From HSMOM2, "Your
mom says you are not allowed to watch R-rated movies, so no, you aren't
allowed to. (I'm assuming that you are a minor.)
Now, when you are
an adult, you will have to decide whether or not R-rated movies are
appropriate to watch. Some people feel that the prophet gave it as a
commandment. Some think it is only a guideline, and that exceptions
can be made in certain instances.
My advice is this:
Seek after those things which are virtuous, lovely, and of good report,
and praiseworthy. Avoid those that aren't. You'll find that this advice
will eliminate most of the R-rated movies... and a whole bunch of PG-13
and PG films and even some G rated movies.
I personally never
rely on the rating to tell me whether a movie is "safe" or not. I check
Screen-it. And even after that, I preview every movie I show to my kids
to make sure it's okay."
From Sugashac1,
"The church has no written rules as to what you may or may not
watch. Those people that do watch the R ratings unfortunately have just
set a bad example. Remember, go by your feelings. If it makes you uncomfortable
than just don't watch. Something I've never forgotten from a YW's lesson
was "would you watch it if H.F. [Heavenly Father] was in the same room?"
because he is. Listen to that H.G. [Holy Ghost] that we are blessed
With! & CTR!"
From Nehor, "Can
you see a Rated-R film because some LDS people have seen Rated-R films,
and commented on them on this board...
"I suppose the
easy answer is: No. Your parent sets limits for you. We are complete
strangers, and although we may (or may not) be LDS, this does not mean
that we are the right judge on issue of morality. For that, you have
your bishop and (more importantly) your parents.
"The frustrating
answer would be: No. I do not know how old you are, but we are legally
allowed to see these films as we are over 18, and we have chosen to
see them. One comment that a friend on here (Barney) once made is that
just because it is OK for an adult does not make it Ok for a child.
I am a hobby painter, and work with chemicals that I do not allow my
children to play with. By the same token, there are certain films which
have an R rating where the adult could better understand the moral situation
than a child. (Having said that, I also know many adults who simply
can not comprehend that, either.)
"Then, there
is my own answer: No. The prophet has made it clear that we should avoid
Rated-R films. This is not a commandment, but it is obviously important."
From LDSINTEXA1,
"If you want to end the internal debate, simply look to what
the prophets have said. When the Prophet speaks, the debate should end.
He has spoken on the subject many times. One person making a wrong choice
doesn't justify wrong choices of another. We are all held responsible
for our own choices. Personal accountability is the key here. I am confident,
even though I don't know you, that you can make the right choice regardless
of the actions of others."
From Beninjax,
"I started searching lds.org for comments about R-rated movies.
I quickly saw most were addressed to the youth, though their explanations
of why not to watch R-rated movies usually went beyond a rating standard
to explaining principles behind selecting movies, of which the MPAA
ratings formed only a part of the information necessary to make wise
judgments. IOW, R may be bad, but that didn't make non-R good.
"I then saw
a number of direct statements to sisters, explicitly adults and not
just youth, telling them to stay away from R-rated movies...
"Then I read
H. Burke Peterson's October 1993 priesthood session address. His discussion
of movies was not rating-based but principle-based, and was explicitly
directed to the men of the church. The whole talk is interesting, blunt
and direct. This paragraph will give a taste of it:
"'Again I say,
leave it alone. Turn it off, walk away from it, burn it, erase it,
destroy it. I know it is hard counsel we give when we say movies that
are R-rated, and many with PG-13 ratings, are produced by satanic
influences. Our standards should not be dictated by the rating system.
I repeat, because of what they really represent, these types of movies,
music, tapes, etc. serve the purposes of the author of all darkness.'
(H. Burke Peterson, "Touch
Not the Evil Gift, nor the Unclean Thing," Ensign, Nov. 1993,
42)
"I think this
particular sermon makes several points. It outlines the standard for
judging all entertainment, and it sets the bar high.
"To me, that
means this: The entertainment industry is not innocuous. Many people
are telling stories that are evil. Some people are telling good stories
but using a means of telling them that is destructive. Very few are
telling uplifting stories in uplifting ways. The rating system alone
won't protect me. Moroni 10:30-32 and D&C 88:67 set an extraordinary
standard that entertainment, by itself, seldom meets....
"If my standard
is to keep my eye single to the glory of God, that necessarily demands
a different way of making choices than just selecting entertainment
based on an MPAA rating..."
