TV/Movie Viewing

[franklin]

Just want to say that this is my first time posting and how wonderful it is to be part of a community of faith. My question is: would it be unethical to view Catholic movies for free online? For instance, I am currently watching the Song of Bernadette for free on youtube and the uploader has posted how they are not in violation of any copyright laws. Furthermore, there are other great catholic movies for free on youtube, but I do not want to violate the 7th commandment by viewing it for free (while at the same time wanting to be wise with my purchases/spending).

Lastly, would it be okay to watch TV shows where they is explicit nudity, strong violence, drug use, etc. if it doesn’t lead to sin in my own life? (I’m thinking along the lines of The Wire and The Sopranos on HBO). Thank you!

 

[Cruciferi]

Lastly, would it be okay to watch TV shows where they is explicit nudity, strong violence, drug use, etc. if it doesn’t lead to sin in my own life? (I’m thinking along the lines of The Wire and The Sopranos on HBO). Thank you!

Language and violence can be permissible to some degree. Saving Private Ryan comes to mind here. However, Full nudity has no purpose whatsoever. Shows such as Game of Thrones are a vomitous and reprehensible orgy of vice. I don’t condone HBO due to their consistently Godless and disgusting programming. You are responsible for what you watch. I don’t believe these shows are good for the human mind.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Many of the old movies (we’re talking pre-1960s) on Youtube are in the public domain, meaning that their copyrights have expired, and that is why they are “allowed” to remain posted there, as the movie industry is pretty diligent about watching sites like Youtube and getting postings that violate copyright taken down in a short time. If you wish to limit your online viewing to only public domain movies, you can google (“name of movie” “public domain”) and you should get some websites like publicdomainmovies.net that tracks such movies and lists them. I believe “The Song of Bernadette” film from the 40s is now in the public domain, and that is probably why the poster has posted that they are not in violation of copyright laws.

While it’s impossible to make a blanket statement as to all the “Catholic movies” on Youtube or what you might consider a “Catholic movie”, many religious videos are posted there with the permission (either explicit or implicit) of the copyright owner because said owner is more interested in having the viewers watch and learn from a religious presentation than in making money off the copyright.