Term Papers on Hollywoods Attack On Religion

Term Paper Title	Hollywoods Attack On Religion
# of Words	1527
# of Pages (250 words per page double spaced)	6.11

Hollywood's Attack on Religion

        The section that I have chosen to analyze from the book Hollywood vs.
America is "The Attack on Religion."  In this part of the book, Michael Medved
discusses the shift in attitude Hollywood has made toward religion, from
acceptable to contemptible.  He takes a look at the messages being sent in films,
music and television in the last 15 to 20 years and analyzes their effects.  In
general, Hollywood depicts religion in an unfavorable manner, according to
Medved.  Moreover, Medved also argues that, not only has Hollywood taken a
hostile stance toward religion, but it has paid the price, literally, for doing
so.  All of Medved's arguments are well supported and documented, making them
seemingly futile to argue against.  Yet, Hollywood, which includes films, music
and television, continues to disregard the obvious facts that Medved has
revealed.
        In the first chapter of this section, "A Declaration of War," Medved
discusses the facts surrounding the protest which took place on August 11, 1988,
in opposition to the release of the motion picture The Last Temptation of Christ.
MCA/Universal, which funded the Martin Scorsese film, called the protesters a
"know-nothing wacky pack" (38).  However, as Medved points out, the protest was
"the largest protest ever mounted against the release of a motion picture" (37)
and included such groups as the National Council of Catholic Bishops, the
Southern Baptist Convention, twenty members of the U.S. House of Representatives
and prominent figures such as Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Ken Wales, former
vice president at Disney studios.  Even with such strong opposition from these
respected groups and people, the studio refused to listen and stood behind its
First Amendment rights.
        MCA/Universal was even supported by the Motion Picture Association of
America, which stated that "The . . . MPAA support MCA/Universal in its absolute
right to offer to the people whatever movie it chooses" (41).  However, Medved
rebukes this statement, arguing that "absolute right" wasn't the issue; the
issue "concerned the movie company's choices, not its rights" (41).  He supports
this argument further by indicating that the MPAA would never support a film
portraying Malcolm X as a paid agent of Hoover's FBI or portraying Anne Frank
"as an out-of-control nymphomaniac" (41).  By releasing The Last Temptation of
Christ, the studio positions Jesus, God and Christianity below these prominent
figures in history because it is portraying Jesus and other religious figures in
uncharacteristic situations that would never be associated with these historical
figures.  This is supported by past experiences when movies were edited so as to
not offend animal rights activists, gay advocacy groups, and ethnic
organizations:

          Leaders of the motion picture business showed more concern
          with possible sacrilege against the religious traditions of
          a single Hopi village than with certain offense to the faith
          of tens of millions of believing Christians; the prospect of
          being labeled "antiwolf" produced greater worry than the
          prospect of being labeled "anti-Christ" (42).

Of course, the response to this is that the changes were made during the
production of the other films, not afterward.  Again, Medved argues back,
pointing out that "Martin Scorsese and his associates kept their plans for The
Last Temptation a closely guarded secret from all church leaders" (43).
        The press also distorted the movement against the release of the film by
"focusing on one utterly unrepresentative individual as the preeminent symbol of
that movement: the Reverend R. L. Hymers" (43).  His predictions of impending
apocalypse, his violent outbursts, and his history of legal problems "lived up
to anyone's worst nightmare of deranged religious fanatic.  Naturally, the press
couldn't get enough of him" (43).  The press also misrepresented the movement's
main objections, according to...

This is ONLY a preview of the article. If you would like to view the entire document, you must subscribe to Digital Term Papers. Please register below now!

Digital Term Papers has over 63,000 essays, term papers, and book notes online. Many paper sites will charge you hundreds of dollars for a single paper. Digital Term Papers only charges $14.95 for a one month membership with instant account activation!

Don't waste anymore time! Join NOW!!!

1 Month (automatic renewal) ($14.95)

3 Months (automatic renewal) ($29.95)

6 Months (one-time billing) ($39.95)

Pay by: