Movies and Music

[Bro Blue]

I have heard various arguments from people about why not to watch secular movies and listen to secular music. They usually point out the fact that the actors and musicians live less than desirable lifestyles. Some people justify them based on the content that is in the two mediums. They may say that the movie/music has a good message and could care less that the actors/musicians live like the devil in real life. Flip side is that they shun the movies/music because of the lives of the ones involved.
So my question to you guys is...how much does the lifestyles of the actors/musicians factor into whether or not you watch/listen to their stuff? How would you reconcile the fact that Anthony Hopkins has played in a movie where he is playing the role of Paul the apostle and plays in a movie where he portrays a cannibal? How about people like Ozzy Osbourne who has a song or two that is not morally wrong in its lyrics?
What kind of impact does it have on your personal testimony to unbelievers?

 

[JrChurch]

I grew up going to movies every weekend.  When I stopped going because of college rules (nope, it wasn't an IFB school) I made a choice not to go back to movies.  They lost whatever appeal they had for me.  Secular movies? Secular music? Secular grocery stores, schools, jobs...the list is endless.  I just ask the Spirit of God to give me discernment in this area: 

"...know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?...? James 4:4

 

[Izdaari]

This has never even been on my radar.  8)

 

[The Real Bob]

My family and I love the Harry Potter movies. Strange as it might seem, no one in the the family has become a Wizard or desired to be one.

We grew up waching "The Wizard of Oz", and no one has become a witch or a munchkin either. 

However, I ALSO watched "Forrest Gump".  ;D

 

[Izdaari]

Maybe I just should have asked what is your criteria for movies and music. I'm still interested about whether or not the actors/musicians lifestyles factor into the decision making process.

I don't usually know anything about the personal lives of actors or musicians, but unless it's something really outrageous it doesn't affect me.

Now, for an example of something outrageous:

Suppose Marilyn Manson, a very talented and popular rock star whom I do not like (I'll explain that shortly), were to make a Christian album... I'd have a problem with that, namely that he's a LaVey Satanist. It would be either mocking or wildly hypocritical, definitely not sincere.

OTOH, if he were to become a Christian and make that album, that'd be wonderful. And if he did that, I'm sure he'd lose the creepy vibe that keeps me from liking his secular music.

 

[Katniss]

To me, their lifestyles do not factor into the equation at all.  If it is a decent song/film (ie - no gratuitous violence or gratuitous sexual situations, etc) then I have no problem listening/watching regardless of the musician/actor's personal life.  A great majority of them are not professing Christians, so why should I expect them to act like it in their personal life?