Task:
Throughout the term, you have been introduced to a variety of concepts encased in religion that shape culture and understanding. Based upon the information you have obtained through your studies in our course from weeks one through five, you are to:
Identify a film that, through a plot line, a scene, a section of dialogue, effectively illustrates a key religious ideal of your choice of topic. For example, your film might illustrate the details of religious symbolism, religious ritual, or sacred texts in a specific religion that has been discussed in the course. Also, a film that illustrates the details of a sect, cult, new religious movement, or a cosmogony. The topics to choose from are the topics we have covered weeks 1 – 5 only.
Religious Symbols
Religious Rituals and Scriptures
Sects, Cults, and New Religious Movements
Cosmogonies
Once you have identified your film you should
Give a synopsis of the movie (no longer than two full paragraphs).
Indicate clearly the notion you are exploring and how the film supports that idea/belief of your topic choice. Be sure the reader can see how the film supports some aspect of the chosen religious ideal, even if he or she has not seen the movie.
Details
The paper is to be 3 – 4 pages, not exceeding 5 pages of text. This is in addition to a title page, if used and the resource page.
You should support your discussion by engaging reliable scholarly sources. Use a minimum of three reliable resources in addition to the film you have selected. You will find reliable resources in our library, Google, articles, magazines, and the like.
Your paper is to be completed using proper formatting. Your paper will be double spaced, 12 font, indented paragraphs, an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You must include in-text citations and a resource page that are documented properly in your formatting style of choice.
To get you started, here are a few movies to consider:
“Ben-Hur” – has all kinds of symbolisms, Scriptures, and the like related to Christ.
“Prince of Egypt” – is about the Old Testament Exodus story. You can have so much fun with this one picking out similarities that link to the Scriptures.
“Jesus Christ Superstar” – another with symbolism of Christ. Also, a big factor with this movie is the music linked to your topic choice. The music alone can serve as the paper.
“The Princess Bride” – can be looked upon as rebirth and resurrection. There is a ton of symbolism here to write about.
“Divine Horsemen: the living Gods of Haiti” – symbolism/religious rituals of dance and possession in relation to Voodoo. This can be considered under the idea of religious rituals and/or symbolism to build upon.
“Indian Jones and the Temple of Doom” – the temple is a place of worship, for example. This can be considered under the ideas of religious rituals and Scriptures or Sects, Cults, and New Religious Movements.
“Walk” to Remember – symbolism
“Harry Potter” and the Deathly Hallows – symbolism and/or cosmogeny
“King David” – symbolism, rituals, scriptures, sects, cults, and new religious movements
“Man of Steel” – symbolism, emphasizing Christian and Jewish imagery
“Charlie Says” – positive/negative aspects of a cult
“Spirited Away” – Shinto Symbolism
“Tomb Raider” – symbolism
“The DaVinci Code” – symbolism, rituals, sacred texts, and sect
Here is a link to Religion in Film
Here is a link to The 19 Best Movies about Faith and Religion
