MovieChat Forums > Cedar Rapids (2011) Discussion > What's with the religion BS?

What's with the religion BS?

posted 14 years ago by Christoast
15 replies | jump to latest

A religious insurance company? What? Why? Really? That exists ?

God *beep* damnit.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] MJforever16 14 years ago

I was asking my friend about the whole 'religion intertwined with insurance' thing...

She said that it was middle-America, and they were probably just God fearing republicans.

That's must be why... IDK. Loved the film though.

"Kickin' in the front seat, Sittin' in the back seat, Which seat can I take?"

[–] verycoolnin 14 years ago

In the bible belt, you have to throw jesus onto everything for it to be legit.

[–] guer0071 14 years ago

Iowa and Wisconsin are not in the bible belt.

[–] adamsmo 14 years ago

I think it's just to add to the plot of the main character (and many others) being from rural, conservative midwestern towns. The whole midwest is not like that.

[–] Psychological_Gold 14 years ago

I thought it was supposed to show that sometimes, the ones that act holier-than-thou are actually the scummiest.

[–] richglogan 14 years ago

by Unconcerned 3 days ago (Wed Jun 22 2011 01:53:07) Ignore this User | Report Abuse

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I thought it was supposed to show that sometimes, the ones that act holier-than-thou are actually the scummiest.

There are more than a few who strapped on the Roman collar that serve as Exhibit A proving the truth of that statement.

[–] Stewpac 13 years ago

Doesn't anybody ever pay attention to a movie anymore? They are not a Christion insurance company. They are affiliated with a private insurance organization that preaches morality. The award is from the ASMI organization that they are a part of, but that doesn't mean that they are a Christion insurer. It's like winning an oscar.

[–] billnadsley 13 years ago

I understood that, myself, but what I didn't quite understand was why so many businesses would be so concerned with what a super-religious (to the extent that everyone talked about the religious context a lot) organization would think.

I recall that it was a fairly small group, so maybe they were just all from a middle-American region of a few states where more people put value in that kind of religious morality. I seriously doubt you'd see too many insurance companies from New York or LA being represented, or even being concerned with that sort of affair. I'd think their concern would be much more focused on business than morality. Though I guess we see in this film, that people are people, no matter where, and you'll find corruption even in the most "moral" environments (not that we haven't seen that a gazillion times in politics and religion in real life before - my favorite kinds of hypocrites to be found out, by the way).

Though I'm still a bit confused as to why Zeigler's company would even send him - it would seem he'd be the last guy that would make a good impression on such an organization.

Did love the film, though, quite a bit darker than expected - just my kind of film.

[–] Stewpac 13 years ago

First of all the company sent him because the owner was at his daughter's wedding, so he couldn't go. Second, you must not have spent much time in middle America. Contrary to popular belief most of the USA does not live in either New York or LA. If you've ever been to a small midwestern town you would understand that this is really important to a large part of the population. The thing is it isn't so much the religious aspect of it, but it's that any respectable person in the midwest goes to church. That way by being involved in a an insurance group that has religious ties probably makes people feel that the company is safe and has integrity. I don't think someone goes out specifically looking for a Luthern based insurance company, but they probably notice that they are endorsed by a Luthern organization and think that the company is honest.

Trust me I'm not saying it should matter if the insurance company is religious based as it doesn't matter to me, but a large part of the population considers things like this.

Also, I don't think the film was trying to make a statement that religion is corrupt. I just think it was the joke of the film that the person that was supposed to be the most upstanding person was actually the most corrupt.

[–] billnadsley 13 years ago

Did you misread my post?

First of all the company sent him because the owner was at his daughter's wedding, so he couldn't go.

First of all, I understand why Lippe was sent, but I asked about Ziegler, if you reread the post. Doesn't seem like the guy you'd send to an important religion-oriented event multiple times, especially if your midwestern company has the concerns you describe.

Second, you must not have spent much time in middle America. Contrary to popular belief most of the USA does not live in either New York or LA.

Second, most people think that the majority live in these two cities? They must not be very educated on the population of the US. I have no such confusion. Nope, I haven't spent much time in middle-America, unless you count about 20-30 week-long business trips or so. But I'm not going to claim to be a native. I do come from upstate New York, which many believe is the same thing as New York City, though they'd be completely wrong. Aside from it being 7ish hours away from NYC, I've been in less backwoodsy places in the middle of Arkansas. Either way, I do get that religion is a big concern for the midwest, which is why I said, "I recall that it was a fairly small group, so maybe they were just all from a middle-American region of a few states where more people put value in that kind of religious morality." What I meant, was that it still didn't seem like a big enough group to have come from a lot of places, probably just a few states. I'm well aware that a good deal of mid-America is very stolidly stuck on religion, even to the extent of mixing it with business.

