The Big Bad Movie - A new free play now available

Anyone remember The Last Temptation of Christ? It was the Golden Compass of his day, a blasphemous motion picture with a name cast and director that caused a huge outcry in the Christian community. Churches were urged to boycott and even picket the movie, demanding people stay away. The movie was not expected to draw that well, but thanks to the protests of angry Christians, it sold a few more tickets than anticipated.

Generally speaking, Hollywood is not Christian, and Hollywood does not make films that honor God. This is not news. In fact, every Friday they release a slew of movies filled with violence, sex, profanity, and other things that should offend us. (Funny how no one marched in protest against "Wedding Crashers", for example.) But sometimes a movie comes along that so offends our faith, we blog about it, spam our friends with warnings to stay away, and even drag out billboards with a teary-eyed Jesus to park in front of the movie theater while we march the picket line.

My question is, is this a genuine response of concern by the Christian community that Hollywood is pulling a fast one... or are we being played?

No question there are people out there who hate God, hate Jesus, hate the Bible, and want to discredit everything to do with Christianity. But movie studios, like every other business in America, are out to make money. They know sensationalism and controvery sell as well as star power and big name franchises, and they know how to play to the audience that won't come as well as the one that will.

I know you meant well. I know you were convicted in your heart to do it. But everytime you blasted an email warning people about The DaVinci Code, Dogma, Harry Potter, The Golden Compass, whatever... you gave them 100% free publicity.

Hollywood pays for TV ads, movie posters, web banners, and the like. They don't pay for you to blog or email about a movie you find offensive. And let's face it, the more people say "Don't go," the more people want to go.

We've all been played. It's time we own up to that.

That's what The Big Bad Movie is all about. Check out the new black comedy about Hollywood and the church at www.righteousinsanity.com/bigbad.html