Why do some Christians get offended at the movies?

Question

I noticed on the christiananswers.net movie reviews, that alot of Christian movie goers were offended and some even walk out of the theater. Why would you go and see a movie with an R rating and then expect wholesome content? My husband's Christian friend rented the 40 year old Virgin and wondered why he was so offended. I know not all Christians are prudish, but I wonder why some of you even bother going to the movies if you're so easily offended. And then you get angry because Hollywood does not cater to your standard of wholesomeness. Hollywood isn't obligated to do that, nor should they be. If we secular people pose such an offense to you with our "wordly" views, then why don't Christians make their own G rated movies?

Answer 1

If I go watch a movie it is up to me to decide whether it is an "R" rated or not. I don't go in without researching what I am going to watch so I have no right to complain if it is objectionable. The same holds true for anyone who might be offended by a christian movie such as "Left Behind". If you don't take responsibility for what you watch then "Boo" to you.

Answer 2

Christians also made a videogame; based on the Tim LaHaye (and partner) books, "Left Behind".



... even some Christians found that game offensive.



Beyond that, EVERYBODY gets a little buzz out of getting offended. Lots of people, regardless of religion, are the kind who like to have something to complain about. Remember, they're also fighting against the "War On Christmas", even though (according to an Adherents.org 2005 survey) they're the majority religion on the planet (33%).

Answer 3

Americans love to pretend to be offended by things; the Christians have turned indignation into an art form. They've been railing about Hollywood since the 1920s, when the Catholics came up with the "League of Decency" (there's an ironic moniker for you).



You make a good point: If they hate Hollywood movies so much, they should be taking all those billions of dollars in church contributions and making their own movies. But then they wouldn't have anything to complain about... except that their movies are relentlessly boring. How many versions of "Black Beauty" or the life of Jesus can you stand?



And for the record: Some say "Passion of the Christ" is OK because it shows an "accurate depiction of the crucifixion." Well, I am not easily grossed out, but that was the most manipulative and gratuitously violent piece of trash I've seen in years. I certainly wouldn't let children see it, and most of the adults I know were sickened by it. Mel Gibson managed to accomplish one thing, though: He stirred up Christian guilt, which was his purpose in the first place. Needless to say, I found that movie offensive, but I wouldn't dream of trying to keep others from seeing it. This is what religionists don't get: If you don't like something, avoid it, keeping in mind your not liking it is not permission to keep others from seeing it.

Answer 4

I find it strange that people want more wholesome content and swear that nice movies would be watched by the supposedly millions of people who do not want adult content, but then when nice movies come out, those movies pan so badly that movie-makers won't make them very often. No, the money makers are violent, sensual if not sexual, include cursing, etc. So, yeah, movies are not nice unless they are rated G.

Some people attend R or PG movies on purpose in order to walk out so that they can protest and make a stink on their blog.

What was hilarious was that I worked with a man who was in a men's bible study that was all about how evil the world was - so they spent the entire meeting talking about sexual depravity and what exactly was the offensive content in music videos and CDs, movies, etc. He would get very excited about "the evilness of the world"....and it made us all uncomfortable because even the Agnostics and Atheists considered this pretty lurid subject matterfor a men's bible study! He knew obscene references in music where we had not even noticed it - pretty perverted. LOL

Answer 5

That's a great question!

And unfortunately I don't have an answer because I also do not understand it.



I also love when christians will make a big deal about a movie coming into theaters. (Da Vinci Code, Golden Compass)

The only good that does is make people more curious about the content and make them want to go even more. ha ha

Answer 6

some christians are offended when they see movies. i, personally am christian, but dont get offended easily. i no some christians even got offended at like twilight, b/c it had vampires etc.



but usually, christians only get offended if its directly against the church. example- the da vinci code- it was totally anti-christian and anti-church. i am not saying that hollywood is obligated to cater to christian standards. a person makes a decision to see a movie, and watch it through. personally, i am catholic and LOVED the da vinci code. but i no it was fiction. lol.



its true that many christians get offended. they have the right to be offended. but hollywood also has the right to make the movies.

