Hollywood and Religion

The Chicago Sun Times' religion page is running a very good article by the reverend Robert A. Sirico about the current trend of family- and religion-friendly cinema. The pastor says, among other things:

The religious right has decried Hollywood for many years without understanding the core motivation behind filmmaking, which is not to corrupt but to make movies people want to see. This drive is neither moral nor immoral; it only means that the film market is a moral blank slate.

Today, the message has been sent. Handsome profits draw new producers and new products into the field. This is the result one would expect whether a movie promotes God or the devil. And it is a sad commentary that many businesses would serve either depending on where the profits are.

For now, it seems that the smart money is with faith and family, which is all to the good. May we appreciate the moment and all that it will do to channel the tremendous talents of Hollywood toward the kind treatment of religion.

The real challenge comes when the profits dry up and capitalists again face the temptation to profit from people's desire to flee the good. The market is a remarkable institution that serves society precisely what it wants. Love or hate what Disney and others have done, the success of family films reflects the values that animate our culture.

MORE HERE
Chicago Sun Times, 11.06.05