HOLLYWOOD JESUS NEWSLETTER #26
June 9, 2001
Greetings from David Bruce, Web Master

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Main Topics:
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1. The R-rated problem.

2. New NBC TV Show: KRISTEN

3. Pop Model BETTIE PAGE -follows Jesus

4. Follow up: 100 FAITH AFFIRMING MOVIES
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R-Rated Christians Who Hate R-rated Movies.
Or,
Why I Find the Company of Pagans and Agnostics So Refreshing.
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So, I was visiting a certain church and I got into some small talk with a few of the members following the Sunday night service. Someone asked what I did and I told them about Hollywood Jesus. The next question was, "Do you review R-rated movies?"

I said, "Yes, of course."

And then I was hit with some harsh judgmental attitudes. "How can you watch that stuff? Don't you know that Christians are not suppose to watch R-rated movies? We are suppose to protect our hears and eyes."

The 3 monkeys (see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil) came to mind. But I was kind. In my response I stated what Jesus said, "It's not what goes in that defiles a person, rather its what comes out" (Mark 7:15).

Unbelievable as it may sound, the next question was: "Which Jesus do you believe in?"

Which Jesus? Like, oh my gosh, I suddenly realized they did not feel I was even a Christian. Suddenly this conversation was a bit much for me. I said "The Jesus of the Scripture." However, nothing I said mattered, and I knew it. I had been tried, convicted and sentenced. I received the worst verbal attack I can remember in a long time.

I was being victimized by narrow minded Christians. No, make that closed minded. R-rated Christians who complain about R-rated films. I went home shaking my head. I kept telling myself how foolish I was to think that there was any kind freedom in these kind of churches. They are not Jesus centered. They are centered on some moralistic agenda and I did not fit their cookie cutter concepts. I mean like, check your brains at the door. No independent thinking here. In fact do not try to think at all.

To make matters worse, when I got home I found this horrific e-mail awaiting me:

David, Wolves in sheeps clothing appear in churches from time to time. After tonights encounter my suggestion to you would be to not return either to the singles group or to any activity at XXX XXX Fellowship. If you do, you will be escorted off the premises by what ever means is necessary. I hope I make myself "perfectly clear". By the way I was not one of the guys that took part in your discussion, so don't rack your brain trying to figure out who this is. I guess that I don't have to tell you that I will also notify other churches in the valley who you are and what you are about. I do not agree with the material on your website, your beliefs, or the way that you "market" yourself.
Guardian Angel

It was depressing.
It was like, so unbelievable.
I mean, I was like totally wondering what Jesus this "Guardian Angel" followed. This person was threatening me with implied physical force and was plotting to destroy my character! The email made my wonder what the true meaning of R-rated was.

But, then God smiled on me and moved on "a pagan" to send this email:

Hello. I just wanted to send you a quick note and tell you that I quite enjoy your site. It is very well done and I am most impressed by that it has not, as much as I have read ever, really put down a film for being negative in any way. It always seems to find the positive aspect when reviewing a film from the Christian perspective. I have seen too many web sites attack a film for being satanic or evil in nature when that was quite obviously not the intent. Anyway, Thank you for the site and keep up the good work. I will return.
David -A Pagan

And then God moved on "an agnostic" to send me this wonderful email:

I discovered your website quite by accident. While doing a movie search I saw A "Christian" reference to the movie "Dogma" and clicked it, expecting to see the typical bashing of the "cesspool" of Hollywood. Instead I found one of the most enlightening, profound and deephearted reviews I've ever read.

Perhaps a bit of background information would be helpful. For the majority of my 32 years I have labeled myself agnostic. Not due to a disbelief in God or Jesus, but stemming rather from my own inability to reconcile my personal beliefs from all the public statements being made by "noted Christian" representatives...

And then I found your website. I remember listening to a guy at work bashing the movie "Dogma" as being incredibly blasphemous and against God. I was so intrigued that I went out and watched the movie. I thoroughly enjoyed it and when I returned to work the next day, I tried to discuss it with the guy. He informed me that he hadn't actually seen the movie, but since it came from Hollywood, and it was a religious comedy, he didn't need to "smell the sewer to know it stinks". I filed this under "typical Christian reaction" until looking into buying the DVD today. I ran across your review and now I feel that every narrow minded belief I had in Christianity has been blown completely out of the water. I may even pick up the Bible again. I have now poured over your archives, and as ridiculous as it may sound, I might just see enough connection with my own beliefs to start caring again. Your reviewers don't simply quote a bit of scripture from the bible (something that has never really made clear sense to me) and leave it at that, like it's the final word said on the matter. Rather they look at a film and attempt to put in into perspective. Geez, if you can find a Christian story line in "Fight Club", you can't be the closed minded group I once assumed all of you guys to be.
Thank you for bridging the gap.
Regards Dave Yung

All I came say is, "Long live the pagans, agnostics and atheist!"
I love you, I love you, I love you.
Give me R-rated truth, and save me from G-rated insults and lies.
May God place more of these wonderful people in my life.
I feel the love and pleasure of God through you (John 3:16).

