Should We Watch Movies?
First, recreation is good, if it is a wholesome activity. Recreation can be a physical activity, reading fiction, watching a movie, or any number of other activities.
Of course, spending an excess amount of time in recreational activities isn't so good for us, if they are keeping us from improving ourselves spiritually and physically.
For anyone to come out and say all movies are bad and we shouldn't waste our time watching anything can be considered self-righteous. Likewise, to say everything from Hollywood is evil is very judgmental. I happen to agree that MOST of the stuff is garbage and should not be ingested in any manner. But, there is the rare gem, and one must be very discerning.
Certainly there is a lot of trash. Personally, anymore I do not care to watch something if it has to be edited. I'd rather not support the creation of that kind of material in any way.
But, if I know something is "virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy" I'd like to watch it. And, of course this "praiseworthy" is not necessarily what will win an Oscar, or get critical acclaim. This is more what our Savior would approve of us watching and teaching our children.
Years ago, before having children, I might watch a movie or two each week. Sometimes I'd watch TV as well, or play video games on the computer.
As children came, and are still young, time for this type of recreation is rare. My wife and I might watch a movie once very month or two. TV is basically PBS cartoons, and that is limited to probably a hour or less per day because we want the kids to be playing. I used to play the occasional game on my phone (I can't remember the last computer game I played, or when it was), but I decided I'd rather spend the time on other things.
My wife and I have been looking at the videos we have--which we haven't watched in years--and are deciding that most of them are not worth keeping. Yes, there are some enjoyable parts in many of them--which is why we have them in the collection--but are they something we really want our children to watch, even when they are older? In most cases the answer is no.
So, we are becoming more discerning in what movies we are keeping, and what we will be watching.
For those who can fully extract themselves from the electronic recreation they discover they have time for other interests. While I am not a proponent of completely getting rid of this type of recreation, most people spend too much time in front of screens watching movies, TV, or playing games. Too much exposure to this type of recreation becomes mind-numbing, and de-sensitizing. Personally, I think more than an hour per day is too much, which means to watch a movie I try to have a few days where I've spent less than an hour of recreational screen-time.
And for those who think that time should be spent in the scriptures or reading the words of the prophets, you should know that I spend 30-60 minutes almost everyday reading, studying, and contemplating the word of God. Many days I include writing in a spiritual thoughts journal regarding what I have studied. I do not sacrifice that time for recreational screen time.
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update 6 December 2016
I posted the above on another blog and received the following response, to which I gave the additional reply:
Of course, spending an excess amount of time in recreational activities isn't so good for us, if they are keeping us from improving ourselves spiritually and physically.
For anyone to come out and say all movies are bad and we shouldn't waste our time watching anything can be considered self-righteous. Likewise, to say everything from Hollywood is evil is very judgmental. I happen to agree that MOST of the stuff is garbage and should not be ingested in any manner. But, there is the rare gem, and one must be very discerning.
Certainly there is a lot of trash. Personally, anymore I do not care to watch something if it has to be edited. I'd rather not support the creation of that kind of material in any way.
But, if I know something is "virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy" I'd like to watch it. And, of course this "praiseworthy" is not necessarily what will win an Oscar, or get critical acclaim. This is more what our Savior would approve of us watching and teaching our children.
Years ago, before having children, I might watch a movie or two each week. Sometimes I'd watch TV as well, or play video games on the computer.
As children came, and are still young, time for this type of recreation is rare. My wife and I might watch a movie once very month or two. TV is basically PBS cartoons, and that is limited to probably a hour or less per day because we want the kids to be playing. I used to play the occasional game on my phone (I can't remember the last computer game I played, or when it was), but I decided I'd rather spend the time on other things.
My wife and I have been looking at the videos we have--which we haven't watched in years--and are deciding that most of them are not worth keeping. Yes, there are some enjoyable parts in many of them--which is why we have them in the collection--but are they something we really want our children to watch, even when they are older? In most cases the answer is no.
So, we are becoming more discerning in what movies we are keeping, and what we will be watching.
For those who can fully extract themselves from the electronic recreation they discover they have time for other interests. While I am not a proponent of completely getting rid of this type of recreation, most people spend too much time in front of screens watching movies, TV, or playing games. Too much exposure to this type of recreation becomes mind-numbing, and de-sensitizing. Personally, I think more than an hour per day is too much, which means to watch a movie I try to have a few days where I've spent less than an hour of recreational screen-time.
And for those who think that time should be spent in the scriptures or reading the words of the prophets, you should know that I spend 30-60 minutes almost everyday reading, studying, and contemplating the word of God. Many days I include writing in a spiritual thoughts journal regarding what I have studied. I do not sacrifice that time for recreational screen time.
