The new Batman film reaches new levels of brutality, so why are we letting children watch it?
If I were 10 years old, would I be badgering my parents to take me to see the new Batman film, The Dark Knight? You bet I would. It's the latest and biggest release in the superhero genre, which children instantly understand as a direct appeal to their special interests.
It's also touched with the alluring suggestion of forbidden fruit: the maniacal, deranged face of The Joker, grippingly played by the late Heath Ledger, leers from posters all over town.
If I were the parent who relented and took a 10-year-old child to see The Dark Knight, would I be sorry? Once again, you bet I would. It's different from other superhero films, as fans are quick to point out. Certainly, there are surprises in its swooping camera angles and darkened, ominous screen.
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"It is all so perfectly fitting that in the wake of a murderous rampage in which 70 people are shot —12 fatally, including a 6-year-old girl — and countless families are sacked with unspeakable grief, you would take the time to share with us your feelings.
"Because, really, at this moment, all that matters to most of us is what a bunch of smutty purveyors of violent fantasy, half-rate actors and an industry of sick narcissism is feeling at this moment.
"Director Christopher Nolan, speaking on behalf of the cast and crew of “The Dark Knight Rises,” you told us how much you love going to the movies and how they are “one of the great American art forms.”"
Holmes didn't dye his hair red in the first 10 minutes of this movie or made all the (I suppose I would have to say "alleged," ) preparations for shooting up the theater in those 10 minutes either?
John, you just have to stay home and watch the reruns of that Batman series which were a lot more fun, campy, and clean compared to latest series of batman movies.
Apparently mass murder has wetted people's appetites to see this movie, since it is doing very well at the box office.
Ryan wrote: This article is not talking about the new batman movie. Therefore, it is not news. Please check the dates for your articles.
I dont think anyone is arguing that Holmes saw the movie BEFORE the opening. Nobody is arguing he saw the first 10 minutes & was motivated and prepared to commit the massacre.
The argument is that these movies promote sadistic violence & the wickedness that ensued
Silofolous wrote: I would certainly hope that Charles Spurgeon is denouncing Christian theatregoing on grounds further than this. By that logic, the house of the tax collector likely had the same such "sinful" types of people coming and going, but that did not stop Jesus from going in...
Read the whole article as methinks it is obvious where he stood. Interestingly those who see no harm in holywood movies and see Jesus sitting in the stalls, are those type of pastors who don't seem to be spiritually useful in their follow-up conversations in these modern times judging by the poor spiritual state of many western churches.
Note that the two greatest evangelists Spurgeon and Whitefield denounced the TV/Cinema of their day. There is an obvious reason and what did they do with their precious time?
How many happily sit through movies like the Bourne Movies...I watched one and Christ's name was abused. I note many Christians refer to those great entertaining Bourne movies! So you would start with: What did you think of the dishonouring of Christ's Name, but not with the unsaved, BUT speaking with the converted who just love the latest blockbuster movie? Or your conscience isn't troubled at all?
eyesclosed wrote: 'the view of religion which takes you to the theater is so far off from mine that I cannot commune with you therein.'
It must be a strange school for virtue which attracts the harlot and the debauchee. It is no place for a Christian if it is best appreciated by the irreligious and worldly. http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/christia/spurgeon.htm
I would certainly hope that Charles Spurgeon is denouncing Christian theatregoing on grounds further than this. By that logic, the house of the tax collector likely had the same such "sinful" types of people coming and going, but that did not stop Jesus from going in. And a shared experience is a fertile ground for evangelism. "what did you think of that part where . . .". "do you think it's okay to do that in real life?". Such great conversations can spring from movies, even if the movies themselves are not biblically-based. (that is of course very different from going to see an unrated or NC-17 film)
It has not been my lot ever to enter a theatre during the performance of a play, but I have seen enough when I have come home from journeys at night, while riding past the theatres, to make me pray that our sons and daughters may never go within their doors. It must be a strange school for virtue which attracts the harlot and the debauchee. It is no place for a Christian if it is best appreciated by the irreligious and worldly.
Question- why would a Christian watch and enjoy the very things that crucified Christ?? Psalm 11:5 The LORD tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.
R.gr wrote: Those in hollywood worship satan and with the name dark knight rises, we all, i hope know who that is refering to and its not the charactor in the movie its all about symbolism with them!
Certainly you don't suggest it merely because of the word "dark". Dark can be a godly thing. "Then spoke Solomon, The LORD said that he would dwell in the thick darkness" (1 Kings 8:12). It isn't often godly, but if darkness is equated with evil, then what does that say about God, who surrounded Himself with darkness?
But regarding the movie, I don't see anything wrong with it for an adult to watch. It is actually a good showing of how the secular world thinks concerning good and evil, pragmatism and honor.
Also, this article is for The Dark Knight, which came out 4 years ago. Why not use an up to date article for the new film?
Those in hollywood worship satan and with the name dark knight rises, we all, i hope know who that is refering to and its not the charactor in the movie its all about symbolism with them!
What should any Christian have to do with this movie or any other like it? Let the psalmist answer this question. Psa 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
John Yurich USA wrote: If the new Batman film is rated PG-13 then that indicates that children under the age of 13 are not to be permitted to view the film without having an adult present with them....
Children under the age of 13 are permitted. Their parents are merely "strongly cautioned".
"PG-13 — Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13."
If the new Batman film is rated PG-13 then that indicates that children under the age of 13 are not to be permitted to view the film without having an adult present with them. If there is excessive violence in that film then why in the name of all that is holy were there parents permitting their children under the age of 13 to view that film?
For me comic books were a massive distraction which consumed significant resources of time, energy, and thought, which could have been much better used to engage and learn more about the real world. My biggest regret is not having done more in life (thanks in large part to my obsession with the sort of fantasy entertainment comics and related media provide in such abundance); and when I see the huge numbers of volumes dealing with the so-called "Harry Potter 'universe'", the "Star Trek and Star War 'universes'", as well as many others, it makes me sick to my stomach knowing that legions of other 'kids' are similarly squandering huge chunks of their lives even as I did.
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