The Ledge, a drama/thriller coming out this fall, tells the story of a happy Christian couple. As the story plays out, the wife starts a new job and eventually has an affair with a coworker. Her husband finds out and is enraged. He threatens his wife’s lover that if he does not commit suicide by the same time the next day, he would kill his wife. Towards the end of the trailer, there is an intense barrage of scenes in which the husband menacingly recites Psalm 23 as his wife’s lover prepares to jump off a building.
This is just one example of how Christians are portrayed as negative, oppressive, and sometimes even evil in mainstream Hollywood films. Christians are often seen as the hateful, unforgiving, intolerant, prideful, hypocrites. But why? Why are Christians seen in this way by Hollywood? If we are supposed to be the salt and light of the world, then where does this picture of Christians come from? What does Hollywood have against Christianity?
Perhaps a better question would be “What does Hollywood not have against Christians?” Biblical Christianity stands for practically everything Hollywood does not and stands in the way of everything Hollywood is for. Here are just a few example:
- Rampant sexual immorality: The amount of sexual material and references in films today is appalling. The film industry today encourages sex before marriage, sexual expression, and homosexuality as aspects in a “fulfilling” life. The vast majority of film and TV characters impulsively throw themselves at whoever they happen to like at the moment without any moral restraints. Biblical Christianity, on the other hand, stands against all of these sins. The Bible condemns sexual immorality and stresses the importance of sexual purity. The Church strongly supports sexual fidelity and faithfulness to one spouse.
- Obscenity and Profanity: Most of the film that coming out of Hollywood are filled with obscenities or profanities. Even G- or PG-rated movies contain light profanities and often take the Lord’s name in vain. The Bible clearly states the importance of keeping a clean mouth and taming the tongue. Proverbs expresses the importance of oral restraint and self control. Most Christians stand against profanity and speak out for purity of the tongue.
- Violence: Violence is a common element in the entertainment industry today. In fact, TV characters are 50x more likely to be in violent situations than the average person. Recent studies have shown that the average high school graduate has witnessed 15,000 murders and 200,000 acts of violence in media. In the film world, violence is often the answer to the problems characters encounter, the Bible firmly expresses that vengeance is the Lord’s. In fact, the Sixth Commandments states that “Thou shalt not murder.” Christians are instructed to be slow to anger, quick to love, and keep wisdom and discerning in our hearts. We are instructed not to judge others, unless we too should be judged.
These are just a few of the dozens of issues that Hollywood and the Church disagree on. Others include environmentalism, family values, and even politics. Hollywood often regards Christians as its enemies, sometimes writing them off as selfish bigots who hate everyone.
Well, now that we have found out why Christians are despised in Hollywood, what does this mean for us? Hollywood has incredible power into the masses but lacks the right messages. The Church, on the other hand, has been preaching the right message for over 2000 years, but does not have as much power as Hollywood. The problem with most Christian films coming out today is the quality. Most are cheap, independent films with weak story lines and actors who need lessons. Add to that an strong Christian message and the general secular public won’t touch it with a 30 foot pole. It is my personal theory that if the Church is to take its message to the silver screen, the first step is to start creating quality films that display biblical themes without calling them “biblical”. Once these films have gained an audience, more Biblical content can be added to future films.
In Scripture, the apostle Paul instructs us to do everything to the glory of God. Why should entertainment be the exception? I have seen over the past couple of years a large movement in Christian film making. Even though it is still learning to walk on its own, a few years down the road I believe it will be a powerful influence in our country as well as in the world. I have felt God moving me to create this blog for a couple of years now, and now that I have, I want it to be a blog that is filled with discussion of recent movie releases and issues in Christian movies and how we can improve them. To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
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ReplyDeleteMason, I feel you did a good job identifying some of the areas Hollywood’s filmmakers disagree with the conservative Christian believers. I think your solution is common among the majority of young Christians that have self-interest in good films. Should our solution only be to replicate what Hollywood does and try to compete for the American/Global movie ticket dollar? Is that what Jesus or Paul would do? What about focusing on the areas that Hollywood and the Conservative Christian community can agree on? How can talented Christians enter the Hollywood structure, remain solid in their faith and begin to change one person at a time? Something to think about! By the way, I love the title of your blog “Reel Christians”. You seem to be a thoughtful young man and I eagerly look forward to your reply and to reading your insightful reviews of upcoming films. “To the Trinity be the Glory!”
ReplyDeleteFirst off, thank you for opening up this discussion. It's one that's needed to happen for years.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much to say about these topics. Where to begin?
