Christianity and Disney

[Lou Mongello]

Here's a stretch: What about The Black Hole, where we are asked of Dr. Reinhert - What are the limits to which man can play God?

Streeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetch

[dzneynut]

How about the Ave Maria segment of Fantasia?

[iwannabeminnie]

I know it isn't a Disney movie, but I did learn from an animated movie that "All Dogs Go To Heaven."

[iwannabeminnie]

Oh, I remember Penny saying her prayers in "The Rescuers". Lilo also did and asked for a friend.

It isn't animated, but we all know there are "Angels in the Outfield" (and the infield, and the end zone), but they won't come around if there is a lot of foul language flying around.

[shadesofgreen]

Robin Hood has a few direct Christian references:
Friar Tuck "Your last farthing? Little sister, no one can give more than that!" points right toward the story of the Widow's Mite in Mark 12.
This is a great strand!

[iwannabeminnie]

oooohh. Good one shadesofgreen!

[hillo]

I hope they keep all the religious symbolism in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Also, iwannabeminnie, The Magician's Nephew is the first Chronicles of Narnia book. I just read them because of the movie coming out that I can't wait for. I posted on the Southern Baptist stop boycott message board about my friend that wasn't sure about seeing the movie because is was Disney and I was surprised when I first saw this topic. I have always thought of Disney as having good morals in their movies, but a lot of other people say that Disney has all kinds of bad hidden messages. Besides the ones all ready mentioned, I can only think of the transformation of the Beast as being a transformation after becoming a Christian into "a new creature". We used that as the reason for doing Beauty and the Beast as our school production.

[iwannabeminnie]

Some people find evil everywhere they look.

[SnwhtNdwrfs]

I enjoy this thread. I have seen a lot of christianity in the films but of course, can't think of any now.

My mother had "issues" with Mulan and the fact they pray to the dead ancestors. Different than this thread, I know.

[shadesofgreen]

I'm a Christian and one of my favorite movies is Mulan (I even liked Mulan II!)
Disney isn't asking anyone to worship dead ancestors, just giving a taste of another culture.

[SnwhtNdwrfs]

That was my point with my mom but she decided she didn't like the movie. That is fine. She doesn't have to buy it or watch it. We just spoke with our kids about how that is not what Christianity is based on. My kids just like the dragon.

I haven't seen Mulan II yet

[MommytoMJM]

We love Mulan and Mulan 2 here also and hercules, etc........

[cuthill]

So far 4 correct answers have been offered.

the ave maria segment in fantasia
God helps the outcasts in Hunchback
Small One
Friar Tuck's biblical reference in Robin Hood.

I hadn't anticipated that last one. I'm still thinking of one more.

BTW if anyone's interested, there's a great book out now by Mark Pinksy called The Gospel According to Disney. Here he makes the argument that although Walt did not attend church regularly, he was deeply dedicted to the Christian faith. He explores the Christian story as a ground for many of the classic films produced under Walt's supervison, and compares them to the films produced during the Eisner years. An interesting read.

[hillo]

Are you saying you didn't anticipate the one I posted about the Beast's transformation?

[DissyLove]

I like this thread, and although can't think of another good reference to mention, I always appreciate the "messages" in many Disney films about caring, kindness, honesty, and family.

I also like the experience of being able to introduce different cultures and people (even though thru an animated character) at a young age to my kids, like Mulan, Aladdin, etc....