Spider-Man (2002)

Related: Spider-Man 2 (2004), Spider-Man 3 (2007)

This movie should be avoided because it involves and/or promotes profanity (at least 17 instances, including profane oaths and the profanation of the Lord's Prayer and Genesis 1:3), blasphemy (God's name is taken in vain at least 20 times), immodesty, sexual immorality, infidelity, deceit, evolution, and disdain for authority. Since its hero and his allies practice sin, this movie conditions viewers to substitute evil for good and good for evil (Isa. 5:20) by praising evildoers who ought to be despised (Ps. 15:4; Pro. 28:4).

The movie presents the phrase, "With great power comes great responsibility" as some lofty code of honor Spider-Man aspires to. We are supposed to look up to Spider-Man as an honorable, responsible superhero because, he tells us, he will "never forget those words," all the while ignoring his shameful, immoral, and self-centered behavior. When the Green Goblin asks him, "You chose the way of the hero. … In spite of everything you've done for them, eventually, they will hate you. Why bother?" Peter responds, "Because it's right." If he was truly concerned with doing what is right, he would be committed to speaking truth, honoring authority, and pursuing moral purity. But since we find the opposite to be the case, the movie is attempting to uphold a different standard of what is right and good, one which allows for a superhero like Spider-Man to practice all sorts of wickedness. In short, Spider-Man is a hypocrite—he is made to appear as standing for what is good when in reality he is championing that which is evil. The only "evil" he fights against consists of imaginary villains.

Violations of God's Law

Defiance against God

This movie violates the First Commandment.

• Evolution is referenced and promoted
• At least two appeals to luck

Blasphemy and Profanity

This movie violates the Third Commandment. God has warned that he will not hold guiltless those who take his name in vain (Ex. 20:7). God requires oaths to be sworn by his name (Deut. 6:13).

• Peter's uncle Ben and aunt May take God's name in vain at least 3 times each, including a minced oath
• There is a scene in which May is reciting the Lord's Prayer, to which the Green Goblin laughs maniacally at the portion that references evil. This is a gross profanation of Holy Scripture, contemptuously using it merely for the sake of movie content, when it ought to be treated with utmost reverence and read for the purpose of believing and practicing the Word of God.
• Norman, along with his assistant Mendel, each take God's name in vain at least 3 times
• Mary Jane takes God's name in vain at least 3 times
• A wrestler takes God's name in vain at least twice
• A student utters "Jesus" in vain
• Jonah swears a profane oath to cover up lying, when pressed by the film's antagonist
• Profane references: hell (6), among others

Disdain for Authority

This movie promotes violations of the Fifth Commandment. Those who disobey parents are worthy of death according to the judgment of God (Rom. 1:30-32); those who despise government are likened to brute beasts who will be condemned (2Pe. 2:10-12; Jude 1:8-10).

• Vigilantism: as a self-appointed masked vigilante, Spider-Man defies civil authority
• Peter constantly treats his caretakers, his aunt and uncle, shamefully and abusively, ignoring them and lying to their faces
• While being exhorted by his uncle, Peter raises his voice and yells, "Stop lecturing me, please!" and when his uncle tries to apologize, Peter interrupts him, demanding that he stop pretending to be his father
• Mary Jane yells at her father to do the dishes himself, walking out on him. Though the man is depicted as an abusive wretch, it is no excuse to dishonor authority and render evil for evil (1Pe. 3:9; 1Th. 5:15; Rom. 12:21).

Immodesty and Sexual Immorality

This movie violates the Seventh Commandment. The Bible warns that those who do not repent of sexual immorality will not inherit the kingdom of God (1Co. 6:9-10), but will be judged by God (Heb. 13:4). We are commanded to "flee fornication" (1Co. 6:18).

• Peter (Tobey Maguire, unmarried) and Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst, unmarried) are shown kissing
• Just about every appearance of Mary Jane is an open display of immodesty, flaunting her upper thighs, midriff, and breast cleavage; there is even a scene where her nipples are clearly seen through skin-tight clothes drenched from rain
• Spider-Man dons an immodest skin-tight costume, a fact the movie itself attests in a scene where a lustful woman says, "He had those tights and that tight little b…" she says while gesturing with her hands an imagined grasping of Spider-Man's buttocks.
• Jonah utters a raunchy joke referencing "Julia Roberts in a thong," aimed to make the audience laugh
• There is a wrestling ring scene that is grossly immoral, showing half-naked men and women, cheerleaders in bikinis and rubbing the wrestler's muscles
• Pornographic pictures are shown tacked to the wall in an office wherein Peter tries to collect his wrestling winnings
• Peter and Norman are shown shirtless

Deceit

This movie promotes violations of the Ninth Commandment. The Bible warns that all liars, whom God hates (Pro. 6:16-19; 12:22), shall have their part in the lake of fire (Rev. 21:8). Spider-Man is depicted as an unabashed liar, lying shamelessly throughout the film, inspiring fans to follow his example.

• Above all, Peter deliberately shrouds his identity as Spider-Man behind a web of lies, and takes advantage of the ignorance of others by vouching for himself, defending Spider-Man to his supervisor, and egging on Mary Jane to divulge personal details about her interest in Spider-Man.
• Peter lies to his aunt and uncle, to his love interest Gwen and her father, to officials, and to his colleagues
• Even though she's in a relationship with Harry, Mary Jane keeps secrets from him, including her employment status and personal get-togethers with Peter
• None of the "good" characters are shown to have integrity or faithfulness; they are depicted as being self-centered, taking advantage of one another, and giving bad advice

Sinful Content in Spider-Man

Warning! The following table contains direct quotations from the film, which include instances of blasphemy, profanity, and other vices.