In the midst of an otherwise positive story Monday night about the “revival” of religiously-inspired movies, such as The Nativity Story and Facing the Giants, CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric saw a dark side. She pressed Catherine Hardwicke, director of The Nativity Story and Mike Rich, the film's screenwriter: "Do you worry at all that non-believers may feel excluded and diminished at a time when we're so divided about so much?" As if there's a dearth of non-spiritual films for people to see. Has anyone at CBS News ever worried about how the faithful feel “excluded” and “diminished” by multiplexes playing only violent and sexually-explicit films, to say nothing of the many which include scenes ridiculing the faithful or portraying religious figures as criminals?
The CBSNews.com online version of the story has this text in place of Couric's question: “But what if you don't believe? That was Chicago Mayor Richard Daly's concern last week when he banned ads for The Nativity Story from the city's annual Christmas festival.” A “Christmas” festival without the very story on which it is based!
A transcript of the last story on the December 4 CBS Evening News:
Katie Couric, after a clip of Charlton Heston in The Ten Commandments: “Back in the 1950s, no one needed Cecil B. DeMille to tell him the oldest stories make for great movies. Then Bible epics dried up for a few decades, but now they're back. Call it a revival. There's a new gospel according to Hollywood where the prophet speaketh. It was a Vatican first: Thousands of the faithful gathering, not for an audience with the Pope, but for a movie premiere: The Nativity Story about Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem.”Catherine Hardwicke, director of The Nativity Story: "This little girl, after she saw the movie, she said 'Mary speaks!' She always thought of her as a little statue, and not a human."
Couric: “Screenwriter Mike Rich says there was a time when getting the green light for the film would have been a miracle.”
Couric to Rich: “You said, that if I had come up with this concept five years ago it never would have gotten made. What's changed in your view?”
Rich: “Well, I think Passion of the Christ changed the landscape a little bit. The phenomenal success of that film, I think, it opened the door." .
Couric: “Mel Gibson's 2004 blockbuster, The Passion of the Christ, earned a staggering $1 billion in box office and DVD sales. Since then, Hollywood studios have been saying, 'lights, camera, Alleluia!'"
Stephen Feldstein, Fox Faith: "God's enjoying a renaissance in Hollywood.”
Couric: “Steven Feldstein is a Vice President with a new division of 20th Century Fox called 'Fox Faith.' But he admits it's less about belief and more about the bottom line.”
Feldstein: "It is a significant market. We as a studio, we're in the business of entertainment. It's not our job, or it's not our business to preach or proselytize."
Couric: “But 2,300 miles from Hollywood, at the Sherwood Baptist Church in southern Georgia, they have move the sermon to the big screen. Baptist minister Alex Kendrick directed and stars in Facing the Giants about a Christian high school football coach's struggles on and off the field.”
Coach in movie: “If we win, we praise him, and if we lose, we praise him.”
Couric: “It was made for $100,000 and has grossed almost $10 million.”
Alex Kendrick: “There's a large part of America that shares our faith and values and that longs to see something that they can take their kids to, that they believe in.”
Couric to Catherine Hardwicke, director of The Nativity Story and Mike Rich, the movie's screenwriter: “Do you worry at all that non-believers may feel excluded and diminished at a time when we're so divided about so much?”
Mike Rich: “I think you run that risk if you isolate yourself in your approach to either one faith or just the faith-based audience. And I think there is a place for these stories, stories about faith, inspirational stories, spirit of the heart. I think there's going to be a place for those for quite some time.”
Couric: “The Nativity Story grossed $8 million over the weekend, and its creators are hoping it resonates even more as the day it depicts approaches."
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Katie -- Insightful questi
December 4, 2006 - 21:30 ET by spiderdanKatie --
Insightful question? Patronizing liberal twit? Typical CBS moron playing to its moonbat audience?
Questions abound, but, alas, no one is watching. On an island of desperation, liberal darling Katie flounders and frets. What if legitimate Americans regain their composure and usher these liberal dungballs into the septic tank of history?
A glorious bit of contemplation, if I must say so.
Katie and CBS need to remain in the hunt for style points. So far, they've come up laughingly short.
Her question is of course rid
December 5, 2006 - 04:58 ET by Andrew H.Her question is of course ridiculous. No one has to feel excluded unless they choose to feel excluded, Katie.
I choose to exclude you from my viewing choices.
Never relent.
Christianity
December 5, 2006 - 10:11 ET by cvgbuckeyeWell, Christians have an undeniable and unavoidable obligation and here it is:
Katie, if you feel excluded, you probably are. If you are an unbeliever, you ARE excluded, according to The Scripture; the scripture says it so it is a settled issue.
