christians, communists, and censors (oh my)
If you've been reading this blog for a while, you know I've had some trouble reconciling my love of movies with the attitudes of other Christians (yes, I'm a Christian) who believe that censorship is the way to go. After reading a fascinating and insightful post on censorship by my friend Rick over at Coosa Creek Mambo, I've got two new thoughts on the topic.- I could never have imagined that communist China and prominent members of my faith would express identical sentiments about entertainment.
- If Christianity is all we say it is, and if Jesus is really the way, the truth, and the life, then shouldn't that hold up to scrutiny? Shouldn't we encourage free thought, rather than prevent it? I just don't understand.
Boo.
March 11, 2008 at 9:24 PM
The way I like to put it is, God's a big girl/boy, and can take it. If the Christian faith can't stand up to such scrutiny, it's not much of a faith. Happily, it has for some 2000 odd years.
Thanks for the link to the post
March 12, 2008 at 9:03 AM
Nayana, I found this post over at Self-Styled Siren to be very interesting and pertinent to this topic. It doesn't take a Christian approach, but it shows exactly how much damage the Production Code actually did.
http://selfstyledsiren.blogspot.com/2008/01/code-nostalgia-insane-inane-and.html
March 12, 2008 at 10:19 AM
I'm really interested to read this, and Rick's post, but I have to see The Counterfeiters first...shortly...
March 13, 2008 at 12:30 PM
I enjoyed Rick's post, and agree wtih your comments completely. This is something I struggle with myself.
March 14, 2008 at 11:53 AM
What we're talking about, in the case of Christian advocates of a production code, is really, ultimately, a lack of faith in the sovreignty of God. Rick Clark seems convinced that if he can make the movies say what he wants them to say, that morality will proliferate (or at least immorality will be restrained). What he (and others) utterly fail to realize (or acknowledge) is that God has been in the process of redeeming mankind since the fall--through his Son and his Spirit. He doesn't need your help to do this, but if you're faithful in what he commands (which, to my knowledge doesn't primarily involve censorship of others), he's willing to involve you. Let's see some humility, Mr. Clark, huh?
March 17, 2008 at 10:44 PM
I agree with your second point, Nayana, and with Luke's. Exaggerated censorship can often make things worse.
Oh yeah, and the "rating" for The Counterfeiters is ridiculous.