True crime is a popular genre of books, television shows, and films. This type of genre is focused on detailing and describing a true crime that actually did happen. Recently, the new series on Jeffrey Dahmer, titled Dahmer, has become extremely popular among streaming services. This series is an example of true crime because it remakes a crime that happened in history for entertainment purposes.
The Reality of True Crime
True crimes are different from scripted cop shows because true crimes are based on true events. Rather than making up a story, true crimes are based on crimes that actually occurred throughout time. Throughout most true crimes, there are vivid descriptions of plots of murder and actual murder.
While it is in a Christian’s freedom to choose what they watch or read, we do need to exercise discernment. True crimes can be educational and help us learn about past events of the crime, yet they can also disturb some individuals.
True crimes are popular in the modern day, and they can help us learn more about history. Therefore, we should not be quick to disregard true crime or label it as “sinful.” Ultimately, it all comes down to an individual’s motive as to why they are watching or reading a true crime.
If an individual is watching true crime and becomes obsessed, there could be a problem. With current television adaptations of true crimes, such as covering the crimes of Jeffrey Dahmer or Ted Bundy, television shows and films glorify the criminal.
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile stars Zac Efron as the notorious Ted Bundy. Through this depiction of Ted Bundy, they are glorifying a murderer and sex offender by having Zac Efron play this role. In the same way, Jeffrey Dahmer is played by Evan Peters, who is also a popular movie star.
By depicting murders and sex offenders as popular and conventionally attractive celebrities, it can make the criminal more appealing or seen as “cool.” Multiple television shows, films, and books depict the bad guy as someone who is likable, cool, or simply misunderstood.
While this may not be true for all true crimes, often, viewers or readers might migrate toward the side of the criminal because of this appeal.
As previously stated, Efron and Peters play notorious criminals, yet many fans of theirs will watch the film or series because Efron and Peters play the role. In this way, many individuals can be exposed to the reality of murders on television or movie screens.
Young individuals should avoid watching true crime because it can be traumatic at such a young age. Adult Christians can watch true crime, yet one should practice discernment in their watching and viewing.
Obsession with anything is not good. Whenever we obsess over something, it can become our “god.” As Christians, we only have one God — the God of the Bible.
In the same way, we can only serve one master as Jesus tells us, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24).
As Jesus tells us in this passage of the Gospel of Matthew, we cannot serve God and money. While this passage is referring to money, it can refer to anything. We cannot serve both God and our obsession.
In this case, we cannot be loyal both to God and an obsession with true crimes. This is a basic teaching, yet it is worthwhile to mention. True crimes can be watched and liked by Christians, yet it ultimately comes down to your motives.
We have to ask ourselves the motives behind why we like a certain show, film, or book based on true crime. If we like it for the correct reasons, it is fine; however, if we like it for the wrong reasons, then it is not fine.
Why Do We Like True Crime?
Asking ourselves the question, “why do I watch true crimes?” can be great in helping us know our motives. An individual should understand the ramifications of that crime as they also watch for entertainment.
As Christians, we should never be interested in watching something that glorifies murder, nor should we be interested in finding entertainment in someone else’s pain. Criminals in true crimes normally plan out detailed tactics to kill their victims, often in graphic ways.
A Christian cannot, in good conscience, watch these shows if they are finding entertainment in the pain of the victims. Watching a show or reading a book with the purpose of being entertained by murder is not right for a believer.
Paul tells us, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).
Whenever we choose what to watch or read, we need to choose things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. If we are watching and liking true crimes for the right reasons— educational purposes, raising awareness, etc. — then it is perfectly fine to watch and like true crimes.
Yet, we have to be our own critics when we look at our motives. If we are watching and liking true crimes for any reason rooted in sin, we need to acknowledge it, repent before God, and ask for His forgiveness.
True crimes can be educational to us as believers, yet we should not like them for the wrong reasons. True crimes are true stories that actually happened, with real victims and their families who live with one person’s choice for the rest of their lives.
As in the case of multiple sex offenders and murderers, their victims endured horrible pain and torment at the hands of one individual.
As Christians, how can we, in good conscience, watch something as a means of “entertainment” when we learn about the pain the victims endured?
Through television and books, we often take the perspective that everything is made up, yet true crimes are real events. The storyline used in true crimes, no matter how perfectly edited and presented, was a real-life event. As believers, we cannot disassociate from the reality found within true crimes.
Therefore, there is nothing wrong with a Christian liking true crime as long as they are liking it for the right reasons.
Many criminals have some sort of mental condition that contributed to their actions, even if they were never diagnosed. A Christian does not need to try to mimic or follow in the shadow of the criminals in true crimes, even if the program glorifies the criminal.
As a disclaimer, it is not definitely known why certain people commit these crimes or become serial killers, as others with the same mental health issues do not commit murder or similar crimes.
There is nothing “cool” about a criminal. While all people can choose to accept Jesus’ free gift of salvation, including criminals, we should not glorify their actions. True crimes are dedicated to presenting an accurate description of the crime and the surrounding circumstances.
What Does This Mean?
As Christians, we can watch this genre of shows or read this genre of book, yet we have to practice discernment in every way possible.
We need to examine our own motives and repent of any impure motives. True crime can help us learn more about past crimes in history, yet we should never glorify the criminal or their actions.
For further reading:
What Does the Bible Say about Violence?
What Does the Bible Say about Killing?
Cain and Abel: Bible Story, Meaning and Significance
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