[beanbag]

Originally Posted by Frankenstein, in another thread

Is the content (sex, language-especially OMG!, gory images) in ... books ... justified by the message they are sending?

personally, I think it is rarely justified, if ever. I am kind of notorious among my friends and family for being sensitive to language, sexual content and most violence (I have three brothers, so stuff blowing up on tv is kind of normal fare).

I always ask myself what the purpose is for the language, sex or violence. I mean, obviously if a war book is written or a war movie is made, there will be violence. there will probably be language, though I would prefer it be minimal to non-existent. as for sex...I'm a big girl. I know how babies are made, and I know what a mistress is; I don't need the play-by-play. violence written out graphically is just horrible. it may sound hypocritical to say that I love murder mysteries, but the thing about them is that they don't show it in detail the way movies do.

I actually think that the modern obsession with sex and violence is the reason I'm drawn predominantly to the classics. I mean, with the scarlet letter, everyone knows hester's crime but hawthorne doesn't elaborate on the details. the same in pride and prejudice, with darcy's sister. everyone knows what "trouble" means, but there's no need to take us into her bedroom with whatshisface the jerk.

I tend to prefer agatha christie's approach to sex and violence: you know that it is there, because it is part of the story and it is real and human, but it's not spelled out in detail.

I do make exceptions for really fantastic pieces of writing, but...they have to be really fantastic.

[Jeffrey]

God speaking through Ezekiel describes Israel's actions by using references to bestiality, animal genitalia, and semen. Just food for thought. I wouldn't read those verses to the freshmen in my ancient history class, but they're there for a reason presumably.

[earlessdog]

I would have to agree with beanbag. I must say in movies and books (I don't read much though) I don't exactly refrain from the movie or book if there is that stuff in it. In movies I usually fast forward the sex scenes, but I really can't think of any legitimate reason for violence, language, or sex to be in movies or books (unless, like beanbag had said, it's a war movie or something understandable). To be quite honest the language part doesn't bother me unless it's taking God's name in vain.
I wish I could stand by better morals when it comes to that stuff in books and movies and refraining from it, but I really don't.
I know the user Frankenstein definitely has some good points when it comes to this stuff in movies (though this is moreso about books), if he would only sign on again. Sign on Tyler!