Catholic Bashing in the Movies

Richard Roeper writes at the Chicago Sun-Times today:

.... I've seen the version of "The Passion of the Christ" that will play in theaters starting on Ash Wednesday — and I'll soon share my views on the film. In the meantime, I've been pondering some other religious-themed movies I've seen in my four years on "Ebert & Roeper."

Catholicism has been represented far more frequently than any other faith. I've probably seen more films about the Catholic Church (and movies with nuns or priests as supporting characters) than all other religions put together. Just from the last four years, I could easily put together a Catholic Film Festival — but I don't think too many Catholics would be pleased with the entries....

In these movies, priests are suicidal, corrupt and/or lascivious. Nuns are heartless and sadistic.

Before you run to your keyboard: yes, I'm aware of scandals, past and present, involving the church. And yes, some of the films listed above are powerful, important works based on true stories.

But a lot of this stuff is just exploitative garbage. And no other religious group gets bashed with such frequency. Can you imagine a similar number of films with Jewish leaders playing villains and moral weaklings?

Me neither.

(Thanks, Mark.)

Lane Core Jr. CIW P — Tue. 02/10/04 06:31:52 PM
Categorized as Media & Religious.