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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Classic horror movies / admiring Mormons	Dolly	Monday, January 20, 2014
Question: Greetings and all the best for 2014, many blessings! Two things I need to know about, someone as studied in spiritual warfare as you should be able to help me out! One night it was All Hallow' Eve (quite recently) and I watched Frankenstein and Dracula back to back. They are great classics, but a few nights later I laughed to my boyfriend about how they scared the living daylights out of me and I could not sleep after watching them! He went beserk, asking if I choose the Church or those movies -he ranted that they are the work of the devil, how I can watch movies about people going to London and falling in love, but must promise to give up the distressing ones. Are they so bad? Classics, but the work of the devil? I am happy to follow what I am advised. Also, while I will not be leaving the Church, I tend to admire Mormons for their clean living ways, they are careful about what they eat and drink, how they adorn themselves and so on. They do not, however, receive the Body and Blood, but I wondered if it is bad to admire certain aspects of their lives. They seem to be devout and blessed. Thanks so much!
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r), CCL, LTh, DD, LNDC Dear Dolly: The horror moves of yesteryear, those back in the 30s, 40s, and 50s were not mere horror stories, they were morality plays. This is particularly true of Frankenstein and the Werewolf (the conflict of natures within a man and the Wolfman's remorse of his evil nature, which is also seen in Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde). Horror movies of today have no resemblance to the morality plays of the past. Today's horror movies are nothing but blood and guts, nothing but a culture of death, and thus have no redeeming value. Christians should not be watching such films. The classic horror films, however, redeem themselves in the sense that they are morality plays. As such, they are not works of the devil per se, whereas one can make an argument that modern horror stories are always the works of the devil. When I watch the classic horror films I am not that frightened because I'm looking for the morality play, the underlying message about the human condition, about the conflicts in human nature, and the moral implications of those things. But, nevertheless, if these classic movies are scaring you that badly then you probably ought not to watch them, as the devil can exploit the fear caused within you to his advantage. That understanding of how the devil works and the danger of allow him to exploit you is far more important for you to consider than insisting on watching these films. The better part of prudence is to stick with that which build you up spiritually. Compared to what you need to do to get closer to God and to strengthen your faith and spirit there is absolutely no question as to how you need to choose — the movies or the Church. You must choose God and his Church, and the excellence of thinking that St. Paul instructs us to do: (Philippians 4:8) 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. Despite the morality plays of the old moves, they do not meet this test described by St. Paul, especially since watching these films can make you vulnerable to demonic influence and attack because the the fear the films engender in you. 　 As for the Mormons: We must remember that Mormons are not Christians. But, in many ways they act more like Christians than many Christians do. In as much as Mormons behave in a Christian manner we may admire that. The Church officially teaches that some measure, some grain of truth can be found most anywhere. When Mormons behave in ways that are part of the Christian ethic they are practicing a truth. To that degree we may admire them. But, do not be seduced into thinking that Mormons are Christian, because they are not. Most of what they believe is hostile to Christianity. Pray for them. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Classic horror movies / admiring Mormons

Dolly

Monday, January 20, 2014

Question:

Greetings and all the best for 2014, many blessings!

Two things I need to know about, someone as studied in spiritual warfare as you should be able to help me out! One night it was All Hallow' Eve (quite recently) and I watched Frankenstein and Dracula back to back. They are great classics, but a few nights later I laughed to my boyfriend about how they scared the living daylights out of me and I could not sleep after watching them!

He went beserk, asking if I choose the Church or those movies -he ranted that they are the work of the devil, how I can watch movies about people going to London and falling in love, but must promise to give up the distressing ones. Are they so bad? Classics, but the work of the devil? I am happy to follow what I am advised.

Also, while I will not be leaving the Church, I tend to admire Mormons for their clean living ways, they are careful about what they eat and drink, how they adorn themselves and so on. They do not, however, receive the Body and Blood, but I wondered if it is bad to admire certain aspects of their lives. They seem to be devout and blessed.

Thanks so much!

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r), CCL, LTh, DD, LNDC

Dear Dolly:

The horror moves of yesteryear, those back in the 30s, 40s, and 50s were not mere horror stories, they were morality plays. This is particularly true of Frankenstein and the Werewolf (the conflict of natures within a man and the Wolfman's remorse of his evil nature, which is also seen in Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde).

Horror movies of today have no resemblance to the morality plays of the past. Today's horror movies are nothing but blood and guts, nothing but a culture of death, and thus have no redeeming value. Christians should not be watching such films.

The classic horror films, however, redeem themselves in the sense that they are morality plays. As such, they are not works of the devil per se, whereas one can make an argument that modern horror stories are always the works of the devil.

When I watch the classic horror films I am not that frightened because I'm looking for the morality play, the underlying message about the human condition, about the conflicts in human nature, and the moral implications of those things. But, nevertheless, if these classic movies are scaring you that badly then you probably ought not to watch them, as the devil can exploit the fear caused within you to his advantage. That understanding of how the devil works and the danger of allow him to exploit you is far more important for you to consider than insisting on watching these films.

The better part of prudence is to stick with that which build you up spiritually. Compared to what you need to do to get closer to God and to strengthen your faith and spirit there is absolutely no question as to how you need to choose — the movies or the Church. You must choose God and his Church, and the excellence of thinking that St. Paul instructs us to do:

(Philippians 4:8) 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.

Despite the morality plays of the old moves, they do not meet this test described by St. Paul, especially since watching these films can make you vulnerable to demonic influence and attack because the the fear the films engender in you.

As for the Mormons: We must remember that Mormons are not Christians. But, in many ways they act more like Christians than many Christians do. In as much as Mormons behave in a Christian manner we may admire that. The Church officially teaches that some measure, some grain of truth can be found most anywhere. When Mormons behave in ways that are part of the Christian ethic they are practicing a truth. To that degree we may admire them. But, do not be seduced into thinking that Mormons are Christian, because they are not. Most of what they believe is hostile to Christianity. Pray for them.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.