Fireproof your marriage/relationship

[USZA]

I saw Fireproof over the weekend and whereas I agree that it is an excellent movie and that those principles could be applied to any relationship, I however have a problem with it being used to promote the Christian propaganda.

Now, to put things into context, I am a Christian myself. I did however, try to place myself into the shoes of people with alternate beliefs; if they were to watch this movie, not knowing what it was about, they would kind of either be a captive audience, or been duped with the God message that this movie is spreading.

Also, looking at their website http://www.fireproofyourmarriage.com/, one of their partners is Focus on the Family - one of the United States' most outspoken homophobic organisations, who believe that same-sex relationships/unions/households does not constitute a family, and that same-sex couples are somehow removed from God's grace i.e. cannot participate in Christianity. In fact, most of their partners are of the anti same-sex marriage brigade by the looks of it.

 

[noxibox]

Focus on the Family are all-round nutjobs.

 

[Datura]

Nutjobs R Us. Vern, the folks behind that are behind that drivel are anti-same sex partnerships but seem to come from a long line of incestuous unions.

 

[copacetic]

I saw Fireproof over the weekend and whereas I agree that it is an excellent movie and that those principles could be applied to any relationship, I however have a problem with it being used to promote the Christian propaganda.

Really? :wtf:

To be honest I found the movie to be very badly acted and the way the husband and wife treated one another to be abhorrent. As a non-religious person watching the movie there was a very strong message suggesting that it is not possible to have a loving relationship unless you are a christian - Which is highly insulting.

Promote the christian agenda? That's all the movie sets out to do, in a spectacularly unsuccessful and offensive manner to boot.

 

[USZA]

Really? :wtf:

To be honest I found the movie to be very badly acted and the way the husband and wife treated one another to be abhorrent.

Could agree with you more on the bad acting.

As a non-religious person watching the movie there was a very strong message suggesting that it is not possible to have a loving relationship unless you are a christian - Which is highly insulting.

Exactly my point.

Promote the christian agenda? That's all the movie sets out to do, in a spectacularly unsuccessful and offensive manner to boot.

Thank you; I'm not the only one seeing this.

 

[noxibox]

But can being a Christian shark-proof your marriage?

 

[copacetic]

I guess I was surprised when you mentioned excellent in the same sentence as fireproof.

What confounds me is the idea that people need a rulebook to be honest, kind and understanding with your partner. To me, it is blatantly obvious how another human should be treated. If a movie like fireproof helps a person in their relationship, then I would imagine there is a deeper problem that needs to be dealt with.

Treat your partner as you would like to be treated. Simple.

 

[USZA]

But can being a Christian shark-proof your marriage?

Care to explain?

I guess I was surprised when you mentioned excellent in the same sentence as fireproof.

I should have clarified/qualified it; the principles were excellent, not the movie.

What confounds me is the idea that people need a rulebook to be honest, kind and understanding with your partner. To me, it is blatantly obvious how another human should be treated. If a movie like fireproof helps a person in their relationship, then I would imagine there is a deeper problem that needs to be dealt with.

For people who wouldn't know where to start, a rulebook could be of immense help.

As for treating others the way you want to be treated or even, how you treat yourself; if you have little to no self-respect, how do you think you are going to treat your partner?

 

[techead]

Focus on the Family are all-round nutjobs.

:wtf:

not trying to defend anyone here...

BUT

if you going to make comments like that, then you need to substantiate your words.

 

[I am Penguin]

, I am a Christian myself..

Sure!!? I must believe you!

 

[USZA]

Sure!!? I must believe you!

Funny how you extract only certain information to suit you. Did you read the part about context?

 

[I am Penguin]

Funny how you extract only certain information to suit you. Did you read the part about context?

I am always the victim of stuff being pulled out of context so yeah you cannot tell me anything about that. I was just wondering why you had to make the comment? To reassure yourself for your views you are about to share?

It only a question, only you may/can/should answer to yourself.

 

[cerebus]

Was anyone 'duped' by this movie? I thought it was common knowledge that it had a strongly Christian agenda.

 

[Claymore]

Also, looking at their website http://www.fireproofyourmarriage.com/, one of their partners is Focus on the Family - one of the United States' most outspoken homophobic organisations, who believe that same-sex relationships/unions/households does not constitute a family, and that same-sex couples are somehow removed from God's grace i.e. cannot participate in Christianity. In fact, most of their partners are of the anti same-sex marriage brigade by the looks of it.

How interesting that Evangelical Christians have amongst the highest divorce rates in the US. Seems like it doesn't work...

 

[I am Penguin]

How interesting that Evangelical Christians have amongst the highest divorce rates in the US. Seems like it doesn't work...

Nobody stated that Humans who are also Christians are perfect angels! The alternatives is just UNTHINKABLE!

 

[Claymore]

:wtf:

not trying to defend anyone here...

BUT

if you going to make comments like that, then you need to substantiate your words.

Positions:
* School sponsored prayer
* Corporal punishment
* Intelligent design
* Opposed to abortion, feminism, homosexuality, pornography, pre/extra-marital sex, gambling

 

[copacetic]

I should have clarified/qualified it; the principles were excellent, not the movie.

For people who wouldn't know where to start, a rulebook could be of immense help.

As for treating others the way you want to be treated or even, how you treat yourself; if you have little to no self-respect, how do you think you are going to treat your partner?

Fair enough, this is true. I guess my reaction is based on how (and why) I choose to treat people. As to the principles in the movie, as long as people understand WHY they need to change their behavior I'm happy.
I guess at the end of the day my problem, again, is the suggestion that basically you will never be happy unless you are a christian.
Learning how to treat others (and yourself) well is not solely the responsibility of religion and this, above and beyond anything thing else, completely undoes anything positive the movie might set out to do anyhow.

We don't need rules and regulations when it comes to relationships - We need to understand one another at a fundamental level. Human beings are complex creatures and I would prefer to treat the people around me in a way that is beneficial to us all not because I am told to but because I understand why I should.

Anyway, my brain is not feeling screwed on straight today, so if I make little sense...

Was anyone 'duped' by this movie? I thought it was common knowledge that it had a strongly Christian agenda.

I had no idea what it was, just happened to be at a friends house who was watching it. It didn't take long to figure out what it was about.

 

[USZA]

I am always the victim of stuff being pulled out of context so yeah you cannot tell me anything about that. I was just wondering why you had to make the comment? To reassure yourself for your views you are about to share?

More likely to present a balanced few; the fact that I'm a Christian not preventing me from having/holding such a view.

It only a question, only you may/can/should answer to yourself.

On the contrary, nothing to do with self-assurance or answering a question to myself, but, once again, to present a balanced view.

Was anyone 'duped' by this movie? I thought it was common knowledge that it had a strongly Christian agenda.

Seems that common knowledge wasn't so common after all; I had no idea that it had a strong Christian agenda; took it on recommendation, not having a clue what it was about.

 

[cerebus]

Oh I just thought it was common knowledge. It wasn't a great movie tbh. I mean what was the central message? To save a marriage you need to do a love challenge - or you need to be saved - or both? Does the love challenge get you saved? Was it self-help couched in a gospel message or a gospel message within a self-help context?

 

[Paul_S]

Funny how people can watch movies that promote Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist agenda's but if it promotes Christian values then they get upset.
If you don't like Christianity then don't watch movies that promote it.

As far as I'm aware it's not illegal to express one's opinions and religious beliefs via the media.