Abstract

Popular films were the artform of the 20th century and they will continue to be significant in post-Millennial culture. Despite its incredible popularity, films have inspired much fear within religious communities who were suspicious of its nature, purpose and suspected deleterious effects. Using humanist film criticism as the analytical lens, the critical literature was reviewed and the fears of Satanic infusion, graven images and iconographic perversion were documented and explicated. Selected film exemplars, religious defences and biblically based counter-proposals were also proffered. It was concluded that films are not intrinsically evil, but they can be used for nefarious purposes if desired. Movies thus require constant vigilance from faith communities to monitor, control and protect, rather than resorting to cinematic abstinence or film-faithful separatism. Further research into this exciting interdisciplinary field was recommended