standards

OK, here's a question for you...what are your standards for movies? There are some movies that I rule out automatically, like horror, for multiple reasons...including that I just simply don't like them. There are other reasons of a more spiritual nature that you may disagree with, and that's fine, I'm not looking for an argument. I'm asking about other movies, be it comedy, romance or drama, that might have sexual references, crude humor, brief nudity, or simply implications of a sexual nature. Is the standard based on what causes you personally to stumble, or is it a fixed standard that should be for all Christians?

For example, since it came out when I was in 8th grade, Dirty Dancing has always been one of my favorite movies, for a couple of reasons. One is that I'm a sap for a love story... I want someone to stand up and risk it all for me... "No one puts Baby in a corner..." That kind of thing. The second reason is that I love any movie with dancing in it...Grease, Take the Lead, etc. I love 'Dancing with Stars'. Maybe it's something deep within me that lives through watching others dance so beautifully, and make it look easy, knowing that I could never do it, but would love to. We took a swing class once. It was a lot of fun...but like other issues I struggle with (which is a post for another time...) I have trouble letting him lead. But I digress...

And yet, as a Christian and a 'pastor's wife' I actually wrestled with whether or not to admit the fact that I love that movie in my profile for this blog. How lame is that? I've been thinking about it all morning...are my standards really lacking? I never personally had a problem with it...never felt convicted that it was a 'sinful' movie, frankly, it was never an issue for me. But I know others I relate to would have a huge problem (some based on the title alone, not even knowing anything about the movie. It must be evil if it has the word 'dirty' in it, right?!!) Until the past few years as we began thinking through things from a leadership perspective. And really, it's not just people in 'church' leadership - anyone who has someone that looks up to them or has authority in someone else's life (obviously I am speaking in a healthy way, like a mentoring relationship) needs to consider these things. Because it is no longer an issue of if something is a problem for me, but now I must also consider, will it cause someone else to stumble on their journey. What are the implications of I Corinthians 8:13 "Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble."

So, what do you think? Is something okay for me to watch with 'the girls' that I wouldn't necessarily want my husband to watch? I saw a movie recently that Cameron Diaz walked around in a thong for what seemed like half the movie. It had no effect on me, other than to realize, "Hey, I don't want my husband watching this movie!" Should that fact along be enough to deem the movie unsuitable for me as well?