In their ongoing ministry of condemnation discernment, Slice is railing against Christians who recommend seeing The Nativity Story (which BTW, isn’t getting great reviews – "An effective pitch for Christianity as the dullest religion ever.")
But I digress. Slice says:
God has never promised to bless movies. He promises to bless the preaching of the Word.
I guess someone better tell Campus Crusade to stop showing the Jesus film. Oh yeah, and all of those youth groups using innovative ways to communicate the gospel, like drama and music? Waste of time. And medical missions? Well, maybe that could be construed as "service," but you know, it sure isn’t preaching.
In fact. I guess those trying to develop a biblical world view for other disciplines and professions should just quit now – I mean, if it’s not evangelizing, what good is it?
This hyper-utilitarianism is exactly the type of isolationist and narrow logic that Frankie Schaeffer rightly condemns in his book Addicted to Mediocrity. Such doctrines cause men to abandon culture to the unregenerate.
Personally I do think all the "movie drama" is a waste of time, as far as "evengalizing" goes.
But honestly. I think my whole view of teaching ANYthing must be just "fundie".
I am not into using movies to teach.
I like for my kids to be able to read whatever, and get out of it some kind of lesson (like a moral life lesson or a language lesson). Whether it is How The Grinch Stole Christmas or Harry Potter or The Bible or Tom Sawyer or The Count of Monte Cristo or Hamlet or Little Women.
I think of the movies as kind of like icing. Good, but sometimes too much. I ALWAYS like the books better than the movies. It must be the fundie coming out in me.
I've found that, generally, great books make bad movies, while mediocre or poor books make better film (not always, of course: "The Lord of the Rings" is both a great book and a great movie, as is Olivier's "Hamlet").
How about favorite biblical movies? Mine, by far, is the ultra-campy "The Ten Commandments." I also liked the mini-series "Jesus of Nazareth." My favorite xian movie is "Shadowlands."
Speaking of the Nativity, is December 25th really the day Jesus was born? Here is the truth…
The Christmas Story (Comic Strip)
Merry Mithras (You Tube Video)
Wow, looks like Jesus is a total rip off of Mithras.
Yep, the holiday is a farce. So what are we to do?
As I said once before, xmas is both Christian and pagan.
Also, see the five possible responses I listed in Atheists Attempt to Kill Easter Bunny
And Louis, my favorite Christian movie is… um… heck, maybe I don't have one, but don't forget, I did post my list of Spiritually Significant Films.
If you think about it, Santa Clause is really an enslaver of elves. Poor elves :)
Hey, Santa and Satan use the same letters. Coincidence? I think NOT. ;)
Santa's reindeer need to be gutted and turned into venison jerky, and he needs to get on a weight loss program and stop impersonating real saints.
Yeah. Yeah. Fundies. Boo Fundies, for demanding that something remain as it always was. Boo Fundies, for insisting that everybody else is wrong. Boo Fundies, for judging people who dare to do things differently. Boo Fundies, for refusing to live by their own preconceived rules. Boo Fundies.
Seeker, even though we fight, I appreciate you more than ever around the holidays: you're the gift that keeps on giving…and giving…and giving.
Why, because I am not a pedantic Santa sycophant? Because I like to criticize the unhealthy fundies? Because I don't celebrate Kwanzaa?
Because of the bizarre relationship you have with fundamentalists while acting like one on numerous other issues.
I always wondered about one thing: what are "reindeer games." And does Santa join in?
How about a fav xmas movie? Mine is "The Nightmare Before Christmas."
I did some research on Mithras and it looks like Jesus is indeed a "rip off" of Mithras…
” target=”_blank”>http://www.locksley.com/6696/xmas.htm
If this is true, it puts Christianity in a new light. Wow!
I have always thought that man needs religion, therefore most religions are very similar. Mithras has always interested me.
As far as reindeer games…I think I would rather not know! lol
And being "fundie" has made me a good teacher, but that is my own opinion…based, of course, on the fact that my oldest three kids could read (books mind you, not just words) by ages 3, 4, and 5. And that they are all about two or three "grade levels" ahead of all their peers. :-D
Ok, bragging ceased. I really do think that most people's method of teaching is a load of crap. I truly do tend to be pretty "fundie" about that, I guess. :-p
Sorry, wrong link. Correct link is… http://www.mcsweeneys.net/links/monologues/18rich…
Fav xmas movie – Muppet Christmas Carol
Mithras – didn't he fight Godzilla in one movie?
