The Witnesses movie is definitely risky. I can definitely envision a scenario where the Mopologists wind up being "victims of their own success." If it eclipses Meet the Mormons, for example, then the Brethren will most likely step in to take over: no more filmmaking for DCP. Or, he will be "absorbed" into the Church's filmmaking arm. It would be similar to what happened to FARMS. As soon at the COB caught wind of the fact that they were angling for $7,000,000+ for their Ziggurat, they stepped in and insisted that it become part of BYU. But that's really pretty unlikely. I think that, instead, the movie will perform modestly at best. It's not screening on all that many screens, and the majority of them are in Idaho and Utah. I think they are hoping for repeat viewings, but again: it's not like this is The Avengers or Star Wars. The only people who will watch it multiple times are the dozen or so hardcore fanboys who post comments at SeN.Gadianton wrote: ↑Sun May 09, 2021 3:07 pmDr. Scratch,
In your professional opinion, how might the Witnesses film affect prospects of Eternal Salvation for the producers?
Did you know that it's going to be released in 34 states? Did you know that Billboards are going up to advertise it? Everything about it is as if it were a commissioned piece from the Brethren, except for the fact that it isn't. But that's how it's going to be received by the rest of the world.
If it does well, what's the outcome of that? On the one hand, the Brethren might be very pleased. If it brings in baptisms, then I don't think it's absurd to say that an additional planet in the Eternities is in order for those who made it successful. But what if it bombs and people laugh at it, and it makes the church look silly? What shall the Brethren think then? How happy are they going to be?
But to your point: What if it's a disaster? So, I don't think it's going to be a full-blown disaster, unless there is some scandal attached to it--i.e., if the mainstream press picks up on some of DCP's racist comments or something like that. Instead, I think that critical reviews will shrug about it, saying that it's a reasonably well-made film that is nonetheless propaganda for believing Mormons, so who cares? But--and it's a big "if"--if it is a true disaster, I don't think that Eternal Salvation is on the chopping block. Instead, I think it would just be further alienation of the Mopologists--less favors from the Brethren, and that sort of thing.
Meanwhile, I guess the Maui air must be giving Dr. Peterson a massive case of hubris, because now he's imagining that the stupid Witnesses movie will cure world hunger:
So, are they arranging for screenings of Witnesses in the COVID wards in India right now? You know, to "give comfort to the afflicted"? What a joke. And about these "scores of studies"--post them. Let's see these studies. The last time someone issued a call for sources on this, DCP produced a study showing that *tithing* was being "counted" as a "charitable donation." Well, if the Plan of Salvation is at stake, then you are not really giving it as "charity," are you?DCP wrote:I would be perfectly happy, of course, if Witnesses were to somehow cure cancer or put an end to poverty. It won't, though. But here's something for that critic to contemplate: Scores of studies indicate that religious people tend to give more to charity – more money, more time, more effort – than secularists do. And they don't only give more to their churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques. They give more to non-religious charities, as well. So perhaps our critic should be hoping that Witnesses will reach and persuade huge audiences that, becoming more religious as a result, will commit themselves more fully to charity – thus helping to put an end to thirst, hunger, disease, and disability. And might Witnesses be able to give comfort to the afflicted? I expect so, although that wasn't the specific purpose for which it was created: Religious faith demonstrably provides comfort in times of sorrow and distress. If Witnesses aids anybody to gain or to strengthen faith, it will thereby enable that faith to give comfort when comfort is needed.
I'll tell you what: if Dr. Peterson is willing to put up links to "scores of studies" (and since 1 score = 20, let's set the bar low, at 40, so 40 studies), and if these studies legitimately prove his point, then I will personally arrange for "Witnesses" to be screened in my city. What do you say, Dr. Peterson?
