John 15:19
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
I am not perfect.
I know I struggle with this daily as I am constantly bombarded with things on television, in books, or on the internet that draw me to the world. I fight my sinful nature constantly.
It truly is a battle. It is a battle we must fight.
Recently, I have been seeing a lot on Facebook or other blogs about The Hunger Games.
I honestly didn't know much about it. I just saw that a lot of people LOVED the books and couldn't wait for the movie.
I even talked with a good friend who had read the books and said they were really suspenseful and she couldn't put them down.
I figured if she, a Christian whom I admired liked them, then I may read them and give them a try before I allowed Wesley and Mikayla to read them.
Then, that day, our Youth Pastor's wife posted a link to this on Facebook. I'll let you read what it says (I copied it from the web site, these are obviously not my words or review on the movie) to see what you think.
Here is a link to the Family Guide to Movies and Entertainment.
Content:
(HH, Ro, B, ACAC, Ho, L, VVV, S, N, AA, MM) Strong but not extremely explicit or very overt humanist worldview with some Romantic elements, plus light moral elements such as protagonist protects her younger sister, some strong elements suggesting opposition to totalitarian dictatorship, and some homosexual and cross-dressing implications where men in a large city wear makeup and gaudy outfits and a minor character acts effeminately; three profanities and five obscenities; very strong violence includes children kill children with knives, swords, bows and arrows, not always shown but with blood implied, girl is burned, youngest child is killed by bow stabbing right through her, adults get into fights and destroy buildings, mutated dogs eat boy, girl beaten against wall, and girls fight and one gets slashed on cheek; no sex scenes but some kissing and kissing on cheek, plus some homosexual cross-dressing where men of large city are in makeup and gaudy outfits; no nudity; drinking and drunkenness; no smoking or drugs, but bug stings girl and she hallucinates for two days; and, dysfunctional family implied as mother has left children and father is not alive, lying, mentor for children is an alcoholic, government plays propaganda, and a dictatorship but it’s implicitly rebuked though not strongly enough.
Summary:
THE HUNGER GAMES portrays a futuristic world that throws its children and teenagers into a large but confined area to kill each other as the society watches for entertainment. THE HUNGER GAMES has a strong humanist worldview with violence that no child should see, so it’s unacceptable viewing that media-wise parents probably will want to forbid their children to see.
Review:
THE HUNGER GAMES portrays a godless world that throws its children and teenagers into a large but confined arena to kill each other as the society watches. THE HUNGER GAMES has a strong humanist worldview with violence that no child should see.
Katniss Everdeen lives in a suppressed society in a very poor district. The day has come when the dictatorial government pulls one girl and one boy from each district to fight and kill each other for entertainment. Katniss’ sister, Primrose, has turned 12, meaning this is the first year she will be entered into the games. Primrose has a dread fear and wretched dreams that she will be picked. When the day comes, she is picked.
Wanting to protect her young, innocent sister, Katniss takes her spot. She volunteers to be part of the games, something that no one has ever done before this.
Pretending to be confident, Katniss tells her sister she will even win the competition, something exceptionally challenging. Katniss has always had to take care of her sister, feed and love her. So, she has learned how to be a great hunter, which gives her district some confidence in her. Picked alongside Katniss is Peeta Mellark. Peeta is exceptionally strong, but still seen as an underdog.
Immediately, the government takes Katniss and Peeta to train for the games. Although the people of district have very little to nothing, the society and government have spent almost everything on these games. What’s worse, everyone is interested in watching children fight and kill each other.
Arriving in a huge city to train, Katniss and Peeta make an entrance as men watch with elaborate gaudy makeup and women with multicolored bright hair cheer. Gaining the attention of the people, Katniss ranks high on the scale of competitors.
As the competition gets under way, the children are put into a simulated forest with sharp swords, mines, and bows and arrows. The instant the children are released to start the game, multiple “contestants” are slaughtered by the others. Katniss is able to run and hide but it is not long before a group comes along and tries to kill her. Able to make friends with one of the youngest competitors, Rue, Katniss is saved. They both decide and scheme on how to hurt the other teams. They are able to destroy all their food, but in the midst of this, Rue is killed.
