promiscuity, adultery, single parent families, etc.?

It is impossible to watch a sit-com on TV that isn't promoting fornication, shacking up and non-traditional family life.

I want no part of any industry that mocks God's plan for the family.

Ernie

[ March 10, 2002, 02:12 PM: Message edited by: Ernie Brazee ]

 

Christopher-

Thank you for your post. I mentioned some very quality movies before and I will list them again here for you to view:

Patch Adams
Amistad
October Sky
Les Miserables
Antz
Selena

That's a start for you.

Also Christopher, please put your Bible down. That is a very dirty book. It has words of hate, it shows people in some of the worst sin situations their are. There is murder, blasphemy, woman being used as objects, lust, hate, sloth, envy, greed, materialism. Some of the supposed greatest people in the Bible were adulterers. HA! Some book your telling me to pick up. I don't think so.

Or is it Christopher that the Bible is the Word of God- and God uses His Word and in it describes sin that we may learn and grow. Somehow I doubt that the Bible is the only book you've ever willingly read in your Christian life. Maybe Calvin, Spurgeon, Luther? Hey I'd be willing to bet you've even read your churches consitution and doctrine beliefs. Those Words aren't infallable- and in fact, they were written by sinners. But you still read it. Why? To learn from those who have come before you and those who are around you know.

The world of literature and movies has a great deal to offer- if you are willing to look for it. Should I refrain from going into my local library because their are Harlquin novels (cheap romance/sex books), and miss the wealth of knowledge I could gain looking for books on 20th century Isreal history? So too you must discern what movies to watch. Refraining from watching purely sinful movies such as "Freddy got fingered" is santification. Refraining from watching a movie such as "Les Miserables" and missing out on the great lessons of redemption is, in this persons humble opinion, depriving yourself.

God Bless.

UNP
Adam

 

Katie,

I've seen The Shawshank Redemption a dozen times aand can't for the life of me remember a prison rape scene.

Mike

http://www.keylife.com

 

flyfree,

you must be some kind of agnostic or something. i do go to the library, but you know what? the only time i can read whats in those books is until i pick it up and read it. just like the internet. the only tim i'm gonna view a webpage is if i type in the url. what comes on tv just comes on! you cant control that garbage. and another thing, sin is mentioned in the bible for a reason. without the knowledge that we are sinners we could not be saved, but where does it say that we are to watch it for our entertainment??????

by his grace, christopher

 

Chris & Ernie,

Actually, I can most definately see Jesus going to some of the movies showing. I don't believe for one moment that the theatre is an appearance of evil.

Ernie, first of all I do live for God and not the world or self and the reason you feel uneasy about attending movies is that God has placed a personal conviction on your life for a reason that perhaps you don't even know. I do know however that since I've been attending movies I have not once felt a conviction about walking in and paying for the movie and sitting watching it.

Sure there is a lot of smut in movies and television out there but there are also many very good movies too....Trueman show just to name one. That show is so thought provoking and makes you really see the difference between the love of God and the pull of the enemy. Want a good tv show to watch? Try 7th Heaven....very very good show 4 thumbs up!!!

Bottom line is...this boils down to a simple conviction of the heart. If you feel you shouldn't attend then by all means stay away from it, otherwise choose the entertainment carefully and enjoy.

Btw...in my sister's town the theatre opens on Saturdays to wittness thru showing movies from Salt & Light productions and that also includes showing Veggie Tales and other christian based movies...so yes there are those that do use the movie house for sharing Jesus.

karen

 

Christopher,

Agnostic? Not quite, actually I moderate this forum. Where'd you get the idea I'm agnostic- did you actually read my post, or only read what you wanted to get out of it. Go back and try again.

UNP
Adam

 

IT's not where you watch it, but what you watch. There is plenty of garbage out there, but there are good decent movies, you have to do research before you watch anything, and you have to be willing to walk out if there is a problem.

You know, I visited a pastor's home, and he had a VCR, and I just assumed he must be addicted to Porn, I mean, do you know what kind of garbage they put on VHS tapes these days!!!

The "Someone might not know what movie you went to see" argument is not consistent, and is a standard Baptist Guilt tactic.

 

Flyfree,

I became skeptical when you told me to put down the Bible.

 

Sarcasm, Christopher, Sarcasm I was trying to make my point that just because sin may be present in something, doesn't make it sinful. The Bible is full of sins commited by people, yet is still the perfect, infallable Word of God.

UNP
Adam

[ March 11, 2002, 04:56 PM: Message edited by: flyfree432 ]

 

Again, for purposes of evaulation of any given movie, please go to:

www.pluggedinmag.com

This site is VERY helpful!

 

Since this thread I've wanted to see ShawShank Redemption, I've heard quite a bit about it. I recently had the oppertunity to view it and I must agree with Adam on this, there absolutely was never a scene showing any male on male graphics. Actually for the exception of the violent beatings in the movie I had no objection to my 5 year old child watching the movie, but since the violence was pretty rough I chose to send him to bed. I was highly impressed with this movie and actually we will be renting it again for the sake of my husband viewing it as well. As a child not knowing much about homosexuality there is no way that he or she could grasp that homosexual activity was going on, there wasn't even a slight hint of it....just a really bad beating.

I give this flick a two thumbs up.

karen

 

The first time I saw Shawshank was on TV, and the filthy language was voiced over to make it cleaner. Then my husband bought the DVD and I was shocked at the language. Karen, I can't believe you'd allow your 5 year old to listen to filth like that. My mind felt dirty after hearing that bad language. I really had to pray after watching it.

Julia