Articles
It's Only Violence
I have upon occasion heard someone explain why a certain movie was rated “R”: “It’s only because of violence.” What they meant was that the rating was not for sexual content. What they implied was that violence has no ill effect upon them as a viewer. Is it possible that we are missing something in assuming that repeated exposure to violence is morally neutral? Is it also possible that we do not realize how much violent content we consume? The various media that depict graphic violence are legion.
Violent video games. The object of some games is to kill the enemy – in the most vicious and violent way possible. Computer graphics have made such games very realistic, almost indistinguishable from true life.
Crime dramas/documentaries. TV programming goes in cycles, but it has been on the theme of murder investigation for a long time now. While some shows don’t dwell on graphic violence, others give horrific portrayals of torture, rape, abuse and 1,001 ways to end a life. Also, documentaries depict real cases that are reenacted or captured on actual video.
24-Hour news. Global terrorist bombings, beheadings, murderous attacks by crazed killers, etc. are beamed into our homes 24/7.
Vicious sports. Years ago when the more brutal forms of human combat first arose society initially recoiled. Bans on “ultimate fighting” were enacted across the country. But somehow the tide turned in favor of a “sport” in which the goal is to maim or beat senseless one’s opponent.
Notice how the above categories move from fictional to real life to violence enjoyed as amusement. It is not merely the amount of violence consumed but the appetite for it and the emotional effect it has on the viewer that should be of concern to all who claim a spiritual outlook.
First, some quickly cite the Bible itself as a purveyor of violence and treat it as a moral equivalent to the UFC. While the Bible does describe violent actions they are not visual (a powerful sensory stimulus), and they usually describe what is judged morally unacceptable by God. The point is not that any exposure to violence is necessarily bad, for the Bible violates that contention. But no one reads the Bible to get a perverted charge out of imagining the Egyptian army drowning in the Red Sea. They do, however, get a primal rush out of seeing the “invincible” Ronda Rousey get punched and kicked into unconsciousness by Holly Holm.
Secondly, constant exposure to anything – bad or good – has a numbing effect. Younger minds steeped in violence with no moral context have difficulty differentiating between fictional violence and real life. Some act out what they see with no understanding of true consequences.
But even for the well-grounded Christian, is it not possible that inordinate exposure to violence can blind us to higher principles on which we should focus? “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true … noble … just … pure … lovely … of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things” (Ph 4:8). Does watching violence tend to promote these thoughts in you? Do you think there is a balance of meditation in your life between violence and nobility?
