"R" rated movies

[Guest mysticmorini]

i was wondering if the council against watching R-rated movies was still in effect. lately I've heard alot of members in my ward talking about the movies they've watched and most of them are r-rated. I am pretty sure they weren't talking about the edited versions of these movies as the area i live in the only way to get edited r-rated movies is online. if it makes a difference, the bishop and one of his councilors was a part of this group.

I'm not a real stickler for this rule, i've watched a lot of r-rated movies myself I'm just wondering if not watching them is still a thing.

[Connie]

It's still a "thing" with me. I've never seen an R-rated movie and have no current plans to start. I doubt i'm missing much.

[Guest mysticmorini]

i know it's not likely to keep you from getting a temple recommend or anything, but is it still a rule or is it like drinking caffeine?

[Wingnut]

I would use the advanced search function on this site, as this topic has been discussed numerous times.

[skippy740]

Think about it this way: When that counsel was given, the R rated movies then are like PG-13 movies today.

I'm not saying you should give up PG-13 movies... but just think about the desensitivity that our society has gone through since that counsel was given and how our entertainment has "progressed" to be much more racy, sexualized and violent.

[Faded]

It's still the counsel of the General Authorities to not watch R rated movies. Hasn't changed, but it's one of those bits of counsel that gets ignored a lot. I know I've been guilty of that. Just one of those things that people have an easy time talking themselves into, around, etc.

[Blackmarch]

i was wondering if the council against watching R-rated movies was still in effect. lately I've heard alot of members in my ward talking about the movies they've watched and most of them are r-rated. I am pretty sure they weren't talking about the edited versions of these movies as the area i live in the only way to get edited r-rated movies is online. if it makes a difference, the bishop and one of his councilors was a part of this group.

I'm not a real stickler for this rule, i've watched a lot of r-rated movies myself I'm just wondering if not watching them is still a thing.

Last I heard (can't confirm it tho) that it was more up to you as now that ratings aren't a great indicator anymore.

My two cents would be to avoid them.

[DocG]

I think movie ratings are becoming more subjective as time goes on. We like to use kids-in-mind.com to determine the actual content in a movie which then allows us to make an informed decision about a movie before seeing it. We do stay away from the R-rated movies.

[hordak]

I agree with those who say the ratings aren't a good indication of a films value because it is based on pure content, not context. I think it goes both ways.

I mean Schindler list is put in the same category as The Hangover or Wedding Crashers if looking purely at the ratings.The messages in these films couldn't be any different.

[Dravin]

I agree with those who say the ratings aren't a good indication of a films value because it is based on pure content, not context. I think it goes both ways.

I mean Schindler list is put in the same category as The Hangover or Wedding Crashers if looking purely at the ratings.The messages in these films couldn't be any different.

And the ratings aren't even reliable within the same category, at least in the US. I could be mistaken, but my understanding is a panel watches a movie and declares a rating, there may be some guidelines, but it's hardly a scientific process. That's why I love rating sites that really break things down for you, then you can make a decision based of that and/or friends/family/people with similar values and ideas who have seen it.

[Faded]

And the ratings aren't even reliable within the same category, at least in the US. I could be mistaken, but my understanding is a panel watches a movie and declares a rating, there may be some guidelines, but it's hardly a scientific process. That's why I love rating sites that really break things down for you, then you can make a decision based of that and/or friends/family/people with similar values and ideas who have seen it.

I think this is a really good point. Often, the ratings system here in the USA does a lousy job of sorting movies that are worthwhile from those that are not. But if you had to err, it's probably best to err on the side of caution.

As a general thought though, it reminds me an awful lot of President Hinckley's response to a letter asking, "What is the Church's stance on gambling?" He was obviously surprised that there was any question about the Church's stance on the matter. The Church is against gambling in all forms and has remained consistent on the matter for a long long time. More than anything, the prophet seemed surprised that Church members didn't know the Church's stance on gambling, since it has been clearly stated on more than one occasion, with no indication of a change in stance coming from the Church Leaders.

The same can be said of R-rated movies. The First Presidency and General Authorities have consistently counseled against watching them, and there has not been any indication of that counsel changing.

[DocG]

Here is an example I just thought about to show how inconsistent the ratings, etc. are - Remember the preview for Sherlock Holmes that showed the actor handcuffed to the bed just "wearing" a pillow? I still can't figure out how that was "approved" for all audiences. Any thoughts?

[Wingnut]

Here is an example I just thought about to show how inconsistent the ratings, etc. are - Remember the preview for Sherlock Holmes that showed the actor handcuffed to the bed just "wearing" a pillow? I still can't figure out how that was "approved" for all audiences. Any thoughts?

