blasphemy in entertainment

[cplsamcorion]

What are your thoughts on the subject? I am pretty strict on it; if God or Jesus' name is taken in vain in a video game, a song, a book (only exception is if a reading assignment is given in one of my classes), or a movie I will have no part in it. Recently I decided I would not be seeing "The Dark Knight" because of this issue. It is proving exceedingly difficult for me to do so (I would really like to see the film) but I think that seeing a film knowing that this type of language is present (regardless of who is saying it) is as disrespectful to God as if you have said it yourself.

I feel that by going anyway with the decision to "just ignore it" is a compromise of my relationship with God. Deciding to go anyway is treating the blasphemy in a trivial manner and by willingly sitting and listening to God and His Son be disrespected you are in essence saying that you don't really care all that much. You might not be blaspheming God yourself, but by going to a film that does so without caring you are supporting the pain and sadness that God feels when those kind of things are said.

 

[cplsamcorion]

If I have headphones in, I am the only one going to be hearing the music. That being the case, if anyone said anything to me about it I would ignore them and continue what I was doing. What I do in an auditorium is nobody else's business, as long as I am not being loud, shining light everywhere or throwing popcorn on them. Frankly it is my right to not want to hear that type of language, if you don't find it offensive then that is your deal. This is a discussion about people's thought on language in movies, not a discussion about me not seeing "The Dark Knight". Quit turning it into that.

 

[Writings]

I saw The Dark Knight...where in the entire film does someone blaspheme Jesus?!

And by the way, I agree that we have all become too desensitized to the now regular use of Jesus' and God's name(s) in vain ways...but that is not going to stop me from seeing a movie, etc.

Anyway, WHERE in that movie does someone slur Jesus? There were a few "Oh My G**s" of course, but I never heard a "God-d**n" or "Jesus!" or anything like that...and if you haven't even bothered seeing the phenomenal film, how do you know they use such language?!

 

[cplsamcorion]

imdb.com's parental advisory section says that they do it as least 3 or 4 times, as well as 4-5 times for God. Also, pluggedinonline.com says the same thing. Just go to "The Dark Knight" review on pluggedinonline.com and scroll down to the language or profanity section. For imdb.com there is a parental advisory section on the film's page that shows violence, disturbing things, sexual content and language. I really hate not being able to see the film, but if I know that language is in it I can't go in good conscience, knowing I would hear that. It is the same with "Batman Begins", there are three instances of blasphemy in the film, but when I watched in theatres I didn't notice it at all. When I watched it on DVD (although now I am not as desensitized to hearing it as I was then) I noticed and remembered where they were. I can easily mute the words when watching it now.

 

[soblessed53]

imdb.com's parental advisory section says that they do it as least 3 or 4 times, as well as 4-5 times for God. Also, pluggedinonline.com says the same thing. Just go to "The Dark Knight" review on pluggedinonline.com and scroll down to the language or profanity section. For imdb.com there is a parental advisory section on the film's page that shows violence, disturbing things, sexual content and language. I really hate not being able to see the film, but if I know that language is in it I can't go in good conscience, knowing I would hear that. It is the same with "Batman Begins", there are three instances of blasphemy in the film, but when I watched in theatres I didn't notice it at all. When I watched it on DVD (although now I am not as desensitized to hearing it as I was then) I noticed and remembered where they were. I can easily mute the words when watching it now.

I always review a movie that I am planning to see,for just such info. I agree with you 100%!

Sometimes,I pick up a DVD from the shelves at my library that I haven't heard of,so I read the tiny print by the rating(I very seldom an get R-rated one) to see what rating it has and why,but occasionally I still get taken by surprise and as soon as I hear such an incident,I turn it off and take the DVD/VHS out.I refuse to watch such a film.

