Violence In Movies, Esp Re: Men

[Cherie]

I know a lot of devout Christian/Catholic men who object to certain sexual content in films. If there is nudity or excessive sexual content, they won't see it. I applaud that, personally.

But when it comes to violence, it seems that a lot of these same men don't have any issues with it. If there's a movie with lots of violence but no sexual content, great, they can see it no problem.

My question is, where's the line? Does that mean any kind of violence portrayed in films is A-Ok? Where do you draw the line that it's not ok to watch violence in a film, from a moral perspective? Is there a universal standard, or is it a case-by-case basis?

I mean, my husband personally does not watch "slasher" films, not because of the violence per se, but just because he finds them twisted and not interesting. But I know lots of devout people who don't find any issue watching slasher films, either.

For me, I'm extremely sensitive and won't watch horror/"slasher" films, films with certain sexual content, or films with excessive (ok, even moderate) violence, so the idea of anyone WANTING to watch a particularly violent film is beyond me.

Anyway, what do you think about violence (or also sexual content) in movies, and our moral obligations in regard to this?

[truthfinder]

This is a good question.  I at two minds of this:

-the repeated exposure to extreme and generally gratuitous violence can rarely do anyone good.  I would have to argue that if it isn't virtuous then it is not good for us.

-on the other hand, violence isn't as inherently sinful as sexual content.  There is not a direct link between the content and a specific given reaction (lust/arousal).  It would seem to come down more to if someone was watching these movies expressly for the violence (particularly against one gender or race.)  Sexual content has a way to personally involved someone in the scene (that is, directly affected by the scene) wheras violence happens outside the viewer (the viewer is just the 'witness').

 

While ultra-violent movies (usually of a gratuitous nature) are not inherently and always evil/sinful as those with sexual content, I'd still have the feeling that because there is the enjoyment of the pain of others, it would be sadistic.  (I would clearly draw the line between movies that have violence for a purpose (Passion of the Christ) vs. slashers/horror.

 

I have the feeling I haven't quite sounded out my reasoning as clearly as I would have liked, but I would tend to agree with you Cherie that there still is a problem of violence in movies.  The Hays Code directly prohibited direct violence towards women, thus we have things acted out in shadows, or the before and after.  It wasn't graphic in any way and it just as adequately displayed the event which allowed the plot to progress in its course without the viewer having to make too many assumption. 

[Not A Mallard]

I think the type of violence slasher films is problematic because it treats human beings who are made in the image and likeness of God as pieces of meat for the sake of entertainment. On the other hand, the stylized violence in a movies such as Star Wars and The Avengers is meant to emphasize the battle of good conquering evil, and is used to move the story along instead of become the story.

[Not A Mallard]

I suppose that movies like Man of Steel and Transformers are more problematic in regards to their stylized violence. In those movies, the whole stories are built around mindless violence that assaults the senses. Not only are they more problematic, they're just plain boring. I used to enjoy those types of movies mainly for their "coolness," but coolness isn't enough for me anymore. The characters in those movies are either obnoxious or bland. I want characters who I can emotionally invest in. I want substance amid the action.

[Lilllabettt]

There's art and then there's porn. I know it when I see it.

There's violence and then there's torture porn. I know it when I see it. 

[ChristianGirlForever]

I know a lot of devout Christian/Catholic men who object to certain sexual content in films. If there is nudity or excessive sexual content, they won't see it. I applaud that, personally.

But when it comes to violence, it seems that a lot of these same men don't have any issues with it. If there's a movie with lots of violence but no sexual content, great, they can see it no problem.

My question is, where's the line? Does that mean any kind of violence portrayed in films is A-Ok? Where do you draw the line that it's not ok to watch violence in a film, from a moral perspective? Is there a universal standard, or is it a case-by-case basis?

I mean, my husband personally does not watch "slasher" films, not because of the violence per se, but just because he finds them twisted and not interesting. But I know lots of devout people who don't find any issue watching slasher films, either.

For me, I'm extremely sensitive and won't watch horror/"slasher" films, films with certain sexual content, or films with excessive (ok, even moderate) violence, so the idea of anyone WANTING to watch a particularly violent film is beyond me.

Anyway, what do you think about violence (or also sexual content) in movies, and our moral obligations in regard to this?

I think that if there is violence in an historical film, like a war movie, that it is fine. If it is violence for the sake of violence, them that is wrong. I think a lot of men find violent films cathartic, by the way.

Oh, and if a film has sexual content, I don't consider it worth watching. It's not worth the risk of sinning. Plugged In is very helpful if you want to avoid violence or sexual content.