No exceptions for R-rated movies
I read “R: the scarlet letter of entertainment,” (Oct. 12, 2015) and to be frank, was disappointed. Not to say that I am perfect but I believe more is expected of us from the brethren and, more importantly, from the Lord. In this day and age, members of the LDS Church are quick to turn exceptions into defaults. Yes, there are probably some R-rated movies out there, somewhere in our vast, cinematic universe, that are relatively appropriate to watch. But should we go searching for them? Should I search through images of pornography just to find one or two that might be considered appropriate nudity? This isn’t the time to tiptoe around or blur boundaries. Whether it’s modesty or movie choices, we need to stop with the postmodern, relativistic viewpoints. We’re echoing worldly perspectives more and more, and the Daily Universe should not be a supporter of this trend.
The fact is there are numerous statements made by General Authorities condemning the viewing of R-rated movies and other inappropriate media. For example, in the July New Era of 1998, Elder Cree-L Kofford said, “Young people know they should not watch R- or X-rated movies, and yet time after time I hear them say, ‘Well it’s only rated R because it’s violent.’ What difference does it make why it is rated R? The fact is, a prophet of God has said not to go to R-rated movies. That ought to be good enough.”
Mature content tends to be bad content. And again, there may be media inappropriate for teenagers yet appropriate for adults, but it is rarely, if ever, found at the movie theater or on the TV screen. If something is too violent or filthy for your teenager, it’s too violent or filthy for you too. For the Strength of Youth also applies to adults. I echo Elder Kofford’s words: a prophet of God told us not to see R-rated movies. That should be enough.
—Scott Wilkins
Provo
Carrying weapons on campus: a matter of self-defense
With all of the arguments about gun control, I would love to see some serious attention brought to the terrible firearms and weapons policy here at BYU. I’m currently looking into the line that states that guns, including concealed carry permit holders, are prohibited, “except with written consent of the police chief.”
BYU is a safe place and I love it but with the amount of gun violence on campuses, I would like my constitutional and state given right to act in accordance with the CCW license I possess.
There are around 32,000 students at BYU. Can BYU police promise protection to every one of them everyday? Of course not. BYU police, however skilled, will never be everywhere at one time. So how can I put my life and the lives of my family and friends and fellow student in the hands of a safety net that takes at least five minutes to respond anywhere on campus? An average shooter would have no problem shooting 10 times in less than 10 seconds. Imagine uncontested for five minutes.
BYU is asking the student body and I everyday to disarm and open ourselves to violence and personal attack every time we step on campus and even into campus housing.
The feeling I get from those I talk to is: “BYU is safe, shootings can’t happen here.” I’m sure every school or place of shooting thought that as well. BYU isn’t exempt.
At any other university in this state I can carry a firearm. I am not from Utah. I come from a much more liberal state, Oregon, and even there I could carry on campuses.
I am not a paranoid individual. However, the reality is that it can happen anywhere. I am not scared, fearful or extreme in gun ownership. I grew up hunting and around all types of firearms. Guns don’t hurt people, people who desire to hurt others do.
Obama and other liberals are pushing the wrong kind of gun control, making it harder for law-abiding citizens to acquire guns. Trying to limit guns in the hands of criminals won’t work because, go figure, criminals don’t obey laws. Making more Gun Free Zones is insane.
I want my right to self defense at BYU.
— Dekker Smith
Provo
