Jennifer Rothnie Supporter Housewife, Artist, Perpetually Curious

If we personally believe that God is being mocked in a film, or that a film is ignoble or contrary to the gospel, then there are several things we can do:

Walk out of the theater (if watching in the theater): This can embolden others to take a stand, if they are only staying due to social propriety. However, I would advise not making more of a scene than necessary. You can usually ask for a refund at the front desk too, and tell them why you dislike the movie. Be polite, but firm.

Turn off the tv/dvd : This works if you are the only one watching the show, or if you are the authority figure present. However, in many cases it is better to watch through to the end and then discuss the movie with those present (friends, children, etc). Discussion is usually more profitable than simply avoiding the movie.

 Discuss the movie with others who have seen it  Listen to their views, don't just say your own. This back-and-forth is good for double-checking whether a film is profitable.

Discuss the movie with others who have not seen it, but wish to see it  Gently mention your concerns. You do not have to get into great detail, but rather set up the importance of being discerning. 

 Discuss the movie with your pastor  If the film is popular, and especially if it is supposedly 'Bible Based', warning the pastor or other event coordinators at the church can be good. A lot of times christian leaders will encourage the flock to see movies (Noah, Son of God, Exodus, Heaven is for Real, etc) before they have even come out, assuming that they are good and profitable. Asking them to preview the film before advocating it can stave off future error.

 Write a review on a movie-review site  There are christian movie review sites, but failing this, you could also write a review in a blog. Distinguish between outright problems ("He said God was dead", "There were 20 cases of the Lord's name taken in vain") vs. Things you personally found distasteful ("There was a lot of blood", "I thought he sounded haughty", etc).

I am sure there are other options, as well.

As to your other question: We do not always know when a film is mocking Christ, as sometimes directors deliberately obscure this (Apparently the first Robo-cop, which I have not seen, was supposed to be a diatribe against Christians). Other times, we may perceive mocking, but it might not be intentional.

We should act on our conscience, but understand that other people may not have the same conviction we do.

For example, my family and I, as well as many of my friends, thought Son of God was 'wierd' at best, that it often chose artistic lies over the plain truth, and that it obscured the true gospel message at worst. As such, we could not recommend it and mentioned our concerns to other friends. Yet, others I know found the movie wonderful and touching, and recommended the film to others. As God looks at the heart, neither conviction [Problematic due to error, or profitable due to presentation of Jesus' ministry] is wrong of itself.

However, Hollywood usually follows the route of making movies like "Noah" - where the title is about the most Biblical thing about that film. [Exodus is looking like it might be in that same vein]. I know people who think the discussion potential trumps the gross error in such movies, but I highly doubt Christians are personally discussing the movie with the countless people who watch it. [It's different from watching personally with family or friends, where meaningful discussion can happen].

In these cases, where error is so blatant and God is rejected or mocked, we can turn it off, call it out, warn others, etc, as listed above.

November 08 2014 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Johnnatta Giles Supporter Spirit Filled Christian

First let me say I just saw that movie for the first time last week and it was really boring. I have to say I'm not sure which parts made you think about Jesus? 

Here's a scripture I love and remind myself of when i have to make a choice like this:

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things

God's word says for us to be careful what we allow in our minds lives and watch how we speak. So if you are watching something that mocks God the answer is simple. Never watch it again.

November 06 2014 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report