Can watching rated R movies keep you from a temple recommend?

[Guest]

I'm still confused on the whole not watching rated R issue. Is it a commandment? Is it just for the youth and adults can? Because I know soooooo many Mormons with R rated movies in their collection and I want to know what the origin of the rated R movie issue is and what the penalty for watching R rated movies is. Not taking the sacrament? Loss of a temple recommend? Someone with info on the matter please help me out because I am very confused.

[Guest MormonGator]

Interesting article: 

http://www.ldsliving.com/R-Rated-Movies-What-Have-the-Prophets-Actually-Said/s/82659

To me, it depends on who you (generic usage of the word) are. If you (again, generic usage) are watching them because you like the sex and violence and watch it for those purposes, then you probably should not be watching them. 

I don't have a temple recommend now, but I don't recall the Bishop asking me what movies I liked. I like and watch a lot of movies that would some LDS uncomfortable, but I'm a grown man who can separate fantasy from reality. No apologies. 

Edited April 6, 2017 by MormonGator

[Guest]

Ya because I enjoy world war 2 movies like Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan and don't feel totally sinful for watching that. Same thing with dealing with my mental illness and then watching the powerful movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. I've never seen an R rated movie just for nudity or sex or even for the violence. I wasn't watching Saving Private Ryan for the violence. I love war movies that try to accurately portray what the real heores went through and I ultimately think everyone needs to see Schindler's List at least once in their life for historical value.

[Guest MormonGator]

3 minutes ago, Zarahemla said:

Ya because I enjoy world war 2 movies like Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan and don't feel totally sinful for watching that. Same thing with dealing with my mental illness and then watching the powerful movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. I've never seen an R rated movie just for nudity or sex or even for the violence. I wasn't watching Saving Private Ryan for the violence. I love war movies that try to accurately portray what the real heores went through and I ultimately think everyone needs to see Schindler's List at least once in their life for historical value.

Oh I totally agree with you. The real world is not always a cuddly place. You owe it to the people who suffered and died to watch those movies. 

[Jane_Doe]

56 minutes ago, Zarahemla said:

I'm still confused on the whole not watching rated R issue. Is it a commandment? Is it just for the youth and adults can? Because I know soooooo many Mormons with R rated movies in their collection and I want to know what the origin of the rated R movie issue is and what the penalty for watching R rated movies is. Not taking the sacrament? Loss of a temple recommend? Someone with info on the matter please help me out because I am very confused.

What is a commandment: to consume wholesome media and avoid unhealthy media.   

Who decides what is healthy vs not: the Lord.  Consult with Him directly for your individual guidance.

Who does NOT decide what is healthy vs not: the MPAA (the group which gives movies ratings in a single country in the world).  

Penalty for taking in junky dirty stuff: having junky dirty stuff in your mind/heart/spirit.  It's unsanitary, unpleasing, and hard to wash out. 

Edited April 6, 2017 by Jane_Doe

[Guest]

I haven't seen a true R-rated movie in years (although I watch my CleanPlay edited copy of the first Terminator movie and the Godfather, with all bad content edited out, regularly).  

I imagine you certainly could lose your temple recommend over some R-rated movies.  Is there really a difference between watching Fifth Shades of Grey and a pornographic film?  I don't know (as I have never seen either), but based on what I have heard about Fifty Shades of Grey at work, I am willing to bet you could lose your recommend from going to see it.  Same goes for other similar movies with very strong sexual content, and I can think of five or six that have come out over the years.

What about other Rated R movies?  I will certainly not judge you for watching or not watching them.  However, I think we can all agree there is other material far more conducive to the Spirit that you could be viewing instead.

Edited April 6, 2017 by DoctorLemon

[JohnsonJones]

I don't think there is any penalty for watching R-rated movies.  It is encouraged that you watch wholesome movies.  There is no requirement that we avoid Rated-R movies or other such things to be good Mormons, or hold a temple recommend.

There is encouragement to watch wholesome and uplifting movies, but it is not something that is specifically asked about in a Temple Recommend.

This encouragement to watch wholesome movies goes back decades.  Back in either the 70s or 80s, one of the things that was pushed was to avoid R-rated movies.  The reason is because it was deemed that these movies were rated R for content that was more violent, sexual, and profanity laced than other movies.  It was thought that this was not something that encouraged the spirit to be there or built one up spiritually.

