Hollywood is nothing if not consistent. Over the past several decades it has demonstrated its unswerving antipathy toward all things “Christian.” This is abundantly evident through the recent selections made by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ – more commonly called “the Academy” – for the hosts of its annual awards ceremony, the Oscars.
It’s not just that emcees of late have been consistently rancorous liberals. That could be understood, if not excused. It’s that the hosts chosen are, more and more, individuals who exhibit unfettered hostility towards Christianity and its followers.
David Letterman, Whoopi Goldberg, Jon Stewart, Alec Baldwin, Ellen DeGeneres, to cite a few, are all prime examples of presenters who have, to varying degrees, openly expressed anti-Christian sentiments over/against their own secular, liberal, e.g. pro-homosexual agendas.
This year’s compere, Seth MacFarlane leaves all of the above in the dust in these regards. Although the programs MacFarlane has created in his animation empire, in fairness, do take jabs at practically everyone, the opportunity to heap deprecating commentary upon Christians and Christianity is elevated to a level that transcends the mere satire of other subject(s).
The tragedy is that MacFarlane’s wit is quite rapier-like and many of the jokes on shows like Family Guy would make even the stuffiest fundamentalist guffaw. However, the level of offensive material; i.e. Christians are dimmer than the mentally retarded and the world would be more advanced were it not for Christianity; makes the show infinitely repugnant to the average believer.
There are those who bring derision upon themselves. From the well-meaning but misinformed end-times hystericals to the “God hates…” [practically everyone but them] Westboro Baptists – whom this Examiner believes are extremely misguided if not specifically non-Christians – many open themselves to mockery that surpasses simply being a Christian.
Yet MacFarlane and his co-writers/producers are incapable of, or simply disinterested in, making the distinction and lump all followers of Jesus Christ under the same cloud. No doubt they feel perfectly just in their pronouncements and ridicule.
Ironically, the animator extraordinaire accomplishes much of what he wants in that he leaves many of the faithful wringing their hands and cursing his name. In reality, despite how devilishly clever Mr. MacFarlane believes he is, the truth of the bible bears him out: Galatians 6:7 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.”
The schism in the community of believers is that some would crucify the likes of MacFarlane, while others prefer to upbraid authors of columns like this for being “judgmental” and condemning folks to “hellfire and brimstone.”
Such is not the case. It is the right and perhaps even the duty of Christians to expose evil in all its forms and such social commentary is perfectly appropriate to that end. Perhaps, at the end of the day, the best solution is to follow the dictum of Romans 12:19-21 “…do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Suffice it to say, and this is of course hypothetical but completely reasonable, if MacFarlane were as well-known for being anti ANYTHING else besides Christianity, he would be forever disinvited to serve in such a capacity...
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