prisonchaplain

Senior Moderator
  • Posts

    13938
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    92

Reputation Activity

  1. Like
    prisonchaplain got a reaction from mordorbund in Angel Studios: The Shift   
    Big picture thought: Do we lament lost Hollywood, circle the wagons, and spend our time watching B-grade religious movies. OR do we engage the culture by producing and consuming the high-quality stuff? Of course, the actual answer is some of both. The first impulse is most common among Fundamentalists while Evangelicals favor the latter approach. Yet, even in those camps you'll find a mix. There is a lot of dross in Hollywood. Sadly, a good amount of Christian production is of poor quality. Love those gems that are both well done and faith affirming.
  2. Like
    prisonchaplain got a reaction from Vort in Angel Studios: The Shift   
    IMHO Angel Studios is attempting to make faith affirming movies that are interesting enough that non-believers will watch. There are a couple of movies that come to mind (one Catholic, one Jewish) that were R-rated, yet definitely affirmed faith and had well-recognized production value. Movies about real life events can sometimes work well. Sound of Freedom (I haven't seen it) had potential, though it became politicized, then key players ran into controversy. These movies are few and far between, but they happen.
    Some faith-affirming movies flop miserable. All the Left Behind movies failed at the box office. I've seen them all. The Kirk Cameron ones (1990s) were okay for Evangelicals but had weak production value. The two re-dos tried and failed to reach the broader public. The blind was a sweet movie about the Duck Dynasty family but felt like something that would quickly go to streaming. 
    All this to say, it can work, but this is tough work and there is a lot of competition. Nevertheless, it may be worthwhile. 
  3. Like
    prisonchaplain got a reaction from LDSGator in Angel Studios: The Shift   
    IMHO Angel Studios is attempting to make faith affirming movies that are interesting enough that non-believers will watch. There are a couple of movies that come to mind (one Catholic, one Jewish) that were R-rated, yet definitely affirmed faith and had well-recognized production value. Movies about real life events can sometimes work well. Sound of Freedom (I haven't seen it) had potential, though it became politicized, then key players ran into controversy. These movies are few and far between, but they happen.
    Some faith-affirming movies flop miserable. All the Left Behind movies failed at the box office. I've seen them all. The Kirk Cameron ones (1990s) were okay for Evangelicals but had weak production value. The two re-dos tried and failed to reach the broader public. The blind was a sweet movie about the Duck Dynasty family but felt like something that would quickly go to streaming. 
    All this to say, it can work, but this is tough work and there is a lot of competition. Nevertheless, it may be worthwhile. 
  4. Like
    prisonchaplain got a reaction from NeuroTypical in Angel Studios: The Shift   
    Big picture thought: Do we lament lost Hollywood, circle the wagons, and spend our time watching B-grade religious movies. OR do we engage the culture by producing and consuming the high-quality stuff? Of course, the actual answer is some of both. The first impulse is most common among Fundamentalists while Evangelicals favor the latter approach. Yet, even in those camps you'll find a mix. There is a lot of dross in Hollywood. Sadly, a good amount of Christian production is of poor quality. Love those gems that are both well done and faith affirming.
  5. Thanks
    prisonchaplain reacted to CommanderSouth in What to Make of LDS/Evangelical YouTube Videos   
    Yeah. I finally watched the video. Well at least half of it. I gave up. I don’t see deception in what he’s doing. I mean, sure, he’s saying he is searching for truth. But much like most, he thinks he has it so he’s not engaging too hard with the content. 
     
    I don’t see that as maliciousness. I also don’t think he’s wrong. He says up front he wants to learn. And I believe it. He’s never said he is questioning what is true. You have to be open to the gospel (of any flavor) to be truly receptive. He isn’t. But I’ve never heard him say he was. He’s searching for truth in the broad sense. Not questioning what IS true. So until then as long as he witnesses like we witness, it’s a win win. Besides, if you don’t care what an evangelical pastor says, don’t watch his content   I guess I just understood his witnessing as implied. The fact he’s engaging with us while still discussing his beliefs said that to me without words. 
  6. Like
    prisonchaplain got a reaction from CommanderSouth in What to Make of LDS/Evangelical YouTube Videos   
    I don't know Pastor Jeff, nor do I subscribe to his channel. However, I give him credit for being pretty upfront about what he's doing. Of course, he's trying to convert LDS to Trinitarianism--he's an Evangelical PASTOR! So, there's no cunning in his approach. At the same time, he's definitely not hostile, angry, aggressive, or even disrespectful. @CommanderSouthis exactly right. If the Restoration is true and Pastor Jeff is sincere, he might be the one to convert. Either way, at least he's not condescending. BTW, I agree with those here who said that it's predominantly the algorithm. 😉
  7. Thanks
    prisonchaplain reacted to CommanderSouth in What to Make of LDS/Evangelical YouTube Videos   
    I’ve watched several of his videos and I can at least say he’s respectful. But I’m sure the algorithm knows I am looking for Pentecostal/Protestant crossover content too   
    Maybe he’s playing the long con and trying to witness to us. But if he does it like we’re supposed to by just being kind, sharing, and being genuinely ok if we don’t bite, then he’s doing it right. If he listens thinks about our message and shares his when applicable, and is respectful of one’s decisions and treats people with love, what else matters?
     
