A petition opposing Radio Disney’s censorship of an ad promoting the upcoming Ten Commandments movie is in need of greater support as the film release draws near.
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(Photo: Promenade Pictures / Handout)Promenade Pictures' The Ten Commandments
Liberty Counsel, a non-profit legal group, launched the petition earlier this month asking Disney “to reverse its policy and issue a formal apology to Promenade Pictures and people of faith across this nation” after it made the move to strip the ad's original reference to God – a move many Christians are calling “ridiculous.”
“Disney needs to get out of the business of censoring religious expression and focus instead on providing content that uplifts our families and our heritage of faith, as does this movie about Moses and the Ten Commandments,” reads the petition
As of Wednesday evening, the petition has gathered at least 11,865 signatures. It needs a total of 25,000 signers before the movie’s nationwide theatrical release on Friday, Oct. 19.
Cindy Bond, president and CEO of Promenade, Pictures, which produced the new movie, was strongly opposed to Radio Disney’s move to alter the original ad for Ten Commandments.
“God in our movie is the main character. You rip the whole guts out of the piece,” she told Fox News.
The original radio spot script states that Moses was “chosen by God,” but after a media buyer for Promenade submitted the text for a spot on Radio Disney, the company responded with an e-mail requesting the phrase be replaced with a reference to the studio instead.
“Our BS&P (Broadcast Standards and Procedures) said both scripts need to include the studio mention and omit the following line: CHOSEN BY GOD.... Please let me know if you have any questions," reads the Oct. 2 email.
Although she found Disney’s rejection of the ad “offensive,” Bond said she did comply with Disney’s instructions since they didn’t want to risk losing Radio Disney listeners who are their “exact core audience.”
“If you get them into the theater, they'll hear plenty about God,” she added.
Radio Disney has denied having an agenda to remove God from their ads, saying mention of God isn't prohibited in the company's standards and procedures. In other media reports, the company said that since the phrase “chosen by God” was announced following the naming of several actors, it sounded as though the actors were chosen by God, not Moses.
But many supporters of the movie are still unconvinced the instruction was benign.
Bond agreed that “there's definitely a prejudice when you get into the God of the Bible.”
Mathew D. Staver, founder of the group that launched the petition to Disney, has appeared in a 3-minute video preview, broadcasted on Daystar satellite TV network and in over 70 churches, explaining the importance of the Ten Commandments.
According to Liberty Counsel, Radio Disney touts itself as the “ultimate music environment for kids and families” yet has promoted other movies that reference mythical gods, Tiki gods, Navaho gods and animal gods mythical gods.
“It is shocking that Radio Disney censored God from the ad promoting this movie,” expressed Staver in a statement. “Walt Disney would have been sadly disappointed to hear that Radio Disney censored God from one of the greatest stories ever told.”
The upcoming Ten Commandments film is the first installment of a 12-part series called "Epic Stories of the Bible" from Promenade Pictures. The second release in the series will be Noah's Ark: The New Beginning due out in 2008.
On the Web: View the petition at lc.org
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Gratus,
Whatever dude. If you love the Lord and his word, you will simply obey. I make
no arguments. It you. You want argument. True saints don't make lame excuses to
dismiss the warnings in God's word.
So what ever dude. Just keep listening to you rebelious self. And continue to
deny the obvious.
I hope I see you in heaven. The Lord is not willing that any man should
perish....................
Danny
olaScriptura,
"Dannygirlagain - Your logic equates the fact that Christians should not
participate in venues that have secular attachments"
Not so! I didn't say anything about that. Don't put on me what I didn't say. I'm
apalled by the Christian groveling. How many times through movies and televison
does the Hollywood have to blasfeme the Lord Jesus Christ before Christian stop
funding this wicked industry? Many Christian watch movies with blasfeme,
violence, cursing, witchcraft, and sexual immorality. The Church is becoming
complacent and desensitize in our war against sin. Personal sin. To watch these
films we are actually taking part in their sin. Because we condone it. Imagine a
heir of Salvation. The sons of God to be revealed. The whole earth groans.
People with light being lead around by the nose by people in darkness.
"The eye is the window to soul. If we make it dark, woe the darkness" This is
outer darkness. Hell. I'm sick of seeing people covered in blood of Jesus Christ
watching these movies, complaining while still continuing to watch these movies
being treated like a bunch lackeys by people who are in darkness naked in their
unwashed sin. These people love their sin and hate the Lord Jesus Christ. If
they hate us. They hated him first.
