Saved!

[birdandbear]

Saw this one on pay per view last night, and it was everything I'd heard! It was great, taking pot shots at fanaticism and hypocricy to hilarious effect, while not disparaging true faith in the slightest. Highly recommended!

[Avatar]

Cool. Definitely one I've wanted to watch. Certainly enjoyed the trailers that I've seen.

--Avatar

[[Syl]]

The trailers mislead me on this one. I didn't realize it was going to be quite so... pious? I mean, it wasn't, exactly, as it critiqued a lot of religously founded meanness, or at least, people that are mean and hide it behind holiness.

The only real problem I had with the movie was the central character. She was both incredibly naive, yet she also seemed to always have the answers. Too much of the author's intention was visible in her, I guess.

Dug McCulkin as the smoking cripple and the jewish girl. Best thing about the movie.

[Avatar]

Thanks for the heads up Syl. Maybe I'll wait until I can see it for free.

--A

[Avatar]

Well, more than a year later, and I finally got around to watching it. Yeah, McCulkin and the Jewish girl were the best part of it.

I asked this in the 'Tank without reply, but somebody please tell me that it's very dramatised, and that schools like that don't actually exist over there? Please?

--A

[sindatur]

Av, probably answered after you looked. I doubt schools like that have as liberal a principal, but, yea, there are schools like that.

[Avatar]

Yeah, I saw your answer today Sin, thanks. Personally, I find it a little frightening.

--A

[taraswizard]

Answering Avatar, and emphasizing what Sindatur said, schools like the one in the movie are pretty commonplace around here.

[Avatar]

Thanks Taras. Just when I think we're starting to get out of the dark ages... *sigh*

Really, the concept frightens me. I suppose it's because religion in this country isn't much of an issue...you know, we have freedom of religion...that I don't much notice it. Despite the fact that the majority of people here call themselves christians, it's not as...in your face...on the whole.

Sure, their are christian schools, and as I've said, in the old days, schools were operated on the basis of a christian foundation, we just don't make such a big deal out of it.

Not sure why. Hell, part of our National Anthem is a christian hym, and nobody has ever complained that I know of.

--A

[variol son]

All part of the mystery that is America Av.

[Avatar]

Think it's as big a mystery to them as it is to the rest of us?

--A

[Menolly]

Think it's as big a mystery to them as it is to the rest of us?

:::snort:::

We elected 'W' as President. Need I say more?

[taraswizard]

Not sure if Menolly's example really hits the point. IMO this is closer to the point, our political leadership wanted to impeach our President because he got oral sex from a woman not his wife. (it was all about sex)

[Menolly]

That too.

But, the religious right is who threw 'W' over the top, per se, in the 2000 election. So, IMO, that's how it relates to these schools.

[Avatar]

Is the religious right a vocal minority? Or a vocal majority?

And to what extent has the fact that the founders were essentially religious exiles affected the religious development?

--A

[Menolly]

Is the religious right a vocal minority? Or a vocal majority?

I'm pretty sure they are a vocal minority, but our turn out percentages for elections are so low, that when the religious right turn out to vote en masse, they definitely affect the outcome.

And to what extent has the fact that the founders were essentially religious exiles affected the religious development?

I think most US citizens don't even realize that about the founding Fathers, Av.

[Avatar]

Perhaps, but don't you think that a certain mindset has survived since then?

--A

[Menolly]

Maybe...

I honestly believe if our religious right had enough support to force through legislation they believe is morally correct, such as anti-abortion legislation, et. al., that Freedom of Religion would be targeted next. Thankfully, they are a very small minority, just very vocal.

[Avatar]

Let's hope that you're right. If not, Heinleins Revolt in 2100 is going to have been eerily prophetic.

--A