In our local paper, The Lufkin Daily News, there was a short article entitled “Malaysia bans new ‘Austin Powers’ movie.” Please observe the text:
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (AP) — The Austin Powers sequel was too hot, baby, for the Malaysian censors.
The National Film Censorship Board in the predominantly Muslim country banned “The Spy Who Shagged Me” this week. Its members decided that there was too much sexual innuendo and that cutting it out would disrupt the flow of the movie, the Star newspaper reported Friday. The filmmakers couldn’t have been surprised, since the comedy is packed with sex jokes and double-entendres. The word “shag” is British slang for sex.
Rolf Mittweg, head of international marketing at New Line Cinema, which released the comedy, said last month that the Malaysian censors wanted to change the title to “The Spy Who…Me.” It is indeed a joy to know that some people recognize the evil and corruption of a movie filled with “sexual innuendo.” The Bible condemns such in Galatians 5:19-21, when it says, “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness…those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Too, God said, that “filthiness…foolish talking…[and] coarse jesting … are not fitting,” will lead one to lose his soul (Eph. 5:4-5).
Evidence in the article above reveals that the popular “Austin Powers” movie is unclean and lewd, filthy, foolish, and filled with coarse jesting. Yet, we fear that some Christians have gone to see it and even enjoyed it, contrary to God’s word, “[Love] does not rejoice in iniquity” (1 Cor. 13:6; cp. Rom. 1:32). We fear that some parents have allowed their children to see it, contrary to the Spirit’s command concerning our responsibility to them, “And you, fathers…bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).
In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he said, “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles” (1 Cor. 5:1). Is that the case with the “Austin Powers” movie? Can it be that the Muslims (Gentiles) have rejected it, but Christians have accepted it? If so, we ought to mourn as opposed to being puffed up (1 Cor. 5:2).
Instead of filling our minds, and the minds of our children with filth, let us heed the Spirit’s words, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things” (Phil. 4:8). Your soul depends on it!
Steven F. Deaton
