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Did you know that there was a time when the entertainment industry was bound by a code that forbade them from using any blasphemy in a movie? The “Hays Code” stated:
Pointed profanity--this includes the words “God,” “Lord,” “Jesus,” “Christ” (unless used reverently), “Hell,” “S.O.B.,” “damn,” or every other profane or vulgar expression, however used--is forbidden.
Hollywood is no longer restricted by the code. Many of today's movies don't simply blaspheme the name of Jesus. They go one further. For example, the award-winning Blow, directed by Ted Demme, is a typical R-rated film. The name of Jesus Christ is blasphemed eleven times in the movie. Three of those times, for some reason, the "F" word is used in the middle of His name. |
Ray Comfort is the co-host (with actor Kirk Cameron) of an award-winning TV program that airs in 70 countries. He is also the best-selling author of more than 60 books, including What Hollywood Believes and Hollywood Be Thy Name. He and his wife, Sue, live in Los Angeles, California, where they have three grown children. |
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So, how can you (as one person), make a difference and influence the powerful Goliath of the entertainment industry? The answer is in your own hands. In 2005, roughly $8.8 billion was spent on movie tickets in the U.S. How much of $8.8 billion do you think came from those who call themselves Christians? According to The Barna Group, it was a massive $6.94 billion. Over 70% of the box office intake comes from people of faith.
With more than 170 million professing Christians in America, we have a sling that has the power to hit the “dark side” of Hollywood between the eyes and leave a deep impression on its money-making mind. Simply stop paying to see blasphemous movies and support the ones you know are good. My goal isn't to clean up movies. That will never happen unless there is a Christian revival in Hollywood. In the meantime, I just want them to stop their blasphemy. They are causing an entire generation to hate Christianity, and to use the name of Jesus Christ to express disgust.
It’s become popular for church websites to give a little insight into the pastor’s likes and dislikes, so that you can get to know him better and perhaps imitate him. On one site, when the senior pastor is asked about his favorite movie, he says, “Tough one; I’m a movie freak -- used to be Lost Boys (vampire movie) . . . I like anything intense, brutal, mind-bending, etc.” His associate one-ups him. He answers, “Snatch with Brad Pitt and Benicio Del Toro. Great film if you can get past the 493 F-bombs!” Apparently he got past them without a problem. Actually, he was exaggerating a little when he said that the movie used “F” word 493 times. I located the original script and counted each time the word was used. It was used 156 times, and the name of Jesus was blasphemed 11 times. |
Only once in Scripture do we see that Jesus was violent. He was so zealous for God’s name and to clean up the House of God that He tipped over the tables of the greedy money-changers. Let’s do the same. Let’s upend the sales at the box office of every movie that even slightly smells of blasphemy.
Below is a partial list of contemporary movies that contain blasphemy, and a link to the producers. Send Hollywood a personal message. Email them and say “Your movie contains blasphemy. Don’t look for my money at the box office.” We will update this list regularly.
Available in bookstores (Bridge-Logos)
In the beginning Hollywood said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And there were cameras. And the spirit of Hollywood moved across the face of the earth. Hollywood created. It picked up unknowns from the soil of humanity and breathed into them the life of celebrity--a golden image, whose sole purpose was to bring in big money at the box office. But something went terribly wrong. In 1968 a serpent appeared in the garden. Movies became filled with blasphemy, adultery, and violence. The bright light that once was became a gross darkness, and Hollywood began to suffer the ultimate delusion of grandeur. It enthroned itself as God and began to spout blasphemy against the heavens. It became a law to itself. It answered to no one. Not even God. So they believed.
- What was it that made the Columbine killers and mass murderer Cho Seung-hui hate Christianity?
- Why did the crime rate triple in the U.S. in the late 1960s?
- What was it that Hollywood did in 1968 that changed everything?
"If people would apply what Ray Comfort is addressing in this book, it would revolutionize America." - Rich Christiano, Director (Time Changer)
“Shocking and Enlightening! A must-read!”--Alex Kendrick, Director (Facing the Giants)
Available in bookstores (Genesis Publishing Group)
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Did you know that George Lucas produced Star Wars so young people would seek after God, or that Frank Sinatra believed in God and in the Sermon on the Mount? Which Hollywood star thinks God is a woman? Who are atheists? What did John Wayne say about God just before he died? How many Hollywood celebrities pray every day, and believe the Bible?
As he shares the spiritual beliefs of over 120 top Hollywood stars from past and present, Ray compares many of the celebrity views against the Bible, so that the gospel is clearly communicated throughout the book’s pages. Readers will be challenged to examine their beliefs as they are gently persuaded by God’s Word. In addition, the book will strengthen you in your own faith by discussing the evidence for the existence of God, inspiration of the Bible, divinity of Jesus, etc. Buy one copy for yourself to gain insight into what others believe, and another for a lost friend or neighbor to lead them to the truth.
- "I love this book! It's fascinating . . . perfect to give a friend."
- Janet Parshall (Janet Parshall's America).
- "This is one of those books you can't put down!"
- George Carden (UNI Radio News)
- "It will keep you spellbound . . ."
- Carol Henry (WKTO, Daytona Beach FL)
- "This is one of the most intriguing books I've read in a long time! This incredible resource is a fascinating look at the faith of some of the most famous names in Hollywood. . . . After you start reading it you don't want to put it down."
- YouthWorker Journal
For other books by Ray Comfort go to www.livingwaters.com
Don’t leave here without listening to two amazing messages:
Please consider adding a HollywoodandGod.com banner on your website.
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