Posted by jesuit at ls-s6-238.ls.luc.edu on November 09, 1999 at 11:07:44:
Kevin,
My name is Dave Nantais, I am a 29 year old Jesuit scholastic, meaning that I have taken vows as a Jesuit and am pursuing studies for the priesthood. In light of the recent criticisms of your film Dogma, I would like to offer an alternative view from a fellow Catholic Gen-Xer.
I have found your films (specifically, Clerks and Chasing Amy) to contain insightful observations regarding issues of love, sexuality, relationships, faith and hope. I am looking forward to seeing Dogma because I am sure this film will contain even more sappiential material regarding these issues. I believe part of the problem you're experiencing is that those of us in Generation X have a different view of faith than our baby boomer parents. There is a richness to Gen-X faith, albeit an irreverent richness, and I think it is misinterpreted as being irreligious (there is a HUGE difference, as you know).
I am travelling to Cincinatti, Ohio this weekend to serve on a panel regarding Generation X faith and evangelism and I plan on using examples from your films in my discussion. I will be speaking before a number of older Jesuits (50-75 yrs) and I hope to convey the importance of faith in the lives of many Gen-X Christians, even though this faith doesn't look the same as it did 30 years ago. My question to you would be, is there anything you would like to say to this group of priests and brothers, many of whom work at universities and retreat centers and are in constant contact with people of our generation who struggle with their faith, but have a sense and a desire for the mysterious, holy "Other" we call God.
Kevin, thanks again for your work and please know that there are some of us in the religious life and priesthood who are supportive of you. God bless and take care!
Dave Nantais, S.J.
P.S. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend a book entitled "Virtual Faith", written by Tom Beaudoin. This book makes some wonderful observations about Generation X faith and I think you would find it useful.