I had not yet become aware of this fact about Dark Knight, so thanks for the heads-up,I won't be watching it.
Rev 3:1 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

 

[cplsamcorion]

Here are my thoughts on violence, sex and language in films:

Violence in most films is acted out. There is no real life murder in them (I hope not at least). Nowhere in Scripture does it say "don't act out violence or murder for this is abominable to the Lord". Is the violence desired in the heart and acted out because of that, or is it simply fake violence with no ill intentions for the point of the film (developing the character and/or setting the mood? I wouldn't think acting out violence (that comes from no ill intentions) is sinful. It isn't like they were actually angry with the person when they were acting of they actually murdered someone to get the point across in the film. If the violence has a "reasonable" place in the film, to show the evil character of the Joker for instance, then it isn't necessarily bad (although it is shown in the film to get the point across that you shouldn't admire the character because of it).

As far as sex goes, if you think it with your heart then it is wrong, unless you are married to that person. As far as acting a sex scene, the only possible way, if there was one, would be how the scene is shot and pieced together. If the sex were physically done, or the actors lusted in their heart while acting it then it would be committing the act. Committing adultery for the sake of getting a point across in a film would be just as wrong as killing someone for the sake of a film.

As far as blasphemy goes, the Lord's name is not to be taken in vain. It doesn't matter if it is written or spoken, if His name is not used in a reverent manner it is blasphemy. The command is not "Do not take the Lord's name in vain, unless you are producing film noir and doing so adds to the character or situation", it is "Do not take the Lord's name in vain". Using the Lord's name in vain to produce a certain mood/feeling, or add more substance to a character doesn't make it not be in vain. Sure, it is being used to convey an emotion or add substance to a character, but that isn't being reverent to God, that is using trivializing His name in such a way as to use it as a story-telling device in some art. That is how I see it anyway. In my opinion, plenty of other phrases can be said/things can be done without committing a REAL sinful act, i.e. blasphemy.

I will be watching the film when it comes out on DVD using a ClearPlay DVD player. That way it can edit out the blasphemy that I think is unjustifiable in ANY circumstance.

 

[soblessed53]

Wow,I wasn't even aware there is such a product! I will be checking into this more. Thanks!

 

[SiderealExalt]

imdb.com's parental advisory section says that they do it as least 3 or 4 times, as well as 4-5 times for God. Also, pluggedinonline.com says the same thing. Just go to "The Dark Knight" review on pluggedinonline.com and scroll down to the language or profanity section. For imdb.com there is a parental advisory section on the film's page that shows violence, disturbing things, sexual content and language. I really hate not being able to see the film, but if I know that language is in it I can't go in good conscience, knowing I would hear that. It is the same with "Batman Begins", there are three instances of blasphemy in the film, but when I watched in theatres I didn't notice it at all. When I watched it on DVD (although now I am not as desensitized to hearing it as I was then) I noticed and remembered where they were. I can easily mute the words when watching it now.

I respect the right to avoid watching a movie based on those sort of personal beliefs. I do have to say though that seems like a really odd reason. From a film making point of view however, you're just not going to see something like that taken out however. Take the Dark Knight for instance. It's influenced by some of the biggest highlights of the batman comics over the years. Including the Long Halloween(if I remember the name correctly), The Killing Joke, and The Dark Knight Returns. So it takes from some of the darker aspects of the batman comics. I'm far more concerned with the acting, shot selection, pacing, cinematography, costuming, and other aspects of the film process when I watch a film than the flippancy of dirty words. In that regards. Ledgers performance not only captured what the Joker really is better than anyone. He also pretty much set the bar on being a bad guy in a film to a new level. Those things concern me.

That said, I am glad we have the choice to view or not view what we wish. Reminding ourselves that we have control..the change the radio, to change the channel, and the tools and responsibility to monitor our children's viewing and listening is a great and important thing.

And finally, as someone who has seen real life violence.....not even modern film holds a candle to reality. And I doubt it ever will.

 

[cplsamcorion]

I have fortunately never had to witness real violence. I would take your word on it that real violence makes movies look like nothing in comparison. As far as directors choosing what they want to have the actors say in films, of course that will not change. Unless they have personal beliefs in which that type of language is wrong, they will most certainly use that type of language as it is a way of showing emotion/s in a way differently than other words often do.

