The most popular critique that I found basically implied that the movie was either good or bad, but it was easy to see how some people could be offended by it. Very few critics dared take an extreme stand at what they thought and left their views very open-ended. For example, Robert Butler of Knight Rider Newspaper says, “Smith’s satire isn’t flawless, as evidenced by his casting of Alanis Moris

Granted, it is very easy to see why this movie struck a chord with advocacy groups and pro-Catholic protestors. It did portray many things that would almost be considered blasphemous to a devout member of that religion. For example, in this film, the part of God is played by Alanis Morisette, making God a female. This is not the norm in Catholicism. Another example is that the lead actress in this film, Bethany (Linda Fiorentino) is a direct relative of Jesus Christ. Nowhere in the Bible did it say anything about Jesus’ parents having other children. In fact, the thought of the Blessed Virgin having more children is almost absurd to some people. Let’s not forget the fact that this supposed “direct descendant of Jesus Christ” worked at an abortion clinic. A thirteenth apostle, Rufus, is also introduced in this film. The idea that there was a thirteenth apostle seems ludicrous to some people (Personally, I would be interested in finding out if people were bothered by the fact that this thirteenth Apostle was black. However I couldn’t dig anything up on that issue). Finally, as mentioned before, the last thing that struck a chord with the advocacy groups was the fact that avid anti-Catholic George Carlin played the part of a Catholic Cardinal in this film. Also, this Cardinal is shown at the beginning of the movie saying that the traditional symbol for Catholicism, the Crucifix, was too boring (probably not the best thing they could have said) and that he was starting a movement for the crucifix to be replaced by the “Buddy Christ”. Some people, like myself, took this all in good fun and humor. However, it’s not hard to notice why some people found it offensive.

In the end, everything turned out fine for everyone involved in the argument. Due to the strong protests of the above mentioned advocacy groups, the movie didn’t do all that well in theatres. Granted, this may not be the only or the biggest reason for that, but it sure as heck didn’t help. On the other side of this coin, the people that wanted to see the movie because they enjoy the work

Some topics in this essay:
Kevin Smith, Joan Ellis, Christopher Null, Catholic Church, Catholic Cardinal, Jesus Christ”, Britney Spears, Catholicism Crucifix, Linda Fiorentino, Catholic League, kevin smith, catholic league, thirteenth apostle, directed kevin smith, religious civil rights, bethany linda, religious civil, catholic church, protest film, league religious, fallen angels, catholic league religious, bethany linda fiorentino, civil rights, league religious civil,