After weeks of refusing, I finally went and saw Hunger Games with Neal. Long story short, I owed Neal. So we went to the movie theater, and I sat down and watched the movie with him.
Now, if you love me, and you love Hunger Games, and you don't want to get mad or blah blah blah, stop reading, because I'm about to destroy it.
Back when I was refusing to see the movie/read the books, I was asked MANY times why I was refusing. My answer was always "it's about children killing children...why would I want that in my head?" The response would always be the following: "Ya! But it's about sticking it to the man, and standing up for your rights..." etc., etc..
Does anyone but me see something wrong with that statement? Anyone? Let me explain my thinking.
Here is a quote from Mary N. Cook in her October 2010 General Conference talk: "We must model that which is virtuous and lovely by our personal media choices. We must take care that the media we invite into our homes does not dull the sensitivity to the Spirit, harm relationships with our family and friends, or reveal personal priorities that are inconsistent with gospel principles."
A quote from M. Russell Ballard in his April 1989 talk titled "The Effects of Television": 'Volumes of research data show the detrimental effects of television, but I just say that television and videocassette viewing by youngsters has a significant impact on their behavior. We must not take lightly the confession of a recently executed killer on the impact pornography and violence in media had on his life. The Apostle Paul warned that men can become “past feeling … [giving] themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.” '
A quote from Joe J. Christensen in his October 1996 talk titled "The Savior is Counting On You": It is very unreasonable to suppose that exposure to profanity, nudity, sex, and violence has no negative effects on us. We can’t roll around in the mud without getting dirty."
Ok. Enough of the quotes. Does anyone see my point yet? That YES, the series may be about sticking it to the man, standing up for your rights, etc., but its STILL ABOUT CHILDREN KILLING CHILDREN!!!!! I bawled through the entire thing! There were a couple times Neal asked me if I wanted to leave the theater and wait outside, and honestly, I wish I would have said yes...because now I have those scenes engraved in my mind, and I will have to remember them throughout my entire life. I don't think it's far-fetched to say that watching murder happen (and yes, I mean murder...innocent people were 'killed') dulls our sensitivity to the Spirit, as Sister Cook talked about. I don't think it's a coincidence that when prophets, apostles, and other people called to preach to us talk about the effects of violence AND sex in the media. You wouldn't watch (or let your children watch) a movie with an explicit sex scene...so why would you watch explicit violence?
Its definitely not a movie that will be allowed in our house, and we definitely will never see it again.
After reading all the books and crying my eyes out, I have to agree with you. And despite how violent the movie was, the book is much worse. Those images are intense, and everyone is ready and willing to jump on the "cool" boat and watch it. My mom made me think about it a lot and I doubt I'll watch the next ones simply because of how much worse it does get. My mom refused to read them simply because of the thought of children killing children. Few societies would stoop that low.
ReplyDeleteMaybe our group FHE will be about influences and keeping ourselves free of that.
Hmmmm...I like the FHE idea Heather.
ReplyDelete