Stones Cry Out

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll be sure to see it soon.

How was the Harry Potter preview?

Seriously, I'm curious: When you say the movie is "an anti-Christian screed" you're mostly talking about the notion that the movie in your mind rejects the notion of homosexuality as wrong, which is tied to your version/most versions of Christianity?

It's not actually mocking Christianity, is it? Just that one tenet which is contrary to your faith position?

I've not seen it yet and am curious. I heard from several church members who've viewed it, enjoyed it and didn't mention anything about homosexuality and certainly not any attacks upon Christianity.

My son, who admittedly doesn't look very deeply for messages, didn't see anything but really cute penguins in a nonsensical, but unannoying story.

But, this is the third review I've read, saying the same thing you say here. However, it is tragic surrender - a terrible defeat - if the 'gay' ideology has succeeded so completely that it has become an instantly recognizable plot equation: 'different' == 'homosexual'.

And I would suggest if the message is merely "different=okay" and others are assigning a gay angle on it, then it would be logical to lighten up.

After all, "different=okay" is a VERY good message to teach children, even if you think homosexuality is wrong.

I'm guessing there was no attack on Christianity at all in this movie, just a message that some feel uncomfortable with because it could have implications in the Gay Wars.

There is no older, more universal institution on earth, than the Christian church. It was founded for the salvation of every tribe, tongue, people and nation. There is nothing human that is alien to us. There is no weakness with which we are unacquainted. We know 'diversity' in a way that the 'gay' movement hasn't the first clue.

That's why, unless we would break fellowship with Christ who delivers the Church from ignorance of God's will, and from sin and death, we will not make the mistake of thinking that sex with the same sex is a matter of being 'different'.

If it's okay with you, this brother in Christ - who has no intention of breaking fellowship with Jesus - will honestly disagree with you on this point. I just don't think the Bible teaches God is opposed to loving committed relationships - gay or straight.

Not intending to get into this debate again, just saying that I'm in disagreement with your position and I disagree as a Christian because of what I think the Bible says.

"Do not be deceived" - 1 Cor 6:9

That's what you'll hear every time. What will it mean if you ignore it every time?

Back on topic, it doesn't say "don't be different" - a very different message.

Boy Jim you are troubled man. My family enjoyed the film and certainly did not see anything that even remotely advocated homosexuality, ditto for anti christian content. What we saw was a story about a penguin that couldn,t sing. He was the only one that couldn't sing. From this the story weaves the familiar theme of closed mindedness, cruel rejection and ultimate redemption. Along the way the penguin (his name is mumbles) figures out what is happening to the food supply that is threatening his people. He returns to save the day. Its a great movie.

Hmm. Am I troubled; troubling perhaps. Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed the film, Mike, but I'm not the only one to see much deeper themes woven into the happy story. I think if you viewed it a bit more critically you'd see the clear mockery of religious 'bigots' whose leaders line up as a group of cruel inquisitors to judge the poor non-singing penguin. Did you think the language and tones and actions of the community leaders was original; it was a clear representation of fundamentalist overseers. Listen, I criticize the fundamentalists frequently. But it is wrong to masquarade the mockery in a children's film, with the message that community mores, church dictums are wrong and a barrier to true love, compassion, and happy fishing. Did you think "Lovelace" was a benign figure or awfully close to a faith-healer/charlatan.

I don't mind gay characters in film and television, even in sympathetic roles. I wish for more sympathetic roles for people of faith. Instead, we're featured at our worst, condemning poor penguins and the vulnerable of the world to an icy abyss.

I wish I could believe it was all innocent, Mike. But I'm sure it wasn't. That does trouble me.

I am proud to say that I am a Christian. Maybe a liberal Christian, but a Christian none the less. I also want to throw in that I am strait! What I do not understand is how Christians, who pride themselves on being loving, kind, and accepting, can be so narrow minded and say that someone that is different than them is wrong. I think that at the heart of this movie is the idea that people's narrow and unchanging views are stunting the growth of this country. Gay's are the group that people in power have deemed it ok to hate today. 60 years ago it was blacks. And look how far we have come. Being Christian to me is being able to look inside someone and find the good. Trust me, there is good in gay people just as there is good in strait people. There is a group in this society that is opressed...just as blacks were...just as women were....and they too want to live and love. Why is that so wrong?

