Comments on: Un-Worthy: English Cleric Accuses Disney of Corrupting the Youth

By: Jill

Jill — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:15:57 +0000

2L,MN, and susan,

You both make excellent points. There are “crossover points” between religion and Disney (or corporations in general).

“has accused the corporation of “exploiting spirituality” to sell its products…it pretends to provide stories with a moral message, but has actually helped to create a more materialistic culture.”–see christian bookstores.

“…how consumerism is being sold as an alternative to finding happiness in traditional morality.” This is a mistaken idea. Both consumerism and much of traditional morality teach that having things and being wealthy are a sign of success, sometimes even of “election by god”.

“He cites films such as Sleeping Beauty and 101 Dalmatians that feature moral battles, but get into children’s imaginations and make them greedy for the merchandise that goes with them.”–again, see christian bookstores and merchandise such as BIBLEMAN! Go to the new age store and see how spirituality is impossible without altars, crystals, statues, yoga mats etc.

“The message behind every movie and book, behind every theme park and T-shirt is that our children’s world needs Disney,” he says.” This is a staple of religious and secular religious ideology. Children need ideology or brand X to grow up moral and good.

Religion and secular religious ideology have been stealing from each other for years. Now the corporations have taken note and use many of the same techniques these groups developed over thousands of years. There is a near seemless blending between religious and secular ideology, and corporate marketing.

P.S. I still want the Cinderella package!

By: 2L, MN

2L, MN — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:25:37 +0000

Does the good Abbot not realize the irony in his claim? If a corporation, looking to provide services while reaping profits is capable of being a new “religion” with a modern day Mecca in which its “worshipers” travel to, then isn’t it possible that the very church he serves is simply a corporation looking to provide services while reaping profits? Be careful what analogies you make, the similarities may frighten you.

By: susan

susan — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:46:03 +0000

i thought the point was corruption, and one needs not replace religion with disney to introduce corruption into religion.

By: rafflaw

rafflaw — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:38:38 +0000

Susan,
We didn’t probe the cleric’s point. We just proved that just because people have fun with the characters, it doesn’t replace religion.

By: susan

susan — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:57:56 +0000

i think you two have proved the cleric’s point.

By: Jill

Jill — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:37:30 +0000

Good one rafflaw! Perhaps this is how pluto and goofy achieve beatification?

By: rafflaw

rafflaw — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:21:12 +0000

Jill,
If it is acid and Disney it must be Fantasia!

By: Jill

Jill — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:54:02 +0000

True rafflaw. Powdered wigs are rather fetching. You CAN go to the ball, as can we all!!! It would be fun to schedule a giant group-Moonie style Cinderella wedding at Disney. Talk about an acid trip-OMG, as the vicar would say

By: mespo727272

mespo727272 — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:42:08 +0000

The soul saving business must need a bailout too, since things are obviously slow around the vicarage.

By: Un-Worthy: English Cleric Accuses Disney of Corrupting the Youth « From My Heart, Out Of My Mind

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:29:58 +0000

[...] and corrupting youth. Even worst, he says that Disneyland is now a modern day pilgrimage site. Cick here for rest of [...]

By: rafflaw

rafflaw — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:20:45 +0000

Jill,
I am betting that the Cinderella packages are a big seller! Especially if you can get the drivers with the powdered wigs!! Who wouldn’t want that?!

By: “… erroneous thinking …” « Breakfast in the Ruins

“… erroneous thinking …” « Breakfast in the Ruins — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:24:33 +0000

[...] crazy English cleric: Christopher Jamison, the Abbot of Worth in West Sussex, has accused Disney of “exploiting [...]

By: Jill

Jill — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 21:24:52 +0000

Here’s this book I read, which in part, covers Disney weddings. I don’t like the book as it’s too mean spirited overall but this part is hilarious. Goofy and Pluto are not paid enough to be saints!

“…{when} she details the packages offered by Disney, she quotes a spokesperson who stresses that the company’s famous characters are available to appear at receptions, but not the weddings as it might detract from the dignity of the occasion. But the carriage-drivers can wear powdered wigs,” (In case you were wondering the carriage drivers are part of the Cinderella wedding package.)

Mead, Rebecca. One Perfect Day: The Selling of the American Wedding. 2007.

By: rafflaw

rafflaw — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 21:12:01 +0000

Buddha,
I don’t know about it being instrinsically evil, but I always wondered about Goofy.

By: Buddha Is Laughing

Buddha Is Laughing — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 20:37:48 +0000

What kind of message do you send when there are two dogs, Goofy and Pluto, and one is treated as a natural person while the other is treated as chattel?

Intrinsically evil? Perhaps not, but then again . . .

By: rafflaw

rafflaw — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 18:03:22 +0000

I guess if Mickey and Minnie are up for sainthood, that would make Walt Disney at least a prophet or a even higher pay grade!

By: pfc

pfc — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:39:26 +0000

I think its appropriate here to reference the Mooby Massacre see from the movie Dogma:

By: Jill

Jill — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:44:40 +0000

I’m going with the Abbot on this one. Disney is a little creepy. I’m waiting for the Disney funeral–we put the FUN in funeral! The following is from Disney’s wedding website.

“Ceremony
Whether you wish to be married in front of Cinderella Castle, at sunrise in an international Epcot destination or beneath starry skies lit by a spontaneous fireworks display, a Wishes Wedding or commitment ceremony can be anything your heart desires.”

http://www.disneyweddings.go.com/site/wed/cus/start/

By: susan

susan — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 15:56:01 +0000

i guess he would not be too thrilled with a mickey and minnie sainthood recommendation.