Christian Perspectives on the TV Show American Horror Story

As a Christian, my view on television shows and their content can sometimes be complicated. Particularly when it comes to American Horror Story (AHS), a TV series that has garnered both praise and criticism among the faithful. The show’s intricate storytelling and genre-bending narrative can be both thrilling and unsettling.

While I enjoyed and found value in the first season of American Horror Story, I opted to not continue with subsequent seasons due to a busy work schedule and the presence of other shows I wanted to watch. However, the sudden commercial for one of the later seasons introduced me to a level of content I found utterly inappropriate and demonic.

The Delineation of Sin and Evil

Believers in the Christian faith often face the challenge of balancing entertainment with avoiding content that could lead to sin. The world we live in is deeply flawed, with sin pervasive in media and entertainment. This is why I, as a Christian, approach TV shows like American Horror Story with a cautious eye. While it’s not uncommon for some content to contain themes of sin, the goal is not to indulge in them but rather to navigate them with wisdom and patience.

Even as a Christian, I recognize that individuals and creators alike can be influenced by impure intentions, and it’s important to smell a rat and be discerning even with content we like. The moral consideration for the believing viewer is to weigh whether the content will lead them or others to sin. However, personal indignation with its sinful content would be considered a step beyond the call of duty, unless the Holy Spirit specifically guides us to do so.

My Personal Experience with American Horror Story

Having taken a break from the series for a while, I revisited American Horror Story for a brief period. Initially, I watched Season 5 of the show. However, after two episodes, I found the content to be overly sexualized and morally questionable. The sexual immorality portrayed in Season 4 was already a step too far for my tolerance levels, and Season 5 merely escalated the issue. Both seasons, regardless of their explicit content, did not drive me to sin directly, but they did leave a bad taste.

Interestingly, there is a particular season that sparked my interest: Season 7 which is titled "Cult". This season seems to have been heavily inspired by the original Silent Hill video games, which are among my favorite works of fiction. These games, with their chilling atmospheres and stunning aesthetic value, offer themes that resonate deeply with me and might interest a growing number of believers.

The content of "Cult" might draw me in if my conviction from God ever changes. However, many Christians, including myself, often struggle to find media that is both spiritually wholesome and artistically impressive. The reality is that many shows that aim to be ethical end up being didactic and preachy instead. Sometimes the intended morals are overshadowed by weak execution and inconsistent messaging.

Until more Christian writers and producers are able to effectively balance morality with artistic integrity, it’s no wonder that Christians continue to consume media that may not align with their beliefs. This doesn’t mean that all Christian content is bad, but it does mean that the search for sanctified storytelling is a continuous challenge.