Therefore, I know of nowhere in the scipture that allows a person who does not accept Jesus Christ, to enter eternal life. If another option exists in the scripture, I am unaware of it.
Christians have failed their obligation if they either buy into the pluralism or stand by silently while pluralism is being espoused. I neither apologize nor do I compromise on what is not my opinion but The Gospel.
If Katie is ignorant of this or espouses it simply for political correctness, I pray for her speedy recognition.
...people are only "excl
December 5, 2006 - 10:42 ET by TruthMonger...people are only "excluded" because they refuse to walk through the wide-open doors of the churches...
Terrorists are not Muslims, Nazi's were not Christians, etc, etc...
Perhaps I missed the part w
December 4, 2006 - 21:36 ET by lnthompPerhaps I missed the part where the person going to the theater has someone telling them which movie to spend their money on. Isn't anyone who might be offended by the movie free to NOT see it?
How about this question, Katie: What about the people who might be offended by ... oh, what do they call it ... "offensive" language in a movie? Do they feel left out when the latest blockbuster is full of g..-d... f-words?
LNTHOMP previously posting as LEENT. U.S. Navy (ret.)
I have enough money to last me the rest of my life. Unless I buy something.
Excellent point, lnthomp. And
December 5, 2006 - 07:47 ET by Indiana JoeExcellent point, lnthomp. And, of course, the only REAL point that is relevant here.
Of course, the "pro-choice" people give themselves away with their "logic." To wit: people need to feel like part of "the group." Anything which makes them feel "left out" is automatically "divisive." And, therefore, must not be allowed to exist.
It's why THEY are the leaders in trying to get certain films, TV shows, books, speakers, etc, BANNED and buried. Only "right-think" is allowed to be among the "choices."
To them, the First Amendment exists to allow "artists" to suspend Crucifixes in urine. NOT to allow "dissenting viewpoints."
Who's left out at Christmas?
December 4, 2006 - 21:56 ET by nkviking75“Do you worry at all that non-believers may feel excluded and diminished at a time when we're so divided about so much?”
What an utterly idiotic question. Of all the "Christmas" movies and TV shows, not to mention each year's crop of new "Christmas" music, how much is Jesus even mentioned? Apart from media aimed directly at the Christian market, very, very little. What other religious holiday in all the earth gets as much involvement from non-believers? Can't we believers have a little of our own holiday?
I know that I certainly feel
December 4, 2006 - 22:07 ET by balboaI know that I certainly feel excluded when watching Rudolph. I mean, I'm not a misfit toy, I'm not a reindeer, I'm not an elf, and I don't want to be a dentist.
Good lord..."feel excluded"?
December 4, 2006 - 22:02 ET by balboaGood lord..."feel excluded"? Did Tarantino worry that he was "excluding" non-Japanese assassins when making Kill Bill?
Bal,Taking the right's side o
December 4, 2006 - 22:25 ET by saw the lightBal,
Taking the right's side on this site? Did you think you were somewhere else? (sarcasm off).
"People everywhere confuse what they read in newspapers with news." - A.J. Liebling
Hey, if something's goofy, it
December 4, 2006 - 22:36 ET by balboaHey, if something's goofy, it's goofy. Don't really care which side of the aisle it comes from.
Good for you Bal - run with t
December 5, 2006 - 10:47 ET by TruthMongerGood for you Bal - run with that...
Terrorists are not Muslims, Nazi's were not Christians, etc, etc...
You can't dis your girlfriend!!!
December 4, 2006 - 22:32 ET by UnsaneBut balboa...she's your girlfriend!!!
"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy." -Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman (1874-1965)
We are SO over. Dra-maaaaaa,
December 4, 2006 - 22:42 ET by balboaWe are SO over. Dra-maaaaaa, dude. Dra. Ma. And she keeps talking about her colon. Huge turnoff.
Age?
December 5, 2006 - 00:25 ET by UnsaneThe age difference thing play a part in it? Of course I don't know how old you are, but Her Perkiness turns 50 on 7 Jan...
"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy." -Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman (1874-1965)
I would love to see Couric po
December 4, 2006 - 22:30 ET by GalvanicI would love to see Couric pose that question to Michael Moore, or Spike Lee, or Quentin Tarantino. It's further evidence that Couric runs in PC auto-mode --- she must ask every traditionally-valued person if they feel bad about offending someone.
A bona fide twit for our times.
That would be priceless.
