Freethought & Rationalism Archive

10-06-2002, 07:04 PM

Quote:

The star is an asparagus. His buddies include a tomato and a cucumber. And they are featured in a movie based on the biblical tale of Jonah, the guy who got swallowed by a whale.

What's the big idea? At Big Idea Productions, it's that childrens' entertainment can teach children a thing or two about morality and religious faith yet still trigger a belly laugh or two.

The independent studio from suburban Chicago is about to find out if mainstream moviegoing audiences agree. Its first feature-length film, "Jonah — A VeggieTales Movie," was to open yesterday.

Big Idea has put $14 million into the movie, making it a gamble even though the company has sold nearly 30 million of the startlingly successful "VeggieTales" animated videos over the past nine years.

<a href="http://www.washtimes.com/national/20021005-32538686.htm" target="_blank">Article</a>

Viti · 10-06-2002, 07:07 PM

You had never heard of Veggie Tales before? They are a big money maker on the vido market

Hedwig · 10-06-2002, 07:14 PM

The commercials for the movie have been all over Animal Planet for the past month or so. I love computer animation but I think I'll skip this one.

K · 10-06-2002, 07:33 PM

My three year old son loves Veggie Tales. You can imagine how this sticks in my craw. I try not to give him any indication of my revulsion. I'd like him to be able to make up his own mind about religion when he gets older. I've even offered to take him to the movie although I'm still wrestling with ethical issues related to putting cash in the coffers of evangelizers.

Starboy · 10-06-2002, 08:07 PM

Somehow there is something very fitting in a collection of vegetables teaching children Christianity.

Starboy

Undercurrent · 10-06-2002, 08:53 PM

Quote:

What's the big idea? At Big Idea Productions, it's that childrens' entertainment can teach children a thing or two about morality and religious faith yet still trigger a belly laugh or two.

I didn't realize there was a shortage of people teaching about religious faith who simultaneously trigger a belly laugh.

Quote:

He <The author of the series> contrasts that <his philosphy> with the "modern worldview" that he thinks was typified by Walt Disney and survives in preschool entertainment. It sees no Author but upholds ideals and another grand story, "the triumph of reason, evolution and the progress of the human spirit."

That's the real scary part.

m.

HelenM · 10-07-2002, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Undercurrent:
<strong>He <The author of the series> contrasts that <his philosphy> with the "modern worldview" that he thinks was typified by Walt Disney and survives in preschool entertainment. It sees no Author but upholds ideals and another grand story, "the triumph of reason, evolution and the progress of the human spirit."

That's the real scary part.

m.</strong>

What do you find scary about that quote? I agree that every movie is as indoctrinating as Jonah (the Veggie Tales one). I think it's foolish not to realize that movies are powerful and they all push their own worldview.

Anyway we already went to see Jonah. If you liked the videos you'll like it...if you didn't you won't...that was my impression. My kids love the videos.

The theme of the Jonah movie is the importance of mercy and compassion. Which is what Christians generally teach from the book of Jonah.

take care
Helen

ju'iblex · 10-07-2002, 02:51 AM

i despise Veggie Tales with a passion. im in my last year of high school, and there are about 10-15 girls who have the images of the things plastered all over their stuff. they own the sing-aling CD's, the videos and whatever other merchandising crap you can think of and it really gets my goat.

surely if Gods love were strong and powerful enough, then they wouldnt have to get some animated cosmetibles to indoctrinate small children.

Undercurrent · 10-07-2002, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by HelenM:
<strong>What do you find scary about that quote? I agree that every movie is as indoctrinating as Jonah (the Veggie Tales one). I think it's foolish not to realize that movies are powerful and they all push their own worldview.</strong>

Just the notion that human achievement (the triumph of reason, evolution and the progress of the human spirit) is somehow inadequate without a captial-A Author. I would not have chilren taught that to achieve is not a goal in itself and must be validated by the ass-smooching of any external entity to count.

Granted that the author does not take this to the extremes, (e.g. the Jack Chick doctorine of "faith in God trumps any human achievement as an indicator of value",) but it is a step in that direction.

m.

Jamie_L · 10-07-2002, 11:12 AM

The sad thing, to me, is that other than the religious stuff, Veggie Tales are damn funny videos. The humor these guys have is right up my alley. My kids have the "Silly Songs" video which is just about completely devoid of theology. And it cracks me up.

If the rest of the serious wasn't riddled with theology, I'd have gone out and bought my kids a whole damn set of these things, and I'd have watched them all with them.

Alas, however, these clever guys have to go and get all preachy. *sigh*

Jamie

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

10-06-2002, 07:07 PM	#2
Viti Contributor Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Down South Posts: 12,879	You had never heard of Veggie Tales before? They are a big money maker on the vido market

10-06-2002, 07:14 PM	#3
Hedwig Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,921	The commercials for the movie have been all over Animal Planet for the past month or so. I love computer animation but I think I'll skip this one.

10-06-2002, 07:33 PM	#4
K Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,485	My three year old son loves Veggie Tales. You can imagine how this sticks in my craw. I try not to give him any indication of my revulsion. I'd like him to be able to make up his own mind about religion when he gets older. I've even offered to take him to the movie although I'm still wrestling with ethical issues related to putting cash in the coffers of evangelizers.

10-06-2002, 08:07 PM	#5
Starboy Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tallahassee, FL Reality Adventurer Posts: 5,276	Somehow there is something very fitting in a collection of vegetables teaching children Christianity. Starboy

10-07-2002, 02:51 AM	#8
ju'iblex Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Sydney Australia and beyond the realms of Gehenna Posts: 6,035	i despise Veggie Tales with a passion. im in my last year of high school, and there are about 10-15 girls who have the images of the things plastered all over their stuff. they own the sing-aling CD's, the videos and whatever other merchandising crap you can think of and it really gets my goat. surely if Gods love were strong and powerful enough, then they wouldnt have to get some animated cosmetibles to indoctrinate small children.

10-07-2002, 11:12 AM	#10
Jamie_L Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: U.S. Posts: 2,565	The sad thing, to me, is that other than the religious stuff, Veggie Tales are damn funny videos. The humor these guys have is right up my alley. My kids have the "Silly Songs" video which is just about completely devoid of theology. And it cracks me up. If the rest of the serious wasn't riddled with theology, I'd have gone out and bought my kids a whole damn set of these things, and I'd have watched them all with them. Alas, however, these clever guys have to go and get all preachy. sigh Jamie

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.