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Is going to the movies OK?

Discussion in 'Travel Forum' started by Bible Believing Bill, Jul 2, 2001.

  1. Bible Believing Bill

    Bible Believing Bill <img src =/bbb.jpg>

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    Is it OK to go to the movies?

    My Pastor does not go to the movies because he of the multi-plexes. He says people would see him and not know what he was seeing, and therefore might think he was seeing something inapproiate.

    My wife follows the Pastors example, but she never really liked going to the movies anyway. She just waits for what she wants to see to be on video.

    Since, my wife dosn't go the only thing I see are movies with the kid's Boy what I wouldn't give to see and a non-animated film. There are some movies that just have to be seen on the big screen, i.e. Star Wars and Dances With Wolves, they just arn't the same on a TV screen.

    What is everyone elses opinion on this?
     
  2. word_digger

    word_digger New Member

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    Whether one goes to the movies, or watches one on TV or from a video, what is the difference?

    <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> My Pastor does not go to the movies because he of the multi-plexes. He says people would see him and not know what he was seeing, and therefore might think he was seeing something inapproiate. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
    I think this Pastor's reality check has bounced.
     
  3. Briguy

    Briguy <img src =/briguy.gif>

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    NB, You need to talk to God directly about issues like this. Jesus hears us and will answer if we ask. My wife and I rarley go to a movie but do rent movies maybe once a month or so. We are somewhat picky about the ones we choose.
     
  4. Bible Believing Bill

    Bible Believing Bill <img src =/bbb.jpg>

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    word_digger "Pastors reality check has bounced" I don't think so, in his position peoples perception of him can be as important as reality.

    briguy I know that ultimately whatever I do is between me and GOD. My question was simply ment to solicit opinion and see what others do. Perhaps his wasn't the correct place to post this type of question.

    My feeling is that if we don't support the types of movies/videos/TV/music/etc. that are positive and wholesome them all that will be produced will be Trash.
     
  5. Chris Temple

    Chris Temple New Member

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    <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by NewBeliever:
    Is it OK to go to the movies?
    <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

    Yes.
     
  6. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    I grew up in the same generation (probably) as your pastor. We were taught that going to movies was wrong because:
    ~That it supports Hellywood and the filthy lifestyle of that crowd
    ~That evil things happen in the dark of the movie theater
    ~That if someone saw me going to see Bambi might not know that was the movie, and think I was going to see Bridget Bardot or an x-rated movie
    ~That I should set no evil thing before my eyes

    Every new media method has been loudly condemned by some pastors.
    ~Radio was condemned as evil, until some found that it could be used to communicate the Gospel.
    ~Movies were next
    ~Television was likewise condemned
    ~Then videos, dvd's
    ~Ever hear anyone questioning the Internet because there is evil there (chat room romance, porn.com)? Of course.

    The last movie I saw at a theater was John Wayne in The Alamo. Think I was 12 and felt sooooo guilty.

    The issue is actions controlled by the Spirit of God. Watch, listen, read what is edifying. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--focus your thoughts on such things.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
     
  7. Briguy

    Briguy <img src =/briguy.gif>

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    New B, I hope you didn't take me wrong. I think this was a good place to ask a question like your movie question. If I sounded grumpy in my post please forgive me. I was trying to point out that sometimes we forget to go to God directly or probably more likely we ask but forget to listen and look for an answer. Keep listening to God and he will direct your heart about movies. And if you go to one or rent one you shouldn't have he will tell you, I have done and he spoke to me loud and clear. Take care my friend.
     
  8. Theopolitan

    Theopolitan New Member

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    NewBeliever: <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

    I am delighted to hear your pastor is more concerned about God's reputation and the integrity of his ministry than his own pleasure.

    Mark Twain once wrote "As to the Adjective: When in doubt strike it out." Little did he realize the Biblical principle along the same lines. Romans 14:23, "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin."
     
  9. John Wells

    John Wells New Member

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    If you can find a wholesome one . . . gooooooo! Pass out some tracts. Tell someone about Jesus. Have a good time! :D
     
  10. Rockfort

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    &lt; Is it OK to go to the movies? &gt;

    "OK" is as good as can be said about it. It definitely is not great.
     
  11. MagicDar

    MagicDar New Member

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    The idea of not going to a theatre because someone seeing you go in doesn't know if your watching an x rated film or not holds no water with me. My mother used the same reasoning for her disapproval of attending movies. Somehow its ok for others to see you go into a video store though even though you can just as easily rent a porn flick--go figure. In my experience of going to movies, people couldn't care less about what you are going to see since they are too wrapped up in the movie they are about to view.

    Evil things happening in a theatre? Unless of course it is making out (which I have yet to see in a movie theatre) anything else is considered indecsent exposure and is against the law so if caught those involved would be arrested and charged.

