Popcorn & prayers

The last few weeks have been pretty exciting for institutionalized religion. In September, thousands marched in London as a sign of their disapproval of Pope Benedict’s visit. The movement, organized by Protest The Pope, criticized the Vatican for “opposing the distribution of condoms and so increasing large families in poor countries and the spread of AIDS,” among other cheerful things.

Later in September, something similar — though more spontaneous, I believe — took place in Manila when Carlos Celdran stood in front of the altar at the Manila Cathedral to express his displeasure at the Church’s meddling with the Reproductive Health bill. The daring move earned the city’s most famous tour guide and performance artist fans as well as death threats.

It was what that slow news week needed: a one-man Rickroll that deftly incorporated politics, religion, Filipino literature and pop culture. The drama may have died down a bit, but until the RH bill is passed, hopefully sooner than later, the debate will continue to rage on. Whatever the outcome, the issue has made me notice a couple of things: First, that Carlos Celdran as the “‘Damaso’ dissenter” — Spot.ph dubbed him that — would make a totally rocking Halloween costume; and second, that the whole thing should be made into a movie stat.       

Holy toast!: Finn (Cory Monteith) prays to a sandwich in a recent episode of Glee.

You don’t have to be Catholic to realize that the battle between dogma and doubt could sometimes qualify as great viewing. Sherwood Baptist Church, from Albany, Georgia with over 2000 attendants, runs its own Christian film production company. The God-fearing filmmakers are currently producing Courageous, about the importance of fatherhood. Other bible-thumpers, it seems, have followed suit: Yorba Linda Friends Church in Orange County, California has just wrapped its film, Not Today, about human trafficking; they were able to recruit actor John Schneider, best known for his role as Jonathan Kent on the long-running Smallville.

If they can do it, Pinoys can, too. Though the Roman Catholic Church isn’t supposed to run itself like a money-making machine, nothing should stop it from hooking up with those that do. Star Cinema’s Sa Yo Lamang had a strong quasi-religious vibe, proving that you can sneak some 7th Heaven values into a mainstream vehicle. Of course, if the Church in the Philippines is to rebrand itself — or at least speed up its transition into something less archaic — it should be doing more than recruiting Enchong Dee and Bea Alonzo. 

Though one of its least hilarious, Glee’s recent theology-themed episode made God more palatable to young people. It was a tricky subject to tackle, but as it was somehow respectfully done, it made faith in a higher being less theoretical. Finn’s Grilled Cheesus bit was especially lol-worthy.

Anyway, if the Catholic Church wants to be more relevant, they really have to find ways to update their image. A cool, faith-based film is probably a good place to start. 

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