Media Flashcards
What was the running time of ‘Father Ted’? Give a brief summary of the show
1995-1988
A comical portrayal of Roman Catholic priests (hence the title, Father Ted) in sitcom format
How can the portrayal of Father Jack Hackett in ‘Father Ted’ affect your view about the Church?
Father Jack Hackett is an old and grumpy to the point of rude and angry old man. He smokes and drinks, behaviour which is typically shunned in the Church. He is also perverted which has an obvious negative affect on the Church. His behaviour, specifically towards women and girls fuels the ongoing stereotype/allegation that many Church leaders are perverse and are contradicting their own beliefs
How can the portrayal of Father Dougal McGuire in ‘Father Ted’ affect your view about the Church?
Father Dougal McGuire is comically dim-witted. He is the typical idiot of the show and this is largely played upon by Father Ted. He is fooled easily and mislead about his faith (Father Ted will say, for example, that by going to sleep or leaving the room he is praising God. This is obviously just a ploy for Dougal to leave Father Ted to his peace and quiet.)
How can ‘Father Ted’ affect your belief in God
The show, although is obviously focusing on priests who have made mistakes/aren’t holy, aids to arguments against Christianity. Significantly, because the show was popular, the viewers may interpret the show very literally, overlooking its genre and aim; to engage people in a subject that is interesting. This could be potentially dangerous to Christianity as many may believe that these three men signify the whole religion. The show highlights ideas which causes people to perhaps not so strongly believe in God and the religion he comes with
What was the running time of ‘Vicar of Dibley’? Give a brief summary of the show
1994-2013
A comical portrayal of a parish in Oxfordshire and some of the Church members and the community
How can Revered Geraldine Granger in ‘Vicar of Dibley’ affect your belief in God?
Reverend Geraldine Granger (played by Dawn French) is a newly appointed Vicar following the 1992 changes which allowed women to be vicars. This already is pro-Christianity as it shows its rules changing to incorporate women as their position changes in society
How can the episode of ‘Vicar of Dibley’ you watched affect your belief in God?
I watched an episode where the Vicar and her fellow church committee is trying to present a special Nativity for the second millennium of Jesus’ birth. This episode is comical yet due to uplifting undertones it is positive reinforcement to the Church, Christianity and therefore God. The light-hearted show without the negative aspects of the Church is encouraging towards faith in God. Furthermore the very ‘realness’ to the characters makes the idea of Church much easier to accept and understand because the characters come across as everyday people who happen to believe in God
List sources of religious media
Richard Dawkins: Root of all evil Bruce Almighty Vicar of Dibley Joseph Songs of Praise The News (in general) The Nativity Zero Dark Thirty Shoah Schindler’s List Religion is depicted in all types of media — different genres and ways
How can these listed sources of media influence a person’s belief in God? S=strengthen W = weakness
SW: Richard Dawkins — you side with one of the extremists or none
W: To very sensitive people comedies like Bruce Almighty can make you view God as theoretical or funnily (unlikely) but it could leave you impartial as you know it’s a comedy
S: reinforcement of belief — Songs of Prayers
W: News in usually negative
Is the way religion is portrayed in the media fair?
there is enough media portraying religion that the overall context expresses a fair view
in a singe media resource there usually isn’t a balanced portrayal
some religions are singles out/picked on more than others e.g. Islam
Should the media present a fair and balanced view of religion?
News should be impartial, fair, balanced
Kids shows should be very sensitive towards religion as children are influenced very easily
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but this should be made clear — this is an opinionated video
We should be sensitive to the genre of the media resource
