MovieChat Forums > CHiPs (1977) Discussion > over the top preaching

over the top preaching

posted 10 years ago by nrangerseven
12 replies | jump to latest

I have never noticed any religious nonsense in CHiPs before. Tonight I'm watching the "Repo Man" episode and was truly surprised by what I saw.

Jon gives a kid a compliment on being a man.
Kid replies, "Well, I pray to god a lot."
Jon says, "Attaboy."
Wtf

Then the next scene some guy is talking about a higher power. Seriously?? I would not have thought this would be a show to play these games. Not cool.

Then they have the crotchety Watchmaker character who is obviously supposed to be Jewish and is being mean to Jon, the Christian hero. Pretty sickening.

I realize the show is old, but still. It is wrong to push religion on others and assume everyone who watches the show is Christian. It is a slap in a face to anyone who is non-Christian, especially as this was filmed in the US where citizens are granted freedom of religion. Freedom of religion does NOT mean freedom of Christianity and berate everyone else who doesn't agree with you.

Being a Christian does not make anyone a better person and does not give anyone a free pass on morals. If you can't determine right from wrong then you lack empathy, not religion. Be good to everyone no matter what their age, sex, race, religion or sexual orientation.

The people you idolize wouldn't like you.

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ttony_at 10 years ago

I'm sorry I don't understand.
I believe 'freedom of religion' means everyone has the right to practice their religion (provided that it doesn't break any laws). It's the reason why we must respect the religion of others (because they are free to practice and, yes, even mention to others their religion).

What it appears to me that you are suggesting is freedom *from* religion. And unless I'm wrong, US does not have a law granting freedom from religion.

[–] Itsamoomoo 10 years ago

We're on the same page as far as preachy stuff goes, but I just watched that same episode and none of that stuff jumped out at me. If it had I would have run the other way.

[–] darkavenger77 10 years ago

You assert common misconceptions involving religious practices in the US:

It is wrong to push religion on others and assume everyone who watches the show is Christian.

What exactly was being "pushed"? By your description, it was the kid, not the police officer, who brought up praying. Had the kid said he prayed to Buddha, it would have been no different. TV producers have the same freedom of religion to have characters say what they wish regarding religious practices.

...in the US where citizens are granted freedom of religion.

Whose religion was impaired? The 1st Amendment gives Americans the freedom to exercise religion and prohibits government from establishing a religion. The former would include if the citizens wish to make a TV show that makes mention of some religious aspect.

The latter would be violated if Officer Baker mandated the kid adhere to, refrain from, or perform some type of religious practice under threat of government force or reward. He didn't, so it was not a violation of the 1st Amendment. The Constitution restrains the government, not the citizens.

Here's a bonus:

Being a Christian does not make anyone a better person and does not give anyone a free pass on morals. If you can't determine right from wrong then you lack empathy, not religion. Be good to everyone no matter what their age, sex, race, religion or sexual orientation.

If one truly follows Jesus, then they love God above all else and others as themselves. This would include all of the people you mentioned. Man is a flawed being, and throughout history there are examples to this day of people misusing religion. Religion does not apply exclusively to God. You can be religious about watching a TV show or about a sports team- and many people are religious about them.

Not being able to differentiate right from wrong is a sanity issue (the legal term is mens rea or a guilty mind), not empathy. Empathy is being able to relate to others due to their circumstances.

Dean: I am wearing sunglasses at night. You know who does that? No-talent douche bags!

[–] tadpole_73068 10 years ago

Anytime it is inappropriate for a Christian to express their belief in God, it is also inappropriate for an Atheist to express their disbelief in God.

EXAMPLE: This from personal experience. When I was high school, I was prohibited from singing My God Is Real in a school talent program. An Atheist student was also prohibited from singing a song stating that there is no God.

[–] tadpole_73068 10 years ago

Anytime that it would be inappropriate for a Christian to express their belief in God, it is also inappropriate for an Atheist to express their disbelief in God. I'm not coming against the opening post. You have the right to express your feelings and I respect that.

If it's wrong for a show like Chips to show a person stating that they pray, then it would have been equally inappropriate if that person said he/she is an Atheist. Conversely, if it is permissible for someone to say they are an Atheist, it is also ok for someone else to say that they believe in God.

Both sides have equal right to freedom of speech. The rights of neither side trumps the other.

[–] tadpole_73068 10 years ago

TV
producers have the same freedom of religion to have characters say what they wish regarding religious practices.

The actors also have the right to not do a scene. If Larry Wilcox (Jon Baker) was uncomfortable with that scene, the producers would have gotten another cast member to do it.

[–] tadpole_73068 10 years ago

Jon gives a kid a compliment on being a man.
Kid replies, "Well, I pray to God a lot."
Jon says, "Atta boy".

Christians are not forcing their "religion" on you every time they simply express what they believe. If that were true, than every time an Atheist expresses their disbelief, they are forcing their views on me.

In the USA, all Americans have the same constitutional 1st Amendment right to express our selves in accordance to the law. Atheist and Religious people alike.