Shame. Christians will get very zealous over their movie watching. But they
don't get zealous over winning souls or trully living the holy life. Remember
this when the next time you sing the song "all for Jesus" or "in Christ alone"
(New version), remember that. Is it all for Jesus? Is it in Christ alone?! Then
die to self. Don't accuse or get angry at someone who warns Christians about
this Christian Whoredom groveling.
I believe that God sent us out to bring the Gospel to the World, that includes Hollywood. I know many Christian artists who are making positive changes in their industry. They are having an impact on other artists. I know many good movies are beginning to come out of Hollywood. There is nothing sinful about good movies, entertainment. Instead of condeming, we ought to be leading the way in producing, financing and creating these endeavors!
Our God created all things, and we are made in His image, we can have a very positive INFLUENCE on anyone in the world.
It is by our actions that we truly show Jesus. JESUS is the Master Story Teller, He spoke in parables and being an artist myself, I am a vocalist, it is a real joy to see brothers and sisters who come to Christ and happen to be artists, get on fire to create new and good materials to glory God with their craft! HE tells us whatever you do, do it all for ME!
Personally, whatever Disney does or doesn't do, does NOT impact me, I know who God is and I know what the Ten Commandments are: 1. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, body and soul, and to love Your neighbor as yourself. (This sums up the law, according to Jesus Christ) so, our neighbor includes Hollywood and every other unlovable one. We are all sinners, it is by grace and grace alone that we can come to God at all!
I personally do not own a television, and have not for 2 years, but that is my choice and I do not miss it. I love baseball and football games, but I never like the commentaries on tv, and I prefer the play by play on the radio.
As for those who say entertainment is evil, it is not, it depends on the entertainment.
I am a Christian first, and second, an American, God knows where my heart is, does He know where yours is, Disney people will stand before Him one day to give an account for their own actions and I will stand before Him for mine.
Signs of the times we live in brethren, this makes me draw closer to the Lord Jesus, when I see events that leap right off the pages of my Bible, coming true! For His Glory! Annie
Dannygirl,
Hollywood has nothing that Christianity needs or desires, or should desire. It is the other way around, Christianity has EVERYTHING that Hollywood needs. Pray that these people turn from their ways before it is too late. Salvation is a choice and we must be ready and willing at all times to provide that choice.
I am not talking about compromising the Gospel for any reason. No, just being ready to share the Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. It is news because He has already done everything that they need for Him to do for their lives. It is good because it is from God.
God Commands us to love every one, but it does not mean that we like everyone or what they do. Jesus did not like the Pharisee, Scribes, lawyers, or Sadducees. Jesus was in their faces about their lies, behavior, and sins at every opportunity. However, Jesus loved them enough to die for them. There is a definite difference in our relationship with the world. (2 Cor 10:3-6)
I appreciate your honesty and pray that you don't give up on the worldly. I believe that many of them will be saved. If the Body of Christ stops tolerating their sinful behavior, then maybe, they will wake up and begin to see that what they are doing is evil and Jesus is the only way to salvation.
Pastor Leo Bogee
World Christian Leadership & Training Ministries
( www.wclandtm.com )
I gave up on Disney back when they started their "gay" or "queer" day at their parks. Walt Disney would turn over in his grave if he new his name was used in pandering to a bunch of perverts.
Disney Must Make a Choice – 2
There are hundreds of issues listed on this website, so why bother with this one? When a corporation as big as Disney who claims to provide FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT decides to eliminate the name of God from their advertising, it is a big deal. The vast majority of Disney’s customers believe in God because the vast majority of Americans believe in God. They cannot have it both ways and not have consequences for their behavior.
Yes, I agree we all need to take care of the poor and those in need. I do and so does my ministry. We give thousands to both causes. We are a part of a coalition that is building a $15 million homeless shelter in Hawaii right now. We should not forget the former and ignore the later. We must be diligent in both areas.
If you recall, the abortion issue and the same sex issue did not appear to be a big deal either, but look at those issues today. Now, is the right time to confront public corporations that pursue the money of the Godly, but denounce their beliefs. This not only includes Disney, but all corporations, businesses, organizations, sports franchises, and institutes of higher learning.
