Portrayal of Religious Individuals by Television
The recent series of the BBC2 show, Coupling, presented an episode
where a very religious Christian, James, was presented. In this
episode, James was a presenter for a religious programme at a radio
station, and meets Jane, who has an extremely stereotypical view on
Christians. Jane is non religious herself, which is assured when she
mentions that "I'm Christian too, I just happen to dress well" - which
presents the typical outlook of many people nowadays, that believe
Christians tend to wear 'out of fashion' clothing. James informs Jane
that he is anti-premarital sex, which shocks her. Although James is
religious, he is shown to be in touch with the modern world.
Moreover, another programme that portrays a religious character is the
Vicar of Dibley, in which Geraldine, the Vicar (played by Dawn
French), is conveyed as the only normal person in Dibley. This BBC
sitcom is set in a small country village called Dibley, and focuses on
the characters' involvement in church activities. Although a female,
Geraldine is portrayed as a respectable down to earth vicar who likes
chocolate, sex and music. Geraldine is depicted as a modern character,
although religious, she is able to stick by her religious beliefs and
live her life to the fullest, and is in touch with the contemporary
world.
Within the Simpsons, Marge Simpson is portrayed as the typical loving
housewife who gathers her family every Sunday to attend Church. She is
caring and definitely not unfair, and she is helpful to every other
character. Her frustration is most noticeable when Homer informs her
one Sunday that he does not believe in God and refuses to go to
Church. When alone, God approaches Homer in his dream and confronts
him about why he didn't go to Church. Homer replies that he isn't a
bad guy, and he takes care of his children, so "Why should I spend
half my Sunday hearing about how I'm going to Hell?" Reverend Lovejoy
explains in Church that "the devil lives among them" and Bart begins
Grandpa turns to God whenever he needs true help. Grandpa is a type of person who is mild, witty, and very religious. Grandpa uses religion to solve many of his problems. At the beginning of the story, Miss Love was the target of gossip. The whole entire town viewed her as an outsider and couldn’t understand why she married Grandpa, especially after his wife recently died. After Grandpa elopes, he comes back to the house and finds a group of people mourning the sad death. He introduces his new bride and then out of no where, Grandpa says, “Lord above, afore this gatherin’ assembled, I ask You to bless the memory of Miss Mattie Lou” (Page 99). Everyone stood in silence as Grandpa continued the prayer. Then all of the sudden, people also began to pray along with Grandpa. This is amazing. Grandpa used the power of God to divert the feelings of the crowd. It is very sly of Grandpa to do that. Later on, Will is talking to Grandpa about his frightening encounter with the train. Will asks Grandpa if “[he is] alive [because] of God’s will” (Page 97). Obviously, Grandpa responds with wise words. He tells Will that “God gave [him] a brain” (Page 97). This shows that Grandpa believes God doesn’t do everything. He believes God only does major things. He isn’t there twenty four hours a day but God gives one certain abilities which help at all times. Furthermore, Grandpa starts to give Will a sermon. Grandpa tells him that “[One] don’t git thangs jest by astin’” (Page 98). This shows that Grandpa is an well-educated man who understands the importance of God. He doesn’t even waste his time asking for petty little things because he knows that God would not listen.
"How can you bear to see this child suffering?" (p. 45); "In the book of record Mr. Parris keeps." (p. 64); "The man's ordained, therefore he must have the light of god in him." (p. 66). Reverend
I advocate that Dr. Block and Fr. Finn are unaware associates in the “divine plan” for Asbury. Fr. Finn tells Asbury exactly what it is that he needs to hear: “The Holy Ghost will not come until you see yourself as you are — a lazy ignorant conceited youth.” The interaction between Fr. Finn and Asbury s...
At first, the strictly Christian would watch the religious programmes, but over many years, these programmes became less popular. One of the many reasons for this was David Kremer - the programme editor for BBC religious broadcasting, who noticed that the country had become vaguely religious. The term 'vaguely religious' means; the belief in God, but only going to church for a Christening, wedding etc. As a result, BBC religious broadcasting now only deals with big questions of life such as, 'why are we here?