This was later continued in an even stronger front when it was published in the Strength of the Youth pamphlets to avoid R-rated movies.

This was problematic in several arenas.  The biggest obstacle that I dealt with was that I was spending time (I'm a historian, and as such, when doing research I would be in various nations around the world) in nations that did NOT follow the US's rating guidelines, and sometimes had no rating guidelines at all.  This meant, that I had to make personal choices in what were appropriate or inappropriate movies in regards to what my standards were.  I am obviously not the only one in this situation, hence, despite the encouragement in that regard, there was no way for me to know (especially pre-internet days...yes...there are those of us who existed prior to the internet being a widespread phenomenon) what a movie was or was not rated in the US rating system.

Those nations which have rating systems, sometimes rate movies differently.  A prime example would be the recent Beauty and the Beast film that came out.  In the US it is rated PG, but in some other areas it's almost been banned!  In the US some movies are obviously rated R and rated for only Adult audiences in other nations, other movies may be rated R in the US, but a PG12 or other such rating in another nation.  At other times, a US movie rated PG (though normally more likely a PG-13 rating) will be rated for audiences 16 or older or worse!  It makes it hard to utilize a statement made for US audiences to a worldwide audience.

I don't think the LDS church is pushing the rated-R movie policy as strongly anymore, if at all, but there is still an encouragement for us to participate in wholesome and uplifting media.

I've been in war zones and I've been other places where I've seen some really terrible things, and personally do NOT consider Schindler's list or Saving Private Ryan a wholesome and uplifting movie, but personal values differ from person to person, just like they do from nation to nation.  My lesson that I think I've learned is that each one of us has to make that determination for ourselves.  We know, for each of us, what is really wholesome and uplifting.  Some of it probably would (or should) be obvious (for example, I'd have a very hard time if someone brought a straight up pornographic movie and tried to convince me that it was wholesome and uplifting), but overall, how a movie may affect us and our families may be different for each individual.

Their was a talk many years ago, even when the encouragement to not watch Rated-R movies was in effect.  As I was not in the US most of the time during that period, it is what I've utilized as my guiding light in what movies would be wholesome and uplifting.  That talk was by a Seventy I believe, so not even an apostle but I considered it good advice.

It basically stated, if we would not allow our little children to watch it, why are we watching it?  Even worse, if we would deem it inappropriate for our little children, would it not also apply to us.

In a nutshell, I try to have it so that the movies I think are appropriate for my life are those that I would also allow my little children to watch. 

 

 

 

We recently watched Aliens together for family home evening and followed it up with the Exorcist..

.(sorry, that last sentence is a joke...I've never seen those, only clips from ads and other things, though I did have the tune for the exorcist on a CD...I think it was Pure Moods.  Those are not movies I'd actually watch with my family, just so people realize this LAST sentence/paragraph about these two movies is actually a joke...).

Edited April 6, 2017 by JohnsonJones
Realize Beauty and the Beast had a different rating than what I listed it as in the US

[zil]

IMO, you're approaching this wrong.  The question isn't "where's the hard, fast, Pharisee-distorted-Law-of-Moses line regarding movie-watching?"  The question is, what does this activity (any activity) do to and for my soul?  Am I improving upon what God has given me, or am I wasting it?  That's a hard standard to apply, and every one of us, every day, does a bit of wasting what the Lord has given us, but the sooner one accepts this standard and tries to come closer to living on the "improving" side of it, the sooner one receives more power to continue in that vein, and the sooner one loses interest in the "wasting" side of the question.

To put it in Hugh Nibley's words (Approaching Zion):

Quote

Sin is waste. It is doing one thing when you should be doing other and better things for which you have the capacity. Hence, there are no innocent, idle thoughts. That is why even the righteous must repent, constantly and progressively, since all fall short of their capacity and calling.

A hard teaching to hear, for sure, and yet I can find no flaw or untruth in it.  Acknowledging it and where I fall short gives me power to do better, power that cannot be had without acknowledging it.