I think I want to open a church that is open to all people
--punkers, gothics, blue collars, suits, divorced, singles, outcasts, freaks, geeks, doubters, the broken and abused, smokers, drinkers and maybe even a few "Thomas Kinkade perfect family" types;
A church that is X-rated (Busters), and Y-rated (Millenials).
A church that embraces the ugly, the despised and rejected.
A church that defines integrity as encouraging free thinking and honesty;
A church that allows for differences;
A church that follows the Jesus who hangs with sinners and prostitutes;
A church that welcomes the woman who has five ex-husbands and is currently shaking with some guy (John 4);
A church that says "No rocking throwing allowed" (John 8).
A church that "world speaks."
A church that is in love with Jesus and with ALL of humanity.

Actually, I like to think of Hollywood Jesus as an online Cyber Church that is all of the above. And, I also know, there are some really-with-it-churches out there that truly understand the radical concept of Jesus' "whosoever will."

In terms of R-rated movies, I do think there are stupid crappy ones out there that I do not waste my money on (see Newsletter #24). But then, I also feel that way about certain G and PG films, too (Omega Code comes to mind, and can you believe it: there is a sequel in the works).

I also believe that it is counterproductive and strange to publicly judge a non-Christian filmmaker for not making a so-called Christian-friendly film. Its like saying stating the obvious. Its judging an apple by the standards of an orange. Jesus set a good example to follow: he did not come to judge the world (John 3:17). I really think it is best to leave the judgment thing to God.

In terms of certain elements within a film, I do not believe that if a film portrays someone committing adultery with someone else's spouse, that I will in any way be motivated to do the same. Nor do I believe that if a film portrays a thief or murder that I will suddenly have a desire to do the same. And, I can assure that if a film portrays nudity, my clothes will remain on.

I believe, as with all things, it is the intent of the heart that matters. If someone has impure motives for viewing a film, then it is wrong.

For me, however, film is a reflection of our time, our culture, our values. Popular main stream films furnish me with common ground for public discourse. Fight Club, Dogma, Saving Private Ryan, Green Mile, The Matrix, and Amistad are all R-rated and have proved invaluable in my many conversations with agnostics, atheists, pagans, new agers, young and old, Christians and non-Christians. Film becomes a very spiritual experience for me. I am a post modern missionary that loves to engage the culture within the culture. How about you?

God is good.

What are your views on popular main stream (non-crappy) R-rated films? It is very okay to agree or disagree with me! Post here

ALSO, I am very interested in your experiences:
Are you a free thinking Christian who has been victimized by cookie cutter Christians? Post your Comments
Are you an atheist, agnostic or pagan due in part to judgmental narrow minded Christians? Post Your Comments
Are you a believer who has discovered that it is best to keep your mouth shut to keep your church membership intact? Post Your Comments
Are you a believer that does not go to church due to the intolerance you feel. Post Your Comments
Are you a non-believer that likes the idea of Jesus, but has trouble with Christians? Post Your Comments
Are you a Christian who feels R-rated is inappropriate? Post Your Comments

For General remarks:
Email here
I will post your comments below

P.S. If you attend a Jesus following church that is open to "whosoever will" and is cool about "world speak" send me the name and address of your church and I will post it. There are some really cool nonjudgmental churches and I want to honor them. I want people to know that there are some great alternative church out there that truly get it.
Send church name, address and info here

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KRISTEN -THE SAVVY CHRISTIAN
or, is she just another
BIBLE BELT BARBIE
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On June 5, NBC-TV launched a new series about a Baptist-Christian young woman named Kristen. Did you watch it? The sitcom airs every Tuesday at 9 PM Eastern time. It features Kristen, a born again Christian, in a favorable light and star of the show. The critics have not been kind to the show, however.

SYNOPSIS: Kristin Chenoweth ("You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown") stars in this uptown comedy as Kristin Yancey, a small-town girl born again Baptist who leaves her sheltered life in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, to pursue her dream of becoming a Broadway star. Until then, however, Kristin (Chenoweth) accepts a job, recommended to her by her pastor, working for a handsome but morally bankrupt real estate tycoon, Tommy Ballantine (Jon Tenney, "You Can Count On Me") - and just maybe by being herself she'll be a good influence on him. He calls her a "Savvy Christian." And, Santa Clemente (Ana Ortiz) the worldly and sexy cutthroat office rival calls her "Bible Belt Barbie."

