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How Religious Figures Are Depicted

Decent Essays

How Religious Figures are Depicted in Films
Religion often plays an important role in Hollywood films, but do Hollywood films play an important role in religion? Perhaps the better question is, “Does film play an important role in the way people understand religious concepts?
Although the best reasons for “going to the movies” are to be entertained and eat popcorn, understanding a film is actually quite complex. Movies are not only a reflection of life, they also have the capability of shaping our norms, values, attitudes, and perception of life. Through the media of film, one can find stories of practically anything imaginable and some things unimaginable. Movie-makers use their art to entertain, to promote political agendas, to educate, and to present life as it is, was, or could be. They can present truth, truth as they interpret it, or simply ignore truth altogether. A movie can be a work of fiction, non-fiction, or anything in-between. A film is an artist’s interpretation. What one takes away from a film depends upon how one interprets what has been seen and heard. Understanding film is indeed difficult.
Understanding religion is also complex. In American society, Christianity is the largest religion; however, there are vast differences among Christians, as to what one is to believe and how one’s beliefs are to be put into practice. It’s the mixture of beliefs and practices of other religions and the absence of any religious belief. America is indeed a melting pot when

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