Monday, 14 July 2008
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Question of the Day: Christians in Movies and on TV
If you think about entertainment for a couple of minutes, you'll realize that there are a lot of Christian characters in secular movies and TV shows; moreover, like in real life, these characters are vastly different despite following the same system of beliefs. You've got the wholesome Camden family from 7th Heaven, corny Ned Flanders from The Simpsons, creepy yet devout Nightcrawler from X-Men II, the fanatic parents in Bubble Boy, the misguided hypocrites in Saved!, Mel Gibson's jaded ex-minister in Signs...the list goes on and on and on. How do you feel about the way popular entertainment's fictionalized Christians? Do you have a favorite Christian character? If not...how about a least favorite?
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Comments (18)
I think Flanders is my favorite, because I think that's often what people think about when they see Christians. But it's entertaining at least, but very misguiding
I liked Nightcrawler, but too bad he wasn't in X-men 3
I have to admit, if the world was full of Ned Flanders's, it would be a much friendlier place! Unfortunately, we seem to have more than our fair share of Reverend Lovejoys. But honestly, I think Marge is the best Christian of the bunch. She may have her weak points, but she is the strong leader of her family. She always sees the best in her husband Homer, gives her son Bart a place where he can show his sensitive side, and doesn't oppress her daughter Lisa in her independent spiritual journey. Plus, who else would ask for a price check on 2 grapes she nibbled on while at the grocery store?
My least favorite Christians characters are any that appear on shows like WifeSwap. Maybe they aren't really characters, but the kind of Christians that the producers of that show choose to display (obviously for the sake of conflict) may believe in Jesus, but they sure don't understand the concept of love and compassion.
Favorite? Hmm. Ned Flanders sure makes me laugh. I really like some the portrayals of historical Christians in movies like "Amazing Grace," "Shadowlands," or "Chariots of Fire."
Ned will always be my favorite. I just love how wacky he is, and mostly how he is consistent with his beliefs without shoving them upon anyone with different ones.
I have to admit that I enjoy Christian characters onscreen much better than the characters portrayed in books. Those seem to be so much more extreme.
i think a lot of christians get offended and take things very far, but i think a lot of it is, well true. there's so many christians that are crazy and bible thumping and creapy like that. my favorite would be nighcrawler. :P i love the x-men. and i remember watching number 2 and it seemed like he had such a dreary past. all he wanted is to be unconditionally loved and excepted, yet he could almost never get it.
@Elfish_Flea@xanga - I agree wholeheartedly. The kinds of Christians that annoy the heck out of me in media and in real life are the holier-than-thou crazed evangelicals. They just attack people and don't even try to have compassion.
My favorite characters are the ones, whether specifically Christian or not, who have a strong faith that stands up against the conflicts they face.
I love Rod and Todd Flanders. Todd is my favorite.
I think Christians are well-represented on TV and in movies... there is a wide variety of personalities. While I really enjoy watching 7th Heaven, I don't know any Christians... save maybe one ...that behaves like they do. The majority of the Christians that I know do not live the lifestyle, and it's discouraging.
Funny... Nightcrawler being played by a gay man and all. Like the missionary in End of the Spear movie.
i love nightcrawler
It didn't say he was a Christian in the movie, but the main character in Bella sure acted like a Christian the way he cared for and listened to Nina. He even kind of looked like Jesus, lol.
Christians get flack for being the goody-goodies sometimes, because we accept the fact that we can't do this life on our own. I get a kick out of the Flanders though, I admit. If we were all like Nightcrawler though, christianity might be a little creepier, hehe.
I would say that I can't stnd most of the Christians they pose on t.v. Either they are weird and wacked out or they are so naive and stupid.
Perhaps for tv though I really like the Duggar family.
Anybody else ever read a George MacDonald novel? His Christians are a bit idealized but awesome characters (often counterbalanced by "church folks" who have no idea what the Gospel is all about).
actually, i HATE the way the media portrays Christian characters. it makes me mad. i've only seen maybe one character that wasn't exaggerated and messed up.
my favorite is easily Patrick from Saved!. actually, that whole movie is pretty awesome...
"The real miracle would be if you hadn't fallen in the first place." -Cassandra
Roy Rogers, the once famous cowboy, (showing my age?) was a Christian and sometimes appeared with Billy Graham at his meetings. He insisted on having a clause in his contracts that said he would never be asked to swear or do an unchristian act in any film in which he appeared.
We need christians like that in entertainment and politics.
I think the problem with the portrayal of Christians in the media is that it's a closed loop: someone thought Christians were like that first, and it contributed to more people thinking that which contributed to more TV like that. I think Flanders is hilarious, but I have been compared to or assumed to be like him, which is not.