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Hollywood and God
Contrary to what many have thought
in the past, America is not antagonistic towards the
things of God. According to a 2004 CNN poll, an incredible
87% wanted "under God" kept in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Contrary to expectations, the blockbuster movie, 'The
Passion of the Christ' proved that Americans had an
interest in God by grossing hundreds of millions of
dollars. Just after the film was released a Gallup Poll
News Service* said, "Three in four Americans have seen
or expect to see it."
The New York Times** said, "Hollywood
producers and studio executives, witnessing overwhelming
success of 'The Passion of the Christ,' are reconsidering
whether they have been neglecting large segments of
American audience eager for openly religious movies..."
A new book I have just written, called,
What Hollywood Believes explores an area that has rarely
been examined before--the faith of the famous. This
hasn't been an easy task. It has taken a great deal
of meticulous research. This is because actors in the
past have been strongly discouraged from making public
their thoughts about God. Up until the success of "The
Passion of the Christ," Hollywood had been under the
illusion that America wasn't interested in God. That's
because the town lives in a world of its own. It doesn't
resemble core America. Gallup polls reveal that over
90% of Americans believe in God, and that as many as
40% attend worship services regularly, but this hasn't
been reflected in the movies or on television.***
A survey conducted among the 104
top television writers and executives found that, of
the 104 who were asked if adultery was wrong only, 49%
said it was. That means that 51% maintained that they
believe that adultery is morally right. Meanwhile 85%
of the rest of America believes adultery is wrong.
When questioned if they had any religious
affiliation, Hollywood came in at 45% saying that they
didn't, while the percentage of Americans who had no
religious affiliation was a mere 4%.
It is therefore a sad irony that when
legendary film maker Cecil B. DeMille (the director
of the epic movie, "The Ten Commandments")
first came to California in the early 1900's, he settled
in a small town that was said to be a "Christian"
settlement that was giving away free land to anyone
who was willing to build a place of worship. The town
had a picturesque name--Hollywood.****
Hollywood isn't the only town with
a forgotten godly heritage. Did you know that as you
walk up the steps to the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington
D.C., near the top of the building there is a row of
the world's law givers? Each one is facing Moses, who
is in the middle, holding the Ten Commandments. As you
enter the Supreme Court, the two huge oak doors have
the Ten Commandments engraved on each lower portion
of each door. As you sit inside the courtroom, you will
see another display of the Ten Commandments--this one
is directly above where the Supreme Court resides.
James Madison, the fourth President--known
as "The Father of Our Constitution," said,
"We have staked the whole of all our political
institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government,
upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves,
to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according
to the Ten Commandments of God."
So, if you love the Lord and care
about the lost, forget the enemy's lies that you have
believed in the past, about people not wanting to know
about God. Take advantage of their openness to speak
to them about the only issue that really matters in
this life--their eternal salvation.
________________
*March 12, 2004
**March 15, 2004
***Source: The Center for Media and Public Affairs,
"The Elite and How to Avoid It", Newsweek,
July 20.
****Source: Cecil B. DeMille, American Epic, Biography
Documentary Special, April 5, 2004
This column is part of the first chapter
of an exciting new book called "What
Hollywood Believes." We hope to have it ready
for purchase (God willing) sometime around mid to late
June 2004. Hardcover - 49,000 Words
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