"I think if you viewed it a bit more critically you'd see the clear mockery of religious 'bigots' whose leaders line up as a group of cruel inquisitors to judge the poor non-singing penguin."

But when one has religious hypocrites, bigots, etc, aren't they sort of set up for mocking? The "religious bigots" in this movie, from your description, were despicable.

And I recall Jesus' words to his religious hypocrites, "Blind guides! Fools! Snakes!"

Yikes. Perhaps Happy Feet was too gentle on the Penguin Pharisees?

Your point remains valid: It would be nice to see some sympathetic Christians portrayed more often in the media. I'd suggest that it's just that our Pharisees make themselves so easy to mock that it's difficult to see the many Decent past the few Foul.

You know one of my favorite portrayals of Christians in the media (who's generally portrayed positively)? Ned Flanders - the Simpsons. He's the "good" Christian to Rev. Lovejoy's more pharisaic role.

I saw the movie and during it I was trying to make a religious connection as the penguins used words like backslidden, revival, and pagan. I did not come up with an answer as to whether it was respresenting christians or non-christians. That's how I found this site - I was curious.

I just don't see where anyone is coming up with a homosexual message here. Mumble is a male penguin head-over-heals in love with Gloria, a female penguin. If it's a homosexual agenda, it's so hidden that I can't find it. The movie Shark Tales was in-your-face homosexual agenda. A cross-dressing shark who wanted to be a gentle dolphin. Now he was 'different' adn blatantly gay. Mumble was just mumble...a different guy who made a big difference!

I was 'different' growing up, but never gay. I was considered a nerd as I didn't fit into any the regular categories. I oculdn't sing either, but if you could've seen me dance ....

I was about to go into a diatribe about my thoughts on religion, but I'll keep it to this; history has shown that religions are a bad thing. It's a history of some goodness, but mostly divisiness, destruction, hate and violence. There may be a God, but he's not the one represented in any religious texts available today. Don't tell me that, as soon as my son was born, he was a sinner. The reason that madness was instituted was to ensure that as soon as a baby comes out of the womb, he has an obligation to the church. It's all about power and control. And, don't tell me that it was God's plan to take my wonderfully kind and religous mother by way of a car wreck that mangled her body. According to her passenger, she was alert and screaming until the paramedics put her under. She died a month after being in the hospital. Is that the God you speak of?

I apologize. I guess I did go into a diatribe. Anyway, my point; it's only because of religion that there's an issue when it comes to homosexuality. And, because religion has such control over society, we have to get around it (through 'Happy Feet' in this case) to educate people to what is truly right; that is, acceptance of anyone so long as that person does you no harm. So, as long as the argument against homosexuality is based on religion, the argument is invalid.

There will not be peace on earth until religion, as we know it, no longer exists.

It's me, again; the non-religious. I do want to make it clear that I believe in Jesus Christ. I believe he was a man of this earth. I also believe he was a man of such kindness this earth has rarely seen. But, I also believe he would be devestated if he knew what people did in his name.

Kelly, of course you are right that all people are the work of God's hand, made in his image, and each one provides us a reason to thank God - if we can find the way to be patient enough to give thanks.

Still, if you must be patient (or as you put it, if you have to "look inside") then you also see that people offend in many ways. Sometimes that source of offense is our own perverse imagination - as it is in the case of a racist. Sometimes we are offended for good reason - as you are offended by racism.

But do you "hate" the racist so much that you cannot look inside, in order to bless even him, or rather: so that you can bless God, who made him in His image?

I do not doubt that you are able to do even this - although it may be hard for you, as it is also hard for others to bless the adulterer, the pedophile, or the homosexual.

The difference being that the faithful homosexual harms no one and the racist, adulterer and pedophile all do cause harm.

Dan, I can only answer at the risk of sounding pedantic, because I'm required to restate what is already known (but which cannot persuade you):

The homosexual suffers because he desires acceptance, love and companionship, although these are the first casualties of his acts; because, he subordinates these virtuous and faithful things to an act which God condemns.

Therefore, sexual immorality is different from an act that purposely harms others. It is an act that changes love into harm to oneself. And in harming themselves in this way, others are harmed - especially in that love, companionship and acceptance are made to seem contrary to God. But there is deliverance.

This is why it says, "It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality". ( 1 Thes 4:3 )

It does not say "It is God's will that you all should be the same: that you should avoid differences in personality, in talents, in tastes".

