A Jew once came to the city of Lubavitch and approached the Rebbe Rashab with a debate:

“You think it is a big deal to sit in (the city of) Lubavitch, closed up in a room, and behave as a fine Jew?! To roam the streets of Petersburg and not to sin — that is a big deal!

“And if you think that is a big deal, to sit in a Petersburg theater with closed eyes and not sin — that is a big deal!

“And if that is not enough, to sit in a Petersburg theater with open eyes and not sin — that is a big deal!

“And if that is not enough, to sit in a Petersburg theater and come close to the stage where the actors are playing and still not sin — that is a big deal!!”

And so he continued with a long list of things. One can only imagine down which road this type of thinking and rationalization leads!

Likkutei Sichos, vol. 18, p. 461