My family and I enjoy movies—a lot.
The problem is, there are many movies that, for us at least, are too riddled with unnecessary profanity and sexual innuendo to enjoy together. And, honestly, I know that I myself am unable to deal well with any sexual nudity in a film.
Other Christians have different convictions on what is appropriate in films, and there is space in the body of Christ for differing perspectives on these issues. “Who are you to pass judgment on another’s servant? … Each must be fully convinced in his own mind” (Romans 14:4-5).
A Different Kind of Tool for Filtering Films
The fact that different Christians hold different convictions on what a believer is free to watch is precisely what makes VidAngel such an excellent resource. VidAngel doesn’t decide what gets filtered; VidAngel is simply a tool that lets you do the filtering. This tool makes it possible for you to tailor films to fit your family’s convictions. Using simple slider buttons, you choose what levels of violence and profanity, innuendo and sexuality, are appropriate for you and your family.
Our family has used the VidAngel iPad application for several months now. With three children at three very different levels of development, I especially like the fact that I can apply more filtering when my nine-year-old is watching a film and less filtering when she’s in bed. (And, in case you’re wondering, I’m not receiving a penny from VidAngel for saying any of this. Without any profit for myself involved, I actually do believe this is the best way to filter film and television content in a way that takes into account different individuals’ convictions and consciences.) Movie rentals from VidAngel cost only a dollar or two, while purchasing films through their service will set you back around twenty dollars.
And, by the way, a couple of years ago, VidAngel also produced one of the best April Fools’ pranks ever.
Discuss in the Comments:
Take a look at these articles and weigh the recommendations found in them: “Christians and Film,” “Watching On-Screen Nudity,” and “Questions to Ask Before Watching Game of Thrones.” Regardless of personal convictions, every believer in Jesus Christ is called to focus attention on”whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable” and not to “look with approval on anything that is vile” (Psalm 101:3; Philippians 4:8). What does your family do to seek out what is admirable and to avoid looking “with approval on anything that is vile”?