Borat & Me
Posted by: kdc
So now that nobody cares about it, I’m finally posting my thoughts on Borat scamming the UPC’s Mississippi Camp Meeting. While I haven’t seen the movie (it’s nasty, featuring full-frontal nudity and obvious masturbation), I did catch the clip on YouTube (it’s since been yanked for copyright issues, though a new one may be up) and it was less than 4 minutes long.
If you haven’t seen it, Borat, a character created by British comedian Sasha Baron Cohen, appears to speak in tongues, then falls to the ground as one of our preachers lays hands on him. He then is allowed to speak to the tongue-talking, aisle-running believers of Mississippi.
So, some thoughts:
* Borat was the highest grossing movie of the weekend for the second straight week. It seems to be a “must-see” event.
* Pentecostals are filmed running the aisles, speaking in tongues under every guise, laying hands on others, perhaps rushing Borat to the Holy Ghost with little time for repentance, the preacher specifically mispronouncing a phrase for effect, and generally acting like Pentecostals at a good old-fashioned camp meeting. Emails have said this makes us look like idiots, yet no one has stated any of these portrayals are inaccurate. It isn’t easy to swallow being “fools for Christ” is it?
* Honestly, judging from the chatter I’ve heard, what offends us – our behavior or his?
* Maybe this is healthy and will help UPC ministers rethink putting our services on TV. As has been stated here in the past – TV is a “cool” medium and there are few events “hotter” than a Pentecostal camp meeting. Worship can appear foolish.
* Satire (or tasteless comedy) is Cohen’s schtick. He ridicules everything and everyone. We just happened to be one of his targets this time.
* Remember that while we know it’s a UPC camp meeting, most viewers don’t. To them it’s just a bunch of crazy believers from Mississippi. (And frankly, with no offense intended, Mississippi’s overall low standing in the rest of the world’s opinion works to our advantage here.)
* I’ve heard stories of ex-Apostolics leaving the movie in a rage over this offense.
* I’ve heard of Jewish co-workers missing the Pentecostal part because there’s so much anti-Semitic material.
* The Kazakh government is in a tizzy over being misportrayed in the film. (Frankly, your country has more serious problems than you realize if one comedic documentary can hose your reputation.) They should be playing it off with a major tourist campaign: “You’ve Seen the Movie! Now see the Country That Started it All!” Then give out Groucho glasses to tourists as they arrive at the airport.
* We should expect more (and soon, regular) coverage of Christianity/Apostolics via major media. Jesus Camp created a sensation earlier this year, and now here we are getting scammed (and mentioned in prestigious publications like The Atlantic Monthly because of it). I don’t expect us to be ridiculed continually, so much as be included in the culturescape in one form or another to the point that our kids will probably be used to hearing/seeing us in most major media.
* Which is why it’s so important we create content-rich media sites that share our viewpoints and culture now, not later. There will soon be a continuous stream of outsiders, some with good intentions and some not (think of all the mainstream media coverage of Azusa in April), examining us through their mediums. We need to place ourselves into a position of strength through clarity, not weakness through kneejerk response or claims of persecution.
* Why was Mississippi so stupid to sign the waiver to be included in the movie, some ask. Easy to ask in hindsight, says I. The waiver fooled people across the nation (some of whom are suing now), stating that signees agree to waive claims of fraud and the film intends to have “entertaining content” for a young adult audience. Now, how great are your powers of discernment to see through that? Besides, I’m sure whoever okayed it thought it might expose the Gospel to a hungry heart. Perhaps it has. Perhaps it makes us look like idiots. Perhaps it did both.
* Finally, I should think we’re secure enough as Apostolic believers that one movie, no matter how temporarily popular, doesn’t define our movement. We’ve become too diverse, too alive, too large to be labeled and condemned by ignorant others. If you don’t believe that, then you haven’t been reading ninetyandnine lately.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! (Chantell’s are here. Stu’s are here and here.)
So now that nobody cares about it, I’m finally posting my thoughts on Borat scamming the UPC’s Mississippi Camp Meeting. While I haven’t seen the movie (it’s nasty, featuring full-frontal nudity and obvious masturbation), I did catch the clip on YouTube (it’s since been yanked for copyright issues, though a new one may be up) and it was less than 4 minutes long.If you haven’t seen it, Borat, a character created by British comedian Sasha Baron Cohen, appears to speak in tongues, then falls to the ground as one of our preachers lays hands on him. He then is allowed to speak to the tongue-talking, aisle-running believers of Mississippi.
