MovieChat Forums > Letters to God (2010) Discussion > Why would you come here to hate on this ...

Why would you come here to hate on this movie?

posted 15 years ago by jbracht
7 replies | jump to latest

I find it extremely fascinating today as I read postings from the non-christian haters of this movie to the ones who call themselves "Christian" but yet think it's too preachy to the ones like me who are truly "Christian" and can see through all of it to get to the heart of the true message of the film.

I have so many questions for any of you on both sides so maybe some of you can enlighten and/or indulge me for a moment?

Non-Christians: If you are not Christian and do not believe in God, why comment to this movie and what it's about. This is clearly not a film for you although it sure as hell should be. Have you even seen it? I challenge anyone to see this movie. It doesn't mean you will become a Stepford God Robot. You will likely leave the theater a changed person and with tears running down your face.

Christians: I will be the first to admit that the "God" references were a bit strong and overwhelming throughout the movie but then again, isn't that what the movie was all about? Truth be told, it was about a little boy who was battling cancer and it was about what it did to his friends and family. It was about him connecting with god and trying to pull everyone together. Any Christian family would and or should normally talk about God at some point in their daily lives. They talk about praying and the ups and downs of life. I think it's funny how people call themselves Christian when it's convenient and how they pick and chose what aspects of Christianity that they want in their lives so yeah, it probably was alittle toooverwhelming for some of you!

I am sure someone will praise me for what I wrote as well as someone will lambast me and I really couldn't care less on the haters because I know what this film has done for me. While I might agree that the film was a little heavy handed with God speak and that is not how I live my day-to-day everyday, it was an excellent film and it did it's job because it made my heart feel something it hasn't felt in a long time. It made me see more than I could possibly see before and for that, I am thankful. Why do people chose to rip a sweet film apart like this? Why not see it first?

[–] hrmnrabb 15 years ago

Wow, I was coming here to post almost this exact question.

It's indeed fascinating to browse some of the hate-filled thread titles here on IMDB. It's very telling how some people go out of their way to spew hate, try and mock those of faith and attempt to diminish a courageous story about a ten year old boy who has inspired so many. Forget the fact that their efforts are completely in vain. What's most telling is how these posts and acts expose them for what they really are and how empty they must be inside.

Even thinking as they do and approaching the subject from their limited perspective, why are they so intent on bringing others down? Why make such an effort to stop others from finding peace? Again, by their limited perceptions they think stuff like this is fiction and wishful thinking. So, to them coming here to hate is the same thing as standing at the end of the Santa line at the mall and telling every kid that goes by that Santa isn't real. Nice. To me, that's low-life behavior and that's judging them by their own limited mindset.

Mocking a brave young boy's inspiring story as well as his family and community that fought to bring his tale to the big screen is as low as it gets. It's sad to see such a message fall on deaf ears and hard hearts but it's GREAT to know that a majority of those that saw this film will be inspired and moved.

[–] jbracht 15 years ago

Thanks hrmnrabb! I really appreciate your comments. I really am in such a state of confusion that people would hate on this wonderful story, simply because it's too preachy for them.

[–] Barloq 15 years ago

the ones who call themselves "Christian" but yet think it's too preachy to the ones like me who are truly "Christian"

I'm sorry, but putting yourself on a moral pedestal right off the bat was a bad move, especially when you don't know the people you're addressing. Anyway...

I haven't seen the movie, but I've seen movies like Facing the Giants that had a good Christian message, but were overwhelmingly preachy. Now, I enjoyed that movie, but the preachy-ness was annoying for 2 reasons:

1) I already believe this stuff, do I really need to have it hammered into me in every scene? Scaling back and using it more strategically can have more of an impact.

2) There's no way I'd be able to share this movie with a non-Christian. It would be like if you were sitting through a movie that constantly preaches Darwinism or Islam. Subtlety in this case is far more effective, and they'll be less likely to walk away calling it "propaganda".

Kill the trolls!!!

[–] harmedandderangerous 15 years ago

"Why would you come here to hate on this movie?"

I didn't even have to get half way through your post to answer your question with your own words. Here it is right here:

"This is clearly not a film for you although it sure as hell should be."

It's that cocky self-righteous supposition of superior humanity that is, nonetheless, based upon the preternatural entity which is, further, grounded in the slippery application of faith and all delivered with a distasteful air of magnanimity which you presume to have. This despite the smarmy preachy self-satisfaction reeking from your tone that there is no reason for others to believe you've earned.

If religion (which certainly has no monopoly on transcendence from the mundane, despite its insistence that it does) were to concentrate on saving your (mean you) soul in the decreed manner afforded within the walls of your church and not try to shape the lives of the mass of others in the secular society with the revealed "will of the Almighty" as their pedestal from which to look down with absolute moral authority then people might not come here to hate on this movie.

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. All of what you see and perhaps even some of what you think you see is a backlash to a self-same obnoxiousness radiating this way and I see everyday from over here. But I'm not claiming my point of view is anything other than just that. Maybe you're not equipped to understand something that psychologically sophisticated but since you're the one conversing with God you sure as hell should be.

[–] Bruce7 15 years ago

I am a Christian and have a comment to your provocative post which I say in a positive vein. All characters in the film were changed, and if we allow God into our lives, lives are changed. The diatribe replies and posts show that even Atheists and pagans know that there is God. The Holy God cannot be denied through Nature and Conscience. If you have seen or if you see 'To Save a Life' where Jesus is never spoken of, or worshiped(PC), you will see the contrast and the glorification of Christ and God in 'Letters.'

Can you fly this plane?
Surely you can't be serious.
I am serious, and don't call me Shirley

[–] tami_loves_noles 15 years ago

I also am amazed by hate speech in these boards. And to those people I would say...You don't believe in God....we get it.....but we do....so shut up already...go to the boards of the movies you enjoy (or at least those that you have actually seen) and share your thoughts on the them.

I think that's the purpose of these boards.

To that end....I saw the movie today and was very moved. But then I enjoy touching stories of redemption whether there is a Christian theme or not. I rated it a '7' and would definitely recommend it to anyone who can view a film without too critical an eye and just relax and enjoy a sweet story. It's good for your heart, soul and mind.

[–] Keachick 15 years ago

Unfortunately, there is a lot of confused, hateful venting all over these IMDb boards on all sorts of things - race, religion, politics, actors and actresses called all sorts of horrible names by people who don't know them/never met them etc. Sadly, it is all too easy for people to diss on anyone and anything it seems. There seems to be so much cynicism and negativity about and it seems to be "across the board". Is this perhaps a reflection of where American society is at now, philosophically, mentally, spiritually (you don't have to belong to any religion to answer this)? I am assuming that the majority of posters on these boards are American.

Just wondering.