IMHO Catholic clerics corrupt childrens' minds more

nikjd68

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/new...lic-cleric-of-corrupting-childrens-minds.html

Disney accused by Catholic cleric of corrupting children's minds
A leading Catholic cleric has launched a fierce attack on Disney, claiming it has corrupted children and encouraged greed.

By Jonathan Wynne-Jones, Religious Affairs Correspondent
Last Updated: 9:21PM GMT 29 Nov 2008
Disney accused by Catholic cleric of corrupting children's minds
Christopher Jamison believes films such as Sleeping Beauty and 101 Dalmatians encourage consumerism among young children

Christopher Jamison, the Abbot of Worth in West Sussex, has accused the corporation of "exploiting spirituality" to sell its products and of turning Disneyland into a modern day pilgrimage site.

He argues that it pretends to provide stories with a moral message, but has actually helped to create a more materialistic culture.

In a guide to helping people find happiness, the abbot, who starred in the hit-BBC series The Monastery, warns that society is in danger of losing its soul because of growing consumerism and the decline of religion.

He suggests that many people have become obsessed with work, sex and eating in an attempt to ignore their underlying unhappiness, and criticises corporations and industries that have benefited from promoting false notions of fulfilment.

Fr Jamison, who has been tipped as a contender to succeed Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor as the next Archbishop of Westminster, targets the behaviour of Disney in particular, which he says is "a classic example" of how consumerism is being sold as an alternative to finding happiness in traditional morality.

While he acknowledges that Disney stories carry messages showing good triumphing over evil, he argues this is part of a ploy to persuade people that they should buy Disney products in order to be "a good and happy family".

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.

"The message behind every movie and book, behind every theme park and T-shirt is that our children's world needs Disney," he says.

"So they absolutely must go to see the next Disney movie, which we'll also want to give them on DVD as a birthday present.

"They will be happier if they live the full Disney experience; and thousands of families around the world buy into this deeper message as they flock to Disneyland."

He continues: "This is the new pilgrimage that children desire, a rite of passage into the meaning of life according to Disney.

"Where once morality and meaning were available as part of our free cultural inheritance, now corporations sell them to us as products."

Fr Jamison, who is one of Britain's most prominent Catholic clerics, claims that brands such as Disney market themselves to be about more than mere materialism to create an addiction to consumption.

"This is basically the commercial exploitation of spirituality," he says, adding that as a result Disney and other corporations "inhabit our imagination".

"Once planted there they can make us endlessly greedy. And that is exactly what they are doing."

The Walt Disney Company, founded in 1923 by brothers Walt and Roy Disney, is one of the world's biggest entertainment companies. It owns 11 theme parks and several television networks, while its Hollywood studios have produced more than 200 feature films.

Last week, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, expressed similar concerns about the direction of society when he said that social cohesion has been eradicated due to "rampant consumerism and individualism".

In 2006, Lord Layard, the Government's "happiness Tsar", urged for a rethink of economic and social policy after concluding that the pursuit of financial success has led to a rise in depression and emotional impoverishment.

However, in Fr Jamison's new book, Finding Happiness, he suggests that many of the answers can be found by people living more simply.

The book, published this week, urges people to reject the superficial temptations offered by contemporary culture.

He criticises the obsession with celebrity, which he blames for creating jealousy and a society in which people are dissatisfied with their life.

"Celebrity news magazines do no apparent external harm, but are a complete waste of interior time and space.

"Envy tells us to stop facing the challenges of the present life and to live in some future fantasy. Such envy drives a large part of our consumer culture."

People need to learn to control their thoughts, and practice more self-discipline and self-control in their life, he says.

He says there are "eight thoughts" which need to be controlled to help people to discover happiness. Six of them (anger, pride, gluttony, lust, greed, and spiritual apathy or sloth) are found among the list of deadly sins. To this he adds sadness and vanity.

Fr Jamison has risen to be one of Britain's most well-known Catholic clerics following the screening of The Monastery, which was filmed at Worth Abbey where he is abbot.
 
"Hello, pot...meet kettle".

LOL! I think you're right.

Even if there might be a bit of truth to what he says, he seems to be a rather hypocritical messenger! "For more information, please catch the reruns of my reality TV show, or buy my new book which is conveniently being released this week."
 
I find it rather amusing on two fronts: first, if people are spending money at/on Disney, they're not giving it to their local church and second, I always found it amusing that you needed to donate or tithe your way into Heaven. Apparently God loves those that tithe the most!
 

