Boycott Disney?

[Della]

They may not be exclusive to the films, but my point was that the scenes involving them go too far. I’m of course not saying that this doesn’t happen in non-Disney films, but this thread’s topic has to do with Disney, so that’s what I referred to.

Actually, you have a better imagination than you may give yourself credit for because in Disney movies you never see an actual killing or execution of the villain. It is suggested or off screen. For example, the witch in Snow White falls off a cliff and the buzzards fly down to take advantage but we never see her hitting the ground, in Peter Pan Captain Hook is chased off into the distance by the crocodile, but not actually bitten by it, the wicked stepmother in Cinderella only gets thwarted not punished as she was in the original story nor did her daughters, Cinderella’s stepsisters, get their eyes pecked out by crows as the Grimm Fairy Tales have it. Disney showed the villain getting his or her comeuppance, but he softened such scenes precisely because his films were primarily for children.

 

[MomTo2]

Della:

Actually, you have a better imagination than you may give yourself credit for because in Disney movies you never see an actual killing or execution of the villain. It is suggested or off screen. For example, the witch in Snow White falls off a cliff and the buzzards fly down to take advantage but we never see her hitting the ground, in Peter Pan Captain Hook is chased off into the distance by the crocodile, but not actually bitten by it, the wicked stepmother in Cinderella only gets thwarted not punished as she was in the original story nor did her daughters, Cinderella’s stepsisters, get their eyes pecked out by crows as the Grimm Fairy Tales have it. Disney showed the villain getting his or her comeuppance, but he softened such scenes precisely because his films were primarily for children.

I was just referring to the theatrics of the examples I’ve already given in Aladdin and Little Mermaid. I wasn’t even talking about killing, rather, the villain portrayal being overwhelmingly dark and scary.

Nevermind anyhow…I didn’t mean to get this thread off track. Back to the boycott…

 

[Pumpkin]

I do not think banning or boycotting Bambi just because his mother was killed is the way to go. It would not be good to shelter your children from the world. Bambi is a way to discuss God, Heaven and that it is ok to cry. Now if you want to boycott Disney bc of their support of things such as abortion and gay activism that is a different story.

I equate not allowing a child to see bambi with this story…
A friend did not allow their 4 yr old child to go to her grandparents funeral bc they did not want her to be scared of death, they also told her that her Grandma was sleeping forever.
Instead of being fearful of death from seeing a dead body, she was terrified of falling “asleep.”
Her cousin (same age) went to the funeral and touched Grandma’s hand. He was able to say goodbye to Grandma, see the Rosary in her hands and even as a young child could articulate that Grandma died but was going to heaven with God. He also knew that he could always think of the happy times when Grandma made cookies. He was not afraid of death and he was not afraid to fall of sleep.
Without the right guidance from his parents the funeral could be very scary. They used it as an opportunity to learn. Things like Bambi’s mom dying or going to a funeral can be lessons to form their conscious and can become a tangible situations to make things like heaven and God seem a little less mysterious.

With that said I would err on the side of honesty and open communication–within reason.
You are not going to let your 4 year old watch a murder mystery to teach them about God, heaven & Good and evil, but Disney cartoon characters that show a struggle between good and evil when the good guys win, can always be a teaching moment.
JMHO

 

[KCT]

sggg:

Should Catholics boycott Disney (vidoes, anything with Disney logos…)?

I don’t believe the Church has an official position on boycotting. It’s a personal decision.
—KCT

 

[coyote]

Oh come on! Some of these comments are just a wee bit anal retentive.

Real villians ARE dark and scary and overwhelming.

Cathy According to the American Family Association, Disney has been actively promoting pornography and the radical homosexual agenda through its subsidiary movie companies for years now. It reportedly uses its profitable family-friendly products to subsidize the undermining of the family in this way. I am dismayed that more Christians, including Catholics, don’t take more notice.

Cathy, et al, please provide specific incidences, facts and examples to support these allegations.

