According to new research from Baylor University, R-rated movies can have a negative impact on the faith of teens and young adults. Those who watch them tend to go to church less often and think of their faith as less important to them, according to researcher Phil Davignon.

It did not seem to impact the level of doubt one might have about his or her religion, which perhaps is the good news as Christians, including Christians teens, certainly don’t steer clear of the rating.

“Watching R-rated movies is prevalent among religious and non-religious young people,” Davignon said. “Nearly everyone watches them.” (Baylor University)

Paul Asay has covered religion for The Washington Post, Christianity Today, Beliefnet.com and The (Colorado Springs) Gazette. He writes about culture for Plugged In and wrote the Batman book God on the Streets of Gotham (Tyndale). He lives in Colorado Springs with wife Wendy and his two children. Follow him on Twitter.