Posted by linnea918 at pppa19-resaledekalb1-1r1030.saturn.bbn.com on November 29, 1999 at 18:06:02:
I just wanted to share a 'Letter to the Editor' that was in my school's paper today. (The article was taken from the Northern Illinois University's paper, The Northern Star)
SELF-PROVLAIMED CATHOLIC ENJOYED VIEWING 'DOGMA'
There has been a miracle. I am a Catholic, and i saw "Dogma" (on opening night no less) and i was not struck down by God Almighty the second i walked out of the theater. Also, on top os seeing "Dogma" I - prepare yourself - laughed. Yes, me, the practicing Catholic laughed at the jokes in hte movie that some Catholics are calling "blasphemous" or "a direct attack on God."
What are these people thinking? Do they really think that God is over in heaven saying "Yes protestors! You get Kevin Smith! Get him, his jokes and his views!" Well, I would hope not. I like to believe that the God that I so faithfully believe in has bigger fish to fry than one little movie. I would hope that God has better things to worry about. Besides, "Dogma" is not offensive. It's comedy, plain and simple. Sure, it does take some shots at Catholicism, but these protestors are acting like this is the first time that the Catholic Church has ever been the butt of criticism or a few jokes. And to say that Smith is attacking God is absolutely ludicrous. Never, ever, does Smith make God look anything less than good and mighty.
But what really get me is that 2/3 of the people who are protesting the film have not seen it. This reminds me of me in the third grade trying to write a book report on a book that i never read; it just doesn't work. If one little comedic movie can really get people so wound up, so uptight, then these people really need to examine their faith. If they are so insecure that they cannot take a little joke and laught a little bit, then maybe it's not the film they are trying to block out, but thier insecurities instead. The Catholics are giving some Catholics a bad name. Now, every non-Catholic accross the country thinks that all Catholics are uptight Bible-beaters who whine and moan at the drop of a Catholic joke - which is not the case.
I would just like to say two final things. One, to all the people out there, Catholic or otherwise, leery about seeing "Dogma", don't be. It's not offenside (well, there was one scene that i found somewhat offensive but overall...), and if you do see it, I'm pretty sure God won't mind. If we were created in His likeness and we have a sence of humor (at least some of us do), then so does He. Lastly, to all you protestors out there who have decided to take the responsibility of speaking out for all Catholics across the U.S., please get off your crosses; there are people out there who truly need the wood. It really saddens me to see that this Thanksgiving holiday season people, especially priests, are spending so much time protesting a movie instead of organizing food and clothing drives for the truly needy of this community. Their time can be spent in more constructive ways.
Michael Moreci
Sophmore at NIU
Communications major