Which of these Mormon tenets are most difficult for you to obey?

[ERCougar]

I swear online quite often. I don't watch R-rated or PG-13 movies and there are several PG movies I won't watch.

It's easy for me to avoid movies I consider inappropriate. I like using profanity on a message board to communicate a message. That may be a contradiction, but just because I participate in one inappropriate activity that I struggle with, doesn't mean I should go ahead and participate in another that is easy for me to avoid.

I'm not sure if that speaks to your point above, but it's what came to mind as I was reading your post.

What I'm hearing is that you don't view the counsel to avoid swearing on an irrevocable "Thou shalt not..." level, or at least that you don't see it on the same level as the counsel to not watch R-rated movies. At least for you.

Makes sense. And I think that everyone comes to some sort of equilibrium between what others counsel and what we truly embrace. Aren't we all then "cafeteria Mormons"?

[Pheidippides]

What I'm hearing is that you don't view the counsel to avoid swearing on an irrevocable "Thou shalt not..." level, or at least that you don't see it on the same level as the counsel to not watch R-rated movies. At least for you.

Makes sense. And I think that everyone comes to some sort of equilibrium between what others counsel and what we truly embrace. Aren't we all then "cafeteria Mormons"?

Yes - yes we are!

I've already said my controversial piece on swearing (note that I only swear at home, with my buddies, or when playing MW2 - y'all are the second group, and sometimes the third).

I have a very difficult relationship with R rated movies. Because of my upbringing - as a religio-cultural matter, and not as a theological matter - I am not comfortable watching the content contained in most R rated movies. I have a personal preference not to see most of that stuff independent of my beliefs on the subject, just as I have a personal preference not to drink soy milk. It is all about conditioning.

However, while I can literally count the number R-rated movies I've seen on one hand (if you don't count stuff on TV), I do have an appreciation for the artistic merits and inspirational elements of many. The Shawshank Redemption (a trite example, to be sure, but remember that my catalog of references is very small) jumps to mind. There are others as well, some of which I own in their unedited glory. I appreciate movies that inspire, whatever some independent body may think of their appropriateness for people generally. In those cases, I am willing to watch content I am normally uncomfortable with because of its place in the narrative and the uplifting nature as a whole.

There is a wide gulf for me between things like Superbad (which I have not see, and suspect I would not enjoy) and things like Schindler's List (which I have also not seen, but suspect I would enjoy).

As a theological matter, I'm not sure I care all that much. I watch what I like without respect to what it's rated.

[smokymountainrain]

What I'm hearing is that you don't view the counsel to avoid swearing on an irrevocable "Thou shalt not..." level, or at least that you don't see it on the same level as the counsel to not watch R-rated movies. At least for you.

Honestly, I think profanity in a movie and profanity on a message board are probably equally inappropriate. It's just that I struggle with one and I find the other easily avoidable and because the movie thing is easy for me to avoid, I do.

[SteelBlue]

The only thing I have to add on the topic of R rated movies (which I almost think those of us over 18 should be embarrassed to even be debating) is that I have a hard time thinking of a single piece of counsel that got more overblown in my lifetime.

[Jarid in Cedar]

The only thing I have to add on the topic of R rated movies (which I almost think those of us over 18 should be embarrassed to even be debating) is that I have a hard time thinking of a single piece of counsel that got more overblown in my lifetime.

2 words........caffeinated......soda

[smokymountainrain]

The only thing I have to add on the topic of R rated movies (which I almost think those of us over 18 should be embarrassed to even be debating) is that I have a hard time thinking of a single piece of counsel that got more overblown in my lifetime.

One thing I can say is that I've had periods in my life when I watched any movie regardless of content and periods when I avoid movies I consider inappropriate. I like where I'm at as a person much more now (avoiding what I consider inappropriate movies - all R and PG-13 movies and many PG) than when I was watching anything I might find entertaining. Granted, the movie thing is an extremely small part of that, but it is a positive factor, small as it may be.

I'm just one person, but avoiding those movies has worked for me.

[Indy Coug]

2 words........caffeinated......soda

Yeah, that trumps R-rated movies by a country mile.

