spoken like a true Catholic

Probably

I think the girls in the van will steal the movie

Just about anything would be funnier than Dogma.

As for religion being used a means of control, well, it has. Once religions become organized, they exert a level of control over their followers. In Christianity, it's fairly lax (due to their method of salvation). In Orthodox Judaism and Islam, it's quite strict. And while there's a supposed separation of church and state in the U.S., that's not true in many countries. For example, Ireland only legalized divorce a few years ago. Religion is a method of control, there are no two ways about it.

My personal theory is that this is so christians don't become un-brainwashed.

True dat.

Yes, one major aspect of organized religion is control over the membership. Just like being a member of the Moose Lodge imposes certain guidelines on you, or living in a civilized society imposes the rule of law. I was able to reconcile my faith in Christ and my dislike of church (I was raised Southern Baptist, but I got better) by realizing that anything that people get their hands on can and will eventually be twisted and corrupted somehow. So I worship alone or in very small, relaxed groups where polite discussion and agreement to disagree is most often the case. If I were given to flights of fancy, I might conjecture that the whole church thing was invented by Lucifer to sabotage God's plan.

I was kind of surprised to see Mandy Moore in this. I haven't seen A Walk To Remember, but I've heard that her character's christianity was an important part of that movie. Interesting to see her twist her image a bit here.

money talks.

the film is fun but flawed. Jena, Macauley, Patrick Fugit, and Heather Matarazzo bring a freshness to the characters they portray and Mandy Moore does a complete 360, and plays a utter be-otch. The film's portrayel of Christinanity is conveyed as a tad of a mockery and Martin Donovan's Pastor Skip doesn't add to the film's tone and comes across as less credible character and one-dimensional.
Will be very curious to see how this film does both critically and how it is marketed.

This must have gone over my head....or it's just not interesting. Unless they're saving the funny parts (what trailer actually does that?) it wasn't really offensive or funny......heh....Macauley- that is kinda funny

That is how I generally like to keep things . . . unless the conversation warrants it or if people ask for my beliefs, I tend to keep them to myself. However, in this case, some disparaging and, at least in my mind, inaccurate remarks were being made about my beliefs, so I felt compelled to respond.Religion is a method of control? Absolutely.

The purpose of of religion is control? Absolutely not.


As for Dogma, I love that movie . . . I think it is Smith's best movie to date. It's funny (I love the whole "Mooby Boardroom" scene) and it gives you a lot of ideas to chew on. I can't imagine Saved even being considered in the same league as Dogma, but I guess we'll find out soon enough.

Sounds like a must see to me.

Likely meaningless but thought I'd add - Ebert and Roeper is doing an early review of this flick next week. What does that mean?

Ebert liked it.

But then, he's been a Mandy Moore fan for years now.

With the unexpected huge success of THE PASSION, and many teens having seen it.
It's only natural that the dark forces put out a movie that would make fun of teen christains.
Can't have all those converted teens go thru life without any doubts, not in these times we live today.

Jena Malone is in it, So I'm watching no matter what.

360?



--------

Does Macauly Culkin have the same acting range as he did in Party Monster? (non-existent?)

I love Jena Malone and Heather Matarazzo...so I will see this (but I will probably have to wait until video 'cause it doesn't look like it will come here.

Saw the film, wasn't impressed at all. The main problem with the movie is that it's trying to be a dark social satire and a John Hughes teen melodrama. It's like oil and water. What little relevant social commentary there is in the film, is overshadowed by dumb, generic characters that are merely acting out stereotypes and a "message" ending that feels like it was pulled from an after school special.

I agree.

Take that Mandy Moore!

I care about what the media and you guys are saying, but at the same time I dont. My faith isn't hinged on what others say about it.

I understand the film's a parody, and thats fine. Many christians seem hellbent on shoving our beliefs down others throats, and that certainly isn't the way to do things. (and not above criticism)

I do have to add that when something is close to your heart and the priority in your life - of course your going to take it seriously.

Also about the hands-off approach to the arts and media that many believers have. Thats just how some people are, I would never criticize someone for being too cautious. I dont think that way, I enjoy looking at other works even if I dont agree with it. And some people won't see what I see - thats the great thing about art!

End of sermon. Tapes available in the lobby for $3.

Usually the old standby is the "whatever is pure, good, true...meditate on these things." While I agree with that, I think many people confuse 'seeing and hearing' with 'meditation.'

Also I tend to see things in the arts that many of my fellow believers dont, so what might not seem good to them I see as great and worth spending my time on.

The apostle Paul sums it up great - whatever we do lets do it for God's glory. I think hanging out with my non-believing co-workers at the local pub and having a good time is very much giving glory to God.

Yeah, uh. Two Thumbs Up from E&R.

http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hv&id...908&cf=trailer

The first 3 and half minutes are online.

I really am looking forward to this film.

And I must say, I like what Ebert and Roeper said in their reviews. They said that this movie is NOT making fun of the christian religion, it is making fun of the people who use the christian religion to hide behind and use as an excuse for their hateful attitude towards others.

Those very people often lack the ability to see the difference.....sad, but true.

I try not to sterotype religeous people, I really do. But then some local church mom will pop up in the media, railing about prayer in school, or wanting a book banned, Pat Robertson or Falwell will make some assinine comment and just destorys any open-mindedness I may have had for the, or worse, some real nutjob like Fred Phelps will get his name in the paper and just completely destroy any positive feelings I may have for these people.

OTOH, maybe it's just fundementalists we need to be making fun of, rather than Christians in general.

To many liberals "open mindedness" means taking a bite of the apple in the Garden of Eden.
Many church people know that not following the 10 Commandments is fun, but if we did all of the worlds problems that we have today wouldn't exist.
That's why they try to push it on our culture.
Where the Hollywood, liberal media pushes the oppisite view and that's where we are at today.