People need to learn to control their thoughts, and practice more self-discipline and self-control in their life, he says.

Out of all of that, I do agree with this statement somewhat. Big commercial companies are going to put out product that's what they do. Isn't it our responsibility to control ourselves and how much we get involved in ANYTHING, not just Disney? We can have fun without being totally consumed by things.
 
I find this article quite twisted and somewhat sickening.

While he acknowledges that Disney stories carry messages showing good triumphing over evil, he argues this is part of a ploy to persuade people that they should buy Disney products in order to be "a good and happy family".

Good according to who? By whose standards?
Disney never states that their products make anybody good. They do advertise that it is a place for kids of all ages, however.


However, in Fr Jamison's new book, Finding Happiness, he suggests that many of the answers can be found by people living more simply.


Anybody who is looking to live a more happy life and who is claiming it is a godly message would tell you the way to live happy is to live a life for Jesus Christ and follow God's word found in the bible, not a book with man's instructions. Sounds like Jamison's book is a self-help book. :rolleyes:

People need to learn to control their thoughts, and practice more self-discipline and self-control in their life, he says.

He says there are "eight thoughts" which need to be controlled to help people to discover happiness. Six of them (anger, pride, gluttony, lust, greed, and spiritual apathy or sloth) are found among the list of deadly sins. To this he adds sadness and vanity.

This is the biggest laugh about that article. If he is writing to people where he is trying to give godly instruction, then he has it all wrong. Godly instruction is not to practice self-discipline and self-control, but instead to seek God's face and ask God (not found in a self-help format) to change you, to work in your life and to search your heart and reveal to you where you are missing the mark.

My child is raised in a Christian home where we love Disney. Her mind is not corrupt. She loves Jesus more than anything and is very Heaven-minded. She is very excited about going to Disney in June and cannot wait to dine with princesses, but more excited about being a good kid, going to church, making Jesus-like choices and obeying her parents. My 11-year-old is not the least bit corrupt by Disney. ;)
 
If he is writing to people where he is trying to give godly instruction, then he has it all wrong. Godly instruction is not to practice self-discipline and self-control, but instead to seek God's face and ask God (not found in a self-help format) to change you, to work in your life and to search your heart and reveal to you where you are missing the mark.

My child is raised in a Christian home where we love Disney. Her mind is not corrupt. She loves Jesus more than anything and is very Heaven-minded. She is very excited about going to Disney in June and cannot wait to dine with princesses, but more excited about being a good kid, going to church, making Jesus-like choices and obeying her parents. My 11-year-old is not the least bit corrupt by Disney. ;)

Thank you, you said it better than I did. This is exactly what I meant.
 
warns that society is in danger of losing its soul because of growing consumerism and the decline of religion.

He suggests that many people have become obsessed with work, sex and eating in an attempt to ignore their underlying unhappiness




i second these lines!
 
LOL! I think you're right.

Even if there might be a bit of truth to what he says, he seems to be a rather hypocritical messenger! "For more information, please catch the reruns of my reality TV show, or buy my new book which is conveniently being released this week."

My mom sent this article to me, and I had the same thought! :thumbsup2
 
"Hello, pot...meet kettle".

LOL! I think you're right.

Even if there might be a bit of truth to what he says, he seems to be a rather hypocritical messenger! "For more information, please catch the reruns of my reality TV show, or buy my new book which is conveniently being released this week."



Ursula and Design Mom have nailed it. This is nothing more than a cynical promotional ploy for Abbot Worth's own book. He wants to rile us all up and hopes we'll buy his stuff. Take him and his posturing with a great big grain of salt and ignore him.
 
bytheblood basically beat me to the punch, and explained the Biblical stance a lot better than I could. While there are some things I agree with in this article, as well as some scriptural things, I don't find it to be hugely helpful. I am simply responding as an independant-minded Christian here, and those who are opposed to that might not want to continue reading this.

An individualistic society with little religious conviction is not what God wants for us and will only lead to unhappiness and ruin, but this is the reality of a fallen world. We will never have a perfect society, and trying to make one through speeches, books, and laws is an adament denial of the powrer of the Gospel. Once the church decides it must change lives through political clout rather than the Holy Spirit, everything goes to hell. This was how the church turned from the disciples of Christ, to the Church of the Crusades.