I have set up a page for KRISTEN, with an exclusive RealVideo clip from the series. Check it out

Also, I am interested in you take on the show. Post you comments.

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BETTIE PAGE
comes to Hollywood Jesus
Pop Culture's #1 Model
FOLLOWS JESUS
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This is an amazing and bizarre story. If it were not true it would be totally unbelievable. This is the story of a woman who has been serving the Lord since 1957. That's over 4 decades of dedication, telling others about Jesus Christ. Suddenly one day she discovers that she has impacted the world in a phenomenal way, but not as she thought she would have as a Christian -rather in a very different way. You see, prior to becoming a Christian in 1957 she had been a model for a mere seven years. Her work from those years have made her the number one model of all time. Her image now dominates the pop culture world and has changed it forever... Read the story here

I have prepared a RealVideo clip from the E! network televised biography about here conversion to Jesus Christ. View it here

I am very interested in your thoughts.
Email your response
I will post your comments below

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Follow up to Newsletter #25
100 FAITH AFFIRMING HOLLYWOOD FILMS
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I have added to the list somewhat by incorporating some of the favorites and suggestion that were emailed in to Hollywood Jesus.

Check out the new and improved list of faith affirming films... Newsletter #25

I am remodeling the Hollywood Jesus Store to incorporate most of these faith affirming films check it out... Hollywood Jesus Store

I also promised to tell how the pastor responded to my open letter to him. He said, "I repent already..." He is a neat guy, really.

I am very interested in your thoughts.
Email your response
I will post your comments below

May God continue to bless you.
Warmly,
David Bruce
Web Master, Hollywood Jesus.

PS To chat directly to me, email: Private 2 David

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BULLETIN BOARD
Email your response

R-RATED MOVIES
Subject: Newsletter_26
Date: Tue, 30 Oct 2001
From: Jacob

This is not about watching R-rated films: this is about making R-rated films.

I am a Christian (subspecies: Protestant, Evangelical). I am a screenwriter. I have written G- as well as R-rated screenplays. As I work at producing my R-rated scripts, I talk to various professional actors and actresses, who are Christians, about acting in these films. I get this general response.

After they finish the script, they are usually silent for some minutes. They may sigh deeply and sometimes wipe away a tear. Then they say, "I love this script. It is so deep and moving. You're going to have trouble distributing it because it is so obviously Christian (smiles come here).

"Do you have to have the nudity in it? Just think. If you are going to shoot this scene as written, a woman is going to have to come out on to the set naked, for everyone on the set to see, the grips, the gaffers, the go-fers, everyone. It is terribly embarrassing for a woman to do this. Would you want your daughter to play this scene as written? (My daughter is a beautiful, 20-year old, working ballet dancer. In my head, I answer "yes", but I want to hear them out, so I say "Go on.")

"Can't you just _suggest_ the nudity? The audience is smart. You just suggest and they will get it. Just don't degrade the actress by making her get naked.

It's a wonderful script, but I cannot do this part as written."

So, _watching_ R-rated films is not the only problem for a Christian. Writing them, acting in them, being involved in any part of the production of them, is a problem.

What artistic or spiritual reasons rank large enough to overcome the objections these Christian actors pose to me?

For example, I wrote a script in which I put a dynamic translation of the Sinful Woman in Pharisee Simon's House. The modern dynamic equivalent to the Sinful Woman taking down her hair, is, in Western culture, a porn star taking off her blouse. When I point out the Biblical reference and the translation, it does not get through their minds. These actors, who are sufficient Christians that they would literally give their lives for Christ (these people are neither hypocrites, nor are they stupid), will not allow even that justification for the scene, to alter their stand against it.

Of course, it would be easy to just use non-Christian actors, but the problem remains. How do Christians _make_ R-rated films in such a way as to glorify Christ?
Jacob

Response: You limit R-rated to topless women. You have Christian actresses crying and you throw in your 20 year old daughter. I have seen a lot of R-rated movies, and most do not have naked women in them -some do. Your argument seems to be somehow manipulative. R-rated can also have to do with violence, language, subject matter, etc. My question to you: How did Michaelangelo paint the Sistine Chapel with nearly everyone totally naked for the glory of Christ? How did God inspire some of those R-rated portions of the Bible (oral sex and graphic passionate intercourse in Song of Solomon, or the extreme rape and dismemberment of Dinah by Shechem -Gen. 34:1-2, or the account of Lot's daughters making their father drunk and then raping him -Gen. 19:30-35?) And did not Jesus hang on a cross totally naked and severely beaten? Another question for you: What does it mean to be Christ like? -David

MAKING R-RATED MOVIES (FOLLOWUP)
Subject: Making R-rated movies 2 Newsletter_26
Date: Fri, 09 Nov 2001
From: Jacob

"(M)ost (R-rated films) do not have naked women in them -some do . . . R-rated can . . . have to do with violence, language, subject matter, etc." Yes! My response exactly!