Also, are adultery and pederasty always entirely without the motivation of love?

Not on the part of the victims - the families, the victimized, the children.

I am in agreement with avoiding sexual immorality. I don't want my gay or straight friends to engage in extramarital affairs, as it is harmful.

It's just that I think that mutual, wholesome, loving, committed relationships between adults are a good thing.

Certainly that's true, Dan. Which is why these relationships must not be tainted by sexual immorality.

Only, our determinations of what is "immoral" and what is "wholesome" must not be made by reference to ourselves. We will be tempted to do this, based on some abstract principle like "do no perceived harm".

It is already insisted that some children could be greatly helped by a sexual relationship with an adult - that the line between adult and child is artificial and hurtful to the rights of even very young persons to choose who they will love and how.

We must not be deceived.

Just FTR, you are not the first person to come away with this impression of the movie. I've heard the same review from others as well.

I'm an evangelical Christian from the UK and I saw the film last weekend.

I thought it was a charming, rather Hans Andersen-ish tale, quite sad in places (like a lot of children's stories) but with a happy ending. It also made me laugh.

The film has two strong moral messages: firstly, that it hurts to be the outsider - and indeed it does, as I remember all too well from my own childhood - and therefore treating the outsider with kindness and understanding is the right thing to do. Secondly, human beings have a habit of exploiting and messing up the natural environment.

I can't imagine why a conservative Christian would find either of those two messages remotely offensive. Neither did I see anything in this film about a gay agenda, and in response to such a ludicrous notion I can only say: to the pure all things are pure.

wow, what a great big homophobe! why is it that so many 'decent, god-fearing christians' are so obsessed with sex...to the point of seeing sex in a children's movie...that only had a secondary message of 'protect our environment. you are a great big retard.

btw, if any of you are reading this and believing this fool sight unseen...i suggest you start thinking for yourself, go see the movie, and form your own opinion.

There was no anti Christian message here, Christianity was never mentioned. If you see characteristics of Christian leaders in the villains in this movie maybe you need consider why and seek different leaders.

Hi Jim,
I completely agree with you. Only a dolt could miss the obvious and obnoxious anti-Christian posturing and the advocacy of homosexuality. The first building you see in the human village is a church, the "bad guys" all have a preacher affect, the language of those seeking to ostracize Mumbles is quasi-biblical. That Mumbles sure is a "pecular fellow"! The underlying theme that all current religious beliefs are wrong and there is an alien presence out there made me wonder about a scientology influence. Even my 12 year old picked up on all the anti-Christian references. But she liked the music.

Mumble likes girls. In my opion, some religios leaders need to be persecuted.

Hmmm, I think you've "read" something into the movie that really was *not* there. That's like saying Old Yeller was about a Gay Dog.

When I saw the movie, I thought Well, I guess kids still need to learn to not exclude folks because of different talents, that we're all not good at the same things (art verses sports, that sort of thing). Folks, if you haven't figured it out yet, if your sense of Christianity means that you have to be fearful or angry toward others, it's time to start calling yourself something else. Christ was inclusive, remember? But, I have to tell you, he sure liked standing up to folks with a 'better than thou' bent.

So, fess up, who are you 'better than'? Sounds to me that you've Outted by an animated Penguin.

you are stupid
its a kids movie and you are the most narrowminded person in the world.

your liek a rascist back in teh 1960's.
i hope your son or daughter goes gay, if thats what they want in life.

I do not remember Jesus ever saying anything against homosexuality, but I do recall that he said that those who were without sin should be the ones to case stones.
This reviewer has not only gotten the wrong message about Christianity, but has allowed paranoia to run rampant with this movie review. This is an adorable movie that has nothing to do with homosexuality whatsoever. Yikes!

Jesus did not speak to any issues that were not problematic during His time here. The question of homosexuality was pretty well covered in the Scriptures (it was condemned) and that was not being questioned during the time He was here. Thus, His not speaking about a topic does not imply insignificance.

What is often forgotten in the story of the woman caught in adultery, which has the "cast the first stone" line, is that Jesus called a sin a sin. After admonishing the stone throwers, Jesus told the woman to "go and sin no more". He didn't throw a stone, but He did tell her she was wrong. The lesson here is not that we should never confront sin. The Bible actually has instructions on how to properly do that. But the story shows that self-examination and mercy may also play a role. The idea that Christians are not allowed to criticize is not what's being said here.

So where does that leave us with this movie? Many here are ignoring the context in which it is shown. First of all, this is Hollywood we're talking about. Almost every movie dealing with acceptance, that is not animated, typically overtly includes homosexuality in their list of things that should just be accepted. Sometimes it's the only item on the list. Secondly, a number of religions and denominations are grappling with this very question. So given the culture in which this film was made, the questions in our own culture, and the poke at religious folks or ideas in the movie, the idea that homosexuality is one of those differences being referred to is not that much of a stretch. Context matters.

The fact that a boy penguin likes a girl penguin does not discount this theory. As has already been stated by folks on both sides, part of the movie's message is that differences are OK. But that is a very general idea. I doubt you are suggesting the only difference that the movie is saying needs to be dealt with is whether or not you can sing. Therefore, just because a particular topic is not a specific part of the plot, it doesn't mean that such comparison is not implied. This adorable movie has nothing to do with computer geeks either, but the message of acceptance was to us..>ahem<..them as well. So given the time period, the current culture, and the overt references to religion, I again don't see a stretch here in suggesting what the movie is trying to imply.

Again, context matters.

If we accept the theory that the writers are really referring to being gay today, what do you think the final story arc was portraying?

Mumble came back and convinced everyone to dance. So, he's gay, and everyone else was convinced to be bisexual? Does that even make sense?

We're tribal. If we're not going to accept what comes with being so tribal, we need to really monitor our impulses in casting out what's foreign, different. Women, races, other religions, any religions, atheists, gays, people with disabilities, very smart people, wealthy people, poor people.

The Bible gives at least tacit approval to slavery.

I suspect the movie's message applies as much to gays and religion as it does to, say, the push to break out of old-school Communism. Or the civil rights movement. Sometimes the-way-it's-been-done isn't the best way.

Note to Doug Payton: The story in the bible mentioning the adulteress was added by a monk transcribing the scriptures many centuries after originally written. It is a great story, but didn't happen.

Gay agenda? Please! Take the movie at face value and trust that you're teaching your children correctly. When the question comes from them whether or not homosexuality is OK, teach them what the Catholic church teaches: It's OK to be gay, just don't act on it. Love the sinner, hate the sin.

OK look I'm sorry but I am very confused on where all this talk about homosexuality and anti-christian stuff is coming from. I watched the movie with a group of friends and we notcied nothing like that. It was just a movie for kids simple as that. Sure it was a bit confusing when it randomly jumped to humans taking the fish but hey who's complaining it was still a good movie. I just don't see why adults always have to critique every little detail in a CHILDRENS MOVIE. Please try and get over yourself Jim not everything has a hidden message that is dipicting christians and their way of thinking. And on a sidenote if the old, wrinkly, grumpy, scottish sounding penguins actually look and sound like you then sir I am sorry that the film makers could come up with a character that so perfectly defines you.

This was a very decent movie, and only the most legalistic would come away with the view of anti christian... Was Christ not also rejected by the religous leaders of his time, Mumble was nothing but loving and accepting of everyone he came into contact with. Do you not realize Gods commandments? Thou shall not use the Lords name in vain, do you honestly not realize this is talking about using God's name to promote evil acts such as but not limited to killing non-believers to protect the church or the faith with force, or judging others based on our own fallen view in the name of God. Christ walked the earth with the same attitude as mumble did, without the desire of a female companion like Gloria would you call Christ homosexual? I think not. And to correct some things said in previous post, men are not made in the image of God please carefully read Genesis as it plainly stated since birth of Seth we were made in the image of Adam who was fallen. Also do you not realize no man can come to the lord unless he is drawn by the spirit first. So if our holy and wise father doesnt call a gay man into his grace do you think that gives you the right to judge him? So then i just ask one thing my arminian pengiun hating film critic friend. Check your beliefs and try to let go of your desires to control others, and let God be God and you his servant. So that you can promote christianity properly instead of scaring off the masses.

This response to the movie saddens me because Christians are based upon the belief of being non-judgemental. Please don't preach to the world what God is able to preach himself. You have no right.
Thanks.

Having studied Christianity among other religions for 15 years of my life I find your review quite distasteful. When I saw this movie it came to my mind that the idea of this film parallels a lot of things in life. Being a well educated person who enjoys thinking about life I did parallel it to homosexuality and it's acceptance or lack-there-of, but that was only one of MANY things. Mostly I took this movie for what it was, a cute dancing penguin just trying to be accepted for who he was. If you chose to take "happy" feet to be "gay feet" then so be it. I'm sure your children didn't relate this movie to ANYTHING more than just a cute animal that danced but because YOU did and are making such a big stink about it, sadly, your children will most likely grow up to be just as closed minded and dare I say "right wing" as you are. It's "Christians" like you that give Christianity a BAD reputation. It is not for you to judge, that's the Lord's job. I'm sure he'd appreciate it if you let him do his own work.

First of all, I agree with your review. There are way too many people who don't know how to discern from right and wrong. Since when as Christians are we not to judge those things that are wrong? We are in fact called to do so, especially on fellow Christians: Proverbs 27:5, Malachi 3:18, 1 Timothy 5:20, 2 Timothy 4:2 Titus 2:15, Hebrews 5:14. Also, the homosexual act is condemned in the Bible: Leviticus 18:22, 20:13, Romans 1:26-27. Just because a relationship is seen as authentic and loving doesn’t make it right. Extramarital affairs, polygamists, and near kin relationships might all involve what appears to be love, but they are an abomination to God. This doesn’t mean that Christians “hate” these people, it simply means that Christians are trying to warn these people out of love. But today, too many people think that because another doesn’t agree with their lifestyle it automatically means that they hate them. That is not so. But according to “Happy Feet,” liberal and secular society would want us to believe that. Bad movie with obvious anti-values innuendo.

I just saw Happy Feet and found it inspirational! Christianity is about bucking the dogma and tradition in religion. Jesus warned us on these matters and so does Happy Feet even though it probably was intended to be anit-religious.

So those were Christians singing "Boogie Wonderland"?? The latin penguins were the gay ones? Simply silly.

It's about how people are different, and all people deserve respect. A message the surely applies to all of humanity, created in God's image.

Did we see the same movie? I have seen the movie many times and I can not see any reference to homosexuality. It actually has very worthy values such as acceptance of our differences (mental, physical, intellectual, emotional) and the effect humans do have on the environment. These are all good qualities to see in children and adults alike.

I'm sorry, but I don't see how it supports homosexuality or mocks christianity, if anything I think it has a message to accept mentally, physically, or emotionally challenged as human beings too. The penguin Mumble after all went after a female penguin. And even if it were to support homosexuality, there's nothing wrong with that. Love is love, race ethnicity, religion, and gender should not change that. And one more thing, does God not say to love everyone? then why is homosexuality not acceptable? you don't have to agree with what they are doing, but that doesn't make it wrong by any means.

Hi. Just found this on google. I've seen Happy Feet, and it's a great film, and all that. But, when there is an argument about homosexuality, I can't miss it!

I'm not damning your religion, or anything, but anyone who says that being homosexual is wrong is clearly a hypocrite. Maybe that's not the best word, but I'm writing on a stream of consiousness. Anyone know what the "Holy - schmakkin' - Bible" says about good ol' slavery, and women's rights?

http://www.inu.net/skeptic/slavery.html

And not to mention how many categories of people it's okay to stone!

http://ffrf.org/timely/abcsbible.php

Now, these are both horrid, horrid practices! Inhumane! And, we shudder to think of a society today in which both the former and the latter are realized. But, the Bible said it, so...

Yours

God created man and woman for a specific purpose; a specific plan. If we live contrary to this, we are living contrary to Gods amazing prosporous plan for our lives.
Some of us do but we shouldn't hate gays. We should love them as sons and daughters of Christ. Maybe due to external pressures their view of what true love is has been distorted?

There are too many christian links in the movie happy feet to deem it an unconenction. A close critical look will reveal it's not just a cartoon movie

I don't consider Happy Feet to have anything to do with homosexuality, but it clearly had an anti-religion message.

First, the penquin with the 6-pack ring around his neck... a reprensation of a 'prophet of the mystics' to take advantage of the masses, accepting pebbles in exchange for revelations from the gods.

Secondly, the penquin community as a whole was misdirected by an older religious elite. It reminded me of the sanheedrin (sp?). Also, when the berated him with language only found within Christian circles such as 'back slidden.' I've only heard that phrase from Christians to refer to those who have 'lost the faith.'

Anyway, just my two cents. I enjoyed it as an atheist.