Thank you

 

[Affirmed]

So have any of you people who are complaining that Disney’s villians are too scary actually READ any of Grimm’s fairly tales?! Or have you just watched movies? Because Grimm’s fairly tales are a whole lot scarier than Disney ever thought about being.

And was the poster who was “disgusted” because the network showed Alice in Wonderland when we happen to be in Iraq (beheadings) really serious? What were they supposed to do…change the movie somehow to make it PC with the situation in the world today? If that’s the case then I hope nobody every aired that movie any year during the 90’s, because not only were people being beheaded in the middle east, but Rwanda and Sudan were doing it (along with a host of other atrocities that the US paid no attention to) for most of the decade.

As for the boycott… no way would I ever boycot Disney. I don’t really care what their supposed connections to “the culture of death” are. I would much rather see kids watching a Disney film then some of the complete and utter garbage that has come out lately. A goody story, good music, and a moral lesson. What’s the problem?

-I am now off to watch the Lion King and drink Starbucksl.-

 

[Forest-Pine]

Affirmed:

So have any of you people who are complaining that Disney’s villians are too scary actually READ any of Grimm’s fairly tales?! Or have you just watched movies? Because Grimm’s fairly tales are a whole lot scarier than Disney ever thought about being.

I have read them all. I read some to my daughter. She is very sensitive so I choose which ones are appropriate for her at this time. I have posted on other threads about the studies which say children who are read the real versions are more balanced in problem solving and moral dillemas and such than children who are read sanitized versions. My problem with Disney movies is not the content, it is the medium. It is very different to have a book read to you and to view it on TV. I much prefer books. But then again, we watch TV about once a month in our house at most and read dozens of books a day, so I suppose that my approach isn’t surprising.

As for the boycott… no way would I ever boycot Disney. I don’t really care what their supposed connections to “the culture of death” are. I would much rather see kids watching a Disney film then some of the complete and utter garbage that has come out lately. A goody story, good music, and a moral lesson. What’s the problem?

Watched the Disney channel lately? Not exactly kid-friendly any more. Nonetheless, I’m not a boycott person. Disney Channel is off-limits in our house, not because it is Disney or has an agenda, but because the characters are rude, immoral, whiney, etc. Many Disney affiliate movies are the same. So I don’t watch them. I choose what is good and am willing to support that, and what is bad I don’t. I don’t care if Disney has Gay Day. I won’t go that day. I will go on the Catholic Youth Group day and show my support for the good they do that way.

-I am now off to watch the Lion King and drink Starbucksl.-

**Was that an attempt to rub someone’s nose in it? We don’t have either in our house, but not for boycott reasons. Lion King because we have all of 5 movies and Little One definitely would not be OK watching that one right now. Plus, we have the real story, which is fascinating reading. Prefer it much **more. And Starbucks because it is mass-produced sludge and NOT what coffee should taste like. Blehk!

-Forest Pine (who just finished watching Robin Hood and has Oo-de-lally, oo-de-lally stuck in her head)

 

[Mike_Dye]

jako:

I will be the first lone voice of dissent. Mike says that it is cruel, to bring in children to a movie and make them watch while Bambis mother is killed or the boy in Old Yeller kill his own dog. I feel these are morality tales Bambi must face the real world and grow up. The boy must also face reality in all it ugliness and kill his own, diseased dog. How many of you have taken your kids to see Star Wars? Or have seen them as children? Luke came home to find the only “parents” he knew, dead. Only their charred bones left. Then watches the very next father figure in his life cut down in battle. Or Leia having to watch as her home planet and all its inhabitants completely blown away. Anakin finding his mother just as she dies. I could go on with other kids movies as well. Tragedy is part of life. Not everyone who watches these movies is irreparably damaged. Read the original Grimm tales not the sanitized versions. The ones our parents and grandparents read. Not pretty. I’m done, let the flogging begin.
James

 

[Mike_Dye]

