Dear Smitha, I've been a silent member for a long time. So let me introduce myself. I am from Madras(Chennai) and work in the software field at HCL Cisco in the same divn. as Giju George (our Web admn). I attend St Tereas's Magnificat Prayer group. Nungambakkam. It has been edifying and encouraging to read testimonies, spiritual articles, pray for people asking for prayeron Joynet.
I'd like to share my views on the question. Well, upfront I would like to say that one may not be able to give a direct affirmative or negative answer. The Bible for example, would give us only guidelines on the subject.Even contemporary Christian books will not be able to tell us if X can watch Y film. Having said that, I'd like to point out that our media,particularly Hollywood, has experienced a 'progressive' deterioration in morals since the 1950's and 60's after the 'sexual revolution' originating in the US. In those days they frowned on using the word 'pregnant' on TV, now they even show you how it happens... We need to consider the following before watching a 'normal' entertaining film that may have some sexually explicit scenes. 1. Has this been/ still is, an area of weakness for me. If so, better not to. 2. What is my intention/ motive of watching the movie (v imp). If it is to watch something for lust, then even a film without such scenes can create sinful desires. 3. Does it lead to sinful desires and thoughts (remember David's full colour movie screened on his terrace starring Bathsheba and leaving nothing to his imagination - like some of our movies..)? 4. How often do I watch movies / Can I afford the time (time and money are two destiny determining resources that we have at our disposal) 5. Would I watch this with my family, with Jesus (tough question ???) 6. What has been my past experience of watching such films? 7. Might I be giving a weaker Christian a doubtful example? I'm not speaking specifically about the movies you've mentioned - have'nt seen most myself. But from similar ones I get the impression that the spirit of the world is taking over our entertainment - be it in the realm of sexuality, materialism or violence. Producers make movies for money. If the viewers' cravings increase, they supply accordingly. What is this worldly spirit? The spirit behind pornography is to portray people as sex objects and to debase and insult the God given use of sex. Thousands of women, children and men have been lured into this industry. This has been the cause of broken families, sexual and violent crimes and basically robs man and woman of their dignity. Why do I say all this? Because this same spirit is slowly and subtly but surely seeping into our entertainment and 'family TV shows' and films. Why do we need to explicitly exhibit sex which is something intimate, an expression of love between husband and wife, for a specifice purpose that involves only the two of them, to the whole world when it does not have anything to do with a third party? We also need to look at the lives of the actors and actresses. Most are divorced at least once. Many are on drugs and are involved in the occult. I remember reading in a recent newspaper that a few of them (Catherine Zeta Jones/Madonna if I'm not mistaken, have strange ghostly figures walking about their house at night / crockery moving around by itself, etc). Nowadays, I notice that many movies have something evil/ occult related about them. However, I am not an avid movie watcher , so I might be mistaken. Some explicitly make fun of Jesus and the gospel. Another dimension to this is the one of self discipline. In the words of Schuller "there are mysterious, intricate, and complex connections of boday, brain and soul. Persons who discipline their eating, drinking and sexual appetites, often experience a mysterious surge of creative powers and a rebirth of spiritualty' In contrast the person who does'nt discipline himself/ or 'lets himself go' finds his faith becoming ' flabby' " Some movies may not specifically lead us into direct sin, but too much can make us spiritually flabby. All of us including me, face temptations and struggle with them. This will continue as long as we live in this imperfect world. Some selfdiscipline is good at times even if you are strong in this area (sexual temptations) Neurologists and psychologists have demonstrated that our memory stores everything that our senses have picked up all through our life even though we may not remember it. Certain impulses can rekindle them and may lead us into temptation. Yes, the blood of Jesus washes every sin away but we still need to guard our minds and hearts against anything that might defile them. Read Ephesians 5. Having said this, I must admit that there are many wholesome and edifying movies and these will have a positive effect on us. Let us encourage and watch them. Most important, Smitha, since you say that you are a new believer in Christ; try and develop a close relationship with Him thro prayer, fellowship and the sacraments.(I know that you are already doing this since you've asked this question). This will develop and personalize your spiritual antenna and you will be able to judge for yourself since general rules may not be applicable to all. Be encouraged, even though you are a new believer, since, even after many years with the Lord, if a Christian lets go of Him, he will fall immediately! The answer is close fellowship with Him. So, the answer may not be to avoid movies altogether but to develop a close relationship with Him so that we love what is good. And evil will not affect us even if we are at times exposed to it. Love & prayers Christopher kripa joy wrote: > dear joynetters,i'm a new believer in the Lord and i have a few doubts > that i felt that you all out there could help me out with. please forgive > my ignorance in these matters. is it wrong to watch English movies ? i'm > not talking of the blue ones, but the ordinary movies like the Titanic, > jerry Maguire , Miss congeniality and such where you sometimes have > sexually explicit scenes in between the storyline whuich is generally > very casual and funny.are we supposed to sit with closed eyes through > these scenes Or avoid movies altogether OR is it okay if we do not let > these affect us and do not watch the movie for the sake of these and > similar scenesplease excuse me if i sound brash according to our Indian > standards.... love in Jesus,smitha. **************************************************************** This mail is generated from JOYnet, a Jesus Youth mailing list. 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