Also, I don't think the film was trying to make a statement that religion is corrupt. I just think it was the joke of the film that the person that was supposed to be the most upstanding person was actually the most corrupt.

Also, I didn't say the film was saying that religion itself was corrupt. I just said "I guess we see in this film, that people are people, no matter where, and you'll find corruption even in the most "moral" environments". I DO think this was a message, as it was something Lippe learned about the big world. And it's true, whether it be religion, politics, family, or whatever people hold up to be a perfect and wonderful thing, if you look around in the big picture, you won't be hard pressed to find something corrupt going on. Not saying there aren't great things going on as well, but this film was about Lippe learning about the bigger picture, and seeing that things aren't limited to his once-smaller perspective. And that's what the film showed.

[–] Stewpac 13 years ago

I think that Lippe was exactly the person they would want to send because he was such a good guy and never did anything wrong. Remeber the owner didn't know that the old guy (dead guy) was bribing them, so he sent his best man. Yes, he probably didn't have the best skills to shmooze with people, but he fit the type of person they were looking for.

As far as NY and LA, the country revolves around them whether you believe it or not. Also, I know the upstate NY is much different than NYC. Even in upstate NY you must have noticed a much larger religious importance in small towns. Maybe you lived in Buffalo or Syracuse, but I bet the small towns in upstate NY are still similar to the one in Cedar Rapids. If you don't think that the country revolves around NY (east coast cities) and LA try watching a sporting event on ESPN that doesn't have the Yankees or the Red Sox on it. Or if it's basketball it's the Celtics, Lakers, or Knicks. Just look at the minor earthquake near DC yesterday. CNN and all the other 24 hour news stations went nuts over an earthquake that really didn't do anything, but earlier in the year there have been earthquakes about the same size in other parts of the country and you barely heard a whisper about them. Actually I just look it up and the same day as the DC area earthquake there was one earlier in the day in Colorado that was just slightly smaller and nobody even mentioned it.

[–] billnadsley 13 years ago

I think that Lippe was exactly the person they would want to send because he was such a good guy and never did anything wrong. Remeber the owner didn't know that the old guy (dead guy) was bribing them, so he sent his best man. Yes, he probably didn't have the best skills to shmooze with people, but he fit the type of person they were looking for.

Again, please read my post with some attention. I UNDERSTAND why Lippe was sent, completely. I have NO idea why Ziegler was there. He's the anti-everything that they stood for, on the surface (though I'll say that his character was incredibly touching with his real friendship - awesome acting on Reilly's part).

I'm sorry if you think the world revolves around these big cities. I don't agree at all. Yes, if you want to say, in a business or entertainment perspective, then yes. A lot of what is consumed likely has a basis of ideas in these two cities. But you, and the rest of the country, are being quite closed minded if you feel the country "revolves" around the big cities. Do you even know where one of the biggest influential computer company's headquarters is located? I'm talking Microsoft, and I'm talking Redmond, Washington. Not NY, not LA. And I'd say there's a good deal that revolves around that.

Also, I spent more than 15 years in one of the cities you've talked about. All I can tell you is, the people I've met across the country (and I've met a lot in a lot of different places), are not as dumb as you describe. They rarely even care about, and usually express no interest, in living in a major metropolis, especially NY or LA. And I respect that in a big way, as I can see that they're not stupid enough to be talked into that. Give middle America (or elsewhere) some credit.

Again, I do understand about the religion thing, so I can see why that would appeal to some middle-American businesses. I guess I'm just surprised that more people haven't woken up to the fact that religion and an insurance business have nothing to do with one another, no matter where you live. But yes, I've seen just that kind of really weird relation where I was raised as well. It's kind of odd, considering business and religion are hilariously inappropriate bedmates to begin with. Which I suppose, was shown somewhat in the film as well.

But be real. Of course people will talk about an earthquake in DC more than a smaller one in Colorado, or elsewhere. A) You're always going to talk about the more unique earthquake, and B) DC is a much stranger place to experience nature than in Colorado, or other spots in the US, so again, of course, no one will talk about Colorado vs. DC. Just like you'd probably hear a report on the news about the premiere of the newest blockbuster film if it oddly premiered in Wichita, KS. It's different and strange, so it gets reported on.

[–] glasshull 13 years ago

SOMETIMES??? I find the worst people either wrap themselves in Jesus or the flag.

[–] SocialMediaFluff 13 years ago

As an American who grew up in a very small Midwestern town, I agree totally. The best part of leaving my little town was saying goodbye to the horrible people that claimed Jesus as their own while not having the first clue about charity, forgiveness or true moral fiber.

This movie was so funny because, in quite a few ways, I recognize these characters as real people I've known in my life. Greedy, manipulative people that will name drop Jesus for selfish reasons and fake pray their way into leadership roles.