Mormons? Many of you say you watch...?

Question

...R rated movies. Didn't your prophet specifically say not to watch them?

This is one of the few instances I have seen Mormons wimp out on there beliefs... I have a lot of respect for all of you, but this puts a damper on it.

Why do you do it? If you 'know' your prophet is a prophet of God?

I understand people and members aren't important... I'm just a little disapointed.

Sorry scratch that last detail I meant to say

i understand they're not Perfect.

lol!

Answer 1

Hey thanks for bringing up this question! It's the kind of thing we LDS sometimes need brought up so we remember it's not just our culture, but the teachings of a prophet.

I remember when The Matrix came out, my family watched it but I didn't because it was rated R. Even though they went on and on about how good it was and how there was no sex.. just violence.
I do admit I sometimes do the matrix moves I learned from my friends. Who can resist right? Now I know what to do if I get shot at LOL!
But I think this is the kind of thing Satan (yes Satan is real) will specifically attack LDS at. Because I know for a fact some rated R movies are really good looking. Amazingly good looking. At they might not have a lot of bad things in them, but we're still disobeying the prophet when we watch them. And if we can be tricked into disobeying the prophet on a small point once, we can be tricked into disobeying him on a bigger point later.

That's the truth. :)

Answer 2

The only people you'll find that comply with 100% of the tenants of their religion are people who have extremly lax religious beliefs.

The fact is that it is not easy to be a devout Mormon. It is a church that has very high expectations of it's members.

We believe that it's important to control the things that we see and hear. Clearly, some mormons are lax on this point, and admitedly, there is a lot of entertainment that is crude, vulgar, violent, etc. We're encouraged to avoid R-rated movies and other inappropriate entertainment.

I'll watch edited versions of R-Rated movies and I have a clearplay dvd player that removes the content that you want to remove. Many will wait till the edited version airs on television. Still others will "selectivly" watch them.

Ultimatly, we'll all be judged by God for our actions. I think there will be some Mormons in heaven who have watched R-Rated movies and some in Hell who never have.

Answer 3

First of all, before I argue this point... I've never watched any movie that was rated R or even PG-13. Scratch that... I did see 1 movie that was PG-13. It was the latest Star Wars movie. And I only saw part of it before I got bored and turned on the basketball game.

Second of all, the prophet previously specifically said not to watch R-rated movies, but the church's stance has changed to be more strict and encourage more judgment by the members as opposed to some random dude who slept through the movie that's the 14th he watched that day and then slapped a tag on it. The church now asks us to refrain from "inappropriate media", which may include any movies (heck -- I've had to walk out of a PG-rated movie before!), pornography, violent video games, etc.

I don't approve of watching R-rated movies (as stated in my first statement), but here's your answer.

Lots of good answers here. No one is perfect... we must come as close as we can, and then through the Atonement of our Savior, we can repent if we truly are sorry of our sins and don't repeat our errors.

Answer 4

I don't do it. Why generalize?
But here's why:
1. R-rated movies are depressing! They are violent and sexual in nature and they make me sad! I decided many years ago that the only movies I would watch would be "da da" movies (happy movies). And I can't think of a single R-rated movie which fits.
2. Life is too short to watch crap. I see very few movies these days because Hollywood is fixated on creating crap. Next!
3. My VCR and DVD player are usually preempted with things like Blue's Clues, Toy Story and Baby Einstein. When the kids go to bed the tv is off (and we don't have satellite or cable) and I bring out a book or something else.

But you are right. We are told that these forms of media are not good for us to view. We should not participate. However, Mormons are human too and make mistakes. So, I guess we all need to turn it inward...you too, my friend!...and figure out where to improve and how to do better.

Cheers.

Answer 5

It is a more recent development that the Prophet told us to refrain from watching R rated movies (and also inappropriate PG 13 movies as well)...

Many of us are weak.. I personally threw out about 3 trash barrels full of R rated movies.. good movies.. action packed.. Top Box Office movies.. Die Hard, Terminator, Predator, etc...

I am still going through my PG13 movies to see which ones are inappropriate...

And, I will NOT buy any movies that are unrated unless I find out beforehand that they are OK.. I have seen ONE of them so far that seemed to be a bit more than would be allowed even in an R Rated movie.. so no more...

Edit: I was 46 years old when I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.. so I still carry a lot of old habit type of baggage.

Answer 6

I know he's a prophet of God because of many things, and I don't have time to explain all those reasons, but I don't watch R rated movies cuz makes me have bad feelings litening and watching to that kind of stuff. Sexual remarks and scenes especially. I don't need or want that in my life anyways. I have seen one or two R movies, but not enough to make me continue disobeying the prophet (which means disobeying Heavenly Father).

Answer 7

So...you must be perfect? Is that what you are getting at? You know God is God so you never sin, right?

We are human. We sometimes stray from what we know is right, some people call it "justification"...
Knowing a prophet is a prophet has got nothing to do with it, I know without a doubt President Hinckley is a prophet of God, I have watched R rated movies, but have set myself a goal to try to stop and so far am doing really well. We all have our weaknesses. The prophets have said not to look at pornography, yet there are church members who do. The prophets have said to be more kind, to love one another, yet we still gossip. Why do you think they are constantly telling us what we need to hear??? Satan can tempt us and he knows each one of our weaknesses.

All we can do is try our best and let GOD be the judge.

Answer 8

I am not perfect and yes I have watched rated R movies for example I watched United 93 and that was rated R! I have also done other things that are considered bad, no one is perfect that is why we got to church and have Jesus Christ!

PS Most LDS families I know do not watch rated R movies, I still need to mature spiritually! That is my own struggle however.

Wow the answers to this question has really opened up my eyes to some LDs members opinions....not in a good way however.

Answer 9

Hmm, I just joined a new movie company that is producing movies which will be more G and PG type ratings. It's called Audience Alliance and the website is below. Hopefully some good things will come out of it. They let people help edit their scripts and script ideas. It was a big splurge to join, but it is one way I can think of locally to show Hollywood that what people really want is clean movies, well-written and well-done.

Answer 10

I don't watch R movies, but I do feel a bit ashamed when I find out a close LDS friend of mine watched a few. It is really dissapointing to me that although The Prophet has told us not to watch them some members continue to, but then again I do things I'm not suppose to, but I'm working at it.