When I walk into a movie theater I leave reality behind. I recline in the often broken seat, un-stash some hidden candy, and wait for the dimming lights to shut out what little is left of what is noticeable as the real world.
So what happens when, after making that escape, we are presented with representations of religion and so-called truth?
When watching movies that are completely fictitious, such as my most recent in-theater experience (Inception), I am well prepared to receive what I know it is going to be purely entertainment and not necessarily true. In fact, most movies are completely fabricated and meant merely to entertain. However, it is not uncommon for movies to contain material that is religious in nature and even in accordance with one's religious beliefs. There is a chance, however, that after years of mentally setting our minds to "Entertain" when watching movies that we might reject some of the religious truths presented to us in the name of "entertainment." Have we chosen, in our desire to escape "real life," to consider everything presented to us as opposite of reality and what affect does that have on our own personal beliefs? Similar to the way individuals become desensitized to violence through repeated viewing of violent acts in film, our society may becoming conditioned to the type of religion that is presented to us in film.
Maybe it is too extreme to say that we reject/accept everything that is shown in the movie. Clearly we can separate the obvious and pick out that which we recognize as true/false. God probably doesn't look just like Morgan Freeman (Bruce Almighty). For the strongly religious, themes and characters that are religious in nature are far more likely to be accepted/rejected immediately, regardless of ones "escaping from reality."
However, what about those who are merely casual church-goers or those who are even less spiritually inclined? Perhaps the portrayal of religion in fictitious movies will cause them to file "religion" more closely to the "fiction" category in their lives. Perhaps all of the different ways that religion is portrayed, usually in gross generalizations, in film has driven people away from participation in their chapel and synagogues. The constant use of film as a medium of escape from the real world may be diluting our faith as a society.
I feel like this has really desensitized the casual churchgoer. I agree with you that religion is being filed closely with fiction because people as a whole do not want to be associated with religion at least organized religion nowadays.
ReplyDeleteAs I would add that religion is also being filed closely with humor and non-seriousness. Because of all the satire and humor about religion even it is just the stereotypes or the surface of the religion it is still making a mockery of religion and therefore people just view it as something that is outlandish and not to be taken seriously.
A very interesting idea is presented here. I agree that for the most part, I tend to dismiss all sense reality when I step into a movie theater, and often have to bring myself back at the conclusion of the movie. But I wonder how deep the ideas and feelings I get during a movie go. I feel that, in some ways, movie viewers want the movie to be truth and, in some cases, hold on to ideas or notions created in them by the movie. The movie becomes truth for them in that moment. And that is the purpose of movies, but what affect does it have on our thoughts outside of the movie theater? I suggest it has more affect than we think.
ReplyDeleteAs we dismiss movies as fiction, but subconsciously wish we could take part in the subject matter presented in the movie. As Tyler mentioned, the atmosphere of a movie theater helps us to forget reality and accept what we are seeing as reality for that moment. However, I don't find it possible to simply leave the theater and forget what we've seen, making movies more powerful than we think.
This was an interesting post for sure, there are things presented here that I agree with and things that I disagree with. When speaking about casual church goers or less spiritually minded, you said, "Perhaps the portrayal of religion in fictitious movies will cause them to file "religion" more closely to the "fiction" category in their lives."
ReplyDeleteI don't really agree with that. Using that logic, it would suggest that if I don't practice something, be it religion, science, or skydiving, that I will be more inclined to think it is fiction after seeing lots of movies about it. I could see a hundred movies about genetics that show monsters being created from a mad scientist but that doesn't make me feel like genetics don't exist or that they are fiction. I just know that the context presented to me is most likely dramatized for entertainment. The same idea goes with religion. Even if I watch every movie, like Harry Potter, which must exist in a godless world (or at the very least, a world with a God different from my belief of God) I am not anymore inclined to think that God doesn't exist. He exists, Harry Potter is put out for my entertainment. It wouldn't be nearly as good if Harry was restricted to our natural laws.
I do agree though, that the world is desensitized about religion from movies, but this could be a good thing and a bad thing. Maybe by there being more religion shown in movies it will open people up to realize that a lot of religious people are normal people like you and me. Maybe we won't prejudge a character based solely on what or if they practice religion. On the other hand though there is a chance that people will associate a certain religion with what they see on TV which may be completely incorrect.
Nice work on the post it is good to see different perspectives on religion in the movies.
