Why I Don’t Go to Many Movies

A recent poll in my hometown newspaper determined 58% of their readers “almost never” go to the movies. One woman wrote a letter exhorting us to go to more of them. She recommended seeing one in particular called “Eighth Grade.” I wrote a letter in response pointing out that movie is rated R due to its sexual themes and use of four-letter words. Ironically, that prevents actual eighth graders from seeing it unless an adult accompanies them.

I was saddened to learn “Eighth Grade” was released internationally by Walt Disney Studios. Disney used to be synonymous with family-friendly entertainment. While I was growing up, Mom and Dad took my sister and me to many Disney movies. 

I also remember wanting to see “Saturday Night Fever” as an eighth grader in 1978. My parents wouldn’t take me after seeing it for themselves and heard lots of foul language (we later watched an edited version on TV). Now as a God-fearing adult, I refuse to spend my money on movies filled with swear words and condoning immorality. 

One exception happened on a Monday night in January 1998. I felt led to skip an evangelism outing and went for a drive around the Twin Cities area. Suddenly, I kept having thoughts of seeing “Titanic.” At first, I questioned this being direction from God knowing there would be inappropriate scenes in the film. Eventually, I drove to a movie theater. When “Titanic” was over, I walked out to my car and had one of my hardest cries ever! I believe God used the movie to help me release suppressed emotions. Friends of mine who saw it told me they wept because of the many unsaved people that died in the tragedy. My tears were triggered more by the love story in the film. I desired a romantic relationship like the one portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet (except I would wait on making love until our wedding night). 

In recent years, I’ve probably gone to an average of two or three movies per year. As a former employee of Billy Graham’s film ministry World Wide Pictures, I can appreciate good filmmaking. Some of WWP’s releases could’ve been of higher quality (one coworker compared them to the “ABC Afterschool Special”). Other productions were worthy of theater showings. One of the latter is “The Hiding Place” about Corrie Ten Boom’s imprisonment at a Nazi concentration camp. My personal favorite is “The Ride” starring Michael Biehn and Brock Pierce. These films powerfully demonstrate God’s love and the gospel. When I called pastors to find out what happened during film showings at their churches, I often heard praise reports of people getting saved or recommitting their lives to the Lord.

It’s almost laughable how generations ago some ministers preached against movies even through they were much cleaner compared to what’s playing in theaters today. Prior to 1968, Hollywood had higher moral standards due to what was known as the Hays Code. You didn’t see the violence, profanity, and nudity that later became prevalent in many motion pictures. There was even a time when Hollywood avoided “ridicule of the clergy.”

Nowadays, I shun rated R flicks. The last one I watched in a theater was “The Passion of the Christ”, which received its R rating because of the excessive blood shown during the Lord’s beating and crucifixion. Even some PG-13 movies need to be scrutinized. Until a few years ago, movies with that rating were allowed only one F-bomb. Then the Motion Picture Association of America relaxed its ratings code to allow more usage of that offensive word.

The success of faith-based films like “War Room” and “I Can Only Imagine” indicate there’s still an audience for productions extolling Judeo-Christian values this nation was founded upon. Perhaps more Americans would flock to the theaters if Hollywood cleaned up their product. 

There are other reasons why I don’t go to many movies. In my opinion, tickets have become too expensive (not to mention the inflated prices theaters charge for food and drinks). I almost always go to matinee showings or wait and rent the DVD. Another thing that’s turned off many moviegoers is the Academy Awards becoming a platform for bashing the president and promoting ungodly political views. The last ceremony in March was the least-watched show in the Academy’s history.

Oscars are frequently given to motion pictures I consider trash (reminds me of the like-named Grouch on Sesame Street). Those golden trophies don’t mean a thing from an eternal perspective. Everyone should be more concerned with heavenly rewards.

“And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.” - 1 Corinthians 9:25

Answering Blasphemers

Throughout my lifetime (and especially when I was a kid), I've heard numerous wisecracks involving my last name. People have called me “Post Office”, “Post Toasties”, “Post Raisin Bran”, and “Post Nasal Drip.” A few years ago while ending a phone conversation with my mother, I told her I would keep her “posted.” She sarcastically replied, “Don’t take our name in vain.” 