Deeply saddened by her death, Katniss morns. All the while, the society has been watching her through hidden cameras. So, they too mourn for the death of the youngest competitors and see the compassion in Katniss.
Suddenly, the district from which Rue hails, rises up. They start a rebellion against the government and the games.
A romantic relationship develops between Katniss and Peeta when the contestants are told two people can win from the same district. [SPOILER ALERT] However, it turns out Katniss has been faking her interest in Peeta.
THE HUNGER GAMES is an exceptionally dark movie where the audience literally watches as children kill each other in a bloody maniacal fashion. The movie portrays society as wanting this sort of killing, which implies the same thing for real human society, including the people who might watch the movie or read the book series on which it’s based. Though this is a point the movie is making, it only has a negative impact on society. In the Sudan, for instance, children are being taken, desensitized by watching violence, given a gun, and killing. So, why would you want to watch the same thing happening in a Hollywood Blockbuster? Taking death so lightly will desensitize the audience in a very dark way.
With a strong humanist worldview, THE HUNGER GAMES has no depiction of God or the supernatural world. It’s all up to the movie’s heroine to win the game, but, eventually, she too has to hurt other people to win. Thus, there is no solid depiction of good and truth in THE HUNGER GAMES and no implication of a greater Hope. Ultimately, the story seems overly cynical and dehumanizing.
THE HUNGER GAMES is a science fiction thriller with a big budget. This is doubly saddening because it means even more children will see the behavior depicted in the movie. Those susceptible to violence will want to reenact it. Those children who are not as susceptible to movie violence will come out traumatized or fearful, or, worse, desensitized to the violence around them in real life.
Ultimately, MOVIEGUIDE® finds THE HUNGER GAMES unacceptable viewing due to its violence and dark, secular, humanist worldview. The director is Gary Ross, who’s directed and/or written a couple other humanist fables, PLEASANTVILLE and DAVE. Reportedly, the original author of the story envisioned her story after watching Reality TV games and TV coverage of the Iraq invasion after 9/11. Maybe she should have watched a Sunday sermon on Christian TV at the same time to gain a larger perspective. THE HUNGER GAMES is one movie that parents might want their children to avoid.
Katniss Everdeen lives in a suppressed society in a very poor district. The day has come when the dictatorial government pulls one girl and one boy from each district to fight and kill each other for entertainment. Katniss’ sister, Primrose, has turned 12, meaning this is the first year she will be entered into the games. Primrose has a dread fear and wretched dreams that she will be picked. When the day comes, she is picked.
Wanting to protect her young, innocent sister, Katniss takes her spot. She volunteers to be part of the games, something that no one has ever done before this.
Pretending to be confident, Katniss tells her sister she will even win the competition, something exceptionally challenging. Katniss has always had to take care of her sister, feed and love her. So, she has learned how to be a great hunter, which gives her district some confidence in her. Picked alongside Katniss is Peeta Mellark. Peeta is exceptionally strong, but still seen as an underdog.
Immediately, the government takes Katniss and Peeta to train for the games. Although the people of district have very little to nothing, the society and government have spent almost everything on these games. What’s worse, everyone is interested in watching children fight and kill each other.
Arriving in a huge city to train, Katniss and Peeta make an entrance as men watch with elaborate gaudy makeup and women with multicolored bright hair cheer. Gaining the attention of the people, Katniss ranks high on the scale of competitors.
As the competition gets under way, the children are put into a simulated forest with sharp swords, mines, and bows and arrows. The instant the children are released to start the game, multiple “contestants” are slaughtered by the others. Katniss is able to run and hide but it is not long before a group comes along and tries to kill her. Able to make friends with one of the youngest competitors, Rue, Katniss is saved. They both decide and scheme on how to hurt the other teams. They are able to destroy all their food, but in the midst of this, Rue is killed.
Deeply saddened by her death, Katniss morns. All the while, the society has been watching her through hidden cameras. So, they too mourn for the death of the youngest competitors and see the compassion in Katniss.
Suddenly, the district from which Rue hails, rises up. They start a rebellion against the government and the games.
A romantic relationship develops between Katniss and Peeta when the contestants are told two people can win from the same district. [SPOILER ALERT] However, it turns out Katniss has been faking her interest in Peeta.
THE HUNGER GAMES is an exceptionally dark movie where the audience literally watches as children kill each other in a bloody maniacal fashion. The movie portrays society as wanting this sort of killing, which implies the same thing for real human society, including the people who might watch the movie or read the book series on which it’s based. Though this is a point the movie is making, it only has a negative impact on society. In the Sudan, for instance, children are being taken, desensitized by watching violence, given a gun, and killing. So, why would you want to watch the same thing happening in a Hollywood Blockbuster? Taking death so lightly will desensitize the audience in a very dark way.
With a strong humanist worldview, THE HUNGER GAMES has no depiction of God or the supernatural world. It’s all up to the movie’s heroine to win the game, but, eventually, she too has to hurt other people to win. Thus, there is no solid depiction of good and truth in THE HUNGER GAMES and no implication of a greater Hope. Ultimately, the story seems overly cynical and dehumanizing.
THE HUNGER GAMES is a science fiction thriller with a big budget. This is doubly saddening because it means even more children will see the behavior depicted in the movie. Those susceptible to violence will want to reenact it. Those children who are not as susceptible to movie violence will come out traumatized or fearful, or, worse, desensitized to the violence around them in real life.
Ultimately, MOVIEGUIDE® finds THE HUNGER GAMES unacceptable viewing due to its violence and dark, secular, humanist worldview. The director is Gary Ross, who’s directed and/or written a couple other humanist fables, PLEASANTVILLE and DAVE. Reportedly, the original author of the story envisioned her story after watching Reality TV games and TV coverage of the Iraq invasion after 9/11. Maybe she should have watched a Sunday sermon on Christian TV at the same time to gain a larger perspective. THE HUNGER GAMES is one movie that parents might want their children to avoid.
In Brief:
THE HUNGER GAMES takes place in a Godless futuristic world. The society throws its older children into a large but confined area to kill each other while people watch for entertainment. Katniss Everdeen lives in this oppressive, post-apocalyptic society in a very poor district. The day comes when the dictatorial government pulls one girl and one boy from each district to fight and kill. Though her younger sister is chosen, Katniss volunteers to replace her. Katniss is immediately taken away to train for the games. Can she use her hunting skills to survive?
THE HUNGER GAMES is a dark movie where viewers literally watch children kill each other in bloody fashion. With its humanist worldview, THE HUNGER GAMES has no depiction of God or the supernatural world. It’s all up to the movie’s heroine to win the game, but she has to lie and hurt other people to win. Based on a popular book, THE HUNGER GAMES is a science fiction thriller with a big budget. That means even more young people will see it. THE HUNGER GAMES is one movie that parents might want their children to avoid.
After reading this, I believe this movie should not be seen for many reasons.THE HUNGER GAMES is a dark movie where viewers literally watch children kill each other in bloody fashion. With its humanist worldview, THE HUNGER GAMES has no depiction of God or the supernatural world. It’s all up to the movie’s heroine to win the game, but she has to lie and hurt other people to win. Based on a popular book, THE HUNGER GAMES is a science fiction thriller with a big budget. That means even more young people will see it. THE HUNGER GAMES is one movie that parents might want their children to avoid.
We, as Christians, must be careful what we allow in our minds. This type of movie or literature could lead to a dehumanizing view of the world. It is another one of Satan's ploys to make us think it is innocent when it is actually numbing of our minds to the sinfulness in this world.
I found this passage interesting as I was looking up Scripture for this:
I Peter 2:11 (NIV)
Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.
Be on guard.
Satan's weaponry looks innocent many times, but is filled with something that will devour us.
1 comment:
When the first Twilight movie came out, Kevin and I took the children with a small group of friends from our church. Only one lady and her (young) daughter had read the books, so we didn't know what to expect, but figured since she invited us all, it must be okay! Needless to say, during the movie, I wanted desperately to be anywhere else but there, and seriously considered taking the kids and walking out. It was one of those moments when you think, if the Lord were to come now, and I was sitting here...
Afterwards, we discussed the points you made in your post, in relation to the movie. It was a good teaching moment for the kids, so hopefully something good came out of the experience.
Great post, btw!
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