Reacting to Religion Based Movies

No one would argue that movies and TV shows have tremendous impact on our culture and our worldview. Where do you get your concept of courage? How about what an ideal friendship should be like? An ideal spouse? What is acceptable when it comes to violence or any moral decisions? What is culturally normal and not normal when it comes to how we treat different circumstances, especially circumstances we’ve never experienced but may experience in the future? Would you know how guns work, or how two lovers engage in love? Where did you (or your parents who told you) get the idea of “if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything”? (Which I would argue goes against the grain of reality, though really nice to cling onto).

It has always been interesting to see how nonchalant viewers are to all the culture defining messages found in film. Either they don’t see it, or they don’t care. However when it comes to a faith themed movie, there seem to always be strong reaction. It is treated differently. Below are some excerpt from Breakpoint which describes this situation. Though the article itself is directed more towards Christian I found it to be an interesting read. 

When the Christian film Facing the Giants came out in 2006, far more interesting than the movie itself were the reactions to it. Mainstream critics were almost universally dismissive—it “feels like an overly earnest church sketch of the type many evangelical congregations use as a teaching tool on Sunday between the worship music and pastor’s message,”

And yet some enthusiastic viewers unwittingly gave the impression that they had enjoyed the film because it was their duty to do so. That impression was perhaps best summed up by Ted Slater of Boundless, who wrote, “Let’s not knock a movie that encourages faith in God.”

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This is the Truth

 

Simple yet creative Text Art. The content is written well. It first paints a picture of our broken world – it’s hurts & its pains. Though some may disagree, my bet is that the words will still strike a chord in everyone in some way. There is that taste of truth behind the words that perhaps can only be better understood by those who have gone through life and have come to face the often difficult and blunt harshness of how people are, how circumstances can twist on a dime, how life doesn’t go as planned…

 

Yet there is a wonderful twist that amidst this type of sadness and brokenness, comes hope and encouragement..

 

Who: Community Christian Church in Chicago. Idea was taken from a video made by Granger Community Church.

 

     

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The Rich Young Ruler

 

This simple video shows the narration of a suburban wife and her very real struggle to “reconcile the trappings of wealthy america” and her call to morality. She looks at the poor and though she wants to help, knows she should help, struggles to do so because grinding through life is hard enough. The moral of the story goes beyond how we view the poor, but paints a picture of the human condition. That innate desire to focus on ourselves and our needs and comforts. That desire to just get through life. That unfortunate gap between our idealism and our unwillingness (or better – inability) to live up to it. Why is there this gap? Where does this idealism come from? I can relate to this. You?

 

  
 

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Faith Amidst HeartBreaking Tragedy

99 Balloons – Video

 

Summary: “Eliot was born with an undeveloped lung, a heart with a hole in it and DNA that placed faulty information into each and every cell of his body.” Video Collage of the childhood’s life narrated by their parents who were thankful and loving none the less.

 

Quality of Video: 8 – Simple, Personal, Good Narration

 

Message: 9 – Be thankful for what you are given. Don’t give up but endure through the hardship through faith and strength. Love others now as time is precious. Have hope in heaven.

 

Comments: Powerful is this parent’s love and faith despite the difficult circumstances.

 

Who: Fellow Blogger has a Site Dedicated to the story of this child as well. 99 Balloon Blog Igniter Media – “Our vision is to create high quality media that equips people with visual resources that declare Truth.”

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