Modern Comedy Offensive to Fundies (Watcher Blames Fact that EVERYTHING is Offensive to Fundies)

According to the AFA and journalist Jenni Parker, "Christian" movie reviewer Ted Baehr is offended by Talledega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. While a fundie critic being pissed off at a mainstream movie isn't surprising, this seems to happen so often that I have to question why fundies even bother becoming film critics. They must really like to be offended. Don't believe me? Well poo on you.

Although funnyman Will Ferrell's new movie, Talladega Nights: the Ballad of Ricky Bobby, finished first at the box office this past weekend, the comedy was not a winner as far as Christian movie reviewer Ted Baehr is concerned.

Maybe cuz Ted Baehr has a rod shoved two or three yards up his ass.

The Movieguide review of Talladega Nights describes the film as "politically correct," in that it ridicules faith, family, traditional values, Southerners, white males and other ideas and groups that are fair game to those who share typical liberal notions of what is "PC."

Don't you love when the fundies pretend like they know what words mean when they have no idea? "Politically correct" means "doesn't offend anybody," but you wouldn't know it if you listen to the neocons; you'd think it was some kind of swear word. Apparently, in today's right-wing America, "Politically Correct" means "offends conservatives."

So I'm going to offer a rare show of magnanimity and educate Ted: Ted, this movie is NOT "politically correct." It's not TRYING to be "politically correct." Now stop drinking out of the toilet and join the rest of the human race.

The review also notes that Ferrell's movie contains "lots of blasphemous and borderline laughs," along with "strong sexual references, excessive foul language and strong homosexual content."

Again, having nothing to do with political correctness. And might I add, so what? Your point is? There's "strong sexual references, excessive foul language, and strong homosexual content." Okay, that's probably why it's rated PG-13, as in, "Parents of children under 13 strongly cautioned." It contains some adult material, no duh Ted. Do you contain any adult material?

Baehr is particularly incensed over Talladega Nights' satirical references to Christianity, such as the lead character's prayers to "baby Jesus" and his "running around ... mocking God" at different points in the film. "A couple of scenes in the movie are just extremely blasphemous."

So let me get this straight: Sex, violence, foul language, even the dreaded gays, and the worst thing you can find about this movie is that it makes fun of Christians?

[H]e feels this kind of anti-Christian bigotry gets a pass in Hollywood, while other kinds of religious bigotry are denounced.

Yeah? Like what?

Baehr points to the recent incident involving producer, director and actor Mel Gibson and the anti-Semitic remarks he allegedly made during his arrest on suspicion of drunk driving.

Oh, yes! Please bring up Mel Gibson! Thank you so much for mentioning Mel Gibson! Oh, glory day, where shall I begin?

"If we take the position that what Mel Gibson said is religious bigotry," the Christian film reviewer contends, "then [much of the content in Talladega Nights] is religious bigotry too."

Hm, let's see. Mel Gibson driving around sloshed like a college student on New Year's Eve and blaming the Jews for starting every war in the world vs. a movie that makes fun of Christians. Which is worse? Well, considering that Mel's incident really happened and that Talledega Nights is just a movie, I'm gonna vote for the Fundie Golden Boy on this one. But...weren't we talking about movies that mocked religion?

[I]f we're worried about Mel Gibson apologizing for his anti-Semitism, I think it should be equally just for Will Ferrell to apologize with his writing partner for his anti-Christian bigotry.

Yeah, you're right, Ted. It really is much worse to make fun of the Christian majority in this country that holds all the power in Congress and 80% of the citizenry than it is to smart off about a persecuted minority. When are you people going to wake up, realize how much power you have in this country, and stop claiming that you're "persecuted?"

Although Talladega Nights did well with moviegoers this past weekend, Baehr believes the movie will probably be overtaken and passed when the more meaningful and faith-affirming film, World Trade Center, debuts this Wednesday. He predicts that next week, the fact-based film on the 9/11 disaster will replace Ferrell's anti-Christian comedy as the nation's number-one movie.

Yeah, you know Americans. We're just hungry for that Jesus-lovin'! While it's certainly a safe bet that lots of people will go see World Trade Center, anybody want to wager that it has nothing to do with being a "faith-affirming" movie?