While I have never committed murder, a film may help me get inside the mind of one who has done so. I may abhor it, but I still understand what the murderer was thinking, what motivated them. Really, art accomplishes a direct line of understanding (not approval, mind you) between two people that have never met.

I feel this way (esp. about films) all the time. That is why they can wreak havoc with my emotions. Because I can identify with their human-ness, and the with the possiblity that I am capable to doing something equally heinous if given the “push” which you suggested when you reviewed “The Dark Knight.”

Another excerpt which helped me:

Out of this I build an important idea: good art must not be equated with moral art. In my opinion, art is good when it effectively communicates. It may communicate something immoral, but morality is not the issue. Communication, empathy is the issue.

In this sense, it’s better not to use the words “good” or “bad” in reference to art. I think that the better word is “effective.” this word carries the sense of function apart from morality.

I’d been wondering what art (mine in particular) was really worth. Now, your thoughts have given me a springboard to begin to estimate that.

When you said this, you were right on:

Just because you can doesn’t mean you should (1 Cor 10:23).
What we consider the exercise of liberty can actually be sin (Gal 5:13). You must examine your motives for consuming art.
Remember that your sinful hearts seek to use art as an occasion for sin. Guard against this. Even pornography is art. It is absolutely immoral. There is no provision for viewing this kind of art because it invites the heart to spiritual and literal adultery (Matt 5:28).

I have been convicted by the Holy Spirit to forego certain films, books, and genres of films and books. You put into words the reasons why I do this. Thanks.

Actually it is the opposite. Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

thats why, for example, socialists and liberals keep “reinventing” the same failed policies and impose them with an expectation that the outcome will be different “this time”.

If something doesn’t work you need to look at the outcome, analyse the result, consider the new options and possible outcomes and amend your next attempt.

Hope the cable issue has been resolved now!