    And in all honesty, if that’s his way of proselytizing, send an army of them to Utah. As long as they’re willing to learn while engaging with us and listen to the spirit (even if they don’t end up in the church) that’s all one can ask. I think is be more angry if he DIDNT “witness” to us if he really felt that way. 
  8. Thanks
    prisonchaplain reacted to Ironhold in What to Make of LDS/Evangelical YouTube Videos   
    There's also the fact that a lot of mainline Christians are coming to realize that somehow we're doing a pretty good job of holding things together and pushing back against the modern world. They're curious as to how we're getting it done and want to learn more about us. They know we can be allies for the greater good, and are going from there.
  9. Like
    prisonchaplain reacted to laronius in What to Make of LDS/Evangelical YouTube Videos   
    I think there is interest among members of our church in seeing how our beliefs are viewed by other Christians. I think we often view ourselves as being misunderstood and if only people could see what we really believe they will think differently about us and see we really are Christian. And when these individuals say complementary things about our church that's just proof that our feelings are justified. And everyone likes to be complimented, right?
    But as to why it's showing up in your feed is entirely algorithm based. I've watched a few of these types of videos and now they keep showing up.
  10. Like
    prisonchaplain reacted to NeuroTypical in Angel Studios: The Shift   
    Angel Studios is one of the spin-off things that came from Vidangel, the company that allows you to watch movies with some of the sex/violence/bad language edited out.   I'm a fan.  They survived getting almost sued out of existence by Disney and other big studios, and have had to do no small amount of reinventing themselves to stay alive.  
  11. Like
    prisonchaplain reacted to Vort in Angel Studios: The Shift   
    My wife took me on a date to the movie. It was not bad, better than I had been thinking going in. Supposed to be a sci-fi retelling of Job. I'd say more fantasy than sci-fi, but a reasonable effort. I enjoyed it, and would watch it again.
  12. Like
    prisonchaplain got a reaction from JohnsonJones in Ben Shapiro vs. Candace Owens   
    That dirt is neither little nor secret. There's plenty of Jew-hatred on both sides. Since I lean conservative that's the side breaking my heart.
  13. Like
    prisonchaplain got a reaction from JohnsonJones in Ben Shapiro vs. Candace Owens   
    To define this perspective more precisely--it is the America First-Isolationist faction. They argue that any foreign aid (military or social) must directly and immediately benefit U.S. interests.  This faction is tepid about supporting Israel, mercenary about Taiwan, and opposed to helping Ukraine.
    Another "conservative" faction is the overt antisemites--including those who are white supremist and those who just despise Jewish people.
  14. Like
    prisonchaplain got a reaction from Grunt in For NeverTrumpers: An appeal to not vote Hillary over Trump   
    Media's bias against Trump is the biggest non-secret there is. Their own telling is that media built him up and he became a monster that they could not stop or tame.
  15. Like
    prisonchaplain got a reaction from LDSGator in For NeverTrumpers: An appeal to not vote Hillary over Trump   
    A possible answer: 

