Is it alright for a Christian to watch horror films?

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BeaRhea

Guest
#1
#1
I love all sorts of films, from the classics to the modern ones.

But something must be wrong with me.. I enjoy watching movies like Saw, Wrong Turn, Human Centipede, Anabelle, Conjuring, etc. Some of my friends think it's weird that I watch Hannibal and AHS. These are some of the things I have to let go as I continue my walk with Christ. These movies doesn't really affect my way of thinking or the way I see other people or my relationship with God. Do I really have to give them up? I won't hesitate, though. I don't want to disobey God.

Also, I don't tell my parents I watch these sorts of movies.

Your thoughts?
 
Lynx

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
#2
Aug 13, 2014
24,913
8,167
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#2
We can't tell you what you can/cannot do as a christian. It is for your pastor and parents to set standards.

All I'll say is I never watch horror movies... and I never have nightmares. Some really bizarre dreams sometimes, but never nightmares. (And I'm much less likely to die of a heart attack too.) ;)

But yeah, it's not our place to tell you "it's okay for you to do that" or "you shouldn't do that."
 
K

kenthomas27

Guest
#3
#3
Wow, little sister - I hope not! If there is something wrong with it, you and me both have a lot of splainin' to do. Let me follow this question up with this caveat though ..... What do you think BeaRhea? Sometimes I think that (like beauty) sin is in the eye of the beholder. In other words, sin is what we turn a thing into. Pornography, for instance, would lie dormant as a thing until a person uses that thing for sinful purposes just like a gun lies dormant til a person pulls the trigger. So in the case of horror films, what does this "thing" do for you? Does it lead you away from God? Does it tempt you in other ways to sin? The reason I ask is because.....well - because YOU asked. And by your asking means, to me, that you are convicted somehow by it and it has led you to question your motives. If that's the case then you probably need to question why. You mentioned that you didn't tell your parents anything about it - so would this be a case of not honoring your mother and father? Is this the sin? Point is, it's kind of subjective. Maybe pray about his and ask for His discernment.
 
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BeaRhea

Guest
#4
#4
Lynx said:
We can't tell you what you can/cannot do as a christian. It is for your pastor and parents to set standards.

All I'll say is I never watch horror movies... and I never have nightmares. Some really bizarre dreams sometimes, but never nightmares. (And I'm much less likely to die of a heart attack too.) ;)

But yeah, it's not our place to tell you "it's okay for you to do that" or "you shouldn't do that."
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I haven't told/asked my pastor about this. You see, the pastor is my dad. :) I've abstained myself from watching movies with the genre. It's weird how I never had a nightmare watching all those stuff. Prayer does help a lot :)
 
Lynx

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
#5
Aug 13, 2014
24,913
8,167
113
#5
Well at 19 years of age you're old enough to make your own decisions.

As kenthomas said, the question is why do you ask the question? Do you take a Dexter-ish pleasure in that kind of film?
 
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BeaRhea

Guest
#6
#6
kenthomas27 said:
Wow, little sister - I hope not! If there is something wrong with it, you and me both have a lot of splainin' to do. Let me follow this question up with this caveat though ..... What do you think BeaRhea? Sometimes I think that (like beauty) sin is in the eye of the beholder. In other words, sin is what we turn a thing into. Pornography, for instance, would lie dormant as a thing until a person uses that thing for sinful purposes just like a gun lies dormant til a person pulls the trigger. So in the case of horror films, what does this "thing" do for you? Does it lead you away from God? Does it tempt you in other ways to sin? The reason I ask is because.....well - because YOU asked. And by your asking means, to me, that you are convicted somehow by it and it has led you to question your motives. If that's the case then you probably need to question why. You mentioned that you didn't tell your parents anything about it - so would this be a case of not honoring your mother and father? Is this the sin? Point is, it's kind of subjective. Maybe pray about his and ask for His discernment.
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Right..right.. I get what you mean brother. And I agree. Watching those movies, as far as I can remember, didn't lead me to sin. I never killed anyone, nor thought of killing anyone, after watching the films. I was just fascinated at how people died in the movies, well, honestly I was depressed during that time and the movies helped me through it; watching people get hurt and suffer like I do because I know those characters are not real. They're only acting. I would never want that to anyone. Okay now that you've mentioned about me not telling my parents, yeah, I realized that I have sinned. My mom and dad didn't want us to watch such kind of violence. You're right, I haven't honored them. But that was in the past. I am positively moving on and leaving all these things behind. I haven't watched anything for almost a month. I'm going slowly but surely. Been praying earnestly for this.
 
