Lindsey,

Watching overt sex (pornography) is a violation of the respect owed to the body and soul of the person in the performance. Putting sexuality and violence/horror together conditions their pairing in our psyches . . . as with the serial murderer Ted Bundy, who said his urges came from pornography. Watching these things is at least dangerous and can be seriously morally wrong. If you love scary movies, go see movies that do not fuse sex with the violence.

You should ask yourself why you love scary movies.

St. Augustine said that a person can be addicted to watching violence, and he spoke of the addictive bloodlust of the circus games.

Mary Ann

Dear Lindsey,

Thank you for your question. It is good that you are concerned about the nature of what you watch. However, the issue is not just the nudity and sex often depicted in horror films. It is your attachment of horror films as well.

As Christians we have a responsibility to keep custody of our senses. That means we need to be careful of what we dwell upon, watch, listen too, and speak.

We obviously should try an avoid material that appeals to our lower nature. That is not always possible and, to some extent, it is a subjective proposition.

For instance: There are many excellent historical dramas that, in their realistic portrayal of an event, often show graphic scenes. These scenes either show gore or nudity, but the scene is an integral part in the portrayal of the circumstance. The point of the scene is not appeal to our base instincts. In these instances, we have to recognize our own weakness. If we can watch such film without falling into sin, then the it's OK for us to watch it. If, on the other hand, the scene will inevitably lead us in to dwell on the bloody or sexual aspects of the movie, then we should avoid the film.

Horror films are not unlike pornography in that they appeal to base instincts. They don't seek any other higher artistic goal. They simply are designed to give the same kind of thrill that one derives from pornography. Think about it:

• Is it really any worse to get a thrill by watching fornication than it is to get a thrill watching someone getting bloodied to death?

Both of these are voyeurism that exploits the sin of others in order to stimulate the voyeur's senses.

St. Paul writes the following to the Philippians:

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

(Philippians 4:8 RSV-CE)

So then ask yourself:

• Is deriving pleasure from horror films consistent with St. Paul's admonition?

I hope this helps,

John DiMascio