Disney is a corporation that is dedicated to us all buying their product. This is a simple fact. This means they are not above anyone else in this regard. If you don't believe me, just listen to Pete's rants. However, I would rather my child be into Disney as opposed to some other consumerist things. Disney products promote morality and the triumph of good over evil. How can you not love that? I am also a fan of the wholesome nature of the whole thing, as well as the fact that I can escape my troubles for a time while frolicing in Disney. That being said, it is not my god. Jesus is my God. I know I will find salvation in Him and not Mickey Mouse. This gives me the correct perspective when approaching Disney and the prospect of buying their product.

The truth is that yelling and condemnation is not going to make people stop reaching for empty vessels. Neither is trying to make some sort of socialist society. Finding momentary happiness was not what Jesus wanted for us here on earth, and this priest should re-read his Bible and remind himself of that. Jesus wanted us to be fulfilled and live the life as he lived. This would bring us and others blessing, and ultimately give us real happiness. The best part of all, we would not be doing it for reward, since Jesus took care of the salvation stuff. That means even more.

Okay, the point of all this was to say that this guy looks like the Pat Robertson of Catholicism. People like him are the reason so many British are turning away from the church. If you want a real perspective on simple living, read Shane Claiborne. He's definitely not a hypocrite (he makes all his own clothes for heaven's sake) and he has a lot of great things to say.
 
I'm tempted to send him a copy of the "Hunchback of Notre Dame" to show him exactly how Disney has portrayed spiritual corruption and greed.

Judge Claude Frollo, meet Father Clueless.
 
ahhh yes, early morning religious chat, my fav. I went to catholic school K - 8 and I would say that the brainwashing.... I mean teaching, did not prepare me or my brother for the real world. I was at least 2 years behind in math, science, and had no 2nd language or art or gym or anything for that matter because I spent all the time I was supposed to be getting an education having religion class. To top it all off, jesus and god where not there to help me like religion class claimed they would. Thanx for the retail job, jesus, I love working late on the eve of your birthday. Before I get to vitriolic, I'm fine with people believing in any religion (not scientology, I mean L ron was a sci-fi writer, duh) just make sure your grounded in the real world and teach the children to be grounded.


p.s. don't flame me
 
IMHO the Catholics (at least here in the UK) are worried about loosing their power over the masses.

If you look at the quoted films 101 Dalmations and Sleeping Beauty (both non-Disney original stories) are old and I'm guessing didn't have all the merchandise at the time?! Infact (sorry if I'm wrong) none of the parks were even open when SB was released? Walt was just trying to make sure everyone could escape reality and have a little magic in their lives :goodvibes

Not sure if you Americans are aware but every person in the UK has to pay £100 + a year to get the BBC channels - you don't have a choice! Which irritates me more that they would make a programme about someone like this - I certainly would rather spend the money at Disney.
 
i turned away from the Catholic church years ago due to stupidity like this (and beyond- specific things my church did).

Seriously, if you need to 'pick' on someone, there are much worse things out there than Disney. I'll take CARS or Sleeping Beauty anyday for my son over the hookers and gangsters shooting each other in some video game. :rotfl:

I like the Hunchback reference...........really, who is the monster and who is the man? lol :confused3
 
Yep, Disney is a company that sells things and wants you to buy it's products...what a SHOCKER! :rolleyes:

Even if everything he said is true, not so, but if it was....well, I prefer kids gravitate towards Disney that almost everything else out there. I much prefer they watch Disney over Nickolodean. I hate all the gross out stuff on Nick.

So Disney is trying to sell you stuff...at least it isn't violent or gross out stuff (for the most part) and IMHO Disney helps keep kids stay kids for awhile longer than other brands, which is fine by me. I'd MUCH rather have my niece into Princesses over Bratz and my nephew wanting everything Bolt over Bart.
 
Disney corrupting kids...... hmmmm, I'm pretty sure it might be religion corrupting kids, I mean the last time I was in church, it sounded like everyone had been brainwashed.

However, this is my opinion, I have nothing against religious people.
 
I'm tempted to send him a copy of the "Hunchback of Notre Dame" to show him exactly how Disney has portrayed spiritual corruption and greed.

Judge Claude Frollo, meet Father Clueless.

:rotfl2: :lmao:
 
Glad to know in such a tolerant environment as the Dis, we can still agree that the Catholic Church is worth criticizing. I agree, in reference to the OP's thread title, Catholic clerics are very corrupt and corrupt all who listen to them. Especially the Pope! He is so corrupt that he thinks only Catholics will go to heaven. I think Catholics need to wise up, accept that they have been corrupted, and stop putting up with it.

Just thought I would see how long this stays up before I am tagged for going too far.
 















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