Dogma
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The Film is a '15' and CAUTION for teachers - there is a lot of swearing.

 

 

Loki (Matt Damon) and Bartleby (Ben Affleck) are two fallen angels who spend their time looking for a way to return to paradise.

They think they may have hit upon a plan: they've heard about a Bishop (Catholic) in New Jersey who is offering complete absolution of sins for anyone who enters his Cathedral. Now all they have to do is tear off their wings (to become human), rename themselves Larry and Barry, gain their forgiveness and then arrange for their own deaths so they can ascend to heaven as sinless mortals.

This loophole causes some concern in heaven, however. God (Alanis Morissette) is not around (she's in a coma after being attacked by the Devil�s evil ice hockey henchmen) but right-hand man archangel Megatron (Alan Rickman) spots the problem. If the Bishop is allowed to absolve the sins of the angels, this will mean God was mistaken in banishing them in the first place. And this would not only call into question papal infallibility but also would prove Gods word to be fallible, thereby ending all human and earthly existence.

So Megatron appoints Bethany (Linda Fiorentino), the last descendant of Christ on earth, to help him stop Loki and Bartleby's plans. She is helped by �the Apostles� duo Jay and Silent Bob and Rufus, Christ's thirteenth apostle (ignored because he was black).
How did the Catholic Church view the film? - Kevin Smith's (director) Dogma got all the pre-release hype it could have wished for. Christians took to the streets of New York to protest at Smith's controversial movie. Dogma, which was shown as part of the New York film festival, has been particularly criticised by Catholics, who believe the film mocks their religion. Kevin Smith is himself a Catholic. The Catholic League was joined in protests outside the Lincoln Centre for the Performing Arts yesterday by the American Society for the Defence of Tradition, Family and Property. Fliers released by the group proclaimed that: "This film mocks everything we hold sacred - God, the Church, the Mass and Mary's virginity. It condones what we condemn - murder, obscenity, violence, profanity, drugs, drunkenness and rebellion!''

The Buddy Jesus
Catholic protesting about the film What Religious meaning does Dogma have? � It is understood to be a truth about faith or morals, revealed by God, transmitted from the Apostles in the Bible or by tradition, and proposed by the Church for the acceptance of the faithful. It might be described briefly as a revealed truth defined by the Church.  
So if the Church says that all your sins will be forgiven if you walk through the Cathedral doorway then they will be! This is an aspect of the film which Christians would/could be upset at as it is such an easy act to do it makes a mockery of Christ�s crucifixion. Christians believe, Jesus died on the cross to save us from sin and opened the pathway back up to God. 

What are angels?
An angel is a pure spirit created by God. The name applies to certain spiritual beings or intelligences of heavenly residence, employed by God as the ministers of His will.
The English word "angel" comes from the Greek angelos, which means 'messenger'.

Do you think the film would be offensive to Christians? What themes or aspects of the film could have caused offence?

  1. The idea of fallen angels creating havoc in the world, involving themselves in peoples problems (the nun leaves the Church due to Loki, Loki shoots the husband who is kissing the other woman � Do not commit adultery one of the 10 commandments).
  2. The 13th Apostle (disciple) being Black and Jesus being black, but his colour was written out by the New Testament authors! Showing prejudice within the Church, if people get upset by this?
  3. Bethany is Jesus� last living descendant upon earth � this would mean that Jesus had sex and was a father. The New Testament does not tell us this and it would be against Christian belief. Not only this but she is a lapsed Catholic who works in an abortion clinic and her husband left her because she was unable to have children.
  4. The fact that two �dope-heads�, one of whom is obsessed by sex become the 2 new apostles to help save the world � against Church morality.
  5. God turns out to be a woman. Again against Christian tradition and the fact that the film says well it�s down to the male writers they wanted a bloke not a woman in charge!

  6. The two angels killing all the directors of �Mooby the Golden Calf� because they thought this 
        was spreading idolatry (worship of idols) around the world. This is an allusion to Moses killing
        the Israelites for worshipping the Golden calf in the Exodus. Making fun of Christian 
        traditions? 
  7.   Blasphemy � calling out and using God�s name in vain.
  8.   Church using modern day marketing techniques to try and bring new members into the church  
        because they have a fall in the number of people attending church. Christians might be upset 
        and think the film is saying the message of Jesus is no longer relevant in today�s society.
The different characters from the film

Any ray of light at all in the film for Christians?

Remember the good guys win in the end. Bethany becomes pregnant and also regains her faith. Is the message in the film that you don�t have to get bogged down in the ceremonies of a religion you just need a little faith? It�s within us rather than present in the trappings of modern day religion. As one of the characters Serendipity says, �Doesn�t matter what you have faith in, as long as you have faith.�

Answer the Following Questions � Make sure you answer using full sentences:

First put the title:- �DOGMA � A Religious Film�
1. Give a basic outline about the film �Dogma�.
2. Explain fully in your own words 4 main areas of concern for Christians in this film.
3. Explain what dogma means in context of the Christian faith.
4. What is an angel?
5. What was the name of the organization who protested against the film at the New York film festival?
6. Do you think the film makes fun of the church or is the message have faith in God and you can overcome insurmountable problems? Explain.
7. Do you think the film is making any serious points or it is just a comedy not to be taken too seriously?

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