I just finished reading all the responses about R-rated movies and games. There were several references to violence, murder, killing, being inappropriate viewing for Christians. I just have a question, though...
In church when we have the Lord's supper, we often read about the crucifixion- the violent killing of Christ. And isn't it true that while we eat and drink the Lord's supper we are supposed to ponder that event? Even meditate on it? Remember his suffering? How many of us DO NOT imagine the cruel images of his death in those silent moments? It just seems to me that the crucifixion has a profound effect on us BECAUSE of the tremendous pain, suffering, agony...the thought of Christ enduring such a horrible act of violence in our behalf touches and convicts us. We've been talking about the negative effects of violent imagery in movies- well, just as an example of what I'm trying to say...I watched "The Greatest Story Ever Told"- an older movie about the Jesus. And the images of the crufixion scene really helped me appreciate the sacrifice that Jesus made. I cried when they nailed his hands and feet...in fact those scenes had such an effect on me that I wrote a song called "Dear Lord Jesus" in the days following the viewing because I was so touched.I guess what I'm trying to say is that Jesus' sacrifice in enduring an act of violence is absolutely central to our faith. Isn't it safe to say that God has used violence to convey a message to us? Besides the crucifixion the Bible contains mass murder, rape, incest, stoning...
It's part of the history that God deemed important to contain in the Bible- to fully teach us. Otherwise why would he have included it? How can we say that violence is not something Christians must deal with and learn from? I'm not trying to discount the claim that most violence in films is harmful. But in...say war movies, for example, such as Saving Private Ryan (rated R), doesn't the violence help us appreciate the horrors war wages on mankind, and give us a realistic negative view of warfare as opposed to the glorification of it? Similar benefits can be gleaned from the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, mainly dealing with the holocaust. I first went there my freshman year in highschool. Our tour guide was a holocaust survivor, and much of the material was graphic and disturbing...very hard to take. But the message I left with was, now I know how horrible it was, and I'm determined to do my part in never allowing it to happen again. It was a message of love for all people, and the violence that I was exposed to in that museum helps me remember how important it is that I resist prejudice and degradation of other human beings. Okay...I've really written a lot here. I hope some of you understand what I'm trying to say. I also realize that these "benefits" of violence that I'm referring to only apply to adults. If I had been exposed to any of this as a child the only effect would have been nightmares and tears, but know that I'm an adult the effect is appreciation, tears, and humility. Feel free to keep discussing this- what's your opinion? Alena
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