Morally Objectionable Films (US Catholic Bishops website)

  • Thread starter Thread starter marypar
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
M

marypar

Guest
Hi everyone,
I just registered on the forum and I just wanted to say that I am scrupulous and have a question re: movies. Last year in confession (I go monthly and go Mass most weekdays) I told the priest that I enjoy horror movies (like Childs Play, the Omen, Evil Dead, Dario Argento horror films, Zombie movies) and I have a collection of DVDs. He told me to unload them because I sounded “obsessed” - I think he misunderstood because when I told him he was wrong, he gave me my penance. Well, now I don’t know if I should get rid of them. I am 59 yrs old and know what is right and wrong and I feel a movie like Child’s Play or the Omen should not be rated “O” on the US Bishops website. After that confession last year, I haven’t watched any “O” films and constantly check their website for ratings of my collection. Even Eye of the Needle is “O”. I noticed some people here enjoyed the Bogeyman and that is “O” and I just wanted an opinion - can I watch the movies in my collection? Am I being obsessed by constantly checking the US Bishops site for ratings? Even new movies I am checking. I never did this before and never had a problem, but being scrupulous is torture. If I do watch any of them, should I confess it? I doubt if mortal sin is involved here, but I always wonder. Thanks so much and I look forward to posting on this site. Marypar
 
If your priest advised you that you should stay away from those kinds of movies, then it would be wise to follow his counsel. Sometimes they can recognize things in people that we can’t see ourselves and maybe your fascination with those types of movies is somehow affecting you in ways you can’t see.

I go by the Bishops’ ratings as well. I don’t find it scrupulous behavior in myself, I just choose not to watch movies which are morally offensive. I feel these things can “numb” us in a sense to things that should be avoided. I also have small children and I am very aware of the subtle influence certain images and depictions can have on little ones.

I am not sure as far as moral implications are for viewing those movies listed as offensive. My understanding of those ratings was that the movie contains content which is offensive to the Church and its teachings, but I never thought you were bound not to watch them because of that- just that you were to be aware of that and give you a “heads up” about it. But, again, I do not really know for sure- I do avoid them though. But as I said before, if your priest told you to, then that’s probably the best thing to do. Find something else you are passionate about that supports your Faith- find a hobby, or read. There are many books about saints that have very exciting, sometimes frightening experiences- and they are true stories.
 
Clearly you’ve been given good counsel by your priest. There’s nothing redeeming about those kinds of movies. The glorification of evil that takes place in them is impossible to reconcile with your Christian faith. Evil portrayed for “entertainment” is an oxymoron for Christians. Something brought you to confess watching them, so surely you already realize that it’s not a good thing.

I’m certain there are worse sins, however, I agree with the earlier post, that these things tend to numb us to evil. Although the list of acceptable viewing will be CONSIDERABLY shortened if we apply the proper screening, I think it’s a tremendous step in the right direction. I’m not a big movie or TV watcher so for me it’s not a sacrifice.

Perhaps the easiest thing to do to help you decide whether a movie is acceptable to watch is to ask yourself this question:

“Would I be watching this if Jesus were sitting right here beside me?”
 
I personally can not stomach horror movies but my husband is a big fan of horror movies and has some of the titles you mentioned. I really think the impact depends on the person. My husband is very laid back non-violent person. He’s a very tender-hearted guy. And real violence completely grosses him out. He also said there are some movies he used to watch that make him very uncomfortable now that he’s Catholic. Personally I don’t get the enjoyment of horror movies but he says it’s kind of stress releaving after a difficult day, sounds kind of demented but I guess it’s better than ulcers.

Maybe get a second opinion from another priest to see if he concurs?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top