It has been brought to my attention that there are some who would like to change the rules at our great institution of Liberty University . Some wish to allow a more liberalization of Liberty University . In such arguments they wish to take out portions of the Liberty Way that they wish not to apply to them. One such rule is the Ban on “R” rated movies. But it is important of us as Christians to examine why this would not be a benefit to the kingdom of Christ .

Proponents of the R movies ban removal example to us “Saving Private Ryan” as a movie that “every American, including Liberty Students, should see for its demonstration of the sacrifices that “ America 's Greatest Generation” made during World War II.” (1). However, a flawed argument this is indeed. Similar arguments can be made for other Rated R movies. One might propose that every American, including Liberty Students, should see the movie Show Girls for its accurate depiction of why one should not get involved in a show girl career. The fact is, the case for Saving Private Ryan is an opinion and flawed at best.

The truth of the matter is that many rated R movies are immoral and do not cohere with Biblical values. However, there are a few movies that are rated R and have some historical value to them, such as Saving Private Ryan. But, it doesn't mean it is necessarily good for you to watch. We already have seen a great desensitization in America due to mass media. It is well founded and well documented. Regardless of the historical value of the movie, it turns the tragedy of war and death into a thing of entertainment and stands to further desensitize us from the reality of war and death which we are presently having to experience.
Proponents of lifting the ban suggest that Liberty University is trying to parent its students and not teach them to be part of the real world. These people say that : “Rather than banning R rated movies, Liberty University should instead be instilling values in students so that they make the right decisions about movies both while still at Liberty University and also after they leave.” (1) And indeed they are right. Liberty University should instill values in students so they make the right choices. But, what is the most effective way to do this? How do you train up a person under your tutelage? Let me cite the example of a child learning to ride a bike. Most parents don't just stick a child on a bike and say start peddling. They give their children training wheels which, doesn't give them the option to fall. Then when the time comes you take the training wheels off and the child can ride a bike on his own.

Likewise, the Liberty Way is training wheels. You aren't given the option to fall. You aren't given the option to watch R rated movies. Then when you get into the real world and the proverbial “training wheels” have come off, hopefully you will be able to ride without them. The staff at this University is under the responsibility to oversee us spiritually. If Rated R movies were permitted, they would be unable to ensure they have made a responsible effort to guide us in our spiritual walk.
Proponents also say that:

“An additional problem with the ban on R rated movies is it is based on a faulty rating system. If the Bible was accurately portrayed in a movie, there is very little chance that it would not receive an R rating. In the Bible there are endless examples of immorality including murder, prostitution, incest, and adultery. However, the Bible is clearly not immoral.“ (1)

This is indeed true. The Bible has people doing clearly immoral things in it but it is clearly not immoral. However, if it were made an accurate screenplay it would probably make an R rating, at best. So, why shouldn't we let a movie up to the discretion of the viewer? There is one major difference between the Bible and Saving Private Ryan. The Bible is the inspired Word of God, whereas Saving Private Ryan, although historically applicable, is not. There is no comparison between the Bible and any R rated movie. Why? Because movies are a worldly expression of this world while, the Bible is a heavenly expression of things that happened in this world.

Some say that “ A common justification for the ban is the fear that students will make bad choices. This is a rather pointless fear. Students will make bad choices, but this is true of every person because we all have a sin nature. Students make bad decisions right now about R rated movies despite the ban. “ However, is it fair to say “students will make bad choices”? I don't think so. Perhaps because people arguing this point and people agreeing with this point may have made the mistake of breaking the Liberty Way and watching an R rated movie doesn't mean all students will. The argument could be made that all students will make the mistake of downloading porn; therefore we should allow students to download porn. Or some could say that all students will make the mistake of breaking curfew so we should have no curfew. Or others may all students will make mistakes and download illegal music so we should allow students to illegally download music. But that doesn't make it so and it doesn't make it right. I'd like to quote myself in an earlier article:

Romans 13:

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted , and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3F or rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you . 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer . 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (NIV, Romans 13:1-6)

We are to submit to authority, so says the Lord. RA's, RD's, Teachers, LUPD, Deans, Campus Pastors, all the way up to Falwell himself is in authority over the student's at Liberty University . They have been put in authority by God. If you rebel against the rules here you are rebelling against God. If you do right (i.e. obey the Liberty Way ) than you will be commended. If you do wrong (i.e. break the Liberty Way ) than you will “bear the sword”. It is necessary to submit to authorities.

“Chancellor Falwell perhaps best demonstrated the flaw in the rule when he recently publicly praised the movie Gladiator. PR Newswire reported that, “Jerry Falwell says it [Gladiator] is ``magnificent'' and adds his recommendation that it be named Best Picture of the year.” Unfortunately, the current rules at Liberty University do not allow students to see the movie Gladiator because it is an R rated movie.” (1)

Another flawed argument posed by those who propose the removal of the R Rated movie ban. Chancellor Falwell is liable for his own actions. Only Chancellor Falwell can answer for what Chancellor Falwell does. Not you or I. If Jerry Falwell were to smoke cigarettes, does that make it okay to smoke cigarettes. If Jerry Falwell looked at internet pornography, does that make it okay to look at internet pornography. The answer, of course, is it does not. Because Jerry Falwell is not our standard for living. The Bible is our standard for living. So, under the jurisdiction of the Liberty Way and the standards of the Bible presented in Romans 13, we are not to watch R-Rated Movies.

“The ban on R rated movies has the potential to cause as much harm as good. There are many R rated movies that serve good educational purposes like Saving Private Ryan and Schindler's List that students are denied the opportunity to watch. “ (1)

Lastly, I would like to point out that no where in the bible does it say “and I commandeth of thee to go watcheth movies”. You don't have to watch movies. Movies are in fact a luxury we have. You can get much more information on World War 2 from books, news clippings, encyclopedia's, and the internet. And the information received would be much more educational, more accurate, and more cited than Saving Private Ryan and Schindler's List. Don't get me wrong. I am not saying that Rated-R movies are bad, even though about 95% are. There are a few exceptions. But what is the main thing that makes the movies wrong to watch? We are under the authority of Liberty University . We signed agreements saying we would obey the Liberty Way . Legally binding agreements might I add. We are under the command of God to obey the authority above us. And if there are those out there who would like the rules changed than they can take the proper course of action to try to get the rule revised or revoked. If the rule is revoked in the proper manner than each person can judge with their own Christian liberty if they should watch certain R-Rated Movies. Hopefully, they would make wise judgments based on their love for Jesus Christ. However, those who post anti-establishment articles on web blogs are not going about making changes in the right form or fashion and only seek to start dissention and quarrels among Liberty Students.