Christianity and Disney

**cuthill** · 07-08-2005, 09:59 AM

Here's a question? I teach a course on Disney at a Christian University. I ask my students to identity at least 4 specific positive references to Christianity or the Biblical story in either feature length Disney movies or shorts. Can anyone figure out what they are?

Note: The upcoming Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe doesn't count because it hasn't been released.

**Kellie19891992** · 07-08-2005, 10:45 AM

I am thinking of Remember the Titans because the one line is you have to trust the soul of a man and not his appearance

**cuthill** · 07-08-2005, 10:55 AM

I should have mentioned in the last post -- I was looking for only references in "animated films". And they are all very direct references to Christianity -- not Christian ethics or principles.

**dzneynut** · 07-08-2005, 10:59 AM

The most obvious one I can think of, is the story of Noah's Ark in Fantasia 2000, accompanied by the music of Pomp and Circumstance.
Do you include cartoon shorts, like "The Small One?"

**disneydreamer98** · 07-08-2005, 11:01 AM

Hunchback of Notre Dame should be one. I know that Esmeralda refers to them 'all being children of God' and that 'God should help the outcast'.

**MandaBella** · 07-08-2005, 11:02 AM

Yes, but the story of Noah is not unique to Christianity. I cannot think of anything specific to the Christian faith just yet.

**disneydreamer98** · 07-08-2005, 11:03 AM

In the Lion King they refer to Heaven after Mufasa dies.

**cuthill** · 07-08-2005, 11:33 AM

Yes. Emerelda's "God Helps the Outcasts" is a specific song directed to the stature of Mary. That's one.

The Noah story is part of 3 major world religions and the heaven reference could be any religion.

3 more to go. 1 is fairly easy, the other 2 are a little more difficult.

**cuthill** · 07-08-2005, 11:45 AM

I didn't notice earlier but Dzynut also mentioned "Small One"

That's 2 out of 4.

**crashbunny** · 07-08-2005, 11:49 AM

heres a comparison of Mickey to David

http://moses.creighton.edu/JRS/2004/2004-2.html

**iwannabeminnie** · 07-08-2005, 11:54 AM

I do not know the answer to this and I feel ashamed. I have though, used the Little Mermaid when my children were young, to show them that God loves us and gave himself up for us like Triton gave himself up to Ursula to redeem Ariel.

PS. Would you be willing to share an outline of your class?

**MommytoMJM** · 07-08-2005, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by iwannabeminnie

I do not know the answer to this and I feel ashamed. I have though, used the Little Mermaid when my children were young, to show them that God loves us and gave himself up for us like Triton gave himself up to Ursula to redeem Ariel.

PS. Would you be willing to share an outline of your class?

Ooooh, I love that, that is awsome Tnina!

**cuthill** · 07-08-2005, 12:16 PM

PS. Would you be willing to share an outline of your class?[/QUOTE]

Sure. It's called Fantasy and Popular Culture. We begin by reading C.S. On Writing for Children and then use it as a basis for looking at several different Disney Films, as well as the expereinmece of the parks. We also look at Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings. After December we'll also be able to watch Lion, Witch and Wardrobe. I'm very excited about this film. Look's like it could be one of the best things Disney has ever done.

**iwannabeminnie** · 07-08-2005, 12:20 PM

I loved The Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe when I was young. I read and reread all of the Chronicles of Narnia, but the first one was and always be my favorite. I can't wait for the movie to come out. I have the animated version and the PBS version (I like the animated better) and can't wait for the new one. This could be an awesome film!

**Jiminy Cricket** · 07-08-2005, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by cuthill

Here's a question? I teach a course on Disney at a Christian University. I ask my students to identity at least 4 specific positive references to Christianity or the Biblical story in either feature length Disney movies or shorts. Can anyone figure out what they are?

Note: The upcoming Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe doesn't count because it hasn't been released.

Welcome to the boards!!!

I have no idea about the religious stuff.