Posted by ThatOtherChick at 208.236.222.2 on December 13, 1999 at 19:47:18:
In Reply to: And that is why posted by MickCollins. on December 13, 1999 at 18:44:49:
: : I think its obvious that its anti organized religion. Not religion. There is a significant difference between the two.
: : --Scottie
: Kevin is a unitarian in sheep's clothing. If he is Anti-Organized religion, why does he claim to be a member of the most organized religion in the history of the world?
Gotta disagree, and I'll use three key scenes in the movie to back up my argument. I'd argue that Kevin's not really anti-organized religion, but rather is taking issue with anyone--organized or not--who focuses more on the rules than on God. I see the "message" of the movie more as a forest-for-the-trees kind of statement. My two reasons: the obvious one is Chris Rock's rant about ideas vs. beliefs; he's backed up later in the film by Selma Hayek's statement about ALL the denominations missing the point, not just the catholics (and I saw much in the movie that should make any number of demographics-obsessed protestant denominations squirm, too--hats off to Kevin for that).
Consider those two scenes with what, to me, is the real heart of the movie, and that's the opening scene with Linda Fiorentino sitting in church. She KNOWS the church is too caught up in its rules (whether she's consciously aware of this or not), and even questions her own faith--but, by God (ha), there she is every single Sunday. Why? Because she knows that the problem isn't the church itself, but its focus away from God and onto rules, and in spite of the church's centuries-long cluelessness, she still has faith (and faith in the Church as a proper outlet for worship). And so, I think, does Kevin.
mi dos pesos...