Selling Jesus...

[zenith-nadir]

I wasn't sure if this should be here or in the religion thread. But I decided that it is not a debate about religion, rather a debate about making money off religion. So I chose to put it in current events.


As everyone knows "The Passion" is the new Mel Gibson movie about the life and death of Jesus. Who will make money off the "The Passion"? Mel Gibson and the studio. What is the topic of the movie? Jesus Christ.

So here you have "product" that is being sold for "profit", and the "hook" is Jesus Christ. Is that right or wrong to profit off peoples religious beliefs?

I have yet to make up my mind. I just find it weird that it is being promoted by Christian groups far and wide...I dunno, it just seems weird to me.

[Segnosaur]

Originally posted by zenith-nadir
So here you have "product" that is being sold for "profit", and the "hook" is Jesus Christ. Is that right or wrong to profit off peoples religious beliefs?

.

Not to be too cynical, but isn't that what all organized christian religions do? However, instead of profiting by getting people to see a movie, they profit by getting people to donate to the church.

[Tmy]

I think the hook is that its supposedto be super realistic.

Which makes me wonder why they didnt have some darker jew playing JC instead of some blueyed french (?) roman catholic guy.

[toddjh]

Seeing Gibson talk about it, I really think his intention was to make a movie to reflect his beliefs, not to make money. I think he's a little...misguided, but not dishonest. I'll reserve judgement about the movie itself until I see it, if I ever do.

So, with that in mind, I can see why Christians are interested. I doubt most people worry too much about where their money goes when they buy a movie ticket. They're going out to see a movie they think they will find worthwhile; that sounds perfectly fine to me.

Jeremy

[Crossbow]

Christian movies ...

Ben-Hur,
The Ten Commandments (there are four film versions of this one I can think of),
The Robe,
Quo Vadius,
The Last Temptation of Christ,
Jesus Christ Super Star,
and so on.

Hollywood has a long tradition of making movies and money via Christian themes.

[Zero]

Hey, Jesus has some kick-a$$ merchandise!!http://store2.yimg.com/I/jsbstash_1780_572384

[zenith-nadir]

Maybe I miscommunicated. I am aware of other projects involving Jesus, but is it morally ethical to make money off peoples' belief in God?

[whitefork]

One big consequence of belief in god is the giving of one's money to further the wishes of god and works on his behalf.

For that reason, it would be unethical not to take believer's money.

[tedly]

Originally posted by Zero
Hey, Jesus has some kick-a$$ merchandise!!http://store2.yimg.com/I/jsbstash_1780_572384

"I don't care if it rains or freezes
'long as I got my plastic Jeezes..

Get yourself a sweet Madonna
dressed in rhinestones sittin' onna
pedestal of abalone shell."

Ernie Marrs must have been Bob Dylan's rhyme coach