I told my wife last night that I want to take the family to Monty Python's

Life of Brian. We have 4 boys age 14-12. She said she didn't want me taking the boys to that movie because she felt it, and I, would make fun of Christianity and the boys shouldn't see it with me. I feel that if you are secure in the correctness of your position than it should easily withstand a little fun being poked at it. While my wife is a very good democrat and contributing member of DU she does a passable imitation of a fundie when the subject turns to religion. I do not think she is a fundie but I think she is closer to being one than she would like to admit.

So do you think that the movie is critical of Christianity or should I make sure my boys get to see it? They all have a high opinion of Monty Python.

By the way what date does the movie come back to theaters?

you can still rent it, though. I'd say that is as good an age as any to let them see it.
Anything that makes 'em think critically will do them good in the long run.

early teen hood is a good time to expose kids to Monty Python. Instilling early critical thought in children, especially in matters religious and political, is our only hope as a nation. The Religious Right seeks to do things the opposite way. Always do the opposite of what they do and you'll never be far off.

;-)

Glad you're back, Kephra. :hi:

:hi:

LOB is not inherently critical of religion; it's just a parody of some of the more ludicrous aspects of religious faith in general, and of the Christian faith in particular. Would she say that Mel Brooks' portrayals of Jews in his movies are anti-Semitic?

It may be a sore subject with her, like the cancellation of "Quantum Leap" is with me. When people make jokes about the cancellation of "Quantum Leap," I glare at them and tell them some things just aren't funny.

Any woman raising 4 boys age 14-12 is not a woman to be trifled with. Do as she says.

Especially if they love Monty Python, it's a must see!

It is not about Christianity by the way, it does however lampoon the kind of people who are self-promoters and claim to be Christians, though in a very indirect way.

but of groupthink. Ancient Judea, with its proliferation of messiah cults that sprung in response to the Roman occupation, happens to be a superb setting for that critique. Note that the Python group takes great pains to demonstrate clearly that Brian is NOT Jesus - even going so far as to place Brian in the audience at the Sermon on the Mount. The film also strongly slams political factionalism and authoritarianism. And speech impediments.

I, myself, endeavor to Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.

Even if you are a believer, you should be able to see the religion's GLARING faults. Poking fun at its foibles is not the same as mocking Christ himself. I saw it when I was your kids' age, and it didn't offend me a bit. (Of course I'm a lifelong atheist, even as a teen. )

A good parent knows when their child is ready to view certain things. Perhaps she is more discerning than you are. Teenage years are really rough and you question everything. LOB was written for adults. It does mock all religion. To anyone attempting to raise kids in the church now, some movies are too much to consider.
I bet she didn't take them to The Passion either so they wouldn't be forced to believe through too intense of an experience.

It doesn't make fun of Christianity at all, but at the people who blindly follow. As such I would have thought it was a great talking point about what's going on around us at the moment.

But more importantly, it's very, very funny.

but the fact that there is full frontal nudity for both male and female. If that isn't an issue in your family then by all means take them.

I saw Life of Brian for the first time last night and I loved the movie. As a Christian, I had a great laugh at how folks would just blindly follow anyone who they think is a Messiah. (one of my favorite quotes is I say you are Lord, and I should know. I've followed a few. )

Take care!

an atheist, so perhaps my opinion is a little off... but...
If someones faith is so weak that a movie poking fun at some aspects of their faith will cause them to question it, or denounce it, perhaps their faith needs a little work. That isn't referring to you, your children, or your wife, as I know little to nothing about them :) Just a general observation. Life of Brian is a funny movie, and if your kids express and interest when you bring it up, I say take them. In my opinion, the only way to truly cultivate spirituality and belief is to expose yourself to things that may cause you to think about it, or even laugh about it. If you shelter your children from opinions that may differ from what you'd prefer they believe, I think it ends up being less about true faith and more about blind faith, which tends to be frail.

"I never give them hell. I just tell the truth and they think it's hell."

It's too bad that some people with sincere hearts have in many cases had their brains wired to step in time with the army of the irrational.

No religion holds up well to the lightest examination of it's logic.

Religion also seems to instill a mindset that more times than not has
no capacity to take the result of any sincere examination as anything other than negative.