Rated R movies

[Jared SmithKeymaster]

Are there any church authorities that say don’t watch “Rated R” movies? I know they say don’t watch movies with bad things in them, but that doesn’t seem to be good enough for some people around me.

When I was younger my mom always said that a prophet said don’t watch rated R movies. If one did (and actually mentioned the words “Rated R”) that might be enough for them to stop watching the movies.

Please help!

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

The best answer to this topic (imho) was written by Orson Scott Card and is online here:

Is there an R-rated movie commandment?

In short, no sitting prophet has specifically named rated R movies as no-nos to the general church membership. Ezra Taft Benson did name R movies as not appropriate for youth in at least 3 different talks. Some other GAs have named rated R movies as bad.

Despite the lack of a definitive statment, however — it is clear that most R-rated movies (and many PG-13s and increasingly PG movies) do not fit our standards as being “virtuous, lovely, or of good report”. Movies are rated by the movie industry, and if you’ve seen some of the same movies I have, you know the ratings system is becoming less and less reliable for determining appropriate viewing material. I like the though that Card uses to close his article: don’t turn your conscience over to Hollywood.

The main reason you haven’t heard a specific naming of the R-rating as forbidden is that in our church, we teach principles and let people govern themselves. If a film is obscene, violent, uses foul language, or includes sexual or other themes that drive away the Spirit, we should avoid it — regardless of its rating. You and others must use your judgement about what is appropriate for viewing. If what you watch drives away the Spirit — avoid it.

But if you’re looking for some sort of definitive statment like Gordon B. Hinckley says NO R MOVIES — sorry. It’s not out there. It comes down to making choices and allowing others to exercise their agency as well. As a friend, you can and should express your concerns to your friends who view material that you feel is not appropriate for an aspiring God or Goddess.

Hope this helps,
-j

(It’s also interesting to note that that R-rating only applies here in the US. Now that most church members live outside the US, a blanket statement like that would be meaningless to those members.)

[Jared SmithKeymaster]

thank you so much!!

[Candy Spencer]

http://ldsfriends.com/the-counsel-against-rated-r-movies/

I just read this great article with many quotes by general authorities of the church. Just thought I would share. I am happy to have so many references when it comes to backing up my decision to stay clear of rated R movies.

[Author]

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