Hollywood Bias? Finding Faith on Big & Small Screens

Published August 27, 2005

IN THEORY

Finding Faith on the Big and Small Screens

Q: There's a new movement underway to train Christians to be film and television executives. The move is apparently in reaction to a perceived bigotry in Hollywood toward Christianity. A new program called Act One, run by Barbara Nicolosi, trains Christians to become television and film executives. It includes a three-month-long program that places Christians in entertainment internships while hosting lectures by industry professionals. First off, do you think there is a bias in Hollywood that works against Christians? And if so, can a program like this reverse that bigotry?

A: It is more than a perceived bias against Christians and I don't think there's any other group that would tolerate the blatant stereotyping that goes on against them on the big screen.

Unfortunately, we're caught in a vicious circle where the right is defining Christianity and the left is reacting to that definition and the middle is lost.

There is more to Christianity than what the right represents, but for obvious reasons of profit and greed, the sensational messages get the space and time media. Case in point, last week the Pope made an historic trip to Germany and spoke of respect and tolerance. Meanwhile, here in the states, Pat Robertson called for the assassination of the Venezuelan President. When all the dust settled, what is remembered by the press? Which message becomes the topic of the media and the people? Whose Christianity is taken to task?

I'm pleased that Barbara Nicolosi has taken the step to form Act One. In particular, I appreciate her approach, because the message of Christ is not one to be compromised. It is not a message that belongs only to Christians, but a message that can have global implications for peace. Films and television shape and define much of our society and the need to abandon stereotypes for messages of hope and the good is essential.

FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN

Armenian Church Youth Ministries

Finding Common Ground in Church Attendance

Published August 19, 2005

IN THEORY

Finding Common Ground in Church Attendance

Q: In his book, "Why Men Hate Going to Church," author David Murrow says that though 90% of American men say they believe in God, only two out of six attend church. His theory is that even though some could argue religious leadership is dominated by men, attending services is seen as a feminine endeavor -- with services and messages that cater to feminine values. Ultimately, Murrow calls for leaders to seek more men, or reap the consequences of religious institutions losing a generation of boys -- which will lead to the downfall of churches. Is there a dearth of men in your church? Do you agree with Murrow?

A: I haven't noticed a lack of men in our particular church, neither on a given
Sunday morning nor in the active administrative life of the church. Quite honestly, though, we haven't studied this dimension of our congregation make-up in our church.

However, I won't hesitate to say that Murrow's on target with his observations, mostly due to the manner in which religion is understood these days. The strength of religion is found in terms of its calming and pacifying ability, rather than as a vehicle to effectuate change in our lives and in society.

In the Christian tradition, Jesus Christ is in fact a revolutionary who bucks the system and taps into an inner power to overcome the greatest of difficulties. His message, "Courage, I have overcome the world" (John 16) is a victory declaration. He is a masculine role model who can be very attractive to males in their quest for power.

Many times these days, however, he's presented as a victim of circumstance, with very little control over what the fates would dish out to him. You're more inclined to pity him than mimic. This is hardly a masculine role model: a male giving up control? The Christian church has fallen lax in its presentation of Jesus.

Think of the anti-war and civil rights movements of the 60's, where the Church was at the forefront of the challenge to bring peace. Yet today, sadly, the Church is staying silent, not really defining itself as an institution with the ability to bring about true and lasting peace. More than blaming its inability to attract a male audience, its loss of relevance in the lives of people, is the greater downfall for the institution.

Let people understand that religion taps into the deepest and most sensitive parts of human consciousness and watch the pews fill with men and women, because you've offered something that goes beyond gender.

Fr. Vazken Movsesian
Armenian Church Youth Ministries

Should "Intelligent Design" be taught in school?

Published August 12, 2005

IN THEORY

Should "Intelligent Design" be taught in school?

Q: President Bush last week told reporters that "intelligent design" -- that life is so complex that a higher power must have created it -- should be discussed alongside evolution when teaching about the origins of life. Do you agree?

A: Intelligent design should not be taught in schools. It should, however, be introduced and explained as the means by which people have answered the questions: Where did we come from? And, where are we going? The same should hold true for other systems of definitions, such as Creation.

"Intelligent design" is a politically correct way of saying God.

It is a matter of faith whether one believes or does not believe in a creator.

Personally, I believe that the world as we know it today, with its various species and life forms, has evolved from primitive times. I do not accept that this same life happened purely by chance. Neither do the great scientists and thinkers of our time. It was Albert Einstein who mentioned that God "does not play dice with the universe." Alexander Solzhenitsyn challenged the greatest scientists of our times to the impossible task of creating even one single feather in a test tube!

Yes, there is a design and there is a motive. I feel comfortable referring to the Creator as God. I arrive at this conclusion, not because it was taught to me in school, but rather I had the opportunity to know, learn and come to my own conclusions. I wish the same for our children today.

FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN

Armenian Church Youth Ministries