As for who is going to judge to this degree and assign consequences for the wasting - that's the Lord (unless you recognize a need to confess something related to movie-viewing in a priesthood interview).  Whether the consequences are visible or noted in a guideline or determined in a priesthood interview should be irrelevant in our minds - we know through the Light of Christ and the Gift of the Holy Ghost what is right or wrong - the consequence of losing the HG's presence should be consequence enough to turn us away from any evil no matter how trivial it may seem.  (In other words, it's not about what can be seen, or what some authority is going to do to us; it's about what the behavior turns us into.)  Personally, I believe the act is the consequence (whether good or bad).

Edited April 7, 2017 by zil

[Guest]

I will admit to some hypocrisy in that I refuse to watch R Rated movies, yet listen to Parental Advisory albums and play M-rated video games without giving too much thought.  Perhaps this is an area i can improve in? 

[Guest MormonGator]

5 minutes ago, DoctorLemon said:

I will admit to some hypocrisy in that I refuse to watch R Rated movies, yet listen to Parental Advisory albums and play M-rated video games without giving too much thought.  Perhaps this is an area i can improve in? 

One of my favorite series of games is the Fallout series. Probably rated M, but 5 star games. I also love virtually anything Mario and Zelda, which are probably rated E. 

Balance is key. 

[my two cents]

Not everything is about whether or not it passes for a temple rec.  Sometimes it's how it will affect you.  There are more consequences to less-than-wholesome media than people realize.  Also, these days it's not just R rated movies that should be avoided.

[Guest MormonGator]

You can definitely take self-censorship to an extreme. Like a good prosecutor indicting a ham sandwich, I could probably make anything sound sinful, immoral and evil to read/watch. From Shakespeare plays to Saved by the Bell to the Sound of Music. 

Edited April 6, 2017 by MormonGator

[zil]

1 minute ago, MormonGator said:

Saved by the Bell

I have it on good authority the scripts for this were written by people possessed by demons straight from darkest depths of Outer Darkness. (Just sayin')

[Guest]

10 minutes ago, MormonGator said:

One of my favorite series of games is the Fallout series. Probably rated M, but 5 star games. I also love virtually anything Mario and Zelda, which are probably rated E. 

Balance is key. 

I am all about Metal Gear Solid 3... WHICH SHOULD BE RATED TEEN!  I just don't get ratings people sometimes...

One more thing for OP - if you are going to watch R rated movies, at very least stay away from the sexual stuff.  That is what will definitely get you in trouble.

@my two cents (quote insert not working right)

Alice's Restaurant comes to mind as a PG rated movie that could get your temple recommend yanked... I thought it would be a good two hours of counterculture Americana, and what do I get?  Pornography!  Had to turn it off after 20 minutes...

Edited April 6, 2017 by DoctorLemon

[JohnsonJones]

My and my wife recently went to an LDS run store and picked up the DVD Hair.  We made it about 5 minutes before turning it off and returning it.  I think that movie might have needed to be rated R, but then I am probably over sensitive to this type of stuff.

[Vort]

1 hour ago, Zarahemla said:

I'm still confused on the whole not watching rated R issue. Is it a commandment? Is it just for the youth and adults can? Because I know soooooo many Mormons with R rated movies in their collection and I want to know what the origin of the rated R movie issue is and what the penalty for watching R rated movies is. Not taking the sacrament? Loss of a temple recommend? Someone with info on the matter please help me out because I am very confused.

We guide and strictly censor little children. We allow them to watch certain TV programs and movies, but forbid them from watching others. That is our duty.

When our children get to be young men and women, around the teenage years, we give them clear guidelines and allow them some autonomy. We give them simple, obvious instructions, like "R-rated moves drive away the Spirit. Don't watch them", or "Caffeinated soda pop is not good for you. It's addictive. Avoid it." Then we hope they follow our counsel and learn what they need to know.

By the time our children are adults, most of our teaching possibility has come and gone. We can still influence and counsel them, but it's nothing like when they were little. By the time they get to be adults, we hope our children will avoid prostitutes without us having to say, "Hey, don't visit prostitutes." We hope our children will avoid foul language without having to say, "Don't say filthy things." We hope our children will avoid lewd or violent or otherwise inappropriate entertainment without having to say, "Don't watch R-rated movies." We hope they will safeguard their health and the spiritual blessings that come with it without having to tell them, "Don't drink caffeinated soda pop."