In reply to James and other Disney supporters, In my original post I really didn’t intend to imply that any child that watched a Disney movie like Bambi or Old Yeller would be affected for life. I am just coming from a perspective of a person that has been around for a while. I am a hurracine Camille survivor… I spent a year in Vietnam in some combat situations …I was with my dad as he died of lung cancer , bathing and comforting him every day! And like most of us I have my own share of physical problems.
Yep you are right…Life has its problems and …well let’s face it really sad moments. My point was and is Why rub our childrens face in it …I promise you they will have to face it in due time. Why let others force it on them before it’s necessary. I don’t think making a little kid sad makes them any stronger at all…Why not let them have a few years in life carefree? Trust me they will have thier share of sadness!
Mike

 

[Mom_of_5]

Mike Dye:

In reply to James and other Disney supporters, In my original post I really didn’t intend to imply that any child that watched a Disney movie like Bambi or Old Yeller would be affected for life. I am just coming from a perspective of a person that has been around for a while. I am a hurracine Camille survivor… I spent a year in Vietnam in some combat situations …I was with my dad as he died of lung cancer , bathing and comforting him every day! And like most of us I have my own share of physical problems.
Yep you are right…Life has its problems and …well let’s face it really sad moments. My point was and is Why rub our childrens face in it …I promise you they will have to face it in due time. Why let others force it on them before it’s necessary. I don’t think making a little kid sad makes them any stronger at all…Why not let them have a few years in life carefree? Trust me they will have thier share of sadness!
Mike

You are soooooooooooooo right!! Our children grow up too quickly and do not have the luxury of a “care free” childhood. I remember playing all summer with my sisters, cousins and neighbors. We laughed, ran, played games and told silly stories. No tv and only one movie per month if it was rated AA. We don’t have to show them sadness, they are intelligent enough to know there is a “real world”. Children see their own pets die, many experience the death of grandparents, etc. Lets give our children back a childhood to remember fondly.

Love and peace,

Mom of 5

 

[coyote]

I loved Bambi when I was a child. I had the soundtrack on vinyl and listened to it over and over. Disney didn’t suck the joy and security out of my life, my parents divorce did.

 

[Mike_Dye]

yeah I know all about that too…only not as a child…may peace be with you !
Mike

 

[_Jenn]

No Disney boycotting here! We own lots of the movies, plan to own more, my dh and I have been there 3x each, 2 of those together, and can’t wait for the day our child is at a great age to go! He’s 3 now, and I want him to be old enough to remember the trip when we go.

Whether or not Disney supports gays, or anything else considered “wrong”, or “offensive”, has nothing to do with the movies. They’re something for kids to enjoy, and most of the movies teach some great lessons. I give them a firm here!

Jenn

 

[JMJ_Pinoy]

The American Family Association ended its boycott of Disney about four months ago(christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/121/41.0.html) Some positive outcomes are the breaking up of Disney and Miramax (Miramax produced some offensive movies such as Dogma.) Disney has also parterned up with Walden Media in producing the upcoming movie The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, which will be marketed to Christians.

 

[m33z3r]

We personally boycott Disney because of their strident support of homosexuality - “gay days” at the theme parks have been around for years and are old news.

They may not notice our absence, but at least I know that they don’t pocket our earnings.

There was a good article in “This Rock” several years ago by a film reviewer (I think his last name was Greydanus). He analyzed Disney films and made some interesting observations about, among other things, about how adults and particularly parents are often cast as total idiots or villains. I found it to be quite true.

I am no fan of Disney. We have some of their movies (gifts from others). The older ones tend to be much better than those made after, say, 1990.

Just my $.02.