As far as the language goes, I would like for you to understand why I think that way. If someone shares similar beliefs that I do (including personal convictions on the matter), and we "know" that that type of language (blasphemy, not necessarily other words) is directly demeaning to the God we believe in, then it is certainly possible that our viewing experience will be less than optimal due to hearing the God we believe in be subjected to degradation. As far as violence goes (take the Dark Knight for example), it is being acted, it isn't like having people actually being killed on-screen to get the point across (this is how I view it). The violence is acted to portray emotion, mood, develop character and give a sense of danger/hopelessness in most cases. Violence for the sake of violence (or to be "cool") I tend to shy away from. Anyway, nice to see someone who doesn't attack me for it. On another site I had a similar thread (these people are supposedly Christian) and maybe they didn't, but it seemed like they talked to me like I was crazy and said that I was a fool for not seeing such a good movie.

 

[soblessed53]

I don't believe that any 'spirit-filled' Christian can even bear to hear our Lord's name taken in vain! It pierces the heart.

Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them].

 

[cplsamcorion]

I share the same opinion. Of course, couldn't you make the argument that violence (ex: seeing on-screen murder although acted), illegitimate sex, etc. would produce the same effect? All of those are just as offensive to Him as taking His name in vain as there are no varying levels of sin. However, I see the violence as being acted and as a way to portray emotion, mood, character substance, etc. With blasphemy it is direct and it cannot be acted. If they had filmed "The Dark Knight" and they had decided that to show the evil nature of the Joker they needed to physically kill people then I would not approve of that either.

I have heard many people talking about the film as something that should be viewed as a whole or as film noir instead of being "nitpicked" because of some words or violent scenes, but I disagree. While the film may portray some ideals of good and bad, and be a thought-provoking and morally complex tale, I don't think using the Lord's name in vain is appropriate or necessary. It isn't like the characters in the film are being reverent to God or Jesus when they say those phrases. They are using them as ways to express shock (in some cases) or in other cases they are simply using them to use them (you could argue that these uses are from the criminals in the film, but whatever). If they were using them to praise God or Jesus for something that happened, or if they were using them to call out to God and ask Him why such a thing happened then they wouldn't be in vain. You may not be saying it when you watch the film, but you are hearing other people degrade His name, and if you are watching the film to be entertained, then what does that say you care about God's name?

Wouldn't saying "Holy [insert any number of four letter word here]" be the same as blasphemy? Aren't you attributing the attributes of God to something that is not holy? Is mentioning "hell" in conjunction with another word (except for "holy") blasphemy? My opinion on these matters is that "holy ----" (any of a few 4 letter words) or any phrase that uses God or Jesus and does not call out to Him in reverence or is questioning the evil of a situation is blasphemy. Speaking against anything that upholds Christ (making fun of Christians for instance) would probably be considered blasphemy as well. I don't think that saying "hell" is blasphemy (unless you call it "holy"), but that doesn't mean that it isn't a very real and bad place. For me, I don't care if other people say it and it doesn't bother me a lot to hear it, but I don't use the term lightly myself (again because it is a very real and bad place).

 

[soblessed53]

I share the same opinion. Of course, couldn't you make the argument that violence (ex: seeing on-screen murder although acted), illegitimate sex, etc. would produce the same effect? All of those are just as offensive to Him as taking His name in vain as there are no varying levels of sin. However, I see the violence as being acted and as a way to portray emotion, mood, character substance, etc. With blasphemy it is direct and it cannot be acted. If they had filmed "The Dark Knight" and they had decided that to show the evil nature of the Joker they needed to physically kill people then I would not approve of that either.

I have heard many people talking about the film as something that should be viewed as a whole or as film noir instead of being "nitpicked" because of some words or violent scenes, but I disagree. While the film may portray some ideals of good and bad, and be a thought-provoking and morally complex tale, I don't think using the Lord's name in vain is appropriate or necessary. It isn't like the characters in the film are being reverent to God or Jesus when they say those phrases. They are using them as ways to express shock (in some cases) or in other cases they are simply using them to use them (you could argue that these uses are from the criminals in the film, but whatever). If they were using them to praise God or Jesus for something that happened, or if they were using them to call out to God and ask Him why such a thing happened then they wouldn't be in vain. You may not be saying it when you watch the film, but you are hearing other people degrade His name, and if you are watching the film to be entertained, then what does that say you care about God's name?

