2008 Woodie Awards
To the editor
Issue date: 2/8/06 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Dear Editor,
I should like to address the recent review by this paper on the movie (Brokeback Mountain). As Christians we should always interpret things with a biblical worldview and things which are not in line with God's word we should judge accordingly. The article did not do this.
I am not getting ready to gay-bash, for we must "love the sinner but hate the sin." But that is the key point, hate the sin. We, as Christians, should hate sin in all forms and fight each day to sin less and less. First of all, there is a difference between sin portrayed in other films and the sin portrayed in (Brokeback Mountain). The writers and producers of this movie are trying to desensitize those who hold to traditional standards of morals by portraying homosexuality in a romantic, sweet way. The producers are making a political statement, telling us that homosexuality is an okay thing, even a good thing. In doing this, not only are they shaking traditional and morally correct values, but they are making those who oppose homosexuality look like extremist bigots. "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do" (Ps. 11:3)
Second, the characters in this movie are certainly struggling, but not with sin. They struggle with going against the social mores of their day, but to struggle with sin one must first recognize one is a sinner. People who have no regard for what God says in His Law cannot struggle with sin because they do not recognize it as sin. God endowed every person with something we know as aconscience. It allows us to differentiate between right and wrong. People can choose to ignore it or they can obey it, but following your conscience is different from fighting sin. You can know that you are doing something wrong (i.e. against moral codes) without recognizing you are sinning.
Finally I would like to address the issue of people judging movies like (Brokeback Mountain) before seeing them. I do not have to taste a cup of poison to know it is dangerous. I know from many sources that poison is a dangerous thing and I can trust what people tell me and what I read about poison to know it will kill me. In His word, God has told us what is harmful to us, both physically and spiritually, and what is not. If I hear about a book or movie that is bad (in the sense that it would spiritually poison me) I do not have to see or read it to be able to speak out against it. If something is contrary to God's law, I have every right to speak against it sight unseen. Also, if I go dabbling in wrong and evil things just so I can speak out against them later, it could harm my witness to others, Christians and non-Christians.
As Christians, we should all be not just able but willing to stand against what is wrong morally and biblically. This must, of course, always be done in love, but that does not mean we treat bad things gently or wink at them as if it were no big deal.
Rebekah A. Marks
junior, history
I should like to address the recent review by this paper on the movie (Brokeback Mountain). As Christians we should always interpret things with a biblical worldview and things which are not in line with God's word we should judge accordingly. The article did not do this.
I am not getting ready to gay-bash, for we must "love the sinner but hate the sin." But that is the key point, hate the sin. We, as Christians, should hate sin in all forms and fight each day to sin less and less. First of all, there is a difference between sin portrayed in other films and the sin portrayed in (Brokeback Mountain). The writers and producers of this movie are trying to desensitize those who hold to traditional standards of morals by portraying homosexuality in a romantic, sweet way. The producers are making a political statement, telling us that homosexuality is an okay thing, even a good thing. In doing this, not only are they shaking traditional and morally correct values, but they are making those who oppose homosexuality look like extremist bigots. "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do" (Ps. 11:3)
Second, the characters in this movie are certainly struggling, but not with sin. They struggle with going against the social mores of their day, but to struggle with sin one must first recognize one is a sinner. People who have no regard for what God says in His Law cannot struggle with sin because they do not recognize it as sin. God endowed every person with something we know as aconscience. It allows us to differentiate between right and wrong. People can choose to ignore it or they can obey it, but following your conscience is different from fighting sin. You can know that you are doing something wrong (i.e. against moral codes) without recognizing you are sinning.
Finally I would like to address the issue of people judging movies like (Brokeback Mountain) before seeing them. I do not have to taste a cup of poison to know it is dangerous. I know from many sources that poison is a dangerous thing and I can trust what people tell me and what I read about poison to know it will kill me. In His word, God has told us what is harmful to us, both physically and spiritually, and what is not. If I hear about a book or movie that is bad (in the sense that it would spiritually poison me) I do not have to see or read it to be able to speak out against it. If something is contrary to God's law, I have every right to speak against it sight unseen. Also, if I go dabbling in wrong and evil things just so I can speak out against them later, it could harm my witness to others, Christians and non-Christians.
As Christians, we should all be not just able but willing to stand against what is wrong morally and biblically. This must, of course, always be done in love, but that does not mean we treat bad things gently or wink at them as if it were no big deal.
Rebekah A. Marks
junior, history