"You limit R-rated to topless women." Actually, I was only addressing the issue about R-rated films that is in contention among Christians in my part of my country. "Good ol' violence" doesn't seem to be a problem with them, especially since they know how fake it is in production. Cursing is not much of a problem with these actors, either, with the possible exception of the Lord's name. It is nudity in my screenplays to which they object.

"How did Michaelangelo paint the Sistine Chapel with nearly everyone totally naked for the glory of Christ? How did God inspire some of those R-rated portions of the Bible (oral sex and graphic passionate intercourse in Song of Solomon, or the extreme rape and dismemberment of Dinah by Shechem -Gen. 34:1-2, or the account of Lot's daughters making their father drunk and then raping him -Gen. 19:30-35?) And did not Jesus hang on a cross totally naked and severely beaten?" Yes! These are the exact same questions I ask my interlocutors. They acknowlege that these things are in the Bible, but they it makes no difference to them when it comes down to actually applying in making a real film the principles of storytelling and morality we see in the Bible. When they read these elements in my screenplays, specifically, nudity, they say no. No Biblical arguments can move them.

Which caused my question to you in my former e-mail: if the copious examples from the Bible do not persuade these actors, what will?

Other Matters:

"You have Christian actresses crying and you throw in your 20 year old daughter." I described the situation in order to limit the question. The problem is not the quality of the script. It is not the skill or spirituality of the actors. It is not that I thoughtlessly, maliciously, or salaciously add nudity into my screenplays. I thought if I described the situation, it would limit the question to the single issue in which I need your help.

"Your argument seems to be somehow manipulative." I'm sorry; to manipulate is not my aim at all. If you could tell me how to better write my e-mail so as not to be manipulative, I would appreciate it. Also, I desire not to argue, but to ask a question, to actually ask you for help.

"What does it mean to be Christ like?" In my personal life, to be Christlike is to think, speak and act as Christ would have me do, in relationship to everyone and everything with which I come in contact: God, humans and the rest of the universe. In my creating, it is to create wonderful, new stories that would resonate with Truth, in its "awfulness" (in the old sense: full of awe), in my audiences.

Bless you for actually reading and responding to my e-mail.
Gratefully yours,
Jacob

Response: Thank you, thank you thank you for your graciousness followup to my rather hard hitting response to your first email. I really appreciate your clarification. I am in concert with you about the difficulty of being a Christian professional in a fallen world. Being salt and light is an on going process. I struggle with it -that what makes your email so special to me. My hope is that our conversation here will help others to think carefully about their place in this world. Please stay in touch, I trully appreciate your input. -David

YOU ARE THE MAN!
Subject: R rated_newsletter#26
Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2001
From: Chris Utley

i've been wrestling with the mind of the Church ever since i've become a Christian over this very issue. i also have been attacked and judged because, quite simply, i love movies. i go see 90 percent of what comes out. some of my favorites are R-Rated. but "church folk" have questioned my faith and have discouraged me. one church i used to go to threatened to raid my DVD collection of such "sinful" films. you are one of the first people i've seen who understand my point of view. i agree with what you say. it's not going to see an R rated film that's sin. it's walking out of that R rated film ready to shoot or screw somebody that's sin! people just don't understand that God has given us a free will to enjoy all things. He just wants our hearts to be committed to Him. the church doesn't teach that. they just want us to follow a bunch of rules (live under the law). but their rules keep me in worse bondage than i was in when i wasn't saved!

do your thing, Mr. Bruce. because you look at the world with compassion and love and not pre-judgement, God will continue to draw the world to you. my prayers and my support are with you, brother. and now...i'm going to buy American Pie (the R-Rated version, of course...not for the sex...but i love the coming of age story) with NO CONDEMNATION!!!
Chris Utley

PS
Faithful Central Bible Church-Inglewood (Los Angeles
this church is sooooo awesome. how awesome? they bought the Great Western Forum, the former arena of the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Kings. they have church services on Sundays. BUT they still hold concerts (MOSTLY SECULAR) and sporting events too. this church is very very free from Church-based bondage and they move in the freedom of the Spirit. i should know...i attended there for 6 years!
Chris Utley

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