Movies w/ sex scenes, violence, and profanity--Sinful?

[starchyp]

Hello
If one were watching a movie, and sex scenes, nudity, swearing, and violent blood and gore scenes pop up, is this sinful? Most movies today have these types of scenes so, I don’t know:shrug:

 

[thistle]

Hello
If one were watching a movie, and sex scenes, nudity, swearing, and violent blood and gore scenes pop up, is this sinful? Most movies today have these types of scenes so, I don’t know:shrug:

Do you mean if you were unaware that the movie contained these scenes and they popped up while you were watching would you be committing a sin? The answer to that would be NO!

 

[eponymic]

Hello
If one were watching a movie, and sex scenes, nudity, swearing, and violent blood and gore scenes pop up, is this sinful? Most movies today have these types of scenes so, I don’t know:shrug:

Is it a sin to watch the movie if it just “popped up”? No.
Is it a sin to watch the movie if you knew it was in there? No.
Is it a sin to watch the movie, then decide to act out some of the immoral scenes depicted? Yes.

If you can watch a movie and remember the difference between fantasy and reality, then there is no problem. This is part of the reason why children should be shielded from such things. Immature children often do not have that filter and do not understand that you shouldn’t do everything you see in a movie. R-rated movies are not pure evil, sinful things, but rather not understanding how to handle the experience may be a temptation to sin.

 

[TruthBible]

Its sad to see how supposed “Christians” work on murdering other peoples souls…

Yes it is sinful to watch worldly movies and series and play video games also for that matter, for just the reasons you mentioned above. Any one that say otherwise, say so with the intention of demons.

WATCH THESE FILM AS PROOF!

youtube.com/watch?v=vRF5WuoQnDE

youtube.com/watch?v=gGeSlLNSWrA

 

[UndertheRadar]

Many of these threads bring up the question of “is it a sin to…” Without trying to hijack the thread I would like to ask a different question. Supposing that we assume for a moment that these are not sinful, I would like to ask why do you want to? If we are watching for the purpose of entertainment what good do these movies serve? Why are we willing to watch sin for entertainment? I think this is what caused Christ agony in the garden. That his children would want to take part in something that is opposed to him should hurt.

 

[eponymic]

Many of these threads bring up the question of “is it a sin to…” Without trying to hijack the thread I would like to ask a different question. Supposing that we assume for a moment that these are not sinful, I would like to ask why do you want to? If we are watching for the purpose of entertainment what good do these movies serve? Why are we willing to watch sin for entertainment? I think this is what caused Christ agony in the garden. That his children would want to take part in something that is opposed to him should hurt.

There is a difference between watching sin for entertainment, and watching a movie that depicts sin for entertainment. Most movies are complete works of fiction (or dramatized enough to have little resemblance to the real events). It would be different if we were watching somebody actually be killed, for instance. I would also suggest finding a movie, play, Broadway show, etc. where there is no sin depicted anywhere. I’m sure there are some, but it would eliminate 90% if not more.

For example, almost all Disney movies have sin depicted in them. There is usually a “bad guy” who is grossly envious, desires wealth/power/fame for themselves and is willing to do anything, including attempted murder, to achieve it. Cinderella (Stepmother), Aladdin (Jafar), The Little Mermaid (Ursula), The Lion King (Scar), Beauty and the Beast (Gaston)… just to name a few, all have their sinful villains and in each one, we’re cheering their demise.

This is also different than if the sin IS the entertainment. Watching gladiators be killed at the Colosseum, or watching pornography, or watching somebody’s videotaped crime spree would be sinful if you were watching this for pleasure. Watching Christ be crucified, or any criminal be executed, and doing so with an attitude of revenge or justice would fall under this category. The fact that the sinful activities are being promoted and glorified in the context of the entertainment is where the moral dilemma comes in, but not the fact that the entertainment merely contains sinful activities.

The reason I’m defending the movies in this case is that when this question comes up, people aren’t really asking “Is watching a violent movie a sin?”, but really the question is “Is there a way I can call certain movies sins, and feel self-righteous by avoiding them?” Some groups of people have indeed decided that if watching a sin is a sin, then watching ANY sin is a sin, not just certain ones. These groups often have total bans on movies, TV, music, books, etc… It’s just a slippery slope wherein if watching a fictional sin is a sin, then watching a real life sin also must be a sin. Therefore since sin exists in society, you should just never leave your house for fear of sinning by proximity.

 

[UndertheRadar]

There is a difference between watching sin for entertainment, and watching a movie that depicts sin for entertainment. Most movies are complete works of fiction (or dramatized enough to have little resemblance to the real events). It would be different if we were watching somebody actually be killed, for instance. I would also suggest finding a movie, play, Broadway show, etc. where there is no sin depicted anywhere. I’m sure there are some, but it would eliminate 90% if not more.