Travis Meidell
Religion is such a long-time, known thing that even for the casual church-goer it is not portrayed solely in films but in other areas of their lives as well. Religion is all around us in various forms. Because of this, people have enough exposure to religion good or bad, that they would not be led to categorize religion as fiction merely because of the way it is portrayed in a film. If people do see religion as fictitious it will be because other sources they have been exposed to confirmed that idea to them as well.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with the premise here that because of the way religion is portrayed in films, which is at times in a negative way, it has the potential to drive people away from institutionalized religion. This however, may not necessarily be because they believe religion to be fictitious, but rather because they perceive church activity to be a negative, undesirable way to live one’s life.
I agree with you that for those who are religious these movies we can draw parallels to religion but we realize and allow them to have the freedom of speech to share their 'religion.' yet I wonder the effects of these fictional religion movies on those who do not have a strong commitment to a religion. It scary to admit that media has such a pull on individual's theological view. I wonder how they can have such faith in something that was made for financial gain.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the idea that Hollywood can "desensitize" a casual church going person. I think that one reason this happens is because Hollywood raises the expectations of a church experience. Who wouldn't want to go to a church where Whoopi and her choir are rocking out. The quiet and gratifying spiritual experiences that can take place in a Sacrament Meeting wouldn't make for a successful movie, so we see it all spiced up.
ReplyDeleteI am reminded of a church sign i saw that said it offered "Church on Caffeine." It has to be faster, louder, and more exciting, just like on the big screen.
However, what about those who are merely casual church-goers or those who are even less spiritually inclined?
ReplyDeleteWhenever I watch a movie, I largely think about the entertainment factor and rarely think there are hidden agendas. Although that is my personal belief, I know many people think that movies are a form of propaganda or are full of underlying tones.
So when I ponder this question, I am forced to decided whether or not I still hold true to what I think. If others think as I do, then people who are casual church goers won't find hard hitting truth in film or entertainment. On the other hand, those movie watchers who are casual church goers that believe the director is making a religious statement, may very well be impacted. I guess we could say that it has a lot to do with cultivation theory and whether or not these spiritually less inclined folks take part of media for pure entertainment or because it has meaning to them.
I like the posts thus far and agree with Annie. There is a lot out there about religion. It is discussed in books, magazines, movies, everyday conversations, and the radio. I don't think people would just classify it as fictitious just because it is presented in a movie either. I think they would just store that information and its presentation in their mind. Then when they run into it again in another form (book, conversation, etc.) they will build upon what they know.
ReplyDeleteI think having religion (even stereotyped religion) in media is a good thing. I think it is good to bring things up so people can start talking. Even if a religion is brought up in "a bad light" I think it is good because then their is an opportunity for that religion and its followers to speak up about what is really true.
This is a very interesting discussion. I do think that Hollywood does "desensitize" people to a certain extent. I wouldn't say Hollywood has done this alone, but I think that the advancement of technology and science in general has desensitized society. Knowing more means people have less of a tendency to believe something that cannot be seen. I would say it's similar with movies. Many believe "seeing is believing". Watching a movie means seeing something happen and "experiencing" it. Because of this people either believe what they see or choose to reject that because of something they feel to be right. I realize that most people know how to separate movies from real life but I think the experiences people have in movies "desensitize" them from wanting to believe something external.
ReplyDeleteDesensitization through film is a reality...I agree with that...but like Travis I don't think it makes a person view that which they see in film as completely irrational/implausible/fictional.
ReplyDeleteI think the majority of movie-goers understand that, when they enter the theater, they are consciously stepping into an exaggerated reality. Those things they see still happen in real life (budding relationships, train wrecks, C.I.A. coops, they just usually aren't as perfect/dramatic/cliched (meeting someone online working being as seamless as the love story in You've Got Mail, CIA Agent Evelyn Salt jumping from semi to semi to escape the NYPD, Bruce Willis discovering he has superhuman powers after surviving his train wreck in Unbreakable, etc.).
So, to relate back to the portrayal of religion in film--I DO think it desensitizes the casual church-goer in the sense that they likely value religion less. Religion may seem more trivial, specific religious beliefs may seem more far-fetched, and watching silly people practice a certain religion might make that religion, in turn, seem silly. That's just my thought. I DO NOT think, however, that they see it as fictional. They likely still believe in a higher power, they just know their God doesn't look like Morgan Freeman, and so dismiss HIM as fiction...not religion altogether.
I think that film can actually have the opposite effect, that it can draw more people to religion. People see themes in movies and feel certain things that they are curious about. That leads to more thought and more search about those things. The films can be a way of connecting with religion. Obviously if viewers only believe what they see on the big screen they will be misinformed but I think it can lead to people finding out more about religion.
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