Positive represenations of the clergy

[El Lancito]

I was flipping through Ann Coulter's new book at Border's today, and in one of her insane, uninformed rants, she goes on to make the assertion that within the last few decades, Christian leaders are all portrayed as "scum" (or some word to that effect.)

The first movie that popped into my head was Signs as the antithesis of what she's claiming. Not only was it a positive portrayal of a priest, but the resolution of the story hinged on the fact that he needed to become that town's spiritual leader once again.

Surely there must be some other recent examples that I'm just not thinking of right now. Any ideas?

[Pirate]

The Passion of the Christ

Breakfast on Pluto

Keeping the Faith

Kingdom of Heaven

Daredevil

Just to name a few.

[El Lancito]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

[b]The Passion of the Christ

Ironically, this one wouldn't work, as the religious leaders demand the death of Jesus!

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by El Lancito

Ironically, this one wouldn't work, as the religious leaders demand the death of Jesus!

But couldn't Jesus be seen as the religious leader?

[Reaver]

Father Damien Karras in The Exorcist and Book from Firefly/Serenity.

[El Lancito]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

But couldn't Jesus be seen as the religious leader?

Well, of course. Still, going by the exact words of what Coulter wrote, the movie depicts the religious authorities as being evil, which makes it more liberal propaganda.

Heh...

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by El Lancito

Still, going by the exact words of what Coulter wrote.

Well, going by the words of Coulter, I'd have horns and be chewing on the souls of aborted babies...

[SilentBob]

I guess Constantine could be considered as a good viewing of the clergy. Sure not the overall movie will be liked (and an angel wanting the birth of the devil's son on earth) Still they are shown with great passion for the lord the believe in.

Also not really seen with the clergy but revolves heavily with religion is the great movie MILLIONS. Sur eit has soem scary moments but still a great great movie to watch

Now unless something drastic happens i would recommend Deadwood (2 more to go on season1) as another good viewing. Sure its an older view on religion and a tv series but his faith in the lord is great.

[1138]

I saw the topic and, like piratehunter, immediately thought of Keeping the Faith. A beautifully realistic and modren representation of both a priest and a rabbi that takes them both very seriously and shows them very well.

[Astrakan]

Sleepers' Father Bobby isn't the main character in that movie, but he was the first positive portrayal of the clergy that I thought of, so he must've done something right.

KM

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by El Lancito

I was flipping through Ann Coulter's new book at Border's today, and in one of her insane, uninformed rants, she goes on to make the assertion that within the last few decades, Christian leaders are all portrayed as "scum" (or some word to that effect.)

Did she say in which way?

The first movie that popped into my head was Signs as the antithesis of what she's claiming. Not only was it a positive portrayal of a priest, but the resolution of the story hinged on the fact that he needed to become that town's spiritual leader once again.

But wasn't this priest

Spoiler (Highlight or Triple Click to Read):

someone who gave up on God and religion due to his wife passing?

It's been a while since I've watched it.

What about "Joss Palmer" from Contact? He wasn't a priest but had his Masters in Divinity and served as a "spiritual consultant" to The President. In fact, he's the one who

Spoiler (Highlight or Triple Click to Read):

raised the question of the belief in God during the candidate selection hearings

In fact, his points on faith are some of the strongest I've heard.

Peace...

[LeChuck]

Originally Posted by Reaver

Book from Firefly/Serenity.

I would not say that he really represents a positive religious figure for the reasons that he is certainly not really a preacher (unfortunately his hidden life is never more than hinted at =[) and also because he really does not show any true Faith when the going gets tough. Sure, he spouts off some good verses now and then, but when death is on the line he suddenly becomes doubtful (I remember this happening a couple times during the series). Throw this in with the serious antireligious jaw flapping from most everyone else and it is hard to justify Firefly as a positive portrayal of religion/Christianity.

[elwood731]

Originally Posted by LeChuck

I would not say that he really represents a positive religious figure for the reasons that he is certainly not really a preacher (unfortunately his hidden life is never more than hinted at =[) and also because he really does not show any true Faith when the going gets tough. Sure, he spouts off some good verses now and then, but when death is on the line he suddenly becomes doubtful (I remember this happening a couple times during the series). Throw this in with the serious antireligious jaw flapping from most everyone else and it is hard to justify Firefly as a positive portrayal of religion/Christianity.

Eh, I think maybe you missed something in watching Firefly. Book is a very positive, while realistic, potrayal of the clergy. We're actually shown him turning to prayer at times, and discussing Jesus, even if not using his direct name. That's more than you'd see in 95% of TV shows talking about God.

Actually, Joss almost always has a religious tint to his shows, and while there might be sporadic neagtive potrayals, the overall image is a positive one. That's odd considering from my understanding Joss is an athiest.

Coulter's point, as described above, is a bit muddy. I think what you get in movies and tv shows is a watered down clergy. For instance, take the father from 7th Heaven, a show where he is supposed to be a minister. You will never hear him actually talk about the Bible so much as he talks about doing the right thing, and being good. Where I do think she has a point is when it comes to the Catholic church. How many films off hand can you pick out where they've been portrayed as villians? Baptist, Methodists, and other Protestant faiths get by fairly easy compared to depictions of Catholics. I remember the whole trend of religious horror films sometime in the late 90s with films like Stigmata, and even this year's Da Vinci Code. So, I think Catholics might have an argument that they're always put as the villians.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by elwood731

Eh, I think maybe you missed something in watching Firefly. Book is a very positive, while realistic, potrayal of the clergy. We're actually shown him turning to prayer at times, and discussing Jesus, even if not using his direct name.

I agree.

Peace...

[SilentBob]

Well i guess overall in the end you can also add The Dangerous Lives of Alter Boys although the Nun is seen as a villain in the film she turns out to be nothing more really then who she is dressed to be.



Plus since we are talking about Nuns. We might as well add the 2 Sister Act movies as well

[mighty mint]

One of the most interesting and complex characters was Duval in The Apostle. I guess you could put the priest from Raising Helen as a positive portrayal...I liked the character alot as he was very real.