It can be observed, especially as of late, that a number of Catholics who are in positions of public regard appear to make compromise in what might seem like menial matters. No names will be mentioned here however, and this writing is not specifically for them. It is directed more towards those Catholics who, not placing their trust in any public figure, wish to conform themselves to Christ entirely, and forsake all human respect.
The first matter in which people have made a compromise is in the area of entertainment. Following the release of the new movie, The Rite, a film about exorcism, two Catholics in Catholic media have recommended the movie as a good and sound film.
It should be noted however, though it is not the main point, that movies produced by Hollywood on the Church's sacramental of exorcism have spread a distorted image of something that is very serious and holy; namely: the prescribed, orderly, holy, and thorough rite of exorcism. Not only has this image given the Church and her rite of exorcism an outlandish, 'nutty', and superstitious face, but it has overshadowed and clouded the facts. The fact of the matter is, the majority of exorcisms are done with great care, having very little of the special effects and spinning heads of Hollywood.
That aside, the Pharisaical compromise that one has to come to terms with when watching these movies (not just on exorcism or religion, but in many movies) must be at least mentioned. When has taking our entertainment or even our education(though there is little of that to be found in entertainment these days) in things that are perverse, whether sexually or not, become something that is permissible? “As long as the message is not explicitly against the Church then it is OK to partake in”, is the mentality that they adhere to, and it is this mentality that is very dangerous and sinful. Such movies, The Rite being a prime example, contain much sexual perversion and vulgarity. The following is an excerpt from Kids in Mind's entry for The Rite,
(Explicit Content Warning)
SEX/NUDITY 4 - A woman caresses a man's hair and says she'll meet him after work (sex is implied). A man looks at a woman's bare leg, he smiles at her and she smiles back.
A young pregnant woman thrashes and screams and tells a man "Rape me" while licking her lips seductively. A man asks a woman if another man has "done it to you yet" and goes on to use crude terms to describe her breasts. A man makes a joke about another man going to a seminary and that they would remove his genitals (using a crude phrase).
A woman wears a short skirt and a backless top that reveals her bare legs and bare back and shoulders. A woman wears a low-cut top that reveals cleavage. We see a man's bare back while he shaves in a bathroom mirror. A woman's body is shown on a table and covered to the shoulders with a sheet. We see a woman's bare pregnant belly and it moves as if a baby is thrashing inside her. We see a statue of a dog with numerous teats and pups feeding from it.
(....)
PROFANITY 5 - At least 1 F-word, 2 sexual references, 4 scatological terms, 4 anatomical terms, 5 mild obscenities, name-calling (liar, coward, doubter, sonny boy, deceiver), 2 religious exclamations.
Now, if anyone can justify watching this, for entertainment or educational purposes, I doubt his own moral and judgment capabilities. Even if one was to know the various points when sexual content was to appear and was able to then 'fast-forward' past, they would still be subject to a great occasion of sin. Also, one might be able to use a TV Guardian of sorts to avoid hearing profanity and blasphemies, however, no-one can justify supporting Hollywood and encouraging them to continue crucifying Christ as they corrupt society.
A second point of hypocrisy that people often engage in when recommending objectionable types of entertainment are the phrases, “You might want to watch this when the kids are in bed”, “We are all adults here”, and “This movie contains mature themes, so don't watch it with your kids.” Such phrases are grossly hypocritical and lacking in any logical commonsense. One may watch certain movies that contain to much violence for children, such as The Passion of the Christ, and this would be a proper use of the word mature. However, it is not in any way shape or form mature to watch films with perversion and vulgarity. In fact, it is the exact opposite, being that sin is the height of human immaturity. Also, sin is sin, being an adult makes it no less sinful to watch soft-porn, listen to profanity, and support the industries which corrode our society.
In conclusion, those who have a true desire to follow Christ in all ways will not compromise in these seemingly small matters, as they cause a great peril for our souls. Listen to St. Luke,
“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in that which is greater: and he that is unjust in that which is little is unjust also in that which is greater.”(Luke 16:10)
What is more important in this earth, two or so hours of so-called entertainment or Christ and Heaven? Pray and make a wise choice.