He uses specific and powerful wording to portray the effects of not undergoing a conversion. Edwards horrifies the people when he uses powerful, frightening words to portray these effects. He speaks of the notorious Devil, whose name makes people shutter; they will do anything to escape from the Devil, even undergo a conversion. Edwards states, “The Devil is waiting for them,” as in the ones whom do not undergo conversion. Edwards also explains to the congregation that not only will they be greeted by the devil if they do not convert, but they will also be endangered by their own God. Their God will be outraged of those who do not undergo a conversion. He explains, “You are in the hands of an angry God.” Edwards’s explanation of this outraged God urges the congregation to undergo conversion fast. Moreover, Edwards uses one last horrific wording to convince the congregation to undergo conversion when he speaks of how some may not escape this dreadful future; this ultimately urges others to hurry in undergoing an emotional conversion. Edwards states, “There are many in this congregation … that will actually be the subjects of this very misery to all eternity.” To conclude, Edwards’s use of negative diction on the outcome of not undergoing conversion urges the congregation to undergo an emotional
The audience experiences Roger Chillingworth in a dramatic yet critical way to justify change and retribution in one character as the consequence of cloaking deep sin and secrets. When first introduced in the story, the narrator refers to Chillingworth as “known as a man of skill” (97) through the point of view of the people in the Puritan town of Salem. He is brought into the story when the town was in a time of need of a physician to help the sickly Reverend Dimmesdale; his arrival is described as an “opportune arrival” because God sent a “providential hand” to save the Reverend. Society views Chillingworth as though as “heaven had wrought an absolute miracle” (97). The narrator feels when Chillingworth arrives in Salem he is good and has no intention of harm of others. Perhaps if the crime of the story had not been committed he would have less sin and fewer devils like features. Although this view of Chillingworth changes quickly, it presents the thought of how Chillingworth is before sin destroys him. Quickly after Chillingworth discovers Dimmesdale’s secret, his features and his character begin to change. The narrator’s attitude changes drastically towards the character from altering his ideas of the kind and intelligent persona to an evil being by using phrases such as “haunted by Satan himself” (101). The narrator portrays the people of the town believing Chillingworth is taking over the ministers soul in the statement “the gloom and terror in the depths of the poor minister’s eyes” (102). Throughout the book, Chillingworth ages exceedingly and rapidly. At the very end of the story, the narrator reveals another change in Chillingworth’s character; he searches for redemption by leaving Pearl a fortune a “very considerable amount of property” (203). By doing this, it shows
Brown begins the journey believing that his forefathers are innocent, good men, but the devil tells Brown that he has been, "…well acquainted with your family as with ever a one among the Puritans; and that’s no trifle to say" (Kelly, 192). Brown's forefathers become equated with the devil. The people of the town are also displaced as the devil. The devil tells Brown, "I have a very general acquaintance here in New England. The deacons of many a church have drunk the communion wince with me; the selectmen of divers towns make me their chairman; and a majority of the Great and General Court are firm supporters of my interest, The governor and I, too----But these are state secrets" (Kelly, 192-93).
In his classic work Christ and Culture, H. Richard Niebuhr asserts that the relationship between earnest followers of Jesus Christ and human culture has been an "enduring problem."1 How should believers who are "disciplining themselves for the purpose of godliness" (1 Tim. 4:7) relate to a world whose culture is dominated by "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life" (1 John 2: 16)? Culture is God's gift and task for human beings created in His image and likeness. At creation humanity received a "cultural mandate" from the sovereign Creator to have dominion over the earth and to cultivate and keep it (Gen. 1:26, 28; 2:15). But sin's effects are total, and culture—whether high, popular, or folk—has been corrupted thoroughly by rebellion, idolatry, and immorality. How, then, should Christians, who have been redeemed, "not with perishable things like gold or silver . . . but with precious blood, as of a lamb, unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ" (1 Pet. 1:18-19) live in relation to culture? According to Jesus in His high priestly prayer, believers are to be in the world but not of it (John 17:11-16). But in what way? How do believers act in and interact with the "crooked and perverse generation" (Phil. 2:15) that surrounds them and of which they are a part?