It wasn't approved for all audiences. Approved for all audiences would mean that it was rated G. The movie was rated PG-13.

[NeuroTypical]

The same can be said of R-rated movies. The First Presidency and General Authorities have consistently counseled against watching them, and there has not been any indication of that counsel changing.

I'd like to call for sources here, because I've heard very little counsel on the subject of the ratings of movies.

For example, the old standby For the Strength of Youth pamphlet only has this to say:

Do not attend, view, or participate in entertainment that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way. Do not participate in entertainment that in any way presents immorality or violent behavior as acceptable.

Nothing there about bending one's will to a rating system devised by the back-room-dealing agenda-driven hollywood people.

Also, as a worldwide church, I'm sure our leaders understand that the rating system in America isn't the same rating system that other countries have. If the "Don't watch R movies" counsel is as standard and clear as y'all are assuming it is, then what are the Saints in the UK being told?

I'm of the opinion that we're given wise principles, and we choose how to apply them in our lives. I think the 'don't watch R movies' blanket statement is more a factor of our cultural upbringing (being told that by parents), and less of real advice by church leaders.

Anyone got sources to refute any of that?

LM

[Guest]

Here is an example I just thought about to show how inconsistent the ratings, etc. are - Remember the preview for Sherlock Holmes that showed the actor handcuffed to the bed just "wearing" a pillow? I still can't figure out how that was "approved" for all audiences. Any thoughts?

It wasn't approved for all audiences. Approved for all audiences would mean that it was rated G. The movie was rated PG-13.

The Preview (not the movie) was approved for all audiences. But, that particular preview only showed in PG-13 movies in my theater. I can't tell you about any other theater.

But then, any kid with a mouse can launch the trailer from their computer if they know how to use google.

[pam]

It wasn't approved for all audiences. Approved for all audiences would mean that it was rated G. The movie was rated PG-13.

He was talking about the preview not the movie being rated for all audiences and wondering how showing the scene with the handcuffs and bedposts would be appropriate for all ages.

[DocG]

It wasn't approved for all audiences. Approved for all audiences would mean that it was rated G. The movie was rated PG-13.

My bad. I thought a preview shown on TV, etc. was approved for all audiences (the preview itself, not the movie).

[annamaureen]

Personally, I try to pay more attention to the movie's content rather than rating. There are some seriously raunchy PG-13 films out there.

[MaMeeshkaMow]

I would stay away from the "R"s. Are you going to hell if you see one or some? No. Could they tempt you to do sin or have unclean thoughts? Yes? Can unclean beings be in the presence of God? No.

[Justice]

The counsel was derived from what's in Moroni 7.

If it persuades you to believe in Christ, then it is good and of God.

If it does not persuade you to believe in Christ, then it is Satan's devise to keep your mind off of Christ.

That's much clearer counsel than an MPA rating.

Having said that, I have watched some R rated movies. But, I'm certain I would be better off if I didn't.

[Nikkie85]

As a pretty recent convert I was told not to watch R rated movies. I don't live my life like an R rated (or some PG13 movies) so I simply don't watch them.

Before I started preparing for baptism I realized how much I was cursing. Growing up my mom let us cuss so I never thought about how much I might actually do it. I really wanted to stop cussing before I got baptized and when I stopped listening to certain music and watching certain things it became a lot easier. Now when I hear someone curse it almost shocks me because I am so use not hearing it.

This might be extreme but I tell my Mia Maids would you do the certain behavior in question if the Savior was beside you? I try to apply this when watching television and listening to music.

[pam]

I think the "R" rated counsel is many years old. However, we have for sure been advised as to the kinds of movies, tv shows, books etc that we watch and read. Mental images stay with us a long time. That is what they would like us to avoid. Keeping clean thoughts. Hard to do when your thoughts revert back to a scene in a movie that was anything but wholesome.

[Guest]

Personally, I try to pay more attention to the movie's content rather than rating. There are some seriously raunchy PG-13 films out there.

You don't mess with the Zohan. Believe it or not, that was PG-13! The Matrix ® was probably cleaner...

[Connie]

As far as references, simply going to the church's website and searching "rated R movies" gives one several to look through.

I found this one interesting printed in a 1981 Ensign.

LDS.org - Ensign Article - I Have a Question

[Carl62]

As a general thought though, it reminds me an awful lot of President Hinckley's response to a letter asking, "What is the Church's stance on gambling?" He was obviously surprised that there was any question about the Church's stance on the matter. The Church is against gambling in all forms and has remained consistent on the matter for a long long time. More than anything, the prophet seemed surprised that Church members didn't know the Church's stance on gambling, since it has been clearly stated on more than one occasion, with no indication of a change in stance coming from the Church Leaders.

So would this include investing in the stock market since that is a form of gambling?