Where Does Ron Howard's and Tom Hanks's Anti-Catholicism Come From?

[swampfox]

2 collaborations attempting to demonize Christ’s Church. Does anyone know if there is something in the backgrounds of these two actors and directors that causes them to hate the Church or is it just a matter of being against Church teachings on morality, the sanctity of life, traditional marriage, etc.?

 

[estesbob]

2 collaborations attempting to demonize Christ’s Church. Does anyone know if there is something in the backgrounds of these two actors and directors that causes them to hate the Church or is it just a matter of being against Church teachings on morality, the sanctity of life, traditional marriage, etc.?

I think its just a matter of them making a movie based on a very popular book. i dont think they gace catholicism any thought at all when they did so.

 

[swampfox]

I think its just a matter of them making a movie based on a very popular book. i dont think they gace catholicism any thought at all when they did so.

But two in a row? and the quality of the first one was universally panned by the critics. Usually sequels are done of successful films, so there is likely something deeper at work. I guess it could be a coincidence, but my life experience leads me to believe otherwise

 

[estesbob]

But two in a row? and the quality of the first one was universally panned by the critics. Usually sequels are done of successful films, so there is likely something deeper at work. I guess it could be a coincidence, but my life experience leads me to believe otherwise

The Davinci Code took in 758 million dollars worldwide. With a grosss like that they would be fools not to do anohter.

 

[Miserissima]

2 collaborations attempting to demonize Christ’s Church. Does anyone know if there is something in the backgrounds of these two actors and directors that causes them to hate the Church or is it just a matter of being against Church teachings on morality, the sanctity of life, traditional marriage, etc.?

I am not sure about Ron Howard, but Tom Hanks seems to have reservations against what he sees as ‘pontificating’ or ‘hypocritical’ organized religions in general, judging by the controversy he stirred up as an exec on “Big Love.”

 

[estesbob]

I am not sure about Ron Howard, but Tom Hanks seems to have reservations against what he sees as ‘pontificating’ or ‘hypocritical’ organized religions in general, judging by the controversy he stirred up as an exec on “Big Love.”

Tom Hanks belongs to the Greek Orthodox Church. He was previosuly catholic and LDS.

Roh Howard is a Methodist

 

[Mark77]

They have fallen for the “i am a good person, i don’t need religion” argument, along with the majority of our society (including most catholics who pick and choose the fun stuff to believe while throwing out the difficult things that require sacrifice!)

Pray for them! Pray for me!

Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, Ora Pro Nobis Peccatoribus!

mark

 

[Barb3]

I don’t remember reading the book “Da Vinci Code” and I definitely didn’t see the movie. However, I did read “Angels and Demons” and wasn’t particularly impressed by the author or the story. I will not go to see the movie although in our local “Catholic San Francisco” the reviewer seemed to think that it was not particularly controversial nor anti-Catholic. The reviewer also felt that there were many inaccuracies in the book about history and Catholic practice.
If I decide to take in a movie, I hope there will be something available less controversial than this particular movie.

 

[mardukm]

Tom Hanks belongs to the Greek Orthodox Church. He was previosuly catholic and LDS.

I wonder if the Greek Orthodox Church made any protests against the Da Vinci Code, or if only Catholics and Protestants did so?

 

[estesbob]

I wonder if the Greek Orthodox Church made any protests against the Da Vinci Code, or if only Catholics and Protestants did so?

My personal opinion is the complaints about these movies is a tempest in a teapot. The movies are being made because they make lots of money-not because Tom Hanks or Ron howard or dan Brown are anti-catholic zealots. Brown has written other books that have nothing to do with religion.

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

They have fallen for the “i am a good person, i don’t need religion” argument, along with the majority of our society (including most catholics who pick and choose the fun stuff to believe while throwing out the difficult things that require sacrifice!)

Pray for them! Pray for me!

Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, Ora Pro Nobis Peccatoribus!

mark

I fear you are correct.

 

[pnewton]

I heard Ron Howard on Colbert remark that the story was a joining of various conspiracy theories into a fictional thriller. While I will not support this enterprise, as much as I like this genre, I was glad to see Ron Howard dismiss the credibility of the movie.

 

[roanoker]

The book that is the source of this movie, as well as The Da Vinci Code, are works of fiction, and this is stated in the forward. Hanks and Howard are artists making a movie, and I don’t think there is any nefarious motive other than that. Lots of stars make movies of all sorts. You can’t read too much into it.

 

[chewchoo]

The book that is the source of this movie, as well as The Da Vinci Code, are works of fiction, and this is stated in the forward. Hanks and Howard are artists making a movie, and I don’t think there is any nefarious motive other than that. Lots of stars make movies of all sorts. You can’t read too much into it.

“they are just making a movie” “it’s all in fun” “its no big deal”
it’s dismissals like this that are part of the problem. it’s the constant, subtle catholic bashing that seeps into the collective thought process until one day its just the norm. it’s just like the gay agenda. slowly, but surely over the years gays in TV and movies became more and more daring and now its everywhere and any one that calls the gay lifestyle disordered is guilty of a hate crime. but its okay to hate the catholic church.

 

[HappyRevert]

“they are just making a movie” “it’s all in fun” “its no big deal”
it’s dismissals like this that are part of the problem. it’s the constant, subtle catholic bashing that seeps into the collective thought process until one day its just the norm. it’s just like the gay agenda. slowly, but surely over the years gays in TV and movies became more and more daring and now its everywhere and any one that calls the gay lifestyle disordered is guilty of a hate crime. but its okay to hate the catholic church.

I have to agree with you and disagree at the same time. I think Ron Howard and Tom Hanks would be upset to think they are discriminating against a group of people (Catholics). I would suspect that to them, the plot is just a plot and nothing more. They plan to make big bucks and the Catholic Church doesn’t figure into it except as a historical device to set up the tension in it (I read the book but haven’t seen the movie).

As to the double standard, I have to agree with you completely. If they had used a historical organization for Lesbians and Gays in the plot and done the same thing, there would be riots in the streets. The sad part is I don’t think most people see it that way.

 

[SFTor]

Maybe this has something to do with gays and lesbians never having held any power to speak of in historical times, and have never hurt a fly, whereas the Catholic Church has held significant power, and is also known to have abused that power on several occasions? To hear Catholics claim persecution will undoubtedly stick in the craw of many people who have been crushed by the Catholic Church.

It is disheartening to me to see how little knowledge of history Catholics on this thread exhibit about their own Church. To bypass all the talk about the Inquisition, forced conversions of Jews and Moslems, and all the rest, keep in mind that the Church is still under scrutiny in this country for having sheltered, aided, and abetted child rapists.

By the way, the short plot summary of Angels And Demons goes as follows: the Illuminati have resurfaced, have stolen a small amount of antimatter from CERN, and are threatening to blow up the Vatican with it. The good guys are out to stop them. And sure there is a bad apple among the faithful, but that shouldn’t shake anyone’s faith.

Does that sound very anti-Catholic to you, all in all?

 

[Barb3]

I am replying to “chewchoo” and “HappyRevert” – I am a “cradle” Catholic and certainly have been subjected to Catholic “bashing” all of my life. What I’ve never been able to understand is why it is all right to “hate” the Catholic Church, but God forbid you ever say anything against other Churches, Jews, gays, etc. I"suffer" from what I call “old age disease” – in other words, I have difficulty sleeping at night. Before there was a Catholic radio station, I used to tune into the other religious station because many of the preachers were so boring they put me to sleep. However, I was totally amazed at what some of these preachers said about the Catholic Church. I had NEVER heard a priest speak against other Christian religions in such a manner.
Also I live in San Francisco and believe me, the gays have taken over the city. In fact, they’re thinking about declaring a “Harvey Milk” day – one Sunday I went downtown and apparently there was some kind of gay celebration going on and you wouldn’t believe the way some of these gays were acting – I don’t believe anyone should act that way in public – gay or straight.

 

[HappyRevert]

Maybe this has something to do with gays and lesbians never having held any power to speak of in historical times, and have never hurt a fly, whereas the Catholic Church has held significant power, and is also known to have abused that power on several occasions? To hear Catholics claim persecution will undoubtedly stick in the craw of many people who have been crushed by the Catholic Church.

It is disheartening to me to see how little knowledge of history Catholics on this thread exhibit about their own Church. To bypass all the talk about the Inquisition, forced conversions of Jews and Moslems, and all the rest, keep in mind that the Church is still under scrutiny in this country for having sheltered, aided, and abetted child rapists.

By the way, the short plot summary of Angels And Demons goes as follows: the Illuminati have resurfaced, have stolen a small amount of antimatter from CERN, and are threatening to blow up the Vatican with it. The good guys are out to stop them. And sure there is a bad apple among the faithful, but that shouldn’t shake anyone’s faith.

Does that sound very anti-Catholic to you, all in all?

That is an extremely odd assertion to me. Are you saying in all of history no gay or lesbian every hurt anyone? That seems improbable. The fact that there were powerful leaders such as Caligula who were blatantly bisexual - and murdered people during sex acts would qualify as hurting a fly. You don’t see movies made to highlight how those perversions cause incredible harm to others, because it goes against what is politically correct right now.

We are very aware of our church’s history, but we are held to a double standard. Anyone feels they are allowed to openly ridicule, and taunt our beloved church, but find it amazing that we find it offensive and cry foul. If we were to do the reverse, you certainly would find it offensive (as you should), but can’t see it from our point of view. It boggles my mind…

 

[Luke65]

The book that is the source of this movie, as well as The Da Vinci Code, are works of fiction, and this is stated in the forward. Hanks and Howard are artists making a movie, and I don’t think there is any nefarious motive other than that. Lots of stars make movies of all sorts. You can’t read too much into it.

"Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!” (Proverbs 26:18-19 NIV)

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

“they are just making a movie” “it’s all in fun” “its no big deal”
it’s dismissals like this that are part of the problem. it’s the constant, subtle catholic bashing that seeps into the collective thought process until one day its just the norm. it’s just like the gay agenda. slowly, but surely over the years gays in TV and movies became more and more daring and now its everywhere and any one that calls the gay lifestyle disordered is guilty of a hate crime. but its okay to hate the catholic church.

Without question.