I need an opinion please

[Steven Stone]

I figured this would be the best place to get an across the board opinon of something. I am considering showing the movie "Beyond the Gates of Splendor" to the church on a Wedneday night.

The only problem (if it is a problem) is that there is quite a bit of tribal nudity. It shows the tribe as they are, how they live, and how they dress. the men walk around in loin cloth, and many of the women are topless. Would you be uncomfortable seeing that in a church setting?

[Bruce Carriker]

I'd present it to your congregation exactly that way.

We're going to show this movie on Wednesday night. This is not Hollywood. It shows how these people really live, and that includes quite a bit of tribal nudity.

Then people can decide if they're going to be offended. If they are, they can choose not to come.

NOW...if you believe, as the pastor, that the vast majority of your people will be offended, maybe you should opt out of showing the movie. But if your concern is that a handful may be upset, but that the majority will benefit, I'd say go ahead and show it. Just make sure everyone knows beforehand what's going to be on the screen.

[Ron Davis]

It depends entirely on the local setting. Only you can know how your people would respond. I would speak to your leadership about it.

Beyond that I see nothing wrong with the film as it is.

[Barb Bouldrey]

It is a Christian film. Don't mention it ahead of time in a negative or apologetic way. Just say something like, "this film will show actual tribal locations where missionaries went to spread the gospel, so do not shocked at the appearence of the tribes". Expect someone to not like the nudity and maybe say something afterwards, but expect God to bless hearts with this story.

I know how you feel. There is always someone who does not like what we do, but that is life in the church.

Just show the film and let the scenes go by.

Barb

[Brad Mercer]

I would not show it in church, and we're pretty relaxed at my church. First, no adolescent male is going to benefit from the message or point of that film; The topless females are going to be the only thing he remembers after the film. Second, and less importantly, but still needing to be considered, any adult who is inclined to strain at a gnat and swallow a camel is going to be so absorbed by their own disapproving, condemning response that they, also, are going to miss the point of the film. No matter how wonderful it was as a whole, I would only show such a film in a setting where there were no adolescents and no adults that I didn't know well enough to know that they'd be able to appreciate the same things in that film that made me want them to see it.

By the way, I pulled this post up, then left for a couple of hours, so if any responses have been posted before mine, I haven't read them. Just in case it sounds like something I'm saying here is directed at someone else's response. ;-)

Brad

[Dennis M. Scott]

First, no adolescent male is going to benefit from the message or point of that film; The topless females are going to be the only thing he remembers after the film.

I might establish the adolescent male age up to about 110. It will bother them, too, but they won't remember very long why they are bothered.

I think this better be my last post of this evening.

Where's that guy who goes around saying he just wants to be a blessing?

[Gina Stevenson]

Where is he!? Oh, well ... he's been "blessing" us(!?) alllll over this board, on a multiplicity of threads, Dennis! [running from that "blessed" guy ;)]

Where's that guy who goes around saying he just wants to be a blessing?