Church's views on scary/horror films?

[pam]

Has any General Authority of the Mormon Church ever said that members of the church should not watch R rated movies? | Ask Gramps

I'm so glad we have someone that uses this website. I've been working so hard on it the last few months. And no I'm not Gramps. :)

[hordak]

Well, that's just it. No I don't. Back in my early teens, my desires and intentions for using the Oujia board included the following:

* Apearing cool

* Gaining acceptance from my peers

* Desiring to experience memorable events, so as not to have "wasted my best years"

* Really hoping to sit next to friend's older sister and see how much of myself I could bring into actual physical contact with her as we all reached down to hold the planchette thingy.

Not really anything to do with spirits. I didn't care a whit if the thing worked or not. That white longsleeved turtleneck, and fear of peer pressure backlash, was pretty much all my grey matter was focused on.

So, The_Doctor, I'm being more openly honest about my intentions than I originally thought possible. Does that mean it was ok for me to play with the board?

LM

Sounds like there was a little devil there.:D

[missgirl]

The Holy Ghost is a gift from God and only dwells & remains in places where the Spirit is welcome. While watching these horror flicks or television shows, we need to be aware when the spirit leaves... that is the key.. when the spirit leaves -- SO SHOULD WE! We ARE TAUGHT by our leaders to stay away from evil influences & to listen to the STILL SMALL VOICE. That is the key.. The more we listen, the more we are protected & blessed & are an influence for good.. We are children of the Most High. When the Holy Ghost LEAVES the room & OUR PRESENCE, we are left to the enticings of Satan & his strange deceptions.. Horror movies, no matter what the lesson, remove the Spirit from our lives & it is our goal to remain HOLY & PURE. Teach your children to FOLLOW THE SPIRIT ~ not to depart from it! GOD BLESS ALL....

[jennvan]

One thing that research has shown is that even if we "know" that something is fake (ie: a movie) our brain still experiences it as if it happened to us. One of the agencies I worked for had as part of their intake process a few questions about watching horror/scary movies and violence on tv as part of their trauma evaluation because there is so much correlation between that and various psychological problems. I think that is part of the reason why we are asked not to watch certain shows and movies. There is enough horrible, awful things and EVIL in the world that we don't need to be making things up. And we probably shouldn't be watching/supporting people who do those things.

[Bini]

One thing that research has shown is that even if we "know" that something is fake (ie: a movie) our brain still experiences it as if it happened to us. One of the agencies I worked for had as part of their intake process a few questions about watching horror/scary movies and violence on tv as part of their trauma evaluation because there is so much correlation between that and various psychological problems. I think that is part of the reason why we are asked not to watch certain shows and movies. There is enough horrible, awful things and EVIL in the world that we don't need to be making things up. And we probably shouldn't be watching/supporting people who do those things.

I see what you're saying. Depending on what kind of horror film it is, I have found that some situations leave me feeling traumatized. Especially if there is an unforeseen rape scene, or even implied, which you can find in PG13 movies. This leaves me deeply disturbed. If I know before hand that a movie will likely have such content, I won't even bother watching it. Plain horror as far as blood and guts, I'm all good.

[Bini]

Oh and just for the record, Drag Me To Hell, was a super fun one to watch! It's a horror but spoofy. You'll laugh and laugh. It's also PG13 I believe.

[jennvan]

Plain horror as far as blood and guts, I'm all good.

Unfortunately you are still being traumatized, you just have become sensitized to it and don't realize it anymore. Its similar to porn addiction, it takes more and more blood and guts to feel like its a good horror movie. All the while you have to take the violence that goes along with it, which makes you less sensitive to the violence in the world around you and on the movies/tv that you watch. There is interesting research on how men who are frequent consumers of porn (not even necessarily "addicted") become less willing/able to connect to others sensitivities/needs.

[Bini]

Unfortunately you are still being traumatized, you just have become sensitized to it and don't realize it anymore. Its similar to porn addiction, it takes more and more blood and guts to feel like its a good horror movie. All the while you have to take the violence that goes along with it, which makes you less sensitive to the violence in the world around you and on the movies/tv that you watch. There is interesting research on how men who are frequent consumers of porn (not even necessarily "addicted") become less willing/able to connect to others sensitivities/needs.

I'm not disagreeing with you. I've heard the research on this stuff before. Violence, sex etc etc leaves a mark on you. You make a good point though. Where is the line drawn between watching a horror movie (without sex) where a stalker goes around slashing and hacking people up in little pieces, and someone doing the same thing in real life. Is it okay to feel entertained from one form and yet be disgusted by the other? Society is desensitized on a lot of levels, you're right. But I admit, I still enjoy a good horror film, especially classics. Not the recycled junk they mill out these days.

[TL10]

I consider watching horror movies as a major no no. I'm not talking about movies like Jaws and Jurassic Park, I'm talking about movies like the Human Centipiede, Saw, etc. etc. I personally think the people who make these movies are just downright twisted. Same applies to books too. Besides, I think Articles of Faith #13 indirectly points out that Horror movies are a 'do not want'.

Besides, I'm a complete wuss. I watched PART of I Am Legend, and I couldn't sleep for half the week after I saw it.

[carlimac]

I'm so looking forward to Harry Potter on Nov. 19th. So is this a no no?

[ConquestT4]

Anything virtuous lovely or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Correct me if I am wrong but didn't the church make on official statement and say that we should not see the Passion of the Christ? Am I making that up? Didn't Mel Gibson get struck by lightning on the cross or something like that? Am I making that up to?