So, some thoughts:
* Borat was the highest grossing movie of the weekend for the second straight week. It seems to be a “must-see” event.
* Pentecostals are filmed running the aisles, speaking in tongues under every guise, laying hands on others, perhaps rushing Borat to the Holy Ghost with little time for repentance, the preacher specifically mispronouncing a phrase for effect, and generally acting like Pentecostals at a good old-fashioned camp meeting. Emails have said this makes us look like idiots, yet no one has stated any of these portrayals are inaccurate. It isn’t easy to swallow being “fools for Christ” is it?
* Honestly, judging from the chatter I’ve heard, what offends us – our behavior or his?
* Maybe this is healthy and will help UPC ministers rethink putting our services on TV. As has been stated here in the past – TV is a “cool” medium and there are few events “hotter” than a Pentecostal camp meeting. Worship can appear foolish.
* Satire (or tasteless comedy) is Cohen’s schtick. He ridicules everything and everyone. We just happened to be one of his targets this time.
* Remember that while we know it’s a UPC camp meeting, most viewers don’t. To them it’s just a bunch of crazy believers from Mississippi. (And frankly, with no offense intended, Mississippi’s overall low standing in the rest of the world’s opinion works to our advantage here.)
* I’ve heard stories of ex-Apostolics leaving the movie in a rage over this offense.
* I’ve heard of Jewish co-workers missing the Pentecostal part because there’s so much anti-Semitic material.
* The Kazakh government is in a tizzy over being misportrayed in the film. (Frankly, your country has more serious problems than you realize if one comedic documentary can hose your reputation.) They should be playing it off with a major tourist campaign: “You’ve Seen the Movie! Now see the Country That Started it All!” Then give out Groucho glasses to tourists as they arrive at the airport.
* We should expect more (and soon, regular) coverage of Christianity/Apostolics via major media. Jesus Camp created a sensation earlier this year, and now here we are getting scammed (and mentioned in prestigious publications like The Atlantic Monthly because of it). I don’t expect us to be ridiculed continually, so much as be included in the culturescape in one form or another to the point that our kids will probably be used to hearing/seeing us in most major media.
* Which is why it’s so important we create content-rich media sites that share our viewpoints and culture now, not later. There will soon be a continuous stream of outsiders, some with good intentions and some not (think of all the mainstream media coverage of Azusa in April), examining us through their mediums. We need to place ourselves into a position of strength through clarity, not weakness through kneejerk response or claims of persecution.
* Why was Mississippi so stupid to sign the waiver to be included in the movie, some ask. Easy to ask in hindsight, says I. The waiver fooled people across the nation (some of whom are suing now), stating that signees agree to waive claims of fraud and the film intends to have “entertaining content” for a young adult audience. Now, how great are your powers of discernment to see through that? Besides, I’m sure whoever okayed it thought it might expose the Gospel to a hungry heart. Perhaps it has. Perhaps it makes us look like idiots. Perhaps it did both.
* Finally, I should think we’re secure enough as Apostolic believers that one movie, no matter how temporarily popular, doesn’t define our movement. We’ve become too diverse, too alive, too large to be labeled and condemned by ignorant others. If you don’t believe that, then you haven’t been reading ninetyandnine lately.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! (Chantell’s are here. Stu’s are here and here.)
Thank you, Kent. Can always count on you to bring some clarity and sometimes discomfort ("what offends us – our behavior or his?" ouch!) to the conversation. No promises that I will do the same on either count, but here goes ...
I was as dismayed as anyone that someone would use THE major media platform of Hollywood to flagrantly mock what I hold to be holy. But beyond my initial emotion-driven reaction, my thoughts sorta played out like this ...
1) I'd better thicken my skin because we're gonna see plenty more of this sort of exposure in the years to come, especially if every Rev. Tom, Rev. Dick, and Rev. Harry run off to put their church services on the airwaves without understanding the medium. Are we prepared to do a pound of harm for an ounce of good? I'm not saying we shouldn't leverage the broadcasting medium; what I'm saying is that we should do so with training, guidance, and an understanding of the "second order" effects.
2) Cohen's nothing new. He's Andy Kaufman with ff nudity. Sometimes we think popularity = authority, as if people are going to follow Cohen's lead in mocking our values. And what if some do, what of it? People who are truly in need won't have their emotional and spiritual needs met by such ilk ... and they know it.