 

[mamabear7]

My husband and I boycott Disney. We were given a few Disney-themed baby clothes for our first baby at a recent baby shower…hopefully those are the only Disney gifts our kids will receive. They support gay marriage and abortion. According to the most recent list I have of companies that give to Planned Parenthood, they give to Planned Parenthood. Also, my family doesn’t watch TV but when I was growing up sometimes my brothers would watch ABC and some of the shows were ridiculous! I’m thinking about the show with the current teen movie star who wants to be just like Britney Spears; in the show she has one brother and I think she’s in high school. They act really stupid and like most women and girls on TV, she could be dressed a bit more modestly. Anyway, here’s the proof someone asked for if it hasn’t been given yet:
stantoninus.net/listab.htm

The networks and sponsors don’t care what their programming is doing to our children. The only thing they care about is making money. Here is what Michael Eisner, [former] CEO of Disney (which owns ABC), had to say about respecting children: “We have no obligation to make history. We have no obligation to make art. We have no obligation to make a statement. To make money is our only obligation.” onemillionmoms.com/Examples.html

I can’t find the issue on One Million Moms about Disney but they haven’t made it to the Successful Campaigns webpage yet so they’re not done with whatever OMM is boycotting them for. I went to the American Family Association website after that and apparently, Disney is “on probation”, which means that they’re not boycotting them anymore but they’re watching them carefully. They didn’t say that the annual Gay Days have stopped.
afa.net/disney/

my Mother my Confidence,
Corinne

 

[mamabear7]

m33z3r:

We personally boycott Disney because of their strident support of homosexuality - “gay days” at the theme parks have been around for years and are old news.

They may not notice our absence, but at least I know that they don’t pocket our earnings.

There was a good article in “This Rock” several years ago by a film reviewer (I think his last name was Greydanus). He analyzed Disney films and made some interesting observations about, among other things, about how adults and particularly parents are often cast as total idiots or villains. I found it to be quite true.

I am no fan of Disney. We have some of their movies (gifts from others). The older ones tend to be much better than those made after, say, 1990.

Just my $.02.

I agree that the older movies are better. Here’s a link to the article you’re talking about:
catholic.com/thisrock/2002/0201fea1.asp

my Mother my Confidence,
Corinne

 

[Fitz]

Thirty five years ago I had a college professor that hated Disney and although he did not say the word boycott, he did say that it was the worst of America. It was the worst of capitalism.

I have not only brought all my children there for family trips, but we have watched most of the movies (yes, there are some that I don’t like also). I went there with my parents so they could enjoy being with my children. Our times there were special. And yes we did vacation other places too- many other places. We have gone with relatives and met up with family from around the country- 35 people.

I do not think my teacher back in the day was right about Disney, nor do I think that my trips there support gay culture or sin. I will never agree with all of what Hollywood offers either. I pick and choose. I avoid movies that glorify euthanasia, but I support The Passion of the Christ.

I think that I find some of Disney wholesome, and that is the part I embrace. It will never take over my life or control my thoughts. I am a weekly church attending Catholic, with some bible study thrown in. I listen to Catholic radio and I read Catholic books. I find no need to avoid Disney. I take it for the good, and I turn off the bad as many here have idicated. We need to turn off anything that we find offensive.

 

[UtahMaggie]

Mike Dye:

I agree with the above posts regarding abortion and porno! But consider this also; Walt Disney had to have been a twisted individual, I have always thought that since my youth! Who invites little children to a movie like “Bambi” and when he has a captive audience of seven year olds let’s them watch Bambi’s mom get blown away…way to go Walt ! Oh and don’t even get me started on what that weirdo did to “Old Yeller” I believe in all my heart that in his little cubby hole in Kansas City when he first started out he came up with the idea of Mickey Mouse after feeding poor Mickey some mouse poison.
Mike

I had the same sort of thought the other night when I went into our garage and a cricket jumped at me. I thought “Walt Disney didn’t do the world any favors by making us think crickets are cute!” I also said a few words which I will not repeat.

 

[Fitz]

UtahMaggie:

I had the same sort of thought the other night when I went into our garage and a cricket jumped at me. I thought “Walt Disney didn’t do the world any favors by making us think crickets are cute!” I also said a few words which I will not repeat.