  16. Thanks
    prisonchaplain reacted to LDSGator in For NeverTrumpers: An appeal to not vote Hillary over Trump   
    Understand totally. I’m in your boat as well. 
  17. Like
    prisonchaplain got a reaction from LDSGator in For NeverTrumpers: An appeal to not vote Hillary over Trump   
    I feel the same way about Trump--and I'm moderately conservative. The majority of Americans agree with us. And yet, here we are. 🤷‍♀️
  18. Like
    prisonchaplain got a reaction from LDSGator in Ben Shapiro vs. Candace Owens   
    That dirt is neither little nor secret. There's plenty of Jew-hatred on both sides. Since I lean conservative that's the side breaking my heart.
  19. Like
    prisonchaplain got a reaction from LDSGator in Ben Shapiro vs. Candace Owens   
    To define this perspective more precisely--it is the America First-Isolationist faction. They argue that any foreign aid (military or social) must directly and immediately benefit U.S. interests.  This faction is tepid about supporting Israel, mercenary about Taiwan, and opposed to helping Ukraine.
    Another "conservative" faction is the overt antisemites--including those who are white supremist and those who just despise Jewish people.
  20. Like
    prisonchaplain reacted to LDSGator in Ben Shapiro vs. Candace Owens   
    I agree both sides are guilty of it. But there’s no doubt that the majority of pro Palestine demonstrators and activists aren’t wearing MAGA hats and listening to Fox News. 
  21. Thanks
    prisonchaplain reacted to JohnsonJones in Ben Shapiro vs. Candace Owens   
    It's coming from both sides.
    On the liberal side you have these kids that have no experience with the deception Hamas is doing (committing warcrimes by using human shields for starters) and sympathize with the propaganda Hamas is sending out. 
    On the Conservative side you have those who wish to send no support to Israel (thus by default supporting their enemies).
    Those of us who support Israel seem to be growing smaller each day. 
    I can see the non-support/dislike of Israel growing (and it's predicted to in the Bible) among our nation and others along these types of lines unfortunately.  That said, sometimes you have to stand against evil groups, and Hamas is an evil group.
    Ironically if you look at it from the areas I visit, as Hamas is supported by Iranian interests, that goes contrary to the Saudi/Sunni interests of the area. 
  22. Like
    prisonchaplain got a reaction from Grunt in Ben Shapiro vs. Candace Owens   
    Many LDS are conservative. I tend to be, as well. So are Ben Shapiro and Candace Owens. Lately, Shapiro, who is an orthodox Jew, and Owens, a Christian, have been at serious odds. Owens works for the Daily Wire (Shapiro owns a part of the outlet). She's been vaguely critical of Israel's response to the Hamas attack. When Shapiro publicly labeled her response disgusting, she responded by quoting the New Testament--saying that God blesses peacemakers and that she could not serve both God and money. Shapiro responded that if she felt that taking money from the Daily Wire was coming between her and God then she was welcome to quit. She responded to that by saying that she was quoting the Bible, and that the Bible was not about Shapiro. Some even suggested that Shapiro was persecuting her for citing the New Testament.
    While I don't judge people's souls, I feel safe in guessing at their political intent. My sense is that Owen's quoting from the New Testament was an intentionally passive-aggressive slam at Shapiro. Further, her stated ignorance of any context Shapiro might have for context, as well as her surprise at learning Shapiro wasn't happy with her appear feigned. Owens is incredibly smart. I suspect that she is an America-first isolationist. It's her prerogative, but the fake confusion on her part doesn't engender any sympathy from me. 
  23. Like
    prisonchaplain got a reaction from mirkwood in Ben Shapiro vs. Candace Owens   
    Many LDS are conservative. I tend to be, as well. So are Ben Shapiro and Candace Owens. Lately, Shapiro, who is an orthodox Jew, and Owens, a Christian, have been at serious odds. Owens works for the Daily Wire (Shapiro owns a part of the outlet). She's been vaguely critical of Israel's response to the Hamas attack. When Shapiro publicly labeled her response disgusting, she responded by quoting the New Testament--saying that God blesses peacemakers and that she could not serve both God and money. Shapiro responded that if she felt that taking money from the Daily Wire was coming between her and God then she was welcome to quit. She responded to that by saying that she was quoting the Bible, and that the Bible was not about Shapiro. Some even suggested that Shapiro was persecuting her for citing the New Testament.
    While I don't judge people's souls, I feel safe in guessing at their political intent. My sense is that Owen's quoting from the New Testament was an intentionally passive-aggressive slam at Shapiro. Further, her stated ignorance of any context Shapiro might have for context, as well as her surprise at learning Shapiro wasn't happy with her appear feigned. Owens is incredibly smart. I suspect that she is an America-first isolationist. It's her prerogative, but the fake confusion on her part doesn't engender any sympathy from me. 
  24. Love
    prisonchaplain got a reaction from Just_A_Guy in Favoring Israel   
    I can meet you half way. Regardless of how much Heavenly Father forgives us, we need JAG. 😌
  25. Like
    prisonchaplain got a reaction from askandanswer in Favoring Israel   
    I can meet you half way. Regardless of how much Heavenly Father forgives us, we need JAG. 😌