posted
Unlike most Americans like us, some (inc. many internet users), like him, get into film standards and rating system. I know that sometimes ratings and standards don't fit together. So why should we? cAn or must we be a "responsible" parent when things yet exist?
posted
Yeah, it's a puzzler. I actually clicked on the thread hoping to find out exactly what the subject line meant, but after several readings I'm still in the dark.
Posts: 16059 | Registered: Aug 2000
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quote: I know that sometimes ratings and standards don't fit together. So why should we?
I'll take a stab at this. Whether to see R-rated movies is a personal decision in the LDS church. President Hinckley did actually say not to watch them in Priesthood Conference in the last couple of years. And last year he said he wasn't going to see "Chicago".
But the Prophet also encourages us to read our scriptures every day and hold well planned family home evenings. We are also supposed to get out of debt yet have a years supply and have all the wives not working (whether or not there are preschool children in the home, as he elaborated at the last Relief Society Conference). The standard of keeping a garden and canning your own vegetables has never been cancelled. And that's the tip of the iceberg.
None of these things are will keep you from being able to serve in a calling or going to the temple. They are part of a pattern of the ideal LDS life. I don't think there are very many people who do all of them.
But just because we can't do them all doesn't mean we should just bag it and do what we feel like. I think we should each do what we feel we can. As King Benjamin taught, we must not run faster than we have strength.
OSC is not the only movie critic/industry insider who is a member of the church and frequently sees R-rated movies for his job. I'm grateful for those who do write up movies, so I know which PG-13 movies I don't really want to see. Not just because they might be crude, but because they might not be any good.
The standard isn't merely to avoid a certain rating, but to seek out that which is uplifting. Let's face it, there isn't that much uplifting stuff coming out of Hollywood.
Posts: 383 | Registered: Nov 2003
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quote: President Hinckley did actually say not to watch them in Priesthood Conference in the last couple of years.
I am pretty sure that you are mistaken. I'll eat my words if you can find me a quote, though. *hint*
Posts: 16551 | Registered: Feb 2003
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posted
He may be mistaken by who, but not that it was said by a Prophet.
E. Benson said in the May 1986 Ensign:
"We counsel you, young men, not to pollute your minds with such degrading matter, for the mind through which this filth passes is never the same afterwards. Don’t see R-rated movies or vulgar videos or participate in any entertainment that is immoral, suggestive, or pornographic. Don’t listen to music that is degrading."
It is a message that has been repeated, if not specificly referencing R-rating, similar content.
Personally, those who focus and thrive on a precise definition of where to draw the line or to when they've fulfilled a requirement miss the intent completely. The reason R-ratings are discouraged is because of a clearly defined point at which the content is likely to be detrimental to having a good spirit about it. This doesn't exclude other ratings however, and it's ignorant to live by a "any PG-13 is ok for me to see". This isn't the case either.
Of course none of us are perfect and we each have our vice's. Personally, I do watch R-rated shows depending on what they were given the rating for. I can tolerate and feel no adverse affect for certain things like some violence, drug use, etc... However some of the R-rated sexuality and especially language really gets to me.
Posts: 1 | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
Well, I used to take the stance that the ratings system is not a church entity so we aren't accountable to it. But a while back, (last 2 years, I think) my husband said President Hinckley had actually said it. I read all his Priesthood Conference addresses back to May '99 this morning. A rewarding experience, but I didn't find "proof" per se. Though maybe it was included in a talk that he specifically endorsed. There was a lot of "I'd like to echo so and so's remark and add..."
I know a guy who's father is an LDS bishop and went to see "The Passion..." and the guy felt pressure to also go see it. I think that's unfortunate. I mean, we are supposed to decide for ourselves. So going because some patriarchal figure, be it your dad, your bishop, or OSC said to go is just as bad as not going "only" because it is rated R. Either way you are relinquishing your agency. IMHO.
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As far as ratings go... i would have to agree with the limitless wisdom that comes from my friend who is currently on a mission...
Me: So, uh, when you get back are you gonna' watch the Last samurai cuz it rocks.. or are you gonna be all 'returned missionary' and not watch it cuz it's R? Him: Nick, I'll be damned if i let someone else tell me what's good for me. I'll watch it and decide for myself... Me: With the guidance of God... right? Him: Yes, because God is very concerned with my view of post fuedal japan.
Posts: 20 | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
Why does it matter which prophet said it? It was said. I really like OSC's review of Passion. He mentions LDS members that won't see the movie because it is rated R. He goes on to state we need to be living the spirit of the law. That's how we choose. We know inside us, through the holy spirit, what is OK to see and listen to and what isn't.
Posts: 277 | Registered: Apr 2003
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