Modern Disciple Magazine for Men (MDM4M), published in Canada
AUGUST 2004
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There has been a lot of talk from the Christian community
regarding the media and the assault on Christian values and
morals in today's society. However those involved in the media
say that it is imagined and no such attack is happening.
Really? Have you ever seen a movie or a sitcom where a character
is a Christian? Every time - without fail - the Christian is
perceived as a right-wing religious nut whose actions are not
consistent with what they preach. Or, my favorite, as a gun
touting, backwoods, bigoted and intolerant idiot that is out of
touch with reality. The Hollywood-based media has stated that
they portray characters in their shows in proportion to the
general public. They site the growing amount of major African
American characters in the movies and t.v. shows as proof. But
is what is portrayed in today's media really in proportion to
today's society? According to the latest population polls, approximately 78% of Americans consider themselves Christians, with approximately 38% being considered evangelical believers. Whereas only 2% to 3% of Americans are homosexual. Yet to look at the percentage of characters portrayed in the media, you would think that those figures are the opposite. With shows like Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Will and Grace, and a number of shows that have cameos where characters are homosexual, you would think that a large portion of the population is homosexual. Homosexual characters are placed in a positive light and are heroes or a group that is highly prejudiced against - mostly by the 'right-wing zealots'. You no longer see the majority of homosexual characters portrayed as flamboyant, stereotypical |
characters. It would be labeled as homo-phobic if a show did that. Now
look at how many characters are portrayed as Christians - never
mind evangelical Christians. Look at the constant barrage on
Christian beliefs and morals and values. Christians are
portrayed as mean-spirited and totally gullible people who are
out of touch with society as a whole. We are also portrayed as
bigoted, intolerant hate-mongers that have no place in society,
or we are portrayed as evangelists that are money grubbing
sleazebags. One such blatant attack on Christianity is the movie Saved! In Hollywood, it is receiving a number of accolades as a funny satire. Ebert and Ropert, two highly recognized critics gave the movie 'two thumbs up'. A few critics have stated that Christians need to lighten up and learn to laugh at themselves. The movie Saved! is about a Christian high school. One of the main characters is Mary (surprisingly enough). Mary feels that she was called by God to turn her boyfriend from homosexuality by having sex with him. She eventually becomes pregnant. Because of her pregnancy, she becomes an outcast from the main clique - a group of self-righteous Christian teenagers. She becomes friends with a group of outcasts which includes a Jewish girl, and a wheelchair bound boy. More Media to Watch ---> |
All articles in MDM4M are copyright the author. Opinions and views are solely
those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the opinions of MDM4M.