The prostitute thing will certainly keep them out of the temple, but the other things will not necessarily do so. But that is not our standard. Being temple-recommend-worthy is the beginning of our approach to God. The end requires a great deal more self-discipline, self-censorship, and seeking for him. Our hope is that our children will not think twice about avoiding R-rated movies -- "Well, duh, of course I'm not going to expose myself to that." We hope our children take their health and welfare seriously -- "Caffeinated soda pop? I just avoid soda pop altogether. It's garbage that does me no good."

We want ourselves, our children, and all those whom we love to come unto Christ and be perfected in him. We don't ask, "What can I get away with?" We ask, "What would God have me do?"

Nephi didn't need to watch Schindler's List or Saving Private Ryan or Debbie Does Dallas to gain his exaltation. Neither did Joseph Smith. Neither did Jesus Christ. Neither do you. In my opinion, avoiding R-rated movies is no more than an obvious first step in getting control over our "entertainment" habits. Yes, we should avoid R-rated movies. But we should avoid a lot more than that; most PG-13 and many PG movies look like sewer holes to me, and many other more innocuous movies are, at best, a waste of our time.

[Maureen]

This is really something you have to decide for yourself. Movie ratings are not the same in all countries, even though LDS live globally. What might be R-rated in the US will more than likely have a different rating in Canada. And context would play a part in what might be acceptable viewing. The movie The Passion of the Christ was R-rated in the US and I'm sure LDS members and other Christians watched this movie. So really it's up to you to determine what you are comfortable watching.

M. 

Edited April 6, 2017 by Maureen

[Guest]

7 minutes ago, JohnsonJones said:

My and my wife recently went to an LDS run store and picked up the DVD Hair.  We made it about 5 minutes before turning it off and returning it.  I think that movie might have needed to be rated R, but then I am probably over sensitive to this type of stuff.

My mom showed me that when I was 13.  Yes, it did have nudity in it and yes, i would not allow my daughter to watch it (or myself these days).

Edited April 6, 2017 by DoctorLemon

[Guest]

Airplane is rated PG and has a topless woman scene and profanity. Same with Spaceballs, without the nudity but lot's of profanity including an F bomb and rated PG. The most embarrassing part was I hadn't seen Spaceballs since I was 12 so I didn't remember it and then watched it with my Bishop's 18 year old daughter on a date.

Edited April 6, 2017 by Zarahemla

[Vort]

1 minute ago, Zarahemla said:

Airplane is rated PG and has a topless woman scene and profanity. Same with Spaceballs, without the nudity but lot's of profanity including an F bomb and rated PG.

As a wise man once said:

6 minutes ago, Vort said:

Yes, we should avoid R-rated movies. But we should avoid a lot more than that; most PG-13 and many PG movies look like sewer holes to me, and many other more innocuous movies are, at best, a waste of our time.

Well, I mean, kind of wise. Maybe. Or at least correct on this topic.

[Guest MormonGator]

2 hours ago, Zarahemla said:

Airplane is rated PG and has a topless woman scene and profanity. Same with Spaceballs, without the nudity but lot's of profanity including an F bomb and rated PG. The most embarrassing part was I hadn't seen Spaceballs since I was 12 so I didn't remember it and then watched it with my Bishop's 18 year old daughter on a date.

I love the movie Airplane, it's one of my favorite movies. I actually think the directors did the world a favor-life can be tough and we need to laugh. 

Spaceballs I thought was terrible. 

[The Folk Prophet]

2 hours ago, MormonGator said:

You owe it to the people who suffered and died to watch those movies. 

No.

[Guest MormonGator]

5 minutes ago, The Folk Prophet said:

No.

Yes. 

[The Folk Prophet]

2 hours ago, Maureen said:

The movie The Passion of the Christ was R-rated in the US and I'm sure LDS members [...] watched this movie.

Of course some did. But I would dare say that the great majority of LDS members would very much choose to not watch this.

[omegaseamaster75]

 

Can watching rated R movies keep you from a temple recommend?

What kind of entertainment you consume is not part of the temple recommend interview.  The answer is it depends on how you answer the last question of the interview.

15 Do you consider yourself worthy to enter the Lord's house and participate in temple ordinances?