Vicar Sparks Controversy by Defending Horror Film Viewing for Christians
Ravi Holy, the vicar of Wye in Kent and a standup comedian, has ignited a fiery debate within Christian circles after posting a rave review of the new Sam Raimi film, Send Help. The film, described as a "gore-laced plane-crash survival face-off," blends comedy and horror elements, but Holy's endorsement has raised questions about whether Christians should watch horror movies at all.
Extreme Responses and Neo-Puritan Criticisms
The most extreme reaction came from a man who argued that Christians should avoid not only horror films but also soap operas like Emmerdale, equating them with classics like The Exorcist. Holy finds this stance bizarre, noting that The Exorcist features a priest who rediscovers his faith after confronting evil, which he views as a positive religious message. While acknowledging that some content might be too intense for sensitive viewers or youth groups, Holy emphasizes that he has used clips from such films to facilitate adult discussions on faith and doubt.
Holy recalls encountering similar radical neo-puritanism in the 1990s, when attending a Pentecostal church in west London led him to discard his record collection of bands like AC/DC, Black Sabbath, and Led Zeppelin. He later regretted this but notes no lasting harm. At the time, he avoided films with occult themes but never boycotted cinemas entirely, unlike a fellow street preacher who condemned his decision to watch Terminator 2.
The Problem with Focusing on the Wrong Issues
For Holy, the core issue with neo-puritanism is its misplaced priorities. He quotes Richard Holloway, former primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, who said, "God is much more concerned about what's happening in our boardrooms than in our bedrooms." This sentiment is echoed in current Church of England debates, where some oppose prayers for gay and lesbian couples, highlighting what Holy sees as righteous indignation over trivial matters.
Holy frames this as a cold war between contemporary Puritans and liberal cavaliers like himself, rooted in divergent theological visions. One side views the world as irredeemably sinful, akin to Noah's ark, while the other prioritizes Genesis's declaration of creation as "very good" and embraces Jesus's welcoming of sinners. Holy advocates for the latter, inspired by Ernest Hemingway's quote in Se7en: "The world is a fine place and worth fighting for."
Embracing a Broader Perspective
In conclusion, Holy calls for Christians to adopt a more inclusive view, appreciating horror films, rock music, and even Emmerdale as part of a beautiful world. He argues that focusing on entertainment choices distracts from more significant moral issues, urging a shift toward a theology that celebrates creation and engagement with diverse cultural expressions.