Wouldn't saying "Holy [insert any number of four letter word here]" be the same as blasphemy? Aren't you attributing the attributes of God to something that is not holy? Is mentioning "hell" in conjunction with another word (except for "holy") blasphemy? My opinion on these matters is that "holy ----" (any of a few 4 letter words) or any phrase that uses God or Jesus and does not call out to Him in reverence or is questioning the evil of a situation is blasphemy. Speaking against anything that upholds Christ (making fun of Christians for instance) would probably be considered blasphemy as well. I don't think that saying "hell" is blasphemy (unless you call it "holy"), but that doesn't mean that it isn't a very real and bad place. For me, I don't care if other people say it and it doesn't bother me a lot to hear it, but I don't use the term lightly myself (again because it is a very real and bad place).

I don't like or watch those things either,but nothing pierces the heart like hearing someone say the Lord's name in vain.

Sex,is another that I believe is easy to say we know it is wrong to have it on screen in films because we are not supposed to look on the nakedness of others,except our spouse,and our young children we must care for.Plus,common sense tells us sex is supposed to be a private matter between husband and wife,not a spectator activity!

The violence is the hardest for me,because I admit that I love the old war movies,and films like LOTR,and Chronicles Of Narnia .And even they have intense battle scenes.

 

[JudyB1169]

I also review movies if I plan to watch them. Almost never in the theatre anymore. I watch on television when they are out on DVD. My tolerance for most things secular is pretty low these days, which is why I virtually never see a movie in the theatres. All in all, I have to say that I am careful.

 

[pdudgeon]

I also review movies if I plan to watch them. Almost never in the theatre anymore. I watch on television when they are out on DVD. My tolerance for most things secular is pretty low these days, which is why I virtually never see a movie in the theatres. All in all, I have to say that I am careful.

same here. by the time it get's out to DVD i have a lot better idea of what's in the movie than when it first comes out.

have to say that now i'm a lot more careful what i see and hear than i used to be. not because things in movies are worse than they used to be, but because I realized that it is harder to deliberately turn away from something i shouldn't be seeing than it is to not watch in the first place.
I'd rather make an informed voluntary decision than be led into seeing or hearing something that embarasses or offends me.

every technical cinematic quality,animation, lighting, sound, costume, location, or screen play can be seen in both good and bad movies. so it's not like we are missing out on something good if we choose not to watch a movie that is bad for us.

 

[bigsierra]

I check out content when when I'm going to be watching a movie with my kids. There are quite a few good sites for finding that info out.
But no movie could ever has as many "Oh My G*" as one those surprise home make over shows on HGTV. These people can't say anything else... and they repeat it over and over, like they don't have a brain in their heads.

 

[JudyB1169]

May I add, KUDOS to imdb.com for adding their very thorough Parental Advisory feature! I went there when I was debating seeing "Wanted" and found out that there are 44 uses of the F word in that movie! Astounding! James McAvoy is cute, but not THAT cute!

 

[+Zero+]

Everyone who is interested in avoiding blasphemy in movies, google Hollywood and God, and you should stumble upon a webpage with the same name *couldn't post links because my post count isn't 50, which doesn't make much sense*. It's pretty sad really, that even in rated G movies there is still blasphemy amok. The website I've recommended actually lists all the movies in the theaters that contain blasphemy, so you can avoid them easier.

 

[JudyB1169]

Thanks for the info.

 

[SiderealExalt]

But no movie could ever has as many "Oh My G*" as one those surprise home make over shows on HGTV. These people can't say anything else... and they repeat it over and over, like they don't have a brain in their heads.

I have this sneaky suspicious that such utterances are not in a blasphemous manner.

Either way. This is why I am glad I live in the democratic republic we call America. And not in a theocracy. Freedom of artistic expression is good.

 

[JudyB1169]

whether blasphemy and/or vulgarity is "artistic" could be a thread unto itself!