We’re closing comments on this post for the time being.

One more point: What a person can handle (emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually) varies a lot from person to person, and therefore, what might lead one person to dark places in the mind, or to divorce (which I don’t buy, but I’m pulling an example from this thread)another might be able to shrug off as entertainment, with no negative effects.

For example, to my regret, I recently saw Paranormal Activity, and it stuck with me in a deep and disturbing way for several days afterward. Violence and gore don’t bother me one bit because, in horror movies especially, the violence is so cartoonish as to be laughable, and I find myself thinking more about the special effects guy than anything else. Paranormal Activity has virtually no violence, and no gore. Instead, it is about a demon who has been pursuing a woman since she was a small child and …SPOILER ALERT… takes full possession of her at the end of the movie. That’s the kind of thing that gets under my skin, and not in an enlightening or thought-provoking way. I vowed never to see another movie like that again.

My husband, on the other hand, just thought it was funny. And I’ve talked to a couple of other people who think it was boring and dumb, and about as scary as a pancake. Blood and gore are what take them to that dark place, not a lame demon. It’s all about knowing what your soul can handle and what it can’t.

counsel (which is distinct from commandment, is it not?)

Thank you for making that distinction.

I have only one movie regret: I’d love to see “The Pianist.” I won’t, though, because of the director. I find his personal life repugnant, and can’t support his work in any way, period. So that’s one movie I’d love to see, but never actually will, in any form.

I’m right there with you. It’s the only movie (that I can remember) that I truly wanted to see, but put my foot down to say, “No. I will not support that person’s work.”

Putting a black and white spin on counsel (which is distinct from commandment, is it not?) may make a person feel safe, assured, or even righteous, and more power to you if it does. But it is not mere rationalization to point out the imperfections of the rating system. Big time directors get whatever rating they request. You all know this, right? God does not rate films; the chuch does not rate films. If they did, I would support a black-and-white take on church counsel. But since this is not the case, it seems silly to base whether or not you view a movie on a rating, rather than a little research into the actual content and moral message of the film (using some sort of filter for what you choose to watch is just wise).

From some of the comments here, I think some of you think the MPAA is inspired or something. In that case, the MPAA has determined that any R-rated film is appropriate for any 17-year-old. Do you agree? Neither do I.

Christa Skousen, “Out of the Best Books, Movies, or Music,” NewEra, Aug 2009, 20–22
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=bf9f6d5c3d5b2210VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=024644f8f206c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

Just kidding, she’s on a mission. And still thinks she’s never seen a PG13 movie. Just use your judgement when picking movies/books/tv/music/whatever.

That said, I have to disagree with the idea that watching one rated R movie will keep you out of heaven, and certainly a man watching Schindler’s List isn’t going to somehow snap and immediately turn to pornography or divorce. But I think the idea, as was mentioned, is that it’s the steady diet of this kind of stuff that leads to bigger sins because of desensitization. And how much is a steady diet? How much can your spirit handle? These questions are hard to answer.

“[I]f you have any question about whether a particular movie, book, or other form of entertainment is appropriate, don’t see it, don’t read it, don’t participate.”

The bottom line is you. The pamphlet (our leadership’s most recent word on the subject) makes it clear that you have a responsibility to decide for yourself, not for others, but for yourself.

I think there is a reason ratings are no longer mentioned in the pamphlet. If we try to draw the line for others, we are overstepping our stewardships.