On a more serious note, punishment awaits sinners who break the third commandment. Both Exodus 20:7 and Deuteronomy 5:11 says, “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.” Even though I frequently used profanity before becoming a Christian, I still had a fear of God to where I avoided blaspheming. 

People wouldn't think of using their mother’s name as a swear word. I've yet to hear anyone holler “Buddha” or the name of some other religious figure if they hit their thumb with a hammer, stubbed their toe or got upset about something. Yet many Hollywood actors habitually say the name of Jesus irreverently. Can you imagine the resulting uproar from Muslims if Mohammed’s name was blasphemed on TV or the silver screen? 

A popular acronym used nowadays for online chatting and texting is “omg”, which often stands for “Oh My God” (although some people claim it also stands for “Oh my goodness” or “Oh my gosh”). Do you use this phrase without sincerely calling upon the Lord? Regardless of what you call Him, irreverence to God’s name has serious consequences unless one repents. 

One friend told me when she hears someone utter “g-ddamn”; she fires back, “God’s last name is not damn!” Whenever I hear someone blaspheme, I prefer to respond in a way that gives the offender an opportunity to get right with God. One time when I boarded a train for a trip to North Dakota, a woman sitting next to me blurted out, “Jesus Christ!” I turned to her and said, “Oh...you know the Lord, too?” She gave me a strange look and didn't say much after that. I’m sure it gave her something to think about. Another friend of mine heard a great reply she sometimes uses when hearing Jesus’ name taken in vain: "Yep! That's the one who saved me!" 

Regardless of Satan’s efforts to discredit the Lord’s name, he still has to bow down whenever a Christian speaks the name of Jesus with boldness. One popular worship song features these lyrics… 

One day every tongue will confess you are God 
One day every knee will bow 
Still the greatest treasure remains for those who gladly choose you now 

How do you respond when you hear the Lord’s name? 

 "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” - Philippians 2:10-11

Swearing to God

Last week I glanced through a photo album one of my Facebook friends posted and was surprised to see this drawing with the caption “Big F***ing Diamond” (I purposely blotted out three of the letters).  Immediately, I thought of Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

Since my friend is an “on fire for God” believer, I sent her an email asking why she posted this pic. In her response, she apologized if it affected me negatively but then went on to explain this drawing (which she found at an art gallery) represented how she felt “…as an awesome princess and bride of Christ and that I am married to the King of Bling!” I don’t doubt the sincerity of my friend’s love for the Lord. What I question is how some Christians think using profanity glorifies Jesus.

It’s one thing if an unbeliever uses foul language. That’s part of the nature of fallen man. Yet there have been times when I ministered to unsaved people who apologized if a curse word slipped out of their mouths. They were obviously feeling conviction by the Holy Spirit.

Vulgar language should have no part in a believer’s vocabulary. Ephesians 5:4 in the Amplified Bible says, “Let there be no filthiness (obscenity, indecency) nor foolish and sinful (silly and corrupt) talk, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting or becoming; but instead voice your thankfulness [to God].”

Sadly, some Christians get really defensive when asked to watch their mouths. I was once married to a woman who regularly uttered the s-word for feces. When I politely asked her not to use that word around me, she always snapped back, “It’s in the Bible.” 2 Kings 6:25 does mention “dove droppings.” Ezekiel 4:15 makes reference to “cow dung” and “human waste.” Other translations of this verse use the words “manure” or “excrement.” But I’m not aware of any English translation that has the word “s**t.”

I’ve even heard Christians justify casual usage of the word “hell” because it’s in the Bible. In the New King James Version, “hell” is used 32 times but never as an interjection. Over the years, Satan has influenced individuals to use it as a swear word to minimize the reality of that awful place non-believers will spend eternity unless they become born again.

Here are a few more Scriptures to consider...

“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.” - Matthew 12:36

“But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.” - Colossians 3:8

“In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you." - Titus 2:7-8

God holds His people to a higher standard when it comes to the use of our words.

“Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” - Matthew 15:11