That is an easy question to answer as an inappropriate movie is inappropriate to watch period, therefore, where it is watched is irrelevant, however, if watching an appropriate movie is a not the issue, where it is watched then becomes the issue or question.

The question then is: How does one determine an appropriate movie from an inappropriate one?

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In His Love, Mercy & Grace

Daryl

[This message has been edited by Daryl Fawcett (edited December 11, 2000).]

When they brought out the movie Anastasia, I thought it would be perfect. I vaguely knew the idea behind the movie, they were advertising it as a children's show (that usually means I can watch it without getting squeamish) and it looked good. I didn't rent it or go to the theatre first, I just bought it and now I own a horrible, evil movie that I would never recommend being shown to a child! In fact, my sister asked to borrow it the other day and I told her that I wouldn't suggest she show it to her children and she didn't take it. How do you know what you are getting or seeing until you see it? Perhaps the answer is to not see any of them. Either that, or walk out when you realize that the movie is not to the glory of God even if you thought it was when you went. Take Beloved for example, this was a horror movie being advertised as a movie about the blacks of the south after they had been freed from being slaves. Stupid me thought it would be good and I had to walk out 1/2 hour into the show becuase it was horrid.

Should a born-again Christian watch the movies of this world? Probably not, they rarely (if ever) glorify God, and when they do they twist the facts around to make it more interesting to the average viewer. On the other hand, it's very difficult to find appropriate entertainment. Perhaps we cannot say "don't watch movies" until we have come up with appropriate, interesting alternatives!

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Sarah Moss
*Prayer Changes Things!*

The Bible tells us that those who make lies will not be in heaven. It tells us to meditate and concentrate on that which is true and truthful. Can anyone name one movie produced by "Hollywood" that is 100% truthful. The only ones I can think of are those that are documentaries. Strictly documentary, not docudramas.

Everything that we expose ourselves to, whether it be in the privacy of our homes or in a public setting affects our minds to some degree. What do we want in our minds? Love stories, crime stories, horror stories, occult stories, tear-jerker stories, or Bible stories? Which ones will draw us upward on the path to heaven?

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Even so come, Lord Jesus
Linda

Linda, based on your post, how then would you rate The Keepers Of The Flame docudrama series that is shown regularly on 3ABN?

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It is more blessed to give
than to receive. (Acts 20:35)

Daryl

[This message has been edited by Daryl Fawcett (edited December 18, 2000).]

Hello folks. While we are on the topic of movies here, I thought I'd add a little twist. What about theatre, period. For example, we live in Winnipeg where the Arts community is very strong.

Is there an issue with going to stage theatre productions, or ballet productions, things like that. Are these productions different than a movie theatre, and if so, how?

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Sarah Moss
*Prayer Changes Things!*

Those were the very things Sister White was referring to when she condemned the theater and ballet. Movie theaters didn't exist then.

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The Lord is the strength of my life and my portion forever.

Daryl is asking questions that are very easy to answer. My 6 & 8 year old sons have likely come up with the best answer we'll ever get on this subject.

We recently moved to a location, where we could get one TV channel. It was channel 9. We have had a TV in the house for years; but it has never been used for anything other than wholesome videos.

About a week ago when I was at work, the boys asked Mom if they could watch a National Geographic type show on channel 9. They had found out about it at a relative's place.

Mom said yes; and when I got home, the six year old stated: "Dad...I don't think we should watch any TV, even if it is a really good show because the commercials are really awful."

The commercials they were describing were either almost pornographic, or otherwise close to "R-Rated" material. These advertisements alone, should never reach the eyes of any child, for any reason. It is not "freedom of expression" that is at stake here. it is child abuse, in a legalized format, for commercial purposes.

I appreciate the things Linda has mentioned as guidelines to use in deciding what to watch or where to watch it. We have been trying to teach these things to our children; and I think that the way they made their own decision to never watch TV again, speaks loud and clear.

Don't tell your kids what to do as much as you tell them how to decide what to do.

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Soul winning is soul loving.
see 1 Thes.5:14-15).

Your brother in Christ

David T. Battler

Amen David!! Perhaps that is a reason why we are told to be like little children and that "a little child shall lead you".

We make our own lives too difficult, yet it is extremely easy to find entertainment from the imaginations of others, especially in today's environment.

May we all make as wise of decisions as David's children!!

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Sarah Moss
*Prayer Changes Things!*