How are ratings established for movies?
The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) was established nearly a century ago in order to fight government censorship of American films. According to the MPAA, the founders of this organization also wanted to “foster a more favorable public image for the motion picture industry.”
As our culture has changed, so has the film industry. In 1968, the MPAA, still desirous of maintaining its positive public image, implemented a voluntary film rating system to “give creative and artistic freedoms to filmmakers while fulfilling its core purpose in informing parents about the content of films.”
Do you know who rates films today?
According to the MPAA, this responsibility has been given to an independent board of parents with no past affiliation to the movie business. Their job description: “To rate each film as they believe a majority of American parents would rate it.”
This is where the discrepancies are created. Should Christian parents rely on a standard created for the majority of Americans to follow?
It is in life situations such as this that God instructs believers to follow His standard rather than the standards created by the world (John 17:15-17).
Movie ratings prepared by the MPAA also include an explanation for each rating such as sexual content, violence, language, and nudity. However, what one person may consider to be violent may not be considered so by others on the same panel. In constrast, God’s Word is definitive and helps parents to better evaluate movies. For example, Philippians 4:8 says: . . .Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—think about such things.
One way to “think about such things” is to ask yourself questions before viewing a film.
Is the movie you are considering pleasing to Christ?
Does this movie reflect purity of heart, mind, body, and soul?
Does fast forwarding past unacceptable portions of a movie make it acceptable?
Since God’s standard is constant, it’s good to remember that viewing age does not determine acceptability. What is right, pure, lovely, and admirable never changes and they are the standard for all ages.
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