Theist media and entertainment.

[loubert]

Just wanted to start a small discussion on other's views about music, movies and other entertainment media that contain religous overtones.

As an example I personally love the music of George Harrison, even though a fair bit has a religous overtones to it. I do draw the line at some music though, especially when I (IMHO) find it overly preachy. I don't find George's music preachy though.

If it is non-fiction stuff that is not portraying itself as fact (Talking books here) then i tend to not give a crap, especially when the author makes up some imaginary d0gs and what not.

and as for movies, for eg, the matrix series was full of symbolism regarding religion, but I love 'em all the same. all though sometimes, i have cringed at some things



others opinions?

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Yep - remove it all. Purple dancing monkeys with watermelons?

[GUDLUSS]

Purple dancing monkeys with watermelons FTW!
In all seriousness, I don't really care but sometimes it does get full on. I like religion as a theme as long as it's not preachy.

[eclectic]

Hmmm, I voted the "not really" option, but it depends on the tone. I can listen to some songs that are overtly religious and just see it as that particular person's interpretation of the wonder-at-the-importance-and-beauty-of-life (aka 'spirituality')... but other times I can be really annoyed. My choice of enjoyment or annoyance is a bit random. I hate it when I quite like a song, then listen closely and discover it is about god! But even then, sometimes I can choose to like my own interpretation of it anyway.

[atheist_angel]

I just saw The Reaping (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0444682/) and it pissed me off. A former xtian, that became an atheist, gets shown the power of g-d. It really pissed me off! It reinforces the fake idea that g-d is powerful and it presupposes that all the audience already believes in the actual existence of g-d. :mad: I would rather my scfi contain aliens.

[Caio]

I voted no, I listen to the Trans-Siberian orchestra, which has a lot of religious themes to its music, but mostly the instrumentals I enjoy the most. I draw the line at hillsong style musical preaching, but then again I don’t go out looking for that sort of stuff. I just try to judge music, film or whatever on other things. Religious iconography has contributed a lot to the arts in human culture, the fact I think its all founded on non-sense is irrelevant in this case.

On that point I also have the song Real Men on my ipod by Joe Jackson, I’m not a homosexual but I can still like the song, so my beliefs have no conflict with religion in the media because I can always choose to ignore it.

[Fearless]

Watch Stephen Kings 'The Stand' if you have over 4 hours free.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108941/

After the world is decimated by a man-made plague, a battle of literally Biblical proportions ensues between the survivors.

It is heavily religious in it's structure but interestingly captivating given Kings focus on extensive character building.

Pros: Clever story, good character building,
Cons: Telemovie, Biblical (this is part of the plot), B-Grade acting, far too long.

[atheist_angel]

That reminded me, I've always wondered something about Stephen King..... Is he religious? So I went to his FAQ (http://www.stephenking.com/faq.html)'s and it said, Stephen was raised as a Methodist and attended church regularly in his youth. He no longer attends church, but he does believe in God and reads the Bible. Tabitha, his wife, was raised as a Catholic.Does that sound a bit vague to anyone else? It doesn't say, he's a xtian. It doesn't say he believes in any 'brand' of religion. I read the bible too. He could be a pantheist, for all we know. It mentions his wife, but doesn't say if his wife believes in a g-d.

The original question was "What is your religion?" Does anyone else think this question may have been ducked for a reason. Like not pissing off the fundie organizations and activists, for example, that could tell congregations to boycott his stuff or picket his publishers? It's a very nice dodge. :cool:

[AWarGuy]

Honestly movies these days (not all of them, obviously) start really and go all religion and jesus crap to please everybody.

Lets have a look at the "full on" actors in the Disney Channel:

Miley Cyrus
Demi Lovato
Selena Gomez
Debby Ryan
The Jonas Brothers

the list goes on and on (nuthin personally, expect miley cyrus and jonas brothers)

All they do is twitter and sing songs about Jesus to influence young childerns's head.

The only i ever read about catholic stuff would be this line:

" The Catholic faith in the Middle East has gone from 40% to 1% please send money blah blah blah"

So its basically where ever you go theist crap is there

[Seamus]

Depends on context honesty and type';


I still a happen to like "BEN HUR; A Story Of The Christ" ,parts of it are spiffy.

Liked the 1960 "Spartacus" as kid. ( I think the 2004 remake is better) As an adult I think the vaguely Christian moral high ground and message of brotherly love and sacrifice is a bit precious.Not to mention that the film is lousy history on a whole lot of levels.Hard to believe for ah Hollywood movie I know.

I liked "The Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe" not withstanding its clumsly Christian allusions.

Also liked SCi with strong or mild Theist themes ; I think Deep Space Nine and the Prophets is fascinating.

However,I once acccidently hired "Left Behind" with Kirk Cameron. I nearly threw up.Went back to the video shop ,demanded my $2.95 back (and got it) and quietly expressed my umbrage to the manager.


PS Did you know that an independently made Christian film boasts being the most widely seen film ever made?

TANGENT: Hands up all those who think Greg was REALLY rooting Marcia stupid?

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

I must admit that even though I don't like religion in any film - I do not mind them mocking it - like in Monty Python's Life of Brian for example.