Hollywood Strikes Again
In his 1977 Oscar-winning movie Annie Hall, Woody Allen’s character quipped, “I’m a bigot, but it’s okay, because I’m a bigot for the left.” This classic one-liner reminds us of the adage that many a true word is spoken in jest, and some 48 years later, as we look at this year’s nominations for the 97th Academy Awards, it’s abundantly clear that Allen’s wisecrack still reflects the views of the movers and shakers in Hollywood. Year after year, the Academy invites us to celebrate the standards of a degenerate culture revelling in its self-indulgent decadence. At the same time, members of this small, influential clique take every opportunity to ridicule conservative principles and berate those who embrace traditional ideals. Evidently, bigotry is fine, provided it’s the enlightened bigotry of the liberal.
This year, the film Emilia Pérez received 13 nominations at the Academy Awards, making it the most-nominated non-English-language film in Oscar history. The film secured two awards at the ceremony and seven trophies at the César Awards. According to one blurb, the film centres on a Mexican cartel leader, Manitas, who transitions to become Emilia Pérez, exploring themes of gender identity, transition, and the challenges faced by trans women. Of course it does! And naturally, the leading role was played by the first openly trans actor to receive an Oscar nomination in an acting category. Evidently, after Emilia’s death, “she is borne aloft by mourners as a life-sized plastic Catholic Virgin” (‘Emilia Perez’ Ending and Empty Symbolism, Explained). None of this should take us by surprise. Each year, Hollywood’s social activism becomes more blatant and the influence of its effete liberalism and perverted values more apparent in Western culture.
Resisting the negative influence of the surrounding culture has always been a challenge for God’s people. It’s not easy for Christians to live as “aliens and strangers” (1 Pet 2:11) day after day, walking to the beat of a different drum. We know that we are not to be “conformed to this world” (Rom 12:2), but the world is just so persistent! The daily pressure to conform chips away at our resolve and threatens to undermine our best intentions. The world is just so intrusive. And it’s because the world is intrusive that we must protect our lifelines to God in a Godless world, lifelines such as worship, prayer and Bible study. We’ve heard it all before, but reminders are important (2 Pet 1:13). The world wants our minds and chips away at our resolve. Let’s not give the enemy more power by throwing away our God-given weapons.
Rex.
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