They say that freedom comes with responsibility, but I don’t see much, if any responsibility shown on TV in the UK, and that horrifies me. As a nation we are buying bigger and bigger TV sets, LED, LCD, OLED Curved screen, 4K, Widescreen, and Cinema with surround sound, so please don’t try to tell me we are watching less media now beamed into our homes and lives.
I constantly hear the words, TV content is rubbish, and the truth is I have said it too. Do you think TV programs reflect our society, or promote life as we (would like to) see it around us? After a hard day, and our evening meal, we like to plop ourselves into our favourite chair and be entertained, filling our heads with anything and everything that is shown for our viewing pleasure. And there are many channels to choose from, so we are drawn into the bright, coloured, strobing lights of the small but getting ever bigger screen.
Think about it for a moment if you can pull yourself away from your program. We are being openly fed just about everything that’s wrong with society, and we accept it as escapism entertainment. So we end up tacitly condoning dramatic and graphic displays of rage, shouting, swearing, partner swapping, sex scenes, adultery, homosexuality etc, and many of these before the so called 9 O’Clock watershed. Do you really believe that censorship (if applied at all) is working to our advantage?
We are feeding our children a diet of TV programming which promotes as acceptable, every lifestyle which is contrary to normal moral decency, and that is without mentioning any Biblical or religious overtone. Is it enough to turn the channel when the scene has already been shown? Is it enough to switch it off, only to turn it back on later when the kids are in bed? Some people might go as far as to call that hypocrisy. Ouch. The rule is simple. If you can’t watch the TV program or movie with the kids, then don’t watch it at all.
The aim is to provide a stimulating mix of personal opinions (from a mainstream Christian worldview), and associated comments, which will be accepted and published if they comply with the usual courtesy and decency.
Showing posts with label movie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label movie. Show all posts
Friday, 5 October 2018
Wednesday, 26 September 2018
Ostrich
“May contain adult themes, hard drugs, (frequent) strong language, strong violence and strong sex references, and nudity without graphic detail. Sexual activity may be portrayed but without any strong detail. Sexual violence may be shown if discreet and justified by context. Use of very strong language may be permitted based on frequency and how they are used, as well as contextual justification.” - Movie Cert 15 Rating
Recently I came across a movie to be shown in a church, under the supervision of the same church that organised it. The reason given for screening it was the theme which was one of human redemption, but not God’s plan of redemption. The church in question emphasised that it would ensure the age restriction (15+) was strictly monitored and enforced. That alone made me sit up and take notice.
I have a bigger question. Why is it being shown in church at all? It’s one thing for an individual deciding to watch any movie in a theatre, but when a church sponsors it, is that not different given the wide spread of scenes it may show under that ‘15+’ rating? When a movie is given a rating by the British Board of Film Censors, it is cleared for any and all of the subject matter under that approved rating (see above). I ask again. Why screen it in a place of worship? Did someone have to sit through the movie to make sure none of the ‘really bad stuff’ was included? If so, it begs other questions like, what is the ‘really bad stuff’, who is best placed to decide, and if that is done for a ‘15+’ rating, would it be considered for any other rating? So, where does it end, and who makes the final decision?
I don’t hear anyone saying that movies are getting more moral and ethical as the years pass. In fact adult themes of graphic violence, strong language and nudity will almost certainly play some part in most, if not all ‘15+’ rated films. After all, that’s what sells. For the record, I believe if a church is going to show a movie, it must be suitable and appropriate for all ages, from the youngest child to the oldest senior citizen in the room. Simply put, if it can’t be shown to a child, don’t screen it! You may think I am hiding my head in the sand like the proverbial Ostrich, but I suggest there is a loss of reverence and respect for a place of worship when we support and condone any movie of this rating. What do we want to be known as? A movie theatre, or a church?
“You are overreacting” I hear you say. “This wouldn’t happen in my church” you stress. Really? Are you sure about that?
Recently I came across a movie to be shown in a church, under the supervision of the same church that organised it. The reason given for screening it was the theme which was one of human redemption, but not God’s plan of redemption. The church in question emphasised that it would ensure the age restriction (15+) was strictly monitored and enforced. That alone made me sit up and take notice.