December 4, 2006 - 23:36 ET by terrigI would love to see that but don't want to die holding my breath. The libs don't feel bad about offending anyone, it's their nature as long as they don't offend their own kind.
congratulations, Katie, on
December 5, 2006 - 00:59 ET by ckc1227congratulations, Katie, on asking the DUMBEST question ever.
It's close but the didn't Bab
December 5, 2006 - 01:21 ET by mattmIt's close but the didn't Babwa Wawa once asked someone, "If you were a twee, what kind of twee would you be?"?
Oooh.. OOOh.... pick me... I
December 5, 2006 - 02:40 ET by USA4freedomOooh.. OOOh.... pick me... I know you silwe wabbet… A willlo twee.
America is best described by one word, freedom... Dwight D. Eisenhower
mattm,This story is bringing
December 5, 2006 - 08:14 ET by msh1973mattm,
This story is bringing out everyone's funny side. I am cracking up!
Don't you mean quacking up?
December 5, 2006 - 10:45 ET by GalvanicDon't you mean quacking up?
I'm a non-believer, and I l
December 5, 2006 - 05:28 ET by liberal_bug_zapperI'm a non-believer, and I love Biblical films. I don't get offended that somebody else believes that Jesus is the son of God..... nor am I offended by anyone believing in God. I
The only thing that offends me is when someone tries to evangelize to me.... and I say no. Then the next week or month, they try again, or if I have a bad day or someone I know dies.... they try. That offends me and I usually say goodbye to the friendship.
But for the most part, I have no problem with people and their religions.
Precisely
December 5, 2006 - 13:38 ET by UnsaneMy sentiments EXACTLY.
"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy." -Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman (1874-1965)
Couric is as Couric is..No mo
December 5, 2006 - 06:44 ET by ltcolusmcretCouric is as Couric is..No more no less. A small critter with a third rate mind. She has never been more than a puff-piece. I am an animist, if anything, and enjoy movies that are about the birth of the man called Jesus.
Christ Hater?
December 5, 2006 - 07:04 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasThis is a subtle form of "Christ Hating" and "Christian Hating", but Couric is on par for the course for someone trying to stay in LAST PLACE...she never gets it and never will.
If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal.
Never can the greatness of KD
December 5, 2006 - 07:20 ET by AlgerHissNever can the greatness of KD Couric be realized, unless you click here to view the presentation of her hind quarters.
Rochester, Minnesota: A Fem_Leftist City!
Religious Movies
December 5, 2006 - 07:22 ET by pocomocoTo those, and Couric, who are offended by Christian movies, the answer is quite simple. Make your own.
Allah knows they have the money. They just have to pry it away from the suicide bombers.
Excluded?
December 5, 2006 - 07:40 ET by BarberianAs a non-believer of Islam, I would prefer to be excluded from the cinema rather than having my head excluded from the rest of my infidel body. Good to see Katie addressing the greater evil here.
Barberian, That was funny!
December 5, 2006 - 08:12 ET by msh1973Barberian,
That was funny!
Religious movies have been m
December 5, 2006 - 08:19 ET by pocomocoReligious movies have been made since motion pictures started 100 years ago. It is only recently that the offended have come on the scene (pun intended), and proclaimed them a "greater evil."
To the offended I say, "get over it!" You can either make your own, not go to them, or emigrate to a country where our 'evil' movies don't offend you.
Oh for crying out loud, I hav
December 5, 2006 - 08:09 ET by msh1973Oh for crying out loud, I have heard just about enough from the liberal msm! May I be the first to tell Katie that Christmas is spelled C H R I S T-MAS. We wouldn't have Christmas if it wasn't for Christ. Just another example of the msm's left leaning views.
...is suppose if you're not a
December 5, 2006 - 10:50 ET by TruthMonger...is suppose if you're not a Christian then you shouldn't really get the day of Christmas off from work?
Terrorists are not Muslims, Nazi's were not Christians, etc, etc...
Truth,Are you asking me?
December 5, 2006 - 17:17 ET by msh1973Truth,
Are you asking me?
Duh, Katie. Non-believers sho
December 5, 2006 - 08:52 ET by Steve SternDuh, Katie. Non-believers should feel left out. Just as I should feel left out of worshipping Buddha. If I feel left out of celebrating the birth of Buddha, should the Buddhists not celebrate. Duh.
Buddha's Birthday
December 5, 2006 - 09:01 ET by BarberianFortunately for the Buddhists in this country they do not comprise the majority adhering to a religeous belief. Therefore they are not a viable threat to the furthering of the lefties "Humanist" non-religion. Their safe for the time being but once Christianity is reduced to "going underground", they'll be next.