The Ten Commandments are still on the doors of the Supreme Court of the United States, but for how much longer? In God we trust is still on the currency of the United States of America, but for how much longer? If God is removed from the United States of America, then how much longer will it last? The Godly can’t blame society because society is just being its old demonic led self. No, look at the Body of Christ and see if it took a stand against the removal of the name of God, or did we just observed the removal of God from our Nation.
I will take a stand today, so that tomorrow I will still have a place to stand on the Word of God in America. Disney’s disregard for God is a test case that it cannot afford to fail.
Pastor Leo Bogee
World Christian Leadership & Training Ministries
( www.wclandtm.com )
What I find absurd is that we are even wasting our time and effort on this. This is a movie based on the Ten Commandments... everyone knows that the Ten Commandments and God are synonymous... give me a break. Aren't there starving children somewhere around us? Poor people that can be helped... a husband or wife that could use our love and attention, not to mention our children...
Most of you could not name all Ten Commandments anyway...
It would have been a good idea to include a link so that whoever would like to sign the petition is able to do so. Since Disney Radio is heard nationally, Christians from around the country should be able to sign it.
Disney, as well as other corporate giants, need to know that Christians are paying attention.
But unfortunately I think the only reason Christians are paying attention, this time, is because of the role Christianity is playing during this Presidential election season.
Otherwise I don't know how much concern we'd really show. I'm hope I'm wrong.
DISNEY MUST MAKE A CHOICE
It is time for the Disney Corporation to make a choice of providing family entertainment or catering to the demands of groups that comprise less than 6% of the American population. If it is the atheist, a.c.l.u., and homosexual demands that Disney chooses to live by, then so be it. However, I pray that everyone that considers themselves a Christian in America take a stand against Disney and do not spend one penny on anything that has the Disney name attached to it. Let the anti-family organizations support them.
When Disney decided to have a “homosexual day” for their theme parks, Christians were told not to boycott them, because, it was only “one day” a year. It was a mistake then and it is a mistake now to continue to support their sick agenda. They have only gotten worse by catering to the vilest request of anti-Christian groups by removing God from their ads.
Disney is dealing with demonic people that have no values, no decency, and no sense of good and evil. These anti-family, anti-children, anti-God groups will end up running screaming out of the theaters when they hear all of the references to God. They will claim that they did not know the “Ten Commandments” movie was about God because the ads did not say it. The a.c.l.u. will file the law suits. Disney will lose because they cannot have it both ways. They can’t support these anti-family groups and continue to provide “family” entertainment. Don’t they know that homosexuality is anti-family, anti-children, anti-reproduction of humanity, and anti-God? Is this rocket science to them?
I know that Disney is driven by the almighty dollar, but the Body of Christ can’t let them have the Christian $ and the anti-Christian $ too. It has passed the time for Christians to act. I believe that once Disney is out of business (or restored), then other corporations, businesses, and educational institutions will wake up and recognize that they cannot have it both ways either.
(Jesus made a whip of cords and returned to the temple and drove the money changers from the temple. He wasn’t in an angry rage, He was on purpose to clean up and restore the house of His Father.)
It is time for the Body of Jesus Christ to make a legal whip and take back that which was good and has now become evil. The vile and the violent may continue to steal, kill, and destroy everything Christian that they can get away with. However, I pray that those in Christ Jesus will continue to pray, stand together in unity, and act in unity to reverse the curse rising against the Body of Christ by using all legal means available. Take back what was stolen and is being stolen.
I appeal to all Christians: DO NOT SPEND A PENNY ON ANY DISNEY PRODUCT, THEME PARK, and OR PRODUCTION IN ENTIRE YEAR OF 2008!
Pastor Leo Bogee
World Christian Leadership & Training Ministries
( www.wclandtm.com )
That's about the stupidest decision I've ever seen. It's about the 10 Commandments, but the word "God" is censored?! How ridiculous.
Although I think it is ridiculous that Disney removed the phrase, I don't understand why so many people are upset by this. Disney is not supporting the film because they want to spread the word of God, they are doing it strictly for financial gains. Sure, it's great if a kid sees this and learns about God but there's nothing warm and fuzzy or even Walt Disneyish about this, it's all about money... Disney Corporation doesn't even support Christian beliefs.
If you watch the trailer, Disney has a point that "Chosen by God" comes right after a list of actors ... but who's to say those actors weren't chosen by God for greatness? Hmm?