Dawkins on Santa – I have to say, I somewhat agree with Dawkins on the whole Santa thing. While I have no problem telling my kids about the supernatural and real Jesus, I do have a problem deceiving my kids into believing something that ain't. They can have plenty of sense of wonder and imagination without being duped into believing things which are patently false.
For instance, they can imagine what dinosaurs were like, dragons (which may have been real animals now extinct), they can imagine the great battles and events from history, they can dream about the future of technology, imagine whole new worlds of allegory or fiction.
More than that, they can live a life of faith, which is a life of adventure, mystery, spiritual battle, creativity, and many other joys. Getting rid of Santa or any other imaginary pagan creature is no big loss.
Because of the bizarre relationship you have with fundamentalists while acting like one on numerous other issues.
While it is true that I agree with fundies on some issues, in large part, they are much too narrow for me. Sorry if I don't fit the monolith of fundamentalism, nor that of moderate conservative or any other clean category you have in your mind. I am an independent thinker, and no authority is above question, not even God – though I try to approach God with a little more circumspection.
As I like to say, God spoke through an ass once, so he certainly could speak through a preacher or an unbeliever, or even me ;)
I have to say, I somewhat agree with Dawkins on the whole Santa thing.
It's satire.
Is it? It sounds just like him. If not, I'd say he is being disingenuous about his dislike for religion.
My daughter asked me about favorite Christmas movies, and I couldn't think of any. I'm not sure I'm a big fan of the genre.
Favorite Christmas movie: White Christmas – I love Bing Crosby.
I encourage my children to believe in Santa. I think once they reach a certain age or if they ask me if he is real I will tell them the truth. Santa to me is a symbol of what humanity should be like. Giving our all to help out those weaker than us.
We could all take lessons from Santa. Christmas is about Santa, The Nativity Story, whether in December of June is about a Father sending His Son to earth to live a perfect life and then to give His all, His Life for my sins and the sins of the World.
Yes, early Christians to avoid being executed for their beliefs celebrated Christian holidays around pagan holidays and through the years the pagan rituals have been integrated with the Christian traditions but that is the way of the world.
Merry Christmas Everyone! The Earls
I encourage my children to believe in Santa. I think once they reach a certain age or if they ask me if he is real I will tell them the truth.
When I was 6 I figured out Santa was not real. One Christmas, I noticed the label "Made in Japan" and asked my parents, "Shouldn't this say 'North Pole?'"
Christmas is about… a Father sending His Son to earth to live a perfect life and then to give His all, His Life for my sins and the sins of the World.
I don't know about this because if Jesus is God wouldn't he be sending Himself? Anyway, I think Christmas is about altruism. I don't bother with the Christian trappings anymore though I do still have the pagan tree :) Merry Christmas to you Christians out there. Happy Holidays to you non Christians!
Funny thing: my oldest dd got me in big trouble with all her friends' moms.
They were mad at me because Kela was telling their kids Santa was a made up story. She was about 4 or 5 I think.
Well, I couldnt lie to her and tell her something imaginary (that I know for a fact is imaginary, obviously) was real. But I did tell her not to ruin other kids' christmas by telling them it was made up. I told her that people like for their kids to believe in fairy stories as long as they can.
My second dd now, she still likes to talk about how santa is coming… blah blah blah. And she is 9! She is the more imaginary type. :)
Merry Christmas Pam and Aaron. Also, I agree here with Pam. Encouraging children to be giving and kind toward others is important. If it takes feigned belief in Santa, I'm willing to do that.
I did more research on Jesus because I am trying to find out about who Jesus really was and I am curious about the resurrection part of his story. I found this piece which answered a lot of my questions…
Solar Mythology – Origins of religious belief
I'll only say that youtube.com is probably the worst place to do 'research' about serious matters. Next worse place: the internet. My reason? The ability to find a defense of both extremes of any subject matter. Expertise and authority mean nothing. It just seems like it can be a really huge waste of time if you accidentally take the wrong 'branch' of a search path. But how are you to know it's the wrong or the right branch? My 2 Cents.
All types of media is good has long as its true. God of creation 'become man told in the nativty IN THE BIBLE ;to die for sinful man kind ,so they may have a chance to choose this wonderful gift of eternal live john 3;16, that life is in Jesus. Rev 1;8 & 1;18 WHERE we see the redeemer of man kind ;that will also judge the world HIS NAME IS JESUS KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.THE ALMIGHTY.
Faith comes from hearing of the word ,without faith you can never become a christian ,NOR please GOD .
because it is through the written word that we understand that the world was made .AND it is through the bible that we recieve the whole councile of GOD. God so love the world that he gave his only son that who ever belieaves in him will not perish (in everlasting torment) BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIVE. john 3:16