In this day and age American culture is a virtual assault on the Christian worldview: movies, music, and television serving up a tsunami of offensive themes and language.
Even many films with redeeming storylines push the language envelope. Think American Sniper or Forrest Gump: both tremendous movies with some blue language and/or nudity. Yet their themes — patriotism, heroism, self-sacrifice, loyalty, courage — are uplifting and intrinsically good.
We’re instructed in Philippians:
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Phil. 4:8
Adherence to the Apostle Paul’s admonitions has become pretty tricky in post-Christian America. And parents who are mindful to safeguard the media consumption of their children run a virtual gauntlet, filtering out objectionable material at breakneck pace.
It seems moms and dads must constantly discern between entertainment offerings which might support or attack their biblical worldview. And even the adult who wants uplifting, non-compromising entertainment may have a struggle finding films.
Now, to the rescue, some ingenious digital developer has created Vidangel.
Vidangel is purely inspired, allowing the consumer to choose the filters they prefer. The service offers a wide range of movies to buy. So far, that is indistinguishable from other services such as Netflix or Amazon.
But Vidangel departs the standard movie rental/purchase format with their filters and their buy-back policy/feature.
Here’s the drill. You purchase a movie ($20) from Vidangel, stream it with YOUR personal filters, on your preferred device. You may choose exact words to delete (f***, da*n, etc.), you may choose to delete nudity. YOU and you alone control what is filtered so that what remains is entertainment which is not at odds with your worldview and values.
Once you’ve watched the movie, Vidangel will buy it back within 24 hours for 19 movie credits less a $1 charge. Thus, they offer a great, wholesome movie experience for the price of $1. In addition, the next movie can be paid for with your movie credits, and then sold back within 24 hours.
Brilliant. Great movies your way.
Thankfully, more and more gifted people of faith — artists, musicians, screenwriters, directors, actors, producers — are producing quality movies. But still the preponderance of films are offered up by Hollywood, and Hollywood seperated from moral moorings decades ago.
Sure there are MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) film ratings: G (General), PG (Parental Guidance Suggested), PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned – Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13), R (Restricted – Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian). But with the progression of the years, those ratings have become a general guideline as the movie creators’ morés further departed a once moral foundation.
Vidangel offers a customizable and affordable solution.
Thanks to Vidangel, Christians and others seeking uplifting and inoffensive movies have an option that will allow us to watch “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely.”
Isn’t innovation married to virtue a wonderful thing?
First published at Illinois Family Institute
