Films that accurately represent Christianity?

[criterionmaster]

Can you help me? My teacher asked if I know of any films that accurately represent Christianity, since she believes none do. I was wondering if anyone knew of any.

[captainofbeef]

I personally believe none present it accuratly other than the ones made by the actual church itself. There is obviously films where a person with Christian values is displayed (The Seventh Seal comes to mind), but other than that, I can't think of anything.

I should just say that I believe in the morals Christianity teaches, but I think that most of the Old Testament is all just one big fairy tale with some accurate elements thrown in. Other than the Gospels, which are hard to discount, the Old Testament can be taken as a story that has been turned into fact over time. The telephone game comes to mind, how people tell other people things and they get distorted over time. As for Jesus Christ, I DO believe in him. He was obviously who he said he was, I am just not sure if the God that is his father is the same one as is represented in some of the Old Testament stories. For example, the God that Jesus describes is loving and forgiving. Is this the same God who killed all of humanity in a flood or burned down entire towns with his fiery rage??? I think not. All I'm saying is that because I find some books of the Bible to be inaccurate I am not truly sure that I totally believe in the Christian God.

[criterionmaster]

Personally I find the Bible to be seriously contradicting and believe very little of it. And the fact that I grew up going to Catholic schools and learning all the stories as if they were fact to then find out that they are just there to get a point across makes me despise religion even more. In fact the more I think about it the more I can’t stand it.

I cannot stand the fact that we are not given the chance to believe anything else, they say you have the right to believe anything you want but when you are taught from a very early age that these things happened then you grow up and believe them. You should choose what you believe in when you are 18 and actually can make your own decisions instead of your parents making them for you.

I have never received any of the sacraments nor do I want to. I never go to church other than when my school forces me to; I find it to be one of the most boring, repetitive things ever. What does “God” care if we stand, sit, sing, or do anything they make us do. It is just pointless in my opinion. In fact theology and church have turned me away instead of bringing me in to believing.

I can’t stand theology or any of my teachers, especially the kind of people that hail Passion of the Christ as a masterpiece, I way prefer Last Temptation of Christ as a film and what it shows to The Passion.

Well anyway there are my seven cents. This is actually a cool thread, maybe there should be more of these on our thoughts about what’s going on in the news and our beliefs. I am interesting in what everyone else thinks about this.

And thanks CoB, I was thinking about Seventh Seal and may tell her to watch it sometime.

[ie]

captainofbeef said:

He was obviously who he said he was,

Sorry, I just chuckled a little bit at that one. That's all I wanted to say.

I don't mind religion, and if it helps you, then certainly there's nothing against it. It hasn't helped me. The only thing I believe in is myself. (Which someone has asked me "so, do you think of yourself as a god?" )

I saw the Passion of the Christ, and let me just say that that was essentially one big advertisement. It'll certainly make you believe more if you don't already, and if your faith is waivering, you'll find yourself with more than you wanted. So I couldn't accurately rate it.


Well, the Seventh Seal is a good movie on religion, but I don't think it's exactly telling of all the positives of Christianity, which is I think what your teacher is really looking for.

It presents us with a Christian character who is essentially becoming disillusioned with Christianity.

Additionally, Wiki wiki wii tells us:

The medieval Sweden portrayed in this movie is not totally accurate. For example, the self-flagellators never existed in Sweden, and the theme of life and death as portrayed in the movie is more typical of existentialism in the 1950s than to the beliefs of medieval Swedes.

You still can't do wrong with suggesting the Seventh Seal. It's a great movie, definitely deserving of its place in history, and I think it could be even better if you have a keen interest in religion. I just don't think it's exactly what your teacher has in mind.

[criterionmaster]

Yes, there is nothing wrong with suggesting it but I am having trouble believing she will like the film, she hasn't seen any foreign films and she just saw the film Invincible and said it was fantastic. I will have to ponder if I am going to tell her to watch it or not.

And I agree, I believe in myself, no one else.

[captainofbeef]

I suggest probably not saying anything unless you are talking about Miss Slaby. She would probably enjoy it, I doubt any of the other Theology teachers would.

[criterionmaster]

I was actually talking about Mrs. Maxson, but Mrs. Slaby has told me before that she is going to watch the film sometime.

[blackmoses]

I think you should tell her to watch the Last Temptation of Christ, I would like to hear what she has to say about that.

[Nomansvally]

What about Pasolini's "The Gospel According To St. Matthew" ? Anyone seen it?

[criterionmaster]

Haven't seen it but I am dying to. I was thinking that could be one but I wasn't sure. Have you seen it, if so is it a good representation of Christianity?

[Nomansvally]

No not yet but I own it on DVD. Gonna get Last Temptation Of Christ and watch 'em both the same evening. Then I'll post my thoughts.

[criterionmaster]

Now I have seen Gospel and it is the best film about Jesus ever made, easily. I hope you enjoy it Nomansvally!

[Nomansvally]

Yeah, saw it about a month ago myself. It was really a special experiance, the whole opening reminded me of a silentfilm. I particulary liked the way each episode of the Gospel was linked together in a nice flow. My favourite Jesus film to date. Pasolini's use of faces reminds me of Leone. Great soundtrack man.

What about The Last Temptation Of Christ? I've heard it's pretty controversial.

[criterionmaster]

Yeah, it is. Because of the "last temptation" Jesus has while on the cross and many other things it is one of the more controversial. But it is truly a great film, very underrated. It feels much more realistic that most films, like Passion of the Christ. You should find it quite enjoyable.

[Nomansvally]

Allright, it's actually the only feature film along with Kundun that I have'nt seen by M. Scorsese.

[captainofbeef]

There is the new film that proclaims that it tells the nativity story. I can't recall its name, but I saw a preview of it before Casino Royale.

[PTAhole]

It is creatively titled, The Nativity Story.

[misterbalco]

Try Frankenape.