blue_ladybug

blue_ladybug

Senior Member
#7
Feb 21, 2014
70,869
9,601
113
#7
I watch scary movies only on halloween.. This halloween, I watched only one..The second one had too much swearing so I turned it off. And to whoever posts after me, I know I'm a heathen.. :p
 
tourist

tourist

Senior Member
#8
Mar 13, 2014
41,313
16,301
113
69
Tennessee
#8
blue_ladybug said:
I watch scary movies only on halloween.. This halloween, I watched only one..The second one had too much swearing so I turned it off. And to whoever posts after me, I know I'm a heathen.. :p
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Actually, you are not a heathen but a very sweet person.
 
S

Siberian_Khatru

Guest
#10
#10
Horror movies aren't my thing, but I enjoy certain secular things, as I'm sure the vast majority of Christians do at one time or another (from what I've gathered in discussions). A heathen, by definition, though, is to say that you do not acknowledge God (or are, in other words, a pagan).

I don't think either of us are heathens. :)

I WOULD, however, have to condemn you for watching Human Centipede. :p
 
U

Ugly

Guest
#11
#11
I've never been a big fan of horror. But as most horror seems to fall into one of two categories 1) mindless violence and gore 2) demonic spirituality... i question why would a Christian find that entertaining. I used to find more violent movies entertaining (for reasons i won't get into). I thought Saw as awesome. But when Saw 2 came out i watched the first five minutes of it and i felt horrible and convicted. Being entertained at the idea of people being tortured, that's all it really was. I have since avoided movies that have senseless, mindless violence as the only form of entertainment.
 
secularhermit

secularhermit

Banned
#12
May 3, 2013
8,719
75
0
#12
BeaRhea said:
I love all sorts of films, from the classics to the modern ones.

But something must be wrong with me.. I enjoy watching movies like Saw, Wrong Turn, Human Centipede, Anabelle, Conjuring, etc. Some of my friends think it's weird that I watch Hannibal and AHS. These are some of the things I have to let go as I continue my walk with Christ. These movies doesn't really affect my way of thinking or the way I see other people or my relationship with God. Do I really have to give them up? I won't hesitate, though. I don't want to disobey God.

Also, I don't tell my parents I watch these sorts of movies.

Your thoughts?
Click to expand...
Just watch part of Thriller. of Michael Jackson, and tell me what you liked there (He said, as Intro; "he doesn´t believed in the ocult") so, at your age, do you know what draws you there?

I cut that part of the cemetery, picturing the resurrection of DEAD ones... Do you liked that?

I hope you find it out! :eek:
 
Roh_Chris

Roh_Chris

Senior Member
#13
Jun 15, 2014
4,728
58
48
#13
I think this is a question that you will have to answer for yourself. If you feel that the violence and gore are affecting you spiritually or mentally then it may be better to give up watching such movies.

However, I wonder how can someone enjoy watching a movie as revolting as "The Human Centipede".
 
Chopper

Chopper

Senior Member
#14
Nov 8, 2014
402
11
18
#14
You want really good movies to watch? Read the Book, don't wait for the movie!
There's all sorts of stories there better than any movie you could possibly watch!
If that's not good enough, try getting the visual Bible, and watch it that way.
There's some awesome stories that even Hollywood could not make better!
 
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BananaPie

Guest
#15
#15
BeaRhea said:
...These movies doesn't really affect my way of thinking or the way I see other people or my relationship with God. Do I really have to give them up?
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Yes, you must give them all up, and here's the reason why. All horror movies have one theme in common: torture leading to murder.

In the NT all believers are instructed to "whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by Him" (Colossians 3:17).

Remember, we are to live for the glory of God, "who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand blameless in the presence of His glory with exceeding joy" (Jude v.24).

Furthermore, the horror movies ARE affecting you already since, by your own admission, you're unable to share your "entertainment reality" with other believers (your parents).

That's like having a secret life, which is contrary to what the Lord Jesus said, "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

Again, our lives as saints are to resonant God's approval in all that we say, do, think, see and hear. Enjoy the Lord Jesus in your youth, and may you grow from strength to everlasting strength in great expectation of seeing the Lord Jesus face-to-face. :)




 
Nautilus

Nautilus

Senior Member
#16
Jun 29, 2012
6,488
53
48
#16
Chopper said:
You want really good movies to watch? Read the Book, don't wait for the movie!
There's all sorts of stories there better than any movie you could possibly watch!
If that's not good enough, try getting the visual Bible, and watch it that way.
There's some awesome stories that even Hollywood could not make better!
Click to expand...
Such juking...wow


Anyways back to the OP, horror movies are generally fine as long as you can separate fact from fiction.
 
christian_chick50109

christian_chick50109

Senior Member
#17
Dec 30, 2009
261
0
16
#17
My fiance watched that stuff a lot. One day I asked him why. I asked him if he was being edified by them, he said no. I asked him if he could apply Philippians 4:8 to them, he said no. I asked him why he felt it was okay to pay someone to scared him, he said he had gotten so used to them they dont scare him anymore. So I asked him why he watched them, he couldn't answer me. He actually got mad at me cause he couldn't give me an answer. So I told him to pray about it. God led him to get rid of every single horror movie he owned. My two cents...if its not edifying, and if it doesn't glorify God, I have problems watching it. Pray about it, if you're feeling confused or maybe even convicted about it(to be honest I didn't read much of this thread, just a few of the most recent comments) I would re-think watching them.
 
B

BeaRhea

Guest
#18
#18
Siberian_Khatru said:
Horror movies aren't my thing, but I enjoy certain secular things, as I'm sure the vast majority of Christians do at one time or another (from what I've gathered in discussions). A heathen, by definition, though, is to say that you do not acknowledge God (or are, in other words, a pagan).

I don't think either of us are heathens. :)

I WOULD, however, have to condemn you for watching Human Centipede. :p
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I know. I've already condemned myself for that. I didnt watch the part 2 though. I knew it was too much.
 
B

BeaRhea

Guest
#19
#19
BananaPie said:
Yes, you must give them all up, and here's the reason why. All horror movies have one theme in common: torture leading to murder.

In the NT all believers are instructed to "whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by Him" (Colossians 3:17).

Remember, we are to live for the glory of God, "who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand blameless in the presence of His glory with exceeding joy" (Jude v.24).

Furthermore, the horror movies ARE affecting you already since, by your own admission, you're unable to share your "entertainment reality" with other believers (your parents).

That's like having a secret life, which is contrary to what the Lord Jesus said, "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

Again, our lives as saints are to resonant God's approval in all that we say, do, think, see and hear. Enjoy the Lord Jesus in your youth, and may you grow from strength to everlasting strength in great expectation of seeing the Lord Jesus face-to-face. :)




Click to expand...
Thank you for clearing this up. :) I won't watch any of it now. I'll get rid of everything. And ask forgiveness. And maybe I'll just go for Rom-Coms now. :)
 
K

kennethcadwell

Guest
#20
#20
BeaRhea said:
I love all sorts of films, from the classics to the modern ones.

But something must be wrong with me.. I enjoy watching movies like Saw, Wrong Turn, Human Centipede, Anabelle, Conjuring, etc. Some of my friends think it's weird that I watch Hannibal and AHS. These are some of the things I have to let go as I continue my walk with Christ. These movies doesn't really affect my way of thinking or the way I see other people or my relationship with God. Do I really have to give them up? I won't hesitate, though. I don't want to disobey God.

Also, I don't tell my parents I watch these sorts of movies.

Your thoughts?
Click to expand...

I believe as long as you take it as just entertainment, not seriously, or not let it control your actions and thoughts to where you want to go out and do what you see. Then I see nothing wrong with this.
People go way over board on stuff like this, and want to try and stick to the old strict standards as if you are condemned for every movement you make.
If you look at these movies like I previously stated, and if you could up and stop watching those movies today if you wanted to then no. Eat, drink, be marry....this is in the bible. If you can not stop watching them without help, then it is a sin because it becomes a form of an idol.
The other thing is I believe if we are condemned by watching these movies, then we as Christians better stop watching all news programs because we can see almost the same thing in them.
 
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