Disney movies and Christianity

Whitney - posted on 03/12/2009

It's funny because i LOVE Disney movies and I have seen and own almost every single one of them...and yes it is pretty sad  that whoever animates these things feels the need to add in things like that but i also know that I NEVER EVER noticed any of them. Not until I was like past the age where something like that is going to be "impressionable" on me, and i credit that to how i was taught....someone said up above...we dont give kids enough credit, they know whats right and whats wrong

"Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it." Proverbs 22:6

Edith - posted on 03/12/2009

I think with parenting comes great responsibility. Just cuz we grew up watching those movies doesn't mean they are ok. Things do affect our children. The first 6 yrs of their lives and the experiences they have and things they see shape their minds and who they become. There's so much research that talks about this. Children's innocence is robbed from them so early nowadays. These movies can get pretty violent and scary and for what? To teach what lesson?
I wasn't convinced that there was anything bad with disney movies until I saw for myself the part in the Little Mermaid where the priest is marrying them and he gets an