Duffett, Rachel (2014, March). Consumption, Secular Rituals and Sexuality. Mass Media and Modern Life. Lecture conducted from University of Essex, Colchester, UK.
Living in America we deal with a lot of diversity, especially those in the criminal justice degree program where situations caused by diversity can lead to a problem. Stereotyping is one of the biggest problems that we deal with, particularly in law enforcement. There have been many allegations of police officers accused of going after individuals and accusing them of a crime based on the sole fact of what their religious beliefs might be. This has been going on for a long time; however in recent years, it has gotten worse. The main job of police officers is to uphold the law, not to break it. Although stereotyping is not against the law, police officers have taken an oath to protect all human beings, regardless of their race or religion and stereotyping based on religion should not take place. Just because an individual is of a certain race dose not give us the right to stereotype them as a bad human being.
With the blooming hysteria, the doctors, of the townspeople, concluded that the children were controlled by Satan. In turn, the Reverend, Samuel Parris, ushered prayers, church services, and public
Although, as time has passed the viewers of religious programs have changed. With a new audience come different views on religion. Today the religious styles of programs found on terrestrial television are targeted towards people who are classed as being ‘vaguely religious’.
It's clear to see the media focuses on various reports, television shows, and even sitcoms regarding all forms of psychology. While watching television one can say media basically relies on psychology. The media of psychology views psychology through means of common sense versus an actual science. Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processed. Behavior is anything you do that can be observed. In the media we can observe people through the television screen. Through our observations we learn from their behavior. For example in a famous experiment conducted by Albert Bandura called, "Bobo Doll Experiment," a preschool child is working on a drawing. An adult in another part of the room is building with Tinkertoys. The child is watching this adult through a television screen and watches as the adult gets up and for nearly ten minutes pounds, kicks, and throws around the room a large inflated Bobo doll, while yelling hurtful sayings such as, "Sock him in the nose" or "Hit him down" and even "Kick him". After the adult was done, the child was taken to another room and demonstrated the same actions as they have seen through the television screen to the Bobo Doll. It's clear to see from the experiment the media teaches society many aspects of psychology. From a psychological aspect we see a child observing violent behavior from what the media has presented. Humans learn through observation and in a world where technology is advancing, the media plays a large role.
Television is a vital source from which most Americans receive information. News and media delegates on television have abused theirs powers over society through the airing of appealing news shows that misinform the public. Through literary research and experimentation, it has been proven that people's perception of reality has been altered by the information they receive from such programs. Manipulation, misinterpretation, word arrangement, picture placement and timing are all factors and tricks that play a major role in the case. Research, experimentation, and actual media coverage has pinpointed actual methods used for deceptive advertising. Television influences society in many ways. People are easily swayed to accept a belief that they may not normally have unless expressed on television, since many people think that everything they hear on television is true. This, however, is not always the case. It has been observed that over the past twenty to thirty years, normal social behavior, even actual life roles of men and women and media, regulatory policies have all been altered (Browne 1998). Media has changed with time, along with quality and respectability. Many Americans receive and accept false information that is merely used as an attention grabber that better the show's ratings and popularity. Many magazines and Journal reviews have periodically discussed the "muckraking" that many tabloid shows rely on to draw in their viewers. This involves sensationalizing a story to make it more interesting, therefore increasing the interest of the audience. "Along the way, all sorts of scandalous substance and goofy tricks appear, but not much mystery in the logic," (Garnson 1997). People often know that these shows aim to deceive them, but still accept the information as truth. Many times, people have strong opinions on certain topics. Yet, when they are exposed to the other side of the argument, they may be likely to agree with the opposite view. As Leon Festinger said, "If I chose to do it (or say it), I must believe in it," (Myers 1997). This is an example of Festinger's cognitive dissonance theory, which pertains to acting contrary to our beliefs. Television influences many people to change their original beliefs. It has the viewers think that the majority of other people hold the contrary idea. Once these views are presented, people have the option to hol...
Earth Show, which can be seen on BBC1 at 10.00am, in the god - slot