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Alright, some thoughts provoked by another blog I read (http://eruntalon.blogspot.com/2008/12/little-rant.html)
Can movies and/or video games ever successfully be titled "Christian" with our standard of "Christian" behind it?
At the moment I am thinking "no." But that depends largely on the purpose of such. If the purpose of a movie is entertainment, then I don't want to watch "Facing the Giants." I am not entertained. I think it is a script which I could have written. Nothing surprising, and no sweet screen shots. However, looking at the story from a point of meaning, there is meaning. There is principle there.
So, do we watch movies for meaning/principle? Sometimes. Braveheart. Yes, it is a fantastic movie for many reasons, but I can't watch that movie without feeling saddened by the betrayal, and the broken-heartedness. What about old classics? Star Wars? We don't watch it for principle. We may draw principle from it, but it is entertainment.
Of course, everyone draws different things from different movies. I don't understand why girls would want to watch a movie they know is sad, that is going to have them all crying in the end. BUT they get together to watch it anyway. So, we all watch movies for different things, and from that perspective, it is possible to have a "Christian" movie.
Video games however are pure entertainment. Of course, they are becoming more and more of other things. Anyone seen the new cooking commercial for the handheld something (psp, or NDS). But still, video games are for entertainment. So, what is a "Christian" video game, and how do you win? By getting the most sinners into Heaven? Sounds Catholic/Pharisaical to me.
Anyway, there are my thoughts. Let me know what you think.
Merry Christmas to all, and happy new year. (Since I probably won't be back to blog in quite a while. . .just in case: Happy Valentines day!!)
Peace
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3 comments:
Good thoughts, and by and large, I think I do agree with you.
Movies are so very difficult to pin down, because, as you say, everyone watches them for different reasons. But when I think of Christian art, at least in a realm that I would ever consider making it, it isn't so much that the story is inherently or intrinsicly "Christian", but rather that it brings up points of discussion and philosophy that are reflective of Christianity as we would know it, while at the same time not directly contradicting Christianity.
Similarly with video games, a game does not have to be "Christian" in the sense that it directly ties into the salvation message to be a Christian work of art. And I'm not even talking allegory. I suppose this might delve more into the realm of accidental, or even revealed truth...which can be controversial at times (and not always agreeable), but anyway. When I think of what I would like to see as a Christian game, it isn't so much a game that attempts to bring people to Christ so much as it is a game that a Christian with the right heart and mind would be willing to create and play. Sorry for the long comment. Is this making any sense, or am I just rambling my head off with pointless thoughts?
Personally, I think that video games and movies are purely entertainment. Even movies that "have meaning" (Is there a movie that doesn't? Honestly. . . ) are for entertainment. Or perhaps, enjoyment is a better word. You get some type of fun out of it.
But really, I think it's all about motive. Why watch the movie you're going to watch? Whether or not it has a moral, whether or not you apply the moral. Why are you watching a movie? Everyone knows that watching movies and playing video games are NOT the best way to spend their time. Yet we do it. Are we lazy? Are we brain-washed to thinking that we deserve time to relax and not think? Is reality so unenjoyable for us that we want to "escape" to something fake? /shrug I don't know.
Happy Valentines day David!
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