---
update 6 December 2016
I posted the above on another blog and received the following response, to which I gave the additional reply:
ChrisDecember 6, 2016 at 9:22 AM
If those are the only things you might consider as "gems," then it has been a long time since you watched anything. Personally, while I think "It's a Wonderful Life" is a good story, it is not a favorite. But it can be inspiration to many to look at the good in their lives. I actually don't enjoy the story of Rudolf.
I've heard some so-called praises in song, dance, and music which are definitely not inspirational to me.
I believe most will agree that most of the so-called entertainment that much of our society engages in, whether it comes from Hollywood or another source, cannot be considered wholesome, or uplifting, or even truly recreational where the body, mind, and/or spirit can receive rejuvenation and be re-energized.
For anyone to blatantly say visual media (TV, movies, etc.) is all trash is essentially saying everyone must learn the same way. Some learn better by reading, some by physical activity, others are more visual. Some students learn well by incorporating music or movement into their learning, others need silence.
If movies, or dramatic representations of stories, was so evil then I doubt the early prophets would have been proponents of wholesome theatre.
It is certainly best to receive instruction directly from the source of truth, the Holy Spirit and through the reading of God's word. But sometimes a visual representation can have a more profound effect on some people.
Many of the stories in the scriptures would certainly offend many if they were shown in even the sparse detail described in the scriptures. For others it might inspire the desire to more deeply study the scriptures.
There is something to be said about opening one's mind to the views of others.
Too often we become close-minded to additional instruction because we become set in our minds, and we begin to believe our understanding is correct. But, how often do we learn new insights from the scriptures with every new reading of the same verses?
Everyone, even within the same family, has different life experiences and learns things a little differently. For one person to say there way is the best is a little presumptuous.
While there are certainly ordinances all must receive to return to the Father, our paths are unique and individualized. If we humble ourselves to the will of the Father, and are willing to be led by the Spirit, our trials and the many events of life will help us return.
We are all at different places in our lives and we cannot assume that what works for one person will always work for another. Anyone who has more than one child has probably realized those children are very different, and what worked for the first may not work for the second, or third, or any other.
As parents, a guidebook to raising children would be nice, but the reality is a separate guidebook is needed for each child. Some generalities may work, but the details and specifics are lacking. This is where is becomes critical for us to live close to God, to seek after his guidance and instruction, not just for us but in teaching and helping others as well, especially the children our Father has sent to our families.
I've heard some so-called praises in song, dance, and music which are definitely not inspirational to me.
I believe most will agree that most of the so-called entertainment that much of our society engages in, whether it comes from Hollywood or another source, cannot be considered wholesome, or uplifting, or even truly recreational where the body, mind, and/or spirit can receive rejuvenation and be re-energized.
For anyone to blatantly say visual media (TV, movies, etc.) is all trash is essentially saying everyone must learn the same way. Some learn better by reading, some by physical activity, others are more visual. Some students learn well by incorporating music or movement into their learning, others need silence.
If movies, or dramatic representations of stories, was so evil then I doubt the early prophets would have been proponents of wholesome theatre.
It is certainly best to receive instruction directly from the source of truth, the Holy Spirit and through the reading of God's word. But sometimes a visual representation can have a more profound effect on some people.
Many of the stories in the scriptures would certainly offend many if they were shown in even the sparse detail described in the scriptures. For others it might inspire the desire to more deeply study the scriptures.
There is something to be said about opening one's mind to the views of others.
Too often we become close-minded to additional instruction because we become set in our minds, and we begin to believe our understanding is correct. But, how often do we learn new insights from the scriptures with every new reading of the same verses?
Everyone, even within the same family, has different life experiences and learns things a little differently. For one person to say there way is the best is a little presumptuous.
While there are certainly ordinances all must receive to return to the Father, our paths are unique and individualized. If we humble ourselves to the will of the Father, and are willing to be led by the Spirit, our trials and the many events of life will help us return.
We are all at different places in our lives and we cannot assume that what works for one person will always work for another. Anyone who has more than one child has probably realized those children are very different, and what worked for the first may not work for the second, or third, or any other.
As parents, a guidebook to raising children would be nice, but the reality is a separate guidebook is needed for each child. Some generalities may work, but the details and specifics are lacking. This is where is becomes critical for us to live close to God, to seek after his guidance and instruction, not just for us but in teaching and helping others as well, especially the children our Father has sent to our families.
Or like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer that is so biased and cringe worthy discriminatory! Rudolph's father tries to hide his son's red nose and Santa basically says, "No red nosed freaks on my sleigh team son."
Everyone can try to split hairs all they want. The only recreation I've seen approved of in the scriptures is in Psalm 150.
Praising the Lord with song, dance, and music. Nothing in there about King David playing games.