re·lig·ion (r-ljn) n. Abbr. rel., relig. (1) Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe. (2) A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship. (3) A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
(4) A cause, a principle, or an activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.

That's why, when it comes down to matters of tradition or ritual within the Christian religion, I prefer to use the term "denomination." Different fingers on the same hand.

My ten-year-old daughter Jessica was crying when she came home from school. I was instantly jarred by this; the sight of her in tears was not a common thing, and it was clear that something terrible had happened to her. I hugged her until she stopped crying, and she began her story:

"Jamie and I were standing at the bus stop when Tammy's little sister Tracy snatched my purse from me and began running away with it. I dropped my books and chased her. She's smaller than me, so I gained on her quickly. When she realized that I was going to catch her, she opened my purse and began tossing my things into the street! When the purse was emptied, she tossed it into the street too! I had to dodge cars and trucks to get all of my things, and many of them were lost or destroyed!"

I was so angered by this story that my blood was boiling. I wanted to KILL somebody. I got myself together emotionally, and Bonita & I discussed what we needed to do about this. It was decided that I would pay a visit to Tammy & Tracy's home and tell their parents what had happened. I dropped my work and drove over there immediately.
This was a black family. The only reason that I even mention that fact is that in my town, racial tensions are everpresent and very strong. I needed to be gentle, yet firm. I told the parents what had occurred while the two girls listened from behind them. I concluded by saying, "We just want all of the girls to get along at school, and I'm sure that you do too." And with that I went back home.
We had a late dinner that evening, and Bonita & I found ourselves in the kitchen at 10:45 PM doing dishes, which is unusual. I was in my underwear and Bonita in her slip. The doorbell rang. Startled, we ran quickly for clothing, and answered the door. There stood Tammy & Tracy, along with their entire family on our front porch. Parents, grandparents...there were over a dozen ANGRY black folks ready to fight! Tammy's dad looked at me with an angry glare and yelled, "Tammy didn't do ANYTHING to your kid! Your kid LIED about her!"
There was a hotly charged moment of silence.
Bonita knelt down, gently took Tammy's chin into her hand, looked right into her eyes and said, "We love you honey. We LOVE you. All we want is for you and Jessica to love each other, OK? Will you please love my daughter the way I love you?"
Huge tears began to drop down Tammy's cheeks, and she nodded her head. Bonita stood up and looked at all of the adults. Their weapons were gone. Vanquished. Love disarmed them, and they silently retreated.
I stood there in stunned silence at what I had witnessed.
God's love NEVER fails!
Little Tammy came to our home several times after that just to visit Bonita. I'm convinced that what occurred that night changed that little girl's life...she had never experienced God's love expressed toward her before, and she wanted more!

quote:

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Originally posted by Wedge:
Andre: about that quote ...
It doesn't make sense on a number of levels. First off, religions don't "make" men hate each other. Men do that on their own.

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I agree with you Wedge. Indeed, men hate each other. But, now answer me, who creates religion?

Isn't it men? Yes, it is. So...

Of course, religions are based on LOVE. And this should be nice.
Too bad this "philosophy" doesn't apply to those who don't share that particulary faith... Why? Simple because religions and sects are created by MEN.

I think the quote from ANGEL HEART is not only "catchy" but it's quite correct. And that's what LIFE OF BRIAN is all about...

quote:

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Originally posted by Chris Kinsinger:
When I said that I detest religion, what I mean is that I detest the way true Christianity has been TWISTED into a religion, thereby deceiving people, limiting God and destroying lives.
Those definitions of "religion" aren't in the dictionary, but that's what the word means to me.

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Get back over to the official off-topic thread! This is an exorcism of off-topic posts, posts that need to be cast back from whence they came!

In terms of the production, I thought it was brilliantly filmed. One of the best musical-to-film adaptations since "Fiddler on the Roof" and a certain OTHER film based on a broadway show which shall remain nameless.

In terms of the music, I found it some of Webber's best. I especially appreciate the use of Dixieland in a Biblical story.

In terms of the theology, it's really more interested with Judas's POV, so I see any theological inaccuracies as a reflection of that.

The Star Wars trilogy is bursting with such examples! You have pastoral music for Yoda, dark Satanistic music for the Emperor. During the final duel scene in Return of the Jedi, the religious dimensions are UNMISTAKEABLE. The Force Theme has been put to so much good use in this vein, especially in the first film. And Episode One, of course, had that haunting chorus for the Funeral.

I'd also like to point out "Hook." The music for "The Face of Pan," "You Are the Pan" and "Goodbye Neverland" can only be described in one word: spiritual.

Williams' Christmas Carols for Home Alone are simply spectacular.

Okay, now who wants to do Goldsmith? I'll start off with "Patton" ... one of THE BEST examples of religious beliefs (reincarnation in this case) being conveyed through musical technique.

Chris, talk about The Robe now. Come on, I dare ya!

Do I post HERE or do I post THERE?

HowardL, my apologies.

Man...I am now completely SPOOKED!

You want my explanation, here be it:

I saw your "do I post here or do I post there" bit as a fun mockery of my decision making here. So, in good fun, I saw an opportunity to make my post, because I had seen your similar post over at FSM.

Stalking? I think not. I like movie music, therefore I visit many sites on the web about it. I saw your duplicate post, I saw meegle's duplicate posts. No big deal, is it?

That's my story. Really not very deep at all!

Yep.

This thread was a healthy, vigorous conversation that was enjoyed by a number of members, and it was steaming along beautifully until it was shot down.

I don't know what I think about all this. My own thinking may be somewhat more in line with Andre's, as I think of religion as something of an opiate -- not necessarily a bad one, but one I have never understood. Spirituality, I think I understand, but don't have a great handle on.

Last time I saw LIFE OF BRIAN, I found it more frightening than funny ... and watched the Python's HOLY GRAIL again a couple days ago and saw that they'd been building up to this material, perhaps unconsciously, all along. The springboard for the movie was actually an off-the-cuff remark Eric Idle made to the press, saying the group's next movie would be JESUS CHRIST: LUST FOR GLORY (a riff on the English release title of PATTON: LUST FOR GLORY). They ran with it from there. I remember a line from the original "Adrian Mole" diaries by English author Sue Townsend, seeing LIFE OF BRIAN and observing, "It was dead daring, I felt guilty laughing."

You & Andre are quite correct...religion IS an opiate!
I don't ever discuss "religion".
The only time that Jesus ever discussed religion was to openly rebuke the Pharisees of his day. Jesus never meant for Christianity to become a religion in the traditional sense. It must be a lifestyle choice, or it will never work the way that God designed it to work.