I have a bigger question. Why is it being shown in church at all? It’s one thing for an individual deciding to watch any movie in a theatre, but when a church sponsors it, is that not different given the wide spread of scenes it may show under that ‘15+’ rating? When a movie is given a rating by the British Board of Film Censors, it is cleared for any and all of the subject matter under that approved rating (see above). I ask again. Why screen it in a place of worship? Did someone have to sit through the movie to make sure none of the ‘really bad stuff’ was included? If so, it begs other questions like, what is the ‘really bad stuff’, who is best placed to decide, and if that is done for a ‘15+’ rating, would it be considered for any other rating? So, where does it end, and who makes the final decision?
I don’t hear anyone saying that movies are getting more moral and ethical as the years pass. In fact adult themes of graphic violence, strong language and nudity will almost certainly play some part in most, if not all ‘15+’ rated films. After all, that’s what sells. For the record, I believe if a church is going to show a movie, it must be suitable and appropriate for all ages, from the youngest child to the oldest senior citizen in the room. Simply put, if it can’t be shown to a child, don’t screen it! You may think I am hiding my head in the sand like the proverbial Ostrich, but I suggest there is a loss of reverence and respect for a place of worship when we support and condone any movie of this rating. What do we want to be known as? A movie theatre, or a church?
“You are overreacting” I hear you say. “This wouldn’t happen in my church” you stress. Really? Are you sure about that?
Saturday, 28 July 2018
Shame
It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. Ephesians 5:12
This world is full of double minded people who say one thing but do the opposite. I know Christians get that thrown at them all the time, but those who do not claim that particular ‘high ground’ are much worse and probably even bigger hypocrites.
There are two very different worldviews being shown and presented on our media, especially the TV and movie industries. In one instance, our eyes and ears are filled with stories of the sordid lives of the rich celebrities who have an openly hedonistic lifestyle, where practically nothing is off limit. We watch as their lives are exposed to the scrutiny of the camera wielding movie maker, and tut as we shake our head. That’s a terrible way to live, we mutter under our breath, but it doesn’t stop us from checking out what they are up to in their next movie or TV soap. At the other end of the scale, in the real world we have reports of sexual abuses against the most vulnerable in society, even some who are under age. Once again, we tut and shake our head while continuing to watch and follow the very things that we claim horrify us.
While these reports are normal viewing, and we feign our horror, we are happy to watch the ongoing soaps and movies of ungodly lives who represent a lifestyle we appear to secretly like enough to follow. We like the action we say.
The other worldview is of openly Godly and wholesome living. We call these programs and movies ‘soppy’ or only for the soft headed women. However, they usually carry a strong moral message, or a clear portrayal of good values that triumph over bad. Why then do we avoid owning up to preferring this worldview? If we profess to be a Christian we don’t need to worry about what the ungodly are doing in secret. Or are we afraid that our worldly pals will think we are going soft?
This world is full of double minded people who say one thing but do the opposite. I know Christians get that thrown at them all the time, but those who do not claim that particular ‘high ground’ are much worse and probably even bigger hypocrites.
There are two very different worldviews being shown and presented on our media, especially the TV and movie industries. In one instance, our eyes and ears are filled with stories of the sordid lives of the rich celebrities who have an openly hedonistic lifestyle, where practically nothing is off limit. We watch as their lives are exposed to the scrutiny of the camera wielding movie maker, and tut as we shake our head. That’s a terrible way to live, we mutter under our breath, but it doesn’t stop us from checking out what they are up to in their next movie or TV soap. At the other end of the scale, in the real world we have reports of sexual abuses against the most vulnerable in society, even some who are under age. Once again, we tut and shake our head while continuing to watch and follow the very things that we claim horrify us.
While these reports are normal viewing, and we feign our horror, we are happy to watch the ongoing soaps and movies of ungodly lives who represent a lifestyle we appear to secretly like enough to follow. We like the action we say.
The other worldview is of openly Godly and wholesome living. We call these programs and movies ‘soppy’ or only for the soft headed women. However, they usually carry a strong moral message, or a clear portrayal of good values that triumph over bad. Why then do we avoid owning up to preferring this worldview? If we profess to be a Christian we don’t need to worry about what the ungodly are doing in secret. Or are we afraid that our worldly pals will think we are going soft?
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