At one time or another, each
December 5, 2006 - 10:50 ET by pocomocoAt one time or another, each of the worlds major religions have been suppressed. In Russia, for example, it lasted 70 years. But when the time was right, it came back with a vengeance.
Try as some have done, in the long run the human spirit will not be denied.
Maybe Katie needs to question Shrek about this?
December 5, 2006 - 09:40 ET byThough I love the idea of more good wholesome movies and more Christian moves, I did not go see Mel Gibson's 2004 movie. After having viewed an interview where Gibson got across that he believes 'anyone' of any faith belief can get to heaven, I had no desire to watch it. That was an insult to Jesus. Jesus did not die in vain. And we are not to mourn that day, but celebrate that He died for us and rose from the grave. He is Lord God.
I think that Katie Couric is trying too hard and it is showing. Maybe they should have had Meredith cover the evening news?There is a pretty cool English song that most have heard, but few have probably really listened to the words and the meaning of the words. The last place it played was on a Shrek Movie. There is a lot of Christianity out there.
I'm On My Way (The Proclaimers)I'm on my way from misery to happiness today
I'm on my way from misery to happiness today
I'm on my way to what I want from this world
And years from now you'll make it to the next world
And everything that you receive up yonder
Is what you gave to me the day I wandered
I took a right, I took a right turning yesterday
I took a right, I took a right turning yesterday
I took the road that brought me to your home town
I took the bus to streets that I could walk down
I walked the streets to find the one I'd looked for
I climbed the stair that led me to your front door
And now that I don't want for anything
I'd have Al Jolson sing I'm sitting on top of the world
I'll do my best, I'll do my best to do the best I can
I'll do my best, I'll do my best to do the best I can
To keep my feet from jumping from the ground dear
To keep my heart from jumping through my mouth dear
To keep the past, the past and not the present
To try and learn when you teach me a lesson
And now that I don't want for anything
I'd have Al Jolson sing I'm sitting on top of the world.The first stanza is a person getting saved and talking to God about it, saying that what he has been looking for in this life, can only be found in a life with Christ, and that it will all be found in the world to come, the Kingdom come.) He ends the stanza with saying that what God receives from him up in heaven, God gave to him down here to start with. The second stanza talks about him taking a right turn yesterday that led him to God's home. He got to the right path that he could actually walk down. Once on that path, he walked it and found God, who he had looked looked for. He finishes the stanza with speaking of going up to God's alter, where he met God in the prayer of salvation. And now he wants for nothing and is sitting on top of the world. The third stanza he is saying that he is going to do the best to be careful with where he goes and what he says, to not slip back into his old ways, and to learn when God teaches him a lesson. "Dear" is an endearing word to the English, like we say, "Dear Lord."
Maybe Katie needs to question Shrek about this?
~Debra...
So, The Perky One has her pan
December 5, 2006 - 09:47 ET by Dave RSo, The Perky One has her panties in a knot over the fact that the non believers among us may feel excluded with all the religious films around. So, Katie, what do you propose we do, ban these movies? I mean, we wouldn’t want to make anyone feel excluuuuuuuded, would we?
First of all, and this may come as a profound shock to Katie and her touchy-feely hypersensitive pink-pillow lined world, but there is no constitutional protection against being excluded from things. If there were, I’d be a member of Augusta National Golf Club so fast you wouldn’t believe it.
Oh, and one more thing, Katie. Just how long have you been an anti-Christian bigot?
yaaaaaaa
December 5, 2006 - 09:53 ET byyaaaaaaa
umm... though I do have a thing with.. umm... PINK... hehe...
www.Pinkpearls3737.com <---- meee... :)
Well hello cutie pie! :-)&quo
December 5, 2006 - 09:58 ET by MightyMouthWell hello cutie pie! :-)
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
I just looooooooooooooove NB!
December 5, 2006 - 10:23 ET by Dave RI just looooooooooooooove NB!
Katie Couric
December 5, 2006 - 10:09 ET by conantPersonally I find Katie's colon to be the most interestiong thing about her. In fact I think the pic of her face down smiling at the camera during the exam is the best one ever taken and should be used anytime anybody comments about her. Do you think she'd send me a signed print for my desk?
Katie Couric
December 5, 2006 - 10:09 ET by conantPersonally I find Katie's colon to be the most interestiong thing about her. In fact I think the pic of her face down smiling at the camera during the exam is the best one ever taken and should be used anytime anybody comments about her. Do you think she'd send me a signed print for my desk?