Okay to watch the X-Files?

[crenfro]

My husband wants us to watch all the episodes of the entire series of the X-files.

I’ve seen some of them and many of them have to do with New Age-y topics and the occult.

Is it sinful to watch these?

 

[1ke]

The X Files are fiction, entertainment. I don’t believe that watching them, in general, is sinful.

However, you need to discern whether or not they would be detrimental to you spiritually-- for example, are you easily disturbed by these things, have you been involved in any of these things previously, etc.?

Some people shouldn’t watch them because they unduly disturb them or open them up to attacks on their spirituality.

 

[deb1]

The X Files are fiction, entertainment. I don’t believe that watching them, in general, is sinful.

However, you need to discern whether or not they would be detrimental to you spiritually-- for example, are you easily disturbed by these things, have you been involved in any of these things previously, etc.?

Some people shouldn’t watch them because they unduly disturb them or open them up to attacks on their spirituality.

1Ke gives good advice. If you feel like they are harmful to you then don’t watch them Just be aware that what might disturb you spiritually might have no effect on your hubby. So, if he wishes to watch them just leave the room.

I love X-files and am not bothered by them. But I could see that some people might find the slight horror aspect of the series unpleasant.

There is another thread on the series if you wish to do a search.

 

[JonW]

The X-Files a great fictional show. It is also not anti-Catholic or anti-Christian. It is a decidedly secular show, but, for example, the FBI agent Scully is a Catholic; not practing, but it comes up in a generally positive light.

Example:

Scully (talking to a Catholic priest in a confessional): “I’m afraid that God is speaking, but that no one is listening.”

This is from an episode about a young boy who is a stigmatic. Riveting stuff, if you like it.

God Bless

Jon

 

[Dmitri451]

My wife and I love to watch the X-Files and have recently begun going through the series in order, just to understand the development of the characters better.

One thing I really like about the series is that it very creatively deals with the tension between faith and reason. Scully and Mulder are always discussing this. Of course, it’s in the context of aliens and weird phenomena, but they’re just a proxy for one of the major questions of our age: what’s the relationship between faith and reason?

There are a few episodes that really are “inappropriate” for a Christian household, IMHO, but I think most of them are fine. I’ve never seen one dealing with the alien conspiracy that is problematic.

 

[deb1]

Also, Scully and Mulder never become sexual. Their relationship remained platonic throughout the series(although I might have missed some of the last episodes of this series)

 

[Sir_Knight]

http://www.philipcoppens.com/ft_xfiles01.jpg

 

[PatienceAndLove]

Also, Scully and Mulder never become sexual. Their relationship remained platonic throughout the series(although I might have missed some of the last episodes of this series)

There is an implied scene in the one of the last seasons of the show that Scully and Mulder crossed that line, and Scully’s pregnancy is Mulder’s child. But that is the only instance.

 

[mschrank]

It’s a great show, enjoy it. It’s fiction and you should be old enough to tell the difference between fantasy and reality. And given that it was made in the early to mid 90s, I’d say it’s pretty tame too.

I think I might add that to my netflix queue!

 

[crenfro]

…you should be old enough to tell the difference between fantasy and reality…

I’m not discussing fantasy vs reality here. I’m asking about something that could affect me spiritually and am certainly not looking for any veiled or blatant criticism.

 

[deb1]

I’m not discussing fantasy vs reality here. I’m asking about something that could affect me spiritually and am certainly not looking for any veiled or blatant criticism.

What did you and your husband decide to do? Did either of you get to watch the series?

 

[crenfro]

What did you and your husband decide to do? Did either of you get to watch the series?

Husband’s going to watch the show regardless, he loves the X-Files, and I’m going to watch it with him unless I feel I can’t handle an episode. …so I have other things planned to do in this case…

Thank you very much for asking.

By the way, I started asking about this stuff because one of the first episodes I saw had to do with a possessed serial killer and there were lots of demon symbols and references and mentions of the devil and I didn’t think it was spiritually healthy for me to watch that episode, it unsettled me, and I thought of what a handy place these forums were and how much collective wisdom there is here, so I asked my question.

Thank you all so much for taking the time to help me.

 

[Hastrman]

Take it from me:

There’s nothing authentic in the X-Files. Even the devil-stuff is arguably less authentic than Ghostbusters. Possession, diabolism, and black magic are far more complicated (and less picturesque) than any movie or show can convey.

 

[mschrank]

I agree with Hastrman. That stuff is a joke. Read Amorth some time.

In any case, watching something like that isn’t bad unless evil is portrayed as good.

 

[graceandglory]

There are a few episodes that really are “inappropriate” for a Christian household, IMHO, but I think most of them are fine. I’ve never seen one dealing with the alien conspiracy that is problematic.

I’ve only seen two or three of them, and since my own viewing threshhold is pretty low, the few episodes I have seen were good ones.

I found them thought provoking, and good to bring up to discuss with my teenagers.

On that subject, Can anyone here provide a list of X Files episodes, or DVDs that could be okay for Christian families?

(Teenage to adult, I mean.)

 

[graceandglory]

Can anyone here provide a list of X Files episodes, or DVDs that could be okay for Christian families?

(Teenage to adult, I mean.)

Ok I’ll ask it a different way:

Can you name some episodes that I should watch if I’m interested, but don’t want my faith compromised?

How about name some episodes that I should definitely stay away from.

Thanks!

 

[deb1]

Ok I’ll ask it a different way:

Can you name some episodes that I should watch if I’m interested, but don’t want my faith compromised?

How about name some episodes that I should definitely stay away from.

Thanks!

This is a question that can only be answered by the individual. What compromises your faith might not hurt mine. None of the episodes hurt my faith, some might be disturbing though. I would not let very young children watch the X-files. Even though they are tame by today’s standards, there are some episodes that are scary.

The only thing that you can do is watch a few episodes and decide for yourself. If you have a gut feeling that this show is not for you, then don’t watch it.

 

[Harmony1988]

There is nothing wrong with watching the X-Files. It’s just for thrills and chills, if you feel you are somehow going to sin by watching it

Then don’t watch it.

 

[deb1]

There is nothing wrong with watching the X-Files. It’s just for thrills and chills, if you feel you are somehow going to sin by watching it

Then don’t watch it.

Although I love the X-files there are some for whom viewing it might be a sin. We are all individuals and what effects one person might have no effect on another.

What I don’t like to see is either one Christian accusing all other Christians of being wrong if they don’t agree that certain shows, music etc are sinful. This is a very individual area.

On the flip side, I don’t think that we should make fellow Christians feel stupid or weak if viewing or listening to certain music and television shows makes them feel uncomfortable.

 

[Harmony1988]

Although I love the X-files there are some for whom viewing it might be a sin. We are all individuals and what effects one person might have no effect on another.

What I don’t like to see is either one Christian accusing all other Christians of being wrong if they don’t agree that certain shows, music etc are sinful. This is a very individual area.

On the flip side, I don’t think that we should make fellow Christians feel stupid or weak if viewing or listening to certain music and television shows makes them feel uncomfortable.

That’s exactly what I said, but in a much shorter way, way to go