Can zombies be virtuous?

[SuperPatriot]

^ He hasn't really made a full-bore zombie movie (although Rabid came close), but what you're describing is sort of akin to the ethics of David Cronenberg's movies.

I'm glad you're discerning between "gore" and "violence." Cronenberg's best films often had little human-on-human violence, but often there are themes of invasion, viruses, transmutation, etc. Sometimes they are meant literally, sometimes metaphorically.

[August]

"if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy..."

So here is what I've been contemplating. Can a zombie book, full of blood and gore and hordes of undead be appropriate reading? I love zombies. They scare me and I like it. But I'm wondering, if I was going to write a story about them, with plenty of violence against them, am I stepping over a line? I don't have a problem with real accounts of war stories that can be graphic because they let you know what it was really like... but with zombies, I'm just not sure. What is your point of view?

It depends on your purpose. If the authors intent is that gore and violence are ends unto themselves, then it isn't appropriate. If the intent of the violence is to add drama, horror or realism is fine for the right audience. I guess I think of it like a war movie. If it isn't gory enough, people might just think of it as a fun adventure story, and not see the horror of war. As an example, so much of what made Saving Private Ryan great is that I could barely watch the D-day scene, really drove it home.

[Moksha]

One good thing about Zombies is that they would be fully satisfied with the songs in the LDS hymn book. Nothing toe taping for them.

[debi56]

aren't zombies carnally minded?

[YoungMormonRoyalist]

They lust after the flesh. I imagine church policy is the same with regard to them as other unmarried members: As long as they keep their temptations under control (ie, not lusting after the flesh) they can continue to attend the temple, take the sacrament (Would the fact that they are symbolic of flesh and blood have anything to do with it?), and be faithful members.

This brings up a point everyone: When the zombie invasion begins what is your survival plan?

Mine: Move up farther north, possibly Alaska. Seeing as how zombies have no body temperature they'll freeze like corpse-sicles!

[debi56]

They lust after the flesh. I imagine church policy is the same with regard to them as other unmarried members: As long as they keep their temptations under control (ie, not lusting after the flesh) they can continue to attend the temple, take the sacrament (Would the fact that they are symbolic of flesh and blood have anything to do with it?), and be faithful members.

This brings up a point everyone: When the zombie invasion begins what is your survival plan?

Mine: Move up farther north, possibly Alaska. Seeing as how zombies have no body temperature they'll freeze like corpse-sicles!

I think that is a no brainer.

[Moksha]

It would be interesting to send a van load of Elder Zombies dressed in white shirts and ties, with several boxes of the Book of Mormon to the 2009 Burning Man Festival.