    Supporting hollywood financially, well geesh you have no idea what you might be supporting every time you go to the video store or the grocery store or any store for that matter. Just my opinion of course. &lt;smiles&gt; dar
     
  12. Timotheus

    Timotheus New Member

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    No movies for me! Why should I support the worldly lifestyle of those actors and actresses? :mad:
     
  13. Ransom

    Ransom Active Member

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    NewBeliever said:

    Is it OK to go to the movies?

    My Pastor does not go to the movies because he of the multi-plexes. He says people would see him and not know what he was seeing, and therefore might think he was seeing something inapproiate.


    Which as a reason not to go to the movies is wholly inadequate. It's like saying I don't shop downtown because, although I just went for some aspirin and some pens, I might meet someone who didn't know I was just going to the pharmacy and stationery stores, and might think I was there to patronize the gay bookstore.

    If the pastor wants to provide a reasonable explanation why he doesn't go to movies, there are dozens of legitimate ones to choose from:

    <UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI>He is offended by harsh language.
    <LI>He might be tempted by the potential nudity.
    <LI>The movies present situations which he, as a Christian, chooses not to be exposed to.
    <LI>He wants to be above reproach for the sake of the flock.
    [/list]

    Instead, what you get sounds an awful lot like: "I'm afraid to be seen at the cinema because I don't think my congregation trusts me."
     
  14. Kathy

    Kathy New Member

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    <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dr. Bob Griffin:

    ~That it supports Hellywood and the filthy lifestyle of that crowd
    <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

    OH MY GOSH! When I saw HELLYWOOD, I nearly fell off my chair from the uncontrollable laughter! You have GOT to post this in the Humor section! I've never heard it referred to that way...but it's SOOO true! LoL!


    :eek:
     
  15. Bible Believing Bill

    Bible Believing Bill <img src =/bbb.jpg>

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    Ok Gotta defend Pastor.

    His reasoning does make sense. It even made sense to me before I was a member of the church. First off he is not telling others not to go for that reason, It is simply one of his reasons for not going. He dosn't approve of alot of what goes on in movies, and he will tell you exactly what that is and why it dosn't have in place in a Christians life.

    He is not worried about the people who know him and love him as the members of the church most certianly do. He is concerned that people he is trying to lead to Christ will be the ones to misunderstand.
     
  16. DocCas

    DocCas New Member

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    NewBeliever, I agree. Your pastor's reasons for not going to movies are wholly adequate for him. For Ransom to say "Which as a reason not to go to the movies is wholly inadequate" is, to me laughable! Your pastor's reasons are your pastor's reasons! I don't go to movies for several reasons. 1, I don't like crowds. 2, the seats are not as comfortable as my easy chair. 3. I like to be able to pause the movie when I have to go for refreshments or to the restroom. Those are my reasons and for me they are wholly adequate! For me to try to impose those reasons on someone else would be wrong, but my reasons are my reasons and nobody has the right to tell me they are wholly inadequate! [​IMG]
     
  17. MagicDar

    MagicDar New Member

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    The pastor's reasons for not attending movies for HIM is fine. The fact remains no one is going to give a flip if you go or don't go. No matter where you go, you'll end up supporting "evil people" no matter how you look at it. -dar
     
  18. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    If your pastor feels the obligation to set this type of example, more power to him.

    I am picky about the movies I watch at the theatre--and at home, but it has to do with time and money and -- I have better things to do usually.
     
  19. Abiyah

    Abiyah <img src =/abiyah.gif>

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    I went to see Elvis in G.I. Blues when I was
    around twelve, saw two more movies during that
    era, then never saw another movie until Prince of
    Egypt
    . I did not see any between then be-
    cause of church rules, not my own standards.
    Now, I will go see a movie, but unless it is a his-
    toric depiction, I will not go to anything but G-
    rated and an occasional, carefully chosen PG.

    I will tell you what blew me away re movies:
    When my husband and I married, he and his two
    teens had never had a TV, and I had three and a
    VCR. When I saw how out of control they imme-
    diately became--the trash they were willing to
    watch and the movies they rented--I put my foot
    down. I told them all, "These are MY TVs and
    VCR! I will get rid of them unless you get some
    control!"

    I told them that there would be no more rentals
    of movies that were other than G or PG, no
    more fighting movies, no more overt sexual
    trash, etc, and if they did not like it, too bad.
    Well, I had a fight on my hands, but I was not
    going to have that trash in any home I lived in.

    We all survived.

    [ August 14, 2002, 06:39 AM: Message edited by: Abiyah ]
     
  20. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    I have not been in a movie theater since 1960 by my own choice. Raised on more guilt than a parochial schoolboy, I would still feel uncomfortable in that setting.

    Now I've been an extra IN 8 different movies and 3 TV shows. But waited until the video came out to see myself!

    Personal choices are just that, personal.
     
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