Religion and the MediaLesson 3: Religious Stereotypes

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Starter – Religious Characters

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Using the ‘Religious Characters’ sheet, discussthe following questions and be ready to feedbackyour answers…

1) Can you identify the religions of thesecharacters and/or the celebrities themselves.

2) How realistic are the religious characters in TVand film?

3) Could these characters been seen as offensiveby religious people?

Learning objectives

To evaluate the use of religion in film, from different (religious) pointsof view.

To assess arguments for and against religious censorship bycomparing & contrasting these points of view.

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Religious Characters in Film

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Watch the following clip and think about these questions…1. What is this movie about?2. Who might find it offensive?3. Who might find it funny?4. What do you personally think about it?

Four Lions

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Fury of 7/7 relatives at suicide bombercomedy Four Lions.

Four Lions ‘will offend all sorts of people’.

Four Lions screening doubled despitecalls for ban.

Cinema bosses urged to ban suicidebombers comedy.

Four Lions is the first comedy clearenough about the subtleties of theMuslim experience to satirise it properly.

Religious Profiles

You will pretend you are the person described in theprofile card given.

Find a movie from the ones scattered around theroom, which talks about your religion.

In your profile card, write:

How does this movie represent your religion?

What might people think about your religion after watchingthis movie and why.

Then join a NEW table. Each person on your new tablemust have a different colour profile card.

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Religious Profiles

Discuss your feelings and share your opinions about the movie youhave chosen.

Then write a statement for each of the four movies. For example…

As a Muslim, I found this movie to be very offensive because…

I think those who watch this movie might form a negative opinion of my religionbecause…

I think I will write to the producers to complain, as I feel that...

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Plenary – The continuum

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For each statement, move to the right hand side of the classroom if youagree and the left if you disagree.

DisagreeAgree Make sure you can justify your opinion.

Plenary – The continuum

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Religious people should not get offended by a movie…

DisagreeAgree Make sure you can justify your opinion.

Plenary – The continuum

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Movies that criticise a religion should be banned…

DisagreeAgree Make sure you can justify your opinion.

Plenary – The continuum

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Religious stereotypes in movies are dangerous, as they fuel hatred…

DisagreeAgree Make sure you can justify your opinion.

Plenary – The continuum

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Comedies should be allowed to make fun of anything…

DisagreeAgree Make sure you can justify your opinion.

Religious Characters on TV

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Watch these clipsfrom TV shows…

How realistic do youthink these storylinesare when portrayingdifferent religions?

Could these clipscause offense andwhy?