Weird, but just curious

[msclaratin]

I know this is kind of a weird question, but just bear with me.
Say I’m an actor and the director wants me to take the Lord’s name in vain. Would it be considered a sin if I do it for the sake of the movie?

 

[Tim_D]

Personally, I don’t think so; you are an actor playing a part.

Having said that, however, I really do have an aversion to that type of stuff. The english language has over 200,000 words…can’t we find something else?

 

[captainrick]

No, not in my opinion.

Actors are doing and saying far worse things every day.

 

[CB_Catholic]

IMO, I don’t see where He made movies the exception. Why would a Christian want to make a movie where the Lord’s name is taken in vain?

 

[Tim_D]

IMO, I don’t see where He made movies the exception. Why would a Christian want to make a movie where the Lord’s name is taken in vain?

What if it is a morality play and it is necessary to show the fault in someone? Sometimes realism is necessary.

 

[GEddie]

What if it is a morality play and it is necessary to show the fault in someone? Sometimes realism is necessary.

Human beings use bad language, and characters need to sound human.

ICXC NIKA

 

[Belshazzar]

Taking the Lord’s Name in vain is always grave matter.
There is Power in the Name of the Lord, and to utter the name of God as a curse is in effect taking what is Holy and glorifying Satan with it. I don’t think the circumstances would matter, even if you are just acting.

Instead, just say, “Rats!” or “Phooey!” or some such euphemism.

 

[ProVobis]

Personally, I don’t think so; you are an actor playing a part.

Having said that, however, I really do have an aversion to that type of stuff. The english language has over 200,000 words…can’t we find something else?

We can try another language (which may not be so vulgar) for better effect. For example, Et tu Brute. Just sayin…

Of course that depends on the writer.

 

[Tim_D]

We can try another language (which may not be so vulgar) for better effect. For example, Et tu Brute. Just sayin…

Of course that depends on the writer.

I somehow doubt that "Et tu Brute" would really work in a brutal scene involving some tough New York City wise guys putting the hit on some rival gang…of course, it would work better than “rats!!!” or “phooey!”

 

[TimothyH]

The second commandment is clear.

You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. (Deuteronomy 5:11)

Doing it in a play or on TV or on the radio is worse because it teaches others that its okay to do so.

What if the director said to have premarital sex on stage with someone? Just because it is in a play doesn’t make it right. A Jew in Jesus time would have been sentenced to death for even speaking God’s name. Do we not remember that the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus is Jan 3?

God’s name should always be spoken in a reverent and respectful manner. The name of God isn’t for our entertainment.

-Tim-

 

[Tim_D]

I don’t think the circumstances would matter, even if you are just acting.

Well, then that would mean A Streetcar Named Desire (immoral situations) is out…and Hamlet (can’t have murder) is out…Gone With The Wind (language) is out…etc., etc.,

 

[Tim_D]

The second commandment is clear.

You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. (Deuteronomy 5:11)

Doing it in a play or on TV or on the radio is worse because it teaches others that its okay to do so.

What if the director said to have premarital sex on stage with someone? Just because it is in a play doesn’t make it right. A Jew in Jesus time would have been sentenced to death for even speaking God’s name. Do we not remember that the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus is Jan 3?

God’s name should always be spoken in a reverent and respectful manner. The name of God isn’t for our entertainment.

Well, that leaves out The Passion of the Christ.

What if the director said to have premarital sex on stage with someone

You have GOT to be kidding. I don’t think anyone here is suggesting that it would morally acceptable to make a porn movie as long as you are acting a part.

 

[ProVobis]

I somehow doubt that "Et tu Brute" would really work in a brutal scene involving some tough New York City wise guys putting the hit on some rival gang…of course, it would work better than “rats!!!” or “phooey!”

What about “Gosh darn” or “Jeez”?

 

[captainrick]

Taking the Lord’s Name in vain is always grave matter.
There is Power in the Name of the Lord, and to utter the name of God as a curse is in effect taking what is Holy and glorifying Satan with it. I don’t think the circumstances would matter, even if you are just acting.

Instead, just say, “Rats!” or “Phooey!” or some such euphemism.

Actors are not taking anything in vain. They are acting. Movies and plays are for entertainment, and often teach valuable lessons.

If I watch a movie where some hyper-scrupulous writer has the tough gang leader or hardened CIA agent say “OH PHOOEY” or “You just shot my kneecap off! RATS!” I will cease watching.

There is such a thing as real life. The best movies portray that, not some sanitized unrealistic version. Of course if the mere utterance of mild “bad” language is so upsetting, one may opt to not watch.

 

[Elizium23]

What about “Gosh darn” or “Jeez”?

Minced oaths are just as bad as the profanity/blasphemy they purport to replace.

Christians should not be uttering profanity in any context. If a dramatic work needs to sink to the low of peppering dialogue with profanity then it is not worth viewing, much less acting in.

Shakespearean works depicting murder and the like are fundamentally different, because the actors do not actually commit the sins they depict. Whereas an actor depicting profanity actually has to utter the words without simulation, and therein lies the sinfulness of it.

 

[GEddie]

Minced oaths are just as bad as the profanity/blasphemy they purport to replace.

Christians should not be uttering profanity in any context. If a dramatic work needs to sink to the low of peppering dialogue with profanity then it is not worth viewing, much less acting in.

Shakespearean works depicting murder and the like are fundamentally different, because the actors do not actually commit the sins they depict. Whereas an actor depicting profanity actually has to utter the words without simulation, and therein lies the sinfulness of it.

It is not a matter of sinking to any level, but of properly depicting human life. Drama needs to simulate situations of cruelty, venality, craving and despair, as well as our more lofty mindframes. And characters who talk like CCD teachers just won’t cut it.

ICXC NIKA

 

[Elizium23]

It is not a matter of sinking to any level, but of properly depicting human life. Drama needs to simulate situations of cruelty, venality, craving and despair, as well as our more lofty mindframes. And characters who talk like CCD teachers just won’t cut it.

ICXC NIKA

Find a way to do it without forcing the actors to commit sins.

 

[captainrick]

The past couple of years on CAF have been a real education in Catholicism (I was baptized Catholic). I’ve encountered many fine people here.

But there are so many who struggle with scrupulosity. The strangest things send these good people into bouts of self loathing and guilt. See a “devil” on a video game? SIN! Look at a naked mannequin? SIN! An actor in a movie says “God” in a questionable manner? GRAVE MATTER!

What is it about our religion that leads to this for so many?

Lots of well-meaning folks who really, really believe that TV programs and movies should never contain actors saying “damn” or “Oh my God!” What can they watch?

How do people enjoy life while spending their precious time on earth avoiding horrid sinners who say such vile things? Or constantly beating themselves up for the multitude of sins they’re afraid they may have committed?

Each to his own. Personally I just cannot imagine that God takes time away from running the wonderful universe He created to prepare to punish people who use inappropriate language in a movie by shipping them off to hell for eternity - unless they go to confession, of course.

I see God as loving us, and all of His Creation.

One God, eternal, who wants us also to love all of his creation.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

I know this is kind of a weird question, but just bear with me.
Say I’m an actor and the director wants me to take the Lord’s name in vain. Would it be considered a sin if I do it for the sake of the movie?

Yes. You’re still taking the Lord’s name in vain. It’s a sin that can’t be simulated.

 

[GEddie]

Find a way to do it without forcing the actors to commit sins.

IOW, unless they sound like CCD teachers, they are sinning; sorry but IDBS.

ICXC NIKA.