On Hiatus

This blog is on hiatus while I spend more time in the video production department.

Check out EthicsDaily.com's YouTube videos at http://www.youtube.com/ethicsdaily.

Peace,

Cliff

Free Hugs

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Andrew Rudd Is Brilliant

In the previous post, I mentioned Andrew Rudd and the fact that he's the one who called the Christ Heist story to my attention.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Andrew Rudd is BRILLIANT. He is such an astute observer of everything that matters it boggles the mind.

I've called him a wordsmith on many occasions. Read his entry on Warner Sallman and you'll have to agree.

'Christ' Heist Story Unbelievable

My good friend, Andrew Rudd, pointed out this story to me, which has more angles and twists and turns than any one story should have. It's even more interesting to me because it involves a painting of Jesus, a school board battle, the ACLU, and a thief!

Here's an article from the Charleston Daily Mail about all this.

The principal at Bridgeport High School in West Va., had a copy of Warner Sallman's "Head of Christ" hanging outside his office for several decades. But the ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State sued the Harrison County school board June 28 to have the portrait removed.

The Christian Freedom Fund and the Alliance Defense Fund came to aid the school board in defending itself and the painting's right to hang.

But early Aug. 17, a thief broke into the school and made off with the painting. Security cameras caught him on tape, but he had his face covered.

Now, players in the case are left wondering what to do. Will the thief be caught? Will the school put another painting back up where "Head of Christ" once was displayed? Will the suit go on?

I just produced a documentary on Steve Sawyer, who produces Jesus paintings in a series and business known as ART for GOD. So obviously, this story resonated with me.

Aside from that, few stories crystallize hot-button issues like this in such an "entertaining" way.

BCE Set to Unveil New Media Resource

Stay tuned to EthicsDaily.com in the next couple of days for word about our new resource.

We've been working on a new product for the last several months that we think churches, organizations and individuals will respond to.

I'm especially invested in it because it's a DVD resource packaged with a study guide. So it allowed me to put some video production skills to work for an important cause: world hunger.

Gore's 'Warming' Film Looks Good

Al Gore's new film, "An Inconvenient Truth," looks quite good.

The trailer at http://climatecrisis.org/ really sets the stage for a look at an issue that has become politicized. The film is also part of a new approach to movie marketing that highlights blog commentary and criticism.

Paramount Classics (behind the film) is partnering with Technorati to bring the blogosphere into communion with Hollywood. Very interesting development. (It's also part of larger developments re: Technorati and tie-ins. See this AP story for more.)

Nevertheless, the film should (re)start a conversation about global warming in circles that have skirted or ignored what the film's site calls a "ticking time bomb."

'Da Vinci Code' Movie Gets Online Debate

The New York Times posted a story yesterday about a new Web site allowing dissenters of the upcoming "Da Vinci Code" movie starring Tom Hanks a forum for discussion. Here's the article ...

The site, www.thedavincichallenge.com, isn't live yet, so I'm not sure if all the participants will be dissenters necessarily. Perhaps some will be fans. As you can from the Times article, at least one or two will be arguing that Christians should see the movie (to be prepared to discuss its themes).

But as some say, all publicity is good, at least for business. Sony (the studio behind the picture) is on board.

'Wardrobe' Opens Today

OK, the wait is over: "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" opens nationwide today.

Check out my review of the film, and my feature as well.

As you'll see from my review, I don't think the adaptation holds up as well as "The Lord of the Rings," but I'd see it again anyway.

Next on my list of anticipated films: "Munich," by Steven Spielberg. The controversy is already in full swing ...