Why Would A Baptist Pastor Like Horror Movies?

I am occasionally approached by curious parishioners who are interested to know the reason behind my fondness of horror movies. It never seems to be a stumbling block for folks. Rather, it is curiosity and perhaps puzzlement that drives the question. At least that is my hope. There is, of course, the other possibility. The possibility that a certain person would seek a sense of admissibility for their own attraction to what might be considered an "unhealthy" past-time. That is not a healthy paradigm to live by.

So why am I a horror fan? My first thought is best reflected through the words of Stephen King in his book, Danse Macabre. In this masterful book that chronicles several decades of horror literature, King says that asking a lover of horror why they are a fan of the genre is like asking a rose why it is red. Some things just are. I have had a flare for the spooky side of things all my life. My mom and I would transform our home into a haunted attraction every Halloween. When I would draw pictures on scratch paper, many times I would draw a haunted cemetery with a full moon and "RIP" on the tombstones. When I was about 9 years old I got my hands on an orange cassette tape called "Disney's Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House."
I would sit in my room and repeatedly listen to that tape, even daring my friends to sit in a dark closet by themselves while I played it. By the time I watched my first horror movie down a holler in Thornton, KY with my sister and three cousins, I was already well steeped in the things of horror. There wasn't any reason for it, that is just the way it was. By the way, that first horror movie was the 1982 classic "Pieces." It is probably a terrible movie, but I remember the film being incredibly scary. In order to maintain the memory of its greatness, I have not watched the movie again since that first viewing. To close this paragraph, I should note that just because something is does not necessarily make it right. However, the point here is that my enjoyment of horror was not a created thing.

Another beautiful aspect of just beinga horror fan is the oneness you share with other true horror fans. This would be the place where I would define what a true horror fan really is, but you know who you are. We might not always see eye to eye on what is or is not a successful horror film, but we all strive for the same thing: that wonderfully strange and content feeling after viewing a film that has done it. For me, that first true feeling came after my initial viewing of Halloween. My favorite part of the film, which lasts a whole 10 seconds, involves no monsters, no screaming, no killing, no blood, and no scares. It is simply a scene of a girl sitting outside holding a pumpkin, waiting for her ride to pick her up. That scene gets it. I have been there with her, waiting for our ride while watching trick or treaters walk the streets of Haddonfield, IL. It is a special place my friends, a secret place. And not many people know the way.

As far fetched as it may sound, there is a theological element to the horror genre. I know of no other genre where there exists a clear delineation between good and evil, right and wrong. The viewer knows what is bad. The characters know what is bad. We are all rooting for the good. And in most cases, the good is stronger than the bad, but must learn how to overcome it. A false theological construct is to grant equality between the forces of Satan and God. We do not have a battle waging between equal armies, biting our nails to see who will win. God is greater and has already claimed the victory. Nevertheless, Satan continues, as a fatally wounded soldier, to fight and bring as many people with him as possible. We can overcome evil, but we must be disciplined. With that in mind, lets take a famous horror franchise as an a example, The Nightmare on Elm Street series. The evil character in these movies is Freddie Krueger. He is terrifying and can kill, but only when people are asleep. In the first (and best) film, Nancy Thompson finally understands that Krueger only has power if she is afraid of him. She becomes determined to defeat Krueger and ultimately does (until the 2nd film of course). Therefore, as a general rule, the horror genre clearly outlines what is evil and what is good, and most importantly guides the viewer to be repulsed by the evil and drawn to the victory of the good. Now, compare that with "harmless" romantic comedies. I certainly don't have anything against a good romantic comedy, but the reality of casual sex and relationships is not portrayed as the evil, but as the norm. The viewer is certainly not led to root against the couple. Interesting, don't you think?

Just like many avenues in our spiritual walk, we must be in tune with who we are and how we are affected. Andi (my wife) cannot watch horror movies. Regardless of the good vs. evil model I have explained, the imagery used to depict that battle stays with her in unhealthy ways. I do not believe children should be watching horror movies, but there again, there is no definite right or wrong age.

Lastly, we should not be stupid. Just because I enjoy horror films does not mean I should carry the "horror banner" around my congregation and preach the "okayness" of watching horror. Likewise, we must respect the opinions of those who do not agree with our viewpoint. I would never take a youth group to see a horror movie. I am completely opposed to the "Judgment House" concept. I am just a follower of Jesus Christ doing my very best to pastor a group of teenagers. And I like horror movies.