Clergy vote Rowan Williams as 'one of the least effective' modern archbishops
Perhaps the most surprising results were in the category of the favourite film with a religious theme. Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, which was condemned as anti-Semitic when it was released this year, won the vote -- narrowly ahead of The Miracle Maker, the animated story of Christ that was released in 2000. Not everyone was so complimentary about the Gibson film, however, with one voter likening it to "a trip to the butchers". Only a handful of voters opted for Hollywood blockbusters such as Ben Hur, the majority choosing films that they thought had a deeper moral message. However, the highly irreverent Monty Python film, The Life of Brian, which was banned in some parts of the country when it was first released in 1979, tied in fourth position with Chariots of Fire, a film about Olympic athletes. The Mission came third. One voter said: "Every Christian should be made to watch The Life of Brian because it is important that we can laugh at ourselves." Other films chosen included, bizarrely, the Disney cartoon Finding Nemo -- described as a "prodigal son for our times" -- The Matrix (a science fiction trilogy), and Bruce Almighty, which starred Jim Carey as a man who is given divine powers.
Daily Telegraph, September 12
Full Version: Anglican clergy vote on favorite films!
What? No Shawshank Redemption?! Thankfully every other film stereotype is accounted for. The Matrix, Bruce Almighty... I'm not quite sure why the Telegraph is surprised, all these films have cropped up before in discussions of what vicars like when they're demonstrating their relevance to the world of cinema(especially Life of Brian)
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| One voter said: "Every Christian should be made to watch The Life of Brian because it is important that we can laugh at ourselves." |
Interesting reasoning for a film set in a period before the foundation of the church. (Yeah, I know, irreverance and all. I just have to make fun of clergy, it's my duty as a lay worker in ministry)
But, then, I'm obviously just not a good enough Anglican. I thank Rowan Williams is great and that Ely Cathedral is blatantly a lot better than York Minster.
Phil.
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| What? No Shawshank Redemption?! Thankfully every other film stereotype is accounted for. The Matrix, Bruce Almighty... I'm not quite sure why the Telegraph is surprised, all these films have cropped up before in discussions of what vicars like when they're demonstrating their relevance to the world of cinema(especially Life of Brian) |
Yeah great point, but then the telegraph likes to be surtprised by everything the church does that's not the 1662 prayer book.
I find it actually quite interesting that a poll as to clergy's favourite films would be included in a poll as to who is the best archbishop.
As for the main reported finsing - this is so stupid. What, an Archbishop that's not even been in office for 2 years hasn't had as much influence as those that were in office for over ten?
I can only wonder how ineffective the 2 were that finished below him. He's oing well to have passed any of them IMHO. Besides no-one really recognises you in these sort of roles until long after you've gone.
Matt
I find it actually quite interesting that a poll as to clergy's favourite films would be included in a poll as to who is the best archbishop.
As for the main reported finsing - this is so stupid. What, an Archbishop that's not even been in office for 2 years hasn't had as much influence as those that were in office for over ten?
I can only wonder how ineffective the 2 were that finished below him. He's oing well to have passed any of them IMHO. Besides no-one really recognises you in these sort of roles until long after you've gone.Matt
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| When asked to vote for their favourite hymn, the clergy, perhaps surprisingly, chose a contemporary offering, Here I am Lord - which was written in 1981 by Daniel Schutte - ahead of traditional favourites such as Amazing Grace and Jerusalem. |
OT here, I know, but on-topic of the Telegraph being surprised at stupid things. "Jerusalem"--a "hymn" with a nice tune and virtually no theological content. Why wouldn't any clergyperson with half a brain pick something else, even "Here I Am," over it? It's like picking "God Bless America" as one's favorite hymn...
Actually I often wonder if the relative amounts of jingoism and theological content have been misjudged. Blake was well into his eschatology and I always find myself wondering if the song is as much as building the "New Jerusalem" amongst the "dark satanic mills" - maybe I'm totally misinterpreting here, but if there's going to be a new earth then its not beyond the bounds of possibility to say there'd be a new England, and in some senses we can build that now.
Just a thought
Matt
Just a thought
Matt
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