Answer 7

Your right in a lot of respects. I was tired of the entertainment they gave me so I don't go to the movies anymore. But, I don't get personally offended. I get tired of seeing Hollywood teach things to people that are harmful to them and their families. I will not go into details of how that is unless you ask in another question. I don't believe Hollywood is obligated to me or me to them. But, they are the ones in control of move distribution. What plays in the theaters and what doesn't. And they have let some Christian movies play in theaters lately.

Answer 8

I must say that I was disappointed in HANCOCK - It was a good movie, but because of the cussing I wouldn't let my little ones watch it- and the movie did not have to have cussing in it- I think that it is too bad that they have to have so much cussing or nudity in a movie, it gets boring after awhile,I mean we all can cuss, some of us choose not too- I guess I will have to wait for it to come on tv like a lot of movies before I let my kids watch- christian or not-

Answer 9

LOL they can leave or change the channel.

yes this is always a good thing.



anyone can read about a movie online and find out what it is about.

so there just not doing the work to make sure they see something that is acceptable to them.



it drives me Nuts to see so many movies that are made to lower ones I.Q.



sorry when i go to see a mystery movie i would like to have to think about who did it yet normally i know who did in the 1st few minuets.

Answer 10

Then what you are saying is because you are secular you can have the most violent and dirtiest movies made from hollywood and no one else should complain about it?





I think its appalling that people think its OK to have that filth and violence not only in theaters but also on TV and then take their kids to see it , and we should not say anything?



It shows how bad the world is.



The romans in the coliseum demanded more and more blood be shed for their entertainment. So they started people killing each other not just killing animals.



How barbaric does a society have to get before we say enough is enough?

Answer 11

Christians are making movies like "Fireproof".



You're right that there's no reason to be surprised at the movies these days. There are sources of information on the Internet so that you can tell why each movie got its rating.

Answer 12

I am anti Hollywood, so I really don't go to movies.



I think some Christians go to see a movies with "animals" in it thinking it is a kids show, when in reality, it's not



The NAU writers Union has loads of pro communist writers that slant towards commie athiest themes in movies, t.v., scripts for comedians, even cartoons.

Answer 13

The same reason anyone sometimes gets offended by movies. But you name calling insinuates you are offended by their offense.

Answer 14

We are making more movies- thanx for asking.



And yes, if a Christian is easily offended by what is bound to take place in a movie,they should abstain from seeing it.

Answer 15

Why do atheists celebrate christmas but get offended if someone calls it christmas instead of the winter holidays. Seems both sides enjoy being offended over nonissues.

Answer 16

We have;



Facing the Giants, Flywheel, Fire Proof, the Passion for Christ, Left Behind, Hidden Secrets, the Hiding Place, Chariots of Fire, and many many more.

Answer 17

My absolute FAVORITE is when Christian parents took their kids to see movie Step Brothers because it was advertised as a "fun family movie".



hahahahha

Answer 18

Being offended and "persecuted" makes them feel like better Christians.

Answer 19

I'm christian and laugh when that kind of stuff happens because they CLEARLY don't know what the bible teaches i.e. Not to be so offended at things.

Answer 20

well i walked out on a comedy b/c it was very racist and i don't think that stuff is funny. and i would walk out on a movie if it picked out a certain group of people and made fun of them, like if it made fun of Christians it would upset me just like it would if a person made fun of me to my face. I would also walk out if it made fun of atheists. just like i'd stick up for someone who was being picked on. and not only Christians walk out on movies. i think your question refers more along the lines of a person's personality, not their religion.

Answer 21

I love Monty Python... Although I do think the "Meaning of Life" is better than "Life of Brian"... "I'm a protestant. That means I can put anything I want on my John Thomas"

Answer 22

"Why would you go and see a movie with an R rating and then expect wholesome content?" Eh, why would you go to a movie with an R rating and expect wholesome content?



HTH



Charles

Answer 23

Its nice to see that your acknowledge that Christians are wholesome. I wonder why that is offensive to you? I don't go to movies that I think would be a waste of my time and money. If you want to look at trash that is your business. What you call prudish I call good taste.

Answer 24

hahaha this actually made me laugh and im a christian

Answer 25

Religious nuts are always looking for ways to be offended by something.