My wife and I tried watching a new TV series the other day. We did not look for the TV rating before starting, but it turned out to be Mature.
After a couple of F-words, my wife was done. I found out that the series includes some minor nude scenes down the road, and when I mentioned that to my wife (I was reading a positive review of the show) she commented that she was glad she stopped when she did.
I'm not trying to complain about my wife or her choices (I feel like I do that too much as it is, though I don't intend to). I love her. She is a truly great and capable mother, and would do anything for those in need. But I do want to share some observations. Since before I met her she has actively refused to read any books beyond a "Young Adult" level. That includes fictions, biographies, and even scholarly books. If it feels like it might have something that isn't "uplifting" she avoids it like the plague. She has never seen a move rated higher than PG-13 and even refuses most TV-14 shows.
And I think it shows. Her speech, her thinking, are all associated with the level of thought in which she engages media. (Queue correlation vs causation argument here.)
I have noticed similar traits with my siblings and siblings-in-law. Deep, meaningful conversations with them seem nearly impossible. Even if it has nothing to do with the church. Even if we are in total agreement. They just can't wrap their minds around any sentence or point of view beyond what a 13 or 14 year old might also say. They might regurgitate a newspaper article. But they don't form their own opinions about anything. (Maybe that's why they accept the church-given opinion that R-rated moves are ALL bad.)
They are not dumb people. All of them have college degrees. They are teachers, hospital administrators, business managers. They are successful. They are smart. It just feels like they don't have a deep thought in their heads.
On the other hand. My co-workers, none of whom have ever been mormon, regularly waste small blocks of time discussing news developments, NPR broadcasts, etc, and enjoy debating their own understanding of the complex scene that led to the given event, or what it will take to change it. They reflect on nuanced understandings of varied points-of-view and can think critically about why those points-of-view may or may not be valid in a given circumstance. Speaking with them is almost a breath of fresh air.
I have yet to meet anyone at church I can engage with like that. All I ever get is "Well, [church] says ______ about ______."
Its completely anecdotal, but I'd love to hear some thoughts. Ready.... go!
