Marvel's new movie "Doctor Strange" starring Benedict Cumberbatch has received glowing reviews so far. But one Christian film critic thought the movie is actually "dangerous" because it introduces moviegoers to the black arts of the occult.
Dr. Ted Baehr, chair of the Christian Film & Television Commission, denounced the movie for making occult practices appear cool and acceptable even when the Bible condemns it.
"[Doctor Strange is] a dangerous introduction to demonic occult deception," he said in a press release, according to Science Fiction. "The Bible clearly warns against the kind of occult practices and sorcery the hero in this movie learns to do, in Deuteronomy 18:9-12 and Galatians 5:20. Also in the movie, the hero's New Age occult guru teaches that there may be no afterlife, that death is truly the end, and that this is a good thing."
The verses mentioned by Baehr describe occult practices are "detestable" in the eyes of the Lord. Deuteronomy 18:10-11, in particular, renounces "the practices of divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or cast spells, or who is a medium or consults the dead."
As for Galatians 5:20, anything to do with "idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions" is wrong in the eyes of God.
Meanwhile, Joshua Infantado of the United Church of God wrote on his blog that Christians should not watch horror movies or anything that promotes a wicked and abhorrent lifestyle. Even though society approves of these movies and shows, Infantado said Christians must resist.
"You are a Christian, and you are NOT part of the world. What is of the world stays there and not on your mind," he said. Cleanse your mind and way. If you want to SERVE GOD, then you need to have a pure mind free of violence and horrific images. We will not be judge only based on the big things, but also in little things and in every decision we made no matter how minute they are."