[LiveCoug]

I apologize if I come of as some sort of unenlightened hick. I really am not very good with word or expressing myself like I would like. UtahDan, the foyer serves it's purpose. You stated that purpose. I, myself, don't need that. I don't need to discuss things that might be awkward to talk about in sunday school. I just want to be good, kind and not hurt anyone. The church helps me with that. I don't need the foyer, but I can see/understand why some would.

As far as rated R movies, if you spoke with any general authority, I would venture to guess that exactly none of them would approve of viewing them, even if they are inspiring and uplifting. I could be way off on that, but that's what I think. With that said, I don't care what anyone watches. I just don't think it can be justified. If that makes me a sinner if I watch a rated R show, then so be it.

Anyway, I'll leave the debate to people who actually are competent in debating.

[Jacob]

I apologize if I come of as some sort of unenlightened hick. I really am not very good with word or expressing myself like I would like. UtahDan, the foyer serves it's purpose. You stated that purpose. I, myself, don't need that. I don't need to discuss things that might be awkward to talk about in sunday school. I just want to be good, kind and not hurt anyone. The church helps me with that. I don't need the foyer, but I can see/understand why some would.

As far as rated R movies, if you spoke with any general authority, I would venture to guess that exactly none of them would approve of viewing them, even if they are inspiring and uplifting. I could be way off on that, but that's what I think. With that said, I don't care what anyone watches. I just don't think it can be justified. If that makes me a sinner if I watch a rated R show, then so be it.

Anyway, I'll leave the debate to people who actually are competent in debating.

I'd be willing to bet that you are wrong on that. Well, not way off in that they wouldn't publicly approve of them, maybe. But way off in another sense. I'm sure there are at least several who have watched and occasionally watch R rated movies. You have no proof of your position, and I have no proof of mine, though I'm sure I could find somebody who knows somebody who knows that such and such GA has watched such and such R rated movie. But I'd be very surprised if I were wrong on this. I mean the occasional R rated movie.

[LiveCoug]

I'd be willing to bet that you are wrong on that. Well, not way off in that they wouldn't publicly approve of them, maybe. But way off in another sense. I'm sure there are at least several who have watched and occasionally watch R rated movies. You have no proof of your position, and I have no proof of mine, though I'm sure I could find somebody who knows somebody who knows that such and such GA has watched such and such R rated movie. But I'd be very surprised if I were wrong on this. I mean the occasional R rated movie.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm sure there are some GA's that watch rated R movies. That wasn't my position.. just that they wouldn't APPROVE of anyone watching them.

[COUGALICIOUS]

The only thing I have to add on the topic of R rated movies (which I almost think those of us over 18 should be embarrassed to even be debating) is that I have a hard time thinking of a single piece of counsel that got more overblown in my lifetime.

Look Steelblue, if you are righteous you obey the bretheren, but if you are REALLY righteous you obey all the black and white do's and don'ts that you can extrapolate from what they say. Publically promoting your extrapolations and then looking down on those who don't live up is like the awesomest most righteous thing you can do. Sorry if you are not on board with this. Sinner.

[smokymountainrain]

Look Steelblue, if you are righteous you obey the bretheren, but if you are REALLY righteous you obey all the black and white do's and don'ts that you can extrapolate from what they say. Publically promoting your extrapolations and then looking down on those who don't live up is like the awesomest most righteous thing you can do. Sorry if you are not on board with this. Sinner.

Sarcasm fail. Do know anybody who really thinks this way?

(edit) perhaps you do - if so, forget my comment. It's hard for me to believe those people are out there, but I guess it's possible.

[Jacob]

Sarcasm fail. Do know anybody who really thinks this way?

(edit) perhaps you do - if so, forget my comment. It's hard for me to believe those people are out there, but I guess it's possible.

I think some, even in this thread, have given that vibe.

[smokymountainrain]

I think some, even in this thread, have given that vibe.

link?

[Moliere]

I'd be willing to bet that you are wrong on that. Well, not way off in that they wouldn't publicly approve of them, maybe. But way off in another sense. I'm sure there are at least several who have watched and occasionally watch R rated movies. You have no proof of your position, and I have no proof of mine, though I'm sure I could find somebody who knows somebody who knows that such and such GA has watched such and such R rated movie. But I'd be very surprised if I were wrong on this. I mean the occasional R rated movie.

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=b1da230bac7f0210VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD#footnote1

There is a chance HBE has seen Blackhawk Down.