LOL....wow...its late.....

I think most horror films are bad though I like funky town's comments. I never saw it that way. I think they can be ok but let me tell you. There is nothing uplifting about The Ring. I think most horror films chase the spirit away. Can you imagine watching most of them with President Hinckley next to you on the couch? :)

[Blackmarch]

I dunno but I am also looking to know if the Church has a stance on french toast and state fairs.

What I'm wondering is does the church have a stand on these kinds of things? I know that we've been told to not use ouiji boards and such because it invites evil spirits into our lives while driving away the Holy Ghost. So is it the same thing for horror movies?

Also my little brother loves watching those ghost hunting shows on tv. Is there anything that advises us to not watch those sorts of things?

The same as with any other form of entertainment- if it dulls your senses or draws you away from focusing on Christ, or away from being christlike then it should probably be avoided.

As to food, the simplest summation would be this; moderation.

[Wingnut]

I'm so looking forward to Harry Potter on Nov. 19th. So is this a no no?

I'm totally bummed out that they didn't finish the 3D in time.

Correct me if I am wrong but didn't the church make on official statement and say that we should not see the Passion of the Christ? Am I making that up?

Maybe not making it up, but it's very doubtful to me that the Church would make a specific statement against a movie, especially about one that centers on Christ. For one thing, it would be a PR nightmare. For another thing, the movie was rated R, and we are already taught that we should avoid entertainment that is not uplifting. Rated R movies typically fall under that category.

[ZappBrannigan]

That's it's effect. The purpose is something far different.

The purpose of a gun is to kill something. The effect of a gun can be to intimidate, to get money from a bank or to hold sideways so it jams and blows up in your face.

The other purpose of a gun is to shoot nonliving targets.

As for Zombie Movies, well, they are my guiltiest pleasure. Even thought I know that they are also a favorite sin of mine (sorry, but there is no way the Holy Ghost is hanging around while I am watching people kill and eat each other, much less the violence and language that often times accompanies these films). That said, Max Brooks is a genius. I love World War Z, and have the Zombie Survivor Guide as well.

As for "modern" horror films, I think the more gruesome a film is, the less scary it is. I watched only Saw and Saw II from that series, because Saw had an interesting plot. What would you sacrifice to save your family? Would you cut off your own foot? The second one was violence for the sake of violence, which is not even mildly entertaining to me.

And yes, I realize that seeing Saw and Saw II was not going to let me keep the HG with me, but at the time I was in a place where I didn't care.

[beefche]

Can you imagine watching most of them with President Hinckley next to you on the couch? :)

Now THAT would freak me out--cause he's passed on and all. Watching a scary movie with a ghost, whether a righteous man or Casper, would be spooky, in and of itself.

[Blackmarch]

The other purpose of a gun is to shoot nonliving targets.

As for Zombie Movies, well, they are my guiltiest pleasure. Even thought I know that they are also a favorite sin of mine (sorry, but there is no way the Holy Ghost is hanging around while I am watching people kill and eat each other, much less the violence and language that often times accompanies these films). That said, Max Brooks is a genius. I love World War Z, and have the Zombie Survivor Guide as well.

As for "modern" horror films, I think the more gruesome a film is, the less scary it is. I watched only Saw and Saw II from that series, because Saw had an interesting plot. What would you sacrifice to save your family? Would you cut off your own foot? The second one was violence for the sake of violence, which is not even mildly entertaining to me.

And yes, I realize that seeing Saw and Saw II was not going to let me keep the HG with me, but at the time I was in a place where I didn't care.

May I suggest try watching the haunting of Hill house (the old black and white one)?

^.^

[TheActualLiz]

Interesting discussion.

Anything (book, movie, toy, etc) that gives you that dark creepy "ick" feeling should be avoided. Personally I do not care if it is something as harmless as carpet lint... if it creates that feeling it is not welcome in my home. That being said... to each his or her own... so just use good judgment.

Never watched "The Passion" b/c I found the whole thing to be very offensive on a number of levels.

Don't think it is a good idea to try to "rules lawyer" over what movies, games and books you get involved with. Its far better to follow the Holy Ghost (especially if you are following Him out of the room).

As far as the effect of all input from the media... I recently posted a link to a neurologist who proved that there was physiological change caused by things we watch. He applied this knowledge as a method of treating the phantom pain experienced by those who have lost limbs and it seems to be effective. If this concept is true and independently verified by science then it is probably a good idea to avoid watching things that promote values you disagree with.

Personally, I cannot watch a lot of the stuff that is out there for medical reasons. If you, personally, find something traumatic then it is best to either avoid it or make an appointment with a psychiatrist and a psychologist to discuss the issue.

[lizzy12]

WELL.... i've watched 3 scarey movies in my life :)

The boogeyman- last name with a friend from church..

The Tooth fairy- last night with a friend from church...

both about some paranormal thing attacking kids/ppl..

and

House of Wax...also scary but it had an interesting idea.

None of them kept me up at night..but that didn't mean I wasn't holding my friends hands screaming at certain times.....(haha. She actually asked me if i wanted to put it on mute. I guess there not scarry without music leading u up to it!)

[mormonwifey]

I will say this, I am so glad that the church has no stance on horror movies, because those are one of my favorites,ever since I was 5 years old (now 38) and though I know it is all make believe,fairy tales, it is intriguing to see the crazy things some come up with.