I disagree with your assessment that Hollywood hates Christians and everything we stand for. That may be true of some members of the industry, but certainly not all of them. Hollywood is a business and as a whole does not have many (or perhaps any) rock-solid principles except: make money. Like most all businesses, they seek to make products that people will buy.
Turns out sex, violence, and immorality sell very well in a culture where there is no shame. There are lots of reasons our culture has become this way. It would be massively unjust to place the blame entirely on Hollywood.
Second, stories must have conflict and therefore, in order for them to not be cheesy as so many "Christian" films have been, they have to portray sin. Portraying sin without sinning is a whole different discussion, but just because a film portrays immorality does not mean it promotes it. It might be promoting it, but not necessarily. Generally discerning viewers can tell the difference from the film's tone and the way in which it handles that material.
"The Church, on the other hand, has been preaching the right message for over 2000 years, but does not have as much power as Hollywood." Woah, woah, Mason. Let's not give Hollywood too much credit. On the surface it may seem like Hollywood has much more influence over our culture and our world than the Church currently does. That, I think, minimizes the unconventional and invisible ways God often works. I'm not saying that Hollywood isn't a huge culture force. It is. Christians should be there. It's a mission field just like every other place on Earth.
I would encourage you to read a book I picked up a few years ago entitled "Behind the Screen: Hollywood Insiders on Faith, Film, and Culture." It's a collection of articles written by Christians in the industry to people interested in coming to Hollywood. Most of the animosity they experience from people in Hollywood comes as a result of misunderstanding and negative stereotyping of Christians.
Finally, the film industry is changing. I believe it's going to get a lot more decentralized. You won't necessarily have to go to California or New York to do serious film or television in a few years. The cost of everything has dropped so much that the barrier to entry is lower than it's ever been and it's still lowering. That said, talent and skill are not any easier to obtain than before. That still takes hard work. Point being, Hollywood's power as the cultural gatekeeper of film & television is diminishing in the face of independent films and internet video. Like journalism and the music industry before it, the film industry is becoming something anyone can make it it (but not everyone will, of course).
Anyway, it's good to see this blog and know there's another young Christian aspiring to make a difference through these media.
Hey Matt,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the feedback and it is always encouraging to hear that other people share your interests.
First off, I can see how what I said about how Hollywood hates Christians could be misleading. Obviously, there are several Christians within the Industry who are very successful and quite well known. I think of Denzel Washington, Mel Gibson (though it could be debatable) and many others. I did not mean all of Hollywood, just some of the more vocal persons who are involved in it's filmmaking process. Luke 6:45 says,"The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." In other words, what is in the hearts of many mainstream Hollywood directors, producers, screenwriters, and actors plays out in their films. As stated before, I do not believe that the whole film industry is anti-Christian, just several of it's larger facets.
As for our culture, you are right, it is not entirely Hollywood's fault, but I believe that they have made an already anti-moral society even worse. Sure, there are many things that have lead to our culture's current state, however Hollywood has, perhaps unintentionally, brought about further depreciation in our society.
What you said above about how the majority Christian films today do not portray sin well, I completely agree. I have read several articles on how Christian movies don't make sin look "good" and/or "pleasing" like their secular counterparts do. This is why Christian movies often come off as "cheesy" and "sound scripted and unnatural." You bring up a good point on portraying sin well without sinning, which I think is one thing most Christian movies have a problem with. However, in the new film "Courageous", the sin in that film is portrayed really well. The characters have legitimately hard struggles with their temptations and the outcome of their sins are very realistic. If you have not done so already, I strongly encourage you to watch "Courageous". I think it brings the standard of Christian films to a new height.
Now about the Church. You are right. I have not put the credit where it is due, and for the I apologize. The Church is still one of the (if not the) most influential pieces in society in many ways. What I was referring to specifically, however, was how most secular people are immediately turned off when they hear the words such as "church", "Bible", or "Jesus". I think Hollywood has a stronger influence among non-believers than the Church does today. This does not have to be the case. I believe we can use Hollywood's influence to bring the influence of the Church to the hurting.
And I totally agree that the film industry is changing. I know literally dozens of people who feel called to take part in the film industry, both at my church as well as in the BOTD and other Christian theatre venues. The Christian film movement is gaining momentum every year and I truly believe that, 10 or 20 years down the road, Christian films will be a MAJOR part of our film industry. It is true that in the digital generation that we live in, it has never been easier to make quality film at an affordable rate like it is today. It is a very exciting time to be a part of the film industry today.
Again, I want to thank you for taking the time to not only read my article, but also to comment your own views on the subject. I really want ReelChristians to be a place where people feel comfortable expressing their opinions and really discuss what we can do to make a difference.
May God be praised through it all!!