For example, almost all Disney movies have sin depicted in them. There is usually a “bad guy” who is grossly envious, desires wealth/power/fame for themselves and is willing to do anything, including attempted murder, to achieve it. Cinderella (Stepmother), Aladdin (Jafar), The Little Mermaid (Ursula), The Lion King (Scar), Beauty and the Beast (Gaston)… just to name a few, all have their sinful villains and in each one, we’re cheering their demise.

This is also different than if the sin IS the entertainment. Watching gladiators be killed at the Colosseum, or watching pornography, or watching somebody’s videotaped crime spree would be sinful if you were watching this for pleasure. Watching Christ be crucified, or any criminal be executed, and doing so with an attitude of revenge or justice would fall under this category. The fact that the sinful activities are being promoted and glorified in the context of the entertainment is where the moral dilemma comes in, but not the fact that the entertainment merely contains sinful activities.

The reason I’m defending the movies in this case is that when this question comes up, people aren’t really asking “Is watching a violent movie a sin?”, but really the question is “Is there a way I can call certain movies sins, and feel self-righteous by avoiding them?” Some groups of people have indeed decided that if watching a sin is a sin, then watching ANY sin is a sin, not just certain ones. These groups often have total bans on movies, TV, music, books, etc… It’s just a slippery slope wherein if watching a fictional sin is a sin, then watching a real life sin also must be a sin. Therefore since sin exists in society, you should just never leave your house for fear of sinning by proximity.

I should clarify that I am mainly talking about sex scenes. I don’t think that it would be ok for anyone to watch these scenes because it leads to lustful thoughts. However, if the movie doesn’t glorify the sin and has a moral then it serves a purpose more than mere entertainment. I think that violence is one such case where one could watch and come away with a lesson learned.

 

[CatholiCommit]

This is the part about Christian life that stubbles people, and I for one do not like to watch family films that have cussing and violence and since there are people out there that want to put a cap on this and what is in it, we can not seem to get to the right people to get a cap, the truth is that these things have been in movies for a very long time and we have to think about the youth especially young children, and the other problem is that movie producers and makers and Hollywood are not interested in what is right for the public it is that they want to make that money to put in their pockets, I also have to be honest and say I am tired of seeing such in what I watch but I know right now there is only so much I can do. But if there are a group of people that are willing to make there job to put a stop to it then I say go for if there arent any groups already

 

[rwoehmke]

There was a day when sin was portrayed in movies, books, and plays in such a way that one knew a sin had been or was committed. Books, plays, and movies for adults that had no hint of sin could be very entertaining, but those that tastefully portrayed life as it really is are both entertaining and can be very educational. I once had an English teacher tat taught us to seqarch out what she called “universals” in books and drama. These were essentially statements about the human condition and one could learn a lot about people and life from such media.

Today’s films and books seem to include a lot of un-necessary detail that in the end is more titillating than informative. Basically they are selling soft and hard porn whether of sexual events or violence.

When we watch and read such stuff, research has shown that it actually hardens our sensitivity to sexual excess and violence, making it easier for us to accept such actions in our own and other’s lives; rather obvious when one watches the news are reads a newspaper. What was once unthinkable, becomes thinkable and the spiral is only downward into depravity.

I don’t go to the movies much anymore for two reasons. First of all in a rather “prudish” society growing up I struggled mightily and often un-sucessfully to avoid violence and sins of the flesh. I really don’t understand how the young people of today can be helped to lead holy lives when they are exposed to such dreck. I just do not enjoy going to the movies or watching many of the television programs for that reason; not particularly moral compunction and righteousness. I just do not find them entertaining.

Second reason, when I do attend a movie, the sound level is so high that it actually hurts my ears and my ears are not as sensitive at 72 as the were at 22. So I save my $10 to $12 for something more enjoyable.

Is it a sin to harden one’s sensitivity to sexual excess and violence? Seems to me it does not require a moral theologian to answer that question.

 

[averheyen]

I dunno,

when I watch a movie, and a scene with a woman disrobing or whatevert comes up, I feel terrible.

I mean, that’s a real person who just defiled themselves for anybody and everybody to see.

I don’t know how that could sit with their conscience, but I certainly have trouble with stuff like that when I sit down to watch a movie.

 

[sanctamaria17]

I watch the movie for what it is: art.

If it’s a sin, I’m in huge trouble! Hmmm, let’s see, my favorite movies: 300, Braveheart, Moulin Rouge, V for Vendetta, The Passion of the Christ (if you’re talking about violence), La Vita é Bella (an Italian movie about the Holocaust, where there is cruelty and violence),and so on and so forth.

I don’t watch any of them for sex, violence, etc. I love historical movies, movies that make you think, and some romantic ones. I think explicit sex should be toned down if not eliminated but I’m not going to throw a fit over a movie with nudity in it (God pronounced the body as “very good”). There is a difference between nudity and sex. If people can’t see that, then they shouldn’t visit the Sistine Chapel either, or look at Italian Renaissance art (I went to a museum with a Christian friend and saw a lot of it. Were we impure about it? No! Instead, we were like, “Our ancestors ROCK!” Hahaha).

As for sex, then maybe no one should read the Song of Solomon either. Yeah, we can make the argument, they were married. It’s still very descriptive about sex and what the groom thinks of his bride’s body (and she of his but not to as great of an extent).

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Nope, as one poster already said: As long as you know that everything you’re viewing is fictional and that it would only be stupid if you acted it out in real life.

As to add my own two cents in this, I would just like to say that with the way we define what makes a really awesome movie, show, game, or whatever, it is impossible to make it as clean as someone like TruthBible here without making another bland copy of Dora the Explorer (if you catch my drift ).

I really don’t understand how the young people of today can be helped to lead holy lives when they are exposed to such dreck.

Okay, this is coming from one of the “young people of today”.
It’s called fantasy. Honestly, we live in a really dreary reality. Going to school/work, home, bed, then back to school/work. I just do not see any excitement left in this world. This is the beauty I find in most modern fiction (be it in TV, video games, anime, books, or movies). They take me to a world far different than the one I’ve become tired of and the adventures I find in them give me a break from the boredom of every day life.

I think this is probably the reason why so many people my age aren’t keen on living “the saintly life”. They think it’s all about self-deprivation. You must face the fact that not every teenager is content with simple hobbies like knitting or stamp collecting.

 

[mdgspencer]

If this had no effect on the person watching it, I do not think it would not be sinful. However, in some cases it could be. Often such entertainment is family fare, and people let their children watch such movies or TV with them. This can be a sin. However, while this may be only a person defect in some people, in time it leads to something more serious when it comes to some people. There has been some publicity recently when it comes to the family problems men who watch pornography cause as a result. And this is only in one area.
Personally, I find such forms of entertainment disgusting, as a fundamental offense against Christain values. I can’t see myself enjoying something depraved, or even wanting to watch it.
However, such forms of entertainment can be very undesirable in another way. This is a means that public values are degraded. I wouldn’t think that when large segments of the public watch scenes showing adultery and relations between unmarried people in their entertainment, there will not be an effect on social values, the law, and family life. And this is precisely what has happened. How many of us have family members who cohabit without marriage? These couples are simply carrrying out what the media promotes, and they are paying for our own forms of entertainment, not only now, but perhaps forever.

 

[chaz0426]

I watch the movie for what it is: art.

If it’s a sin, I’m in huge trouble! Hmmm, let’s see, my favorite movies: 300, Braveheart, Moulin Rouge, V for Vendetta, The Passion of the Christ (if you’re talking about violence), La Vita é Bella (an Italian movie about the Holocaust, where there is cruelty and violence),and so on and so forth.

I don’t watch any of them for sex, violence, etc. I love historical movies, movies that make you think, and some romantic ones. I think explicit sex should be toned down if not eliminated but I’m not going to throw a fit over a movie with nudity in it (God pronounced the body as “very good”). There is a difference between nudity and sex. If people can’t see that, then they shouldn’t visit the Sistine Chapel either, or look at Italian Renaissance art (I went to a museum with a Christian friend and saw a lot of it. Were we impure about it? No! Instead, we were like, “Our ancestors ROCK!” Hahaha).

As for sex, then maybe no one should read the Song of Solomon either. Yeah, we can make the argument, they were married. It’s still very descriptive about sex and what the groom thinks of his bride’s body (and she of his but not to as great of an extent).

Relax you are not sinning unless you constantly indulge in that kind of stuff. I have seen some really interesting movies that have those elements in them. However most movies rarely glorify those sins (with the exception of sex). So it’s not like I act out what is shown in movies since I know it is just a movie. I don’t indulge or lust after those sins either. Therefore I know I did not sin for watching the movie for it’s story line and a hopefully good ending.

 

[Matariel]

I watch the movie for what it is: art.

If it’s a sin, I’m in huge trouble! Hmmm, let’s see, my favorite movies: 300, Braveheart, Moulin Rouge, V for Vendetta…

Heavens! V for Vendetta glorifies **anarchy **and violence! Perhaps a movie review from the USCCB is in order. There cinematographic review service on their website is a valuble tool in ascertaining the value of various movies we are want to see.

 

[StarPaintedBlue]

Personally, I am firmly against censorship in all forms except depictions of illegal acts (child pornography, snuff flims, etc.). If you don’t like something, don’t watch it. If you’re not sure about the content, take a look at some review sites. I happen to be starting one myself because I find the other ones lacking in a few areas, in fact. But overall, I think we have alot more important things to worry about then FICTIONAL sin when there’s plenty of REAL sin going on around us.

 

[strugglingalong]

Hello
If one were watching a movie, and sex scenes, nudity, swearing, and violent blood and gore scenes pop up, is this sinful? Most movies today have these types of scenes so, I don’t know:shrug:

It would be an occasion of sin, which should be avoided.

Pax Christi tecum.