3) God "scorneth the scorners" (Pro. 3:34). I'll leave the mockers and scorners like Cohen for God to deal with. Those I'm most interested in are those who are put off by Cohen's whole rehashed shtick. I was elated to read the following as part of the review of the movie on pluggedinonline.com ...
"Finding himself abandoned, dejected and penniless, Borat wanders into a Pentecostal church. There, the message of the gospel is explicitly preached, with songs such as 'There Is Power in the Blood' playing in the background. An evangelist not only explains to Borat that Jesus came as God manifested in the flesh, he also speaks of the Lord's sacrifice on the cross to forgive our sins with the shedding of His blood. Even more poignant is when the (supposedly) heartbroken, desolate Borat hears that Jesus' limitless love extends to anyone and everyone, no matter what they've done or who they are. "Can Jesus heal pain in my heart?" the foreigner asks. After being told that, yes, Jesus can heal even that, Borat is led in the sinner's prayer.
"Maybe not since The Apostle have I witnessed onscreen such a lengthy depiction of God's transforming power and His ever-open embrace to the brokenhearted."
Wow! For all his mocking antics, Cohen couldn't mask the power of the Holy Ghost and succinct gospel message from the writer. Now that's exciting! God can have the scorners, let me have those whose hearts, like the writer's, were impacted by the message of the truth.
Posted by
rdf |
Wed Nov 15, 10:02:00 AM 2006
There is a clip (with Spanish subtitles) back up on YouTube. This was my first chance to view the scene, and while I will not go to see the film, it doesn't bother me. It is a shame that Sasha Cohen felt it necessary to mock the Holy Ghost. But he doesn't misrepresent our worship at all. What he mocks is what I'm proud that I am. Hopefully, there will be those who see the beauty in the worship even through him mocking it.
Posted by
Wesley |
Wed Nov 15, 10:32:00 AM 2006
I am so disappointed in Greg Godwin. Pentecostals aren't supposed to go to the movies, but here is one of our evangelists starring in a movie. Godwin is leading us astray--out of the church house and into the movie house!
Posted by
Anonymous |
Wed Nov 15, 11:36:00 AM 2006
Yeah, tells you alot about Mississippi Dist. having people like Tim Spell singing at their campmeetings. Just another show for them all. Watch how Tim and those "Preachers" market this...The Dillon's always wanted to be in the "Lime Light", so Jason has his chance...makes all of us look stupid. Whoever signed this release should come out and the Mississippi District owes the rest of us Pentecostals an appology for allowing this to be broadcasted. You dont see other organizations being mocked.
Posted by
Anonymous |
Sat Nov 25, 02:24:00 AM 2006
Why someone would jump then bones of the Ministers and campmeeting people I don't know.
I am not sure how Borat and his people got permission to film and what it ws for, but that is not that important.
The UPCI Campground was not looking at benefitting in anyway.
Tv crews and news media have come to church services of Pentecostals for years, searching truth, whether they beliee it to be or not.
Borat fooled them, I don't believe most Oneness Pentecostals would recognize or know him, I don't think they likely told them the exact truth of why they were doing it, we see this in the lawsuits of others now.
Borat fooled himelf though, he mocked and hopefully did not BLASPHEME THE HOLY GHOST, for to do so is to not be able to be forgiven. What is blaspheming the Holy Ghost, it is when you attribute the acts of the Spirit, which does good and claim them to be of a false satanic, demonic spirit. I believe this generally comes from those who wee one time enlightened to the truth and saw the workings of the Spirit and then turned away.
Hopefully Borat character seeks the truth one day and can film a different kinda film.
I am betting there will be no marketing, there will be prayer though, I think you are in error friends whoever sees it differently and you can come to the GOOD NEWS CAFE and join in, if you are nice and can control yourself, for we can show you truth and discuss this with commons sense.
btw, where does Greg say go to the movies and support this picture, he was trying to get a man saved, the man pretended to be filming a documentary--not a comedy spoof.
Posted by
BOB JAMES |
Thu Nov 30, 04:44:00 PM 2006
Rev. Greg Godwin Preaches for us a a regular basis... Things you don;t see in those clips were that Rev. Greg Godwin told "Borat" that he wasn't sure what was going on, but that if he didn't leave the building immed. that God would strike him dead. Guess what he & his crew departed immed. Rev. Greg Godwin is not suing because he stated that God CAN & WILL make sure he is taken care of without a lawsuit.
Posted by
Anonymous |
Sun Dec 10, 04:13:00 PM 2006
I take the worship of God very seriously, but have to admit, being a practical joker myself, that I began laughing when I saw the scruffy Borat faking the whole episode, and the accent also was humorous. He was ignorant of how disrespectful he was being, so I do hope God's Spirit does draw him for real, but I don't think this will hurt our image. We aren't to be embarrassed about our love for Jesus in any circumstances, and God can deal with the movie people in His wisdom.
Tony
Posted by
Anonymous |
Fri Jan 05, 08:10:00 PM 2007
I'm a little slow on the Borat thing. Haven't seen the movie (and won't, of course), but I have seen the clip. Seems to me that the UPC was the target of this con because we have a reputation of sensationalism and over-drama. We can whine about several aspects of this scam, but in my mind it boils down to something that I tell my kids several times a year..."No stigma is without some foundation". If we Pentecostals spent less time trying to cram the Holy Ghost into people by rattling their heads and screaming in their faces and spend more time listening to them and praying with them and counselling them; we wouldn't have this stigma. If the Apostolic doctrine is right (and it IS), we should relax a bit more and deal with spiritual seekers from an intellectual, scriptural perspective instead of whipping the Holy Ghost into them and dealing with the rest when the dust clears. I've been Apostolic my whole life (42 years), and I've NEVER been comfortable with the "nail them between the eyes and bring me the next one" mentality.
Posted by
David Yarnall |
Thu Jan 25, 10:51:00 AM 2007
...pentecostals arent allowed to see movies? that may be the most ridiculous thing i've ever heard. is god going to strike you down just because you went to go be entertained?
Posted by
Anonymous |
Mon Apr 09, 02:56:00 AM 2007
Congratulations on your commitment to something you have chosen to believe in and may it make your lives happier.
But the fact remains if you UPC folk would have been born a few thousand miles from where you are, you'd most likely be just as committed to whatever religion gave you the most comfort in that society.
Maybe humiliation is a catalyst to seeing a different light? The real world is out there and on this occasion it came to visit.
Dave spoke sense with the "rattling heads and screaming in faces", reap what you sow. Drama should be kept in the movie theatre. (But hey, at least you can chose what food to eat and chose a direction to face whilst in prayer.)
Lighten up, you should all be happy at this apparently...
"If I ever get a chance to meet Borat I will gladly shake his hand and express my gratitude...Mr Borat is welcome to come to our Church in Connecticut with as many cameras as he can bring whether fake or real."
Click for full quote
Posted by
Anonymous |
Mon Apr 09, 07:13:00 PM 2007
These attacks will keep coming. I'm not ashamed. I'm a proud Missouri Pentecostal. I'd rather be a fool for God than a fool for this.. world. To all of the Pentecostals out there who might be offended, or even hurt by this. Just remember who you serve. Continue to Praise, and Worship God. My YouthPastor once said, worrying is a sin. It means you dont fully trust your God. I pray God will have his Will in this situation. Keep your Pentecostal head up. Lately my Youth Group has had a huge break through. Something new is happening here, seek it. As pentecostals, we cant sit around worrying while people are dying lost everyday. We're UPC, United. I'm so happy to know the truth.
thanks, Josh
-Remember to let loose, and let go. Get on fire for God. There's not much time left.-
Rolla APC, Missouri
Posted by
Anonymous |
Thu May 10, 10:58:00 AM 2007
As an apostolic and someone who knows Tim Spell I was more offended by the comments posted on here about Tim and the other ministers than I was the movie. Being decived and ridiculed by an unbeliever is one thing, but to be ridiculed by a so called christian is worse. I know Tim can be a little over the top sometimes with his music but he is a true man of God and should be respected as such, as should the others. And for your information Tim is not trying to market this in any way. He was tricked and even inquired about sueing but was informed that it would be a waste of time since none of the other lawsuits won. And as you for saying "Yeah, tells you alot about Mississippi Dist. having people like Tim Spell singing at their campmeetings," I would like to know what you have against him that you could be so rude and disrespectful. I hope the Miss. Dist. continues to make him a part of all their campmeetings!
Posted by
Anonymous |
Mon Oct 29, 03:20:00 PM 2007
It is truly sad that it has come to this. But did they not mock and scorn Jesus when he was walking among us. They also mocked and said that the first recipients of the Holy Ghost were drunk. We are about to undergo much worse than this(REAL SOON)if we tarry. It is time to pray with all that we have. The very ones mocking are in need of Jesus. Pray for them.
Posted by
Jon |
Wed Jun 25, 02:09:00 PM 2008