Posted by Elevature at cr337674-a.ajx1.on.wave.home.com on August 28, 2001 at 01:02:34:
In Reply to: KEV, YOUR VULGARITY CONFUSES ME!!! posted by punkmonkey75 on August 27, 2001 at 23:44:42:
I've got a couple of things to say. I respect your beliefs and your opinion, even if I don't share them. I'm not a religious person myself, but it's fine that you are. I apologize for the people who will no doubt have very poorly written replies that will consist of nothing more than FUK YOO ASSHOLE! However, as much as I respect that you have your opinion, I get upset when you say that people who don't go to church will have a rough life. There are more religions than Christianity, and there is nothing that says which one is the right one, or if any of them are. I think it's pretty pompous to imply that your religion is correct and anyone who doesn't believe will suffer. If it makes you happier to believe, then go for it. But don't tell others what to think or believe, because it may not be the right thing for them.
And on the vulgarity issue, like I said above, it's not the words themselves that harm. It's the intent behind the words. I find Jay's constant swearing funny. It's part of his character, something that defines him. I swear quite a bit, I don't find anything wrong with it. Words are just words. I don't think Kevin is any less of a Christian because he/his characters swear. He finds it funny, so do a lot of people. There's no real harm meant.
: Kevin, I'm rather confused about you. I don't know you, so I really can't
: make any sort of judgments about what kind of person you are, but I
: don't understand how someone who is a devout Catholic can
: produce movies so full of vulgarity and obscenities. Do you really feel
: that God is pleased with this sort of thing? I have seen all your
: movies except the latest, so far, and there are parts that I do enjoy.
: You certainly have an ear for good dialogue, but my enjoyment has
: been hampered by the constant cursing and sexual crudeness. I
: really am digging your Green Arrow series, which proves that you can
: spin a good yarn without the profanities, so why chock your films so
: full of them? I see all the zombies out there (especially at the
: Chicago Con) who try to act and talk just like your movie characters,
: and it brings me down. I know you don't owe me any sort of
: explanation, but I'd really like to know who the real Kevin Smith is and
: if there's some secret justification for all this that I'm just too dense to
: grasp. I know the Bible says to not use coarse or crude language
: and humor (Ephesians 5: 4 "There should not be among you any
: obscenity, foolish talk or coarse jesting, which are out of place...",
: Colossians 3: 8 "You should rid yourselves of all such things as
: these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your
: lips.") , but you obviously interpret that differently than it reads. Clue
: me in, here. Obviously I don't think all movies should be bereft of any
: foul language as it adds authenticity and conveys intensity, but no
: movie ever needs the level of foul language that some of yours
: contain, especially when it's used strictly for cheap laughs and shock
: value. I'm not singling you out, others do the same, I'm just using this
: forum to try to understand you.
: So, if you've got the time, please respond. If not, I'm sure one of your
: devoted followers will be sure to step in and put me in my place with
: some of that clever language they like to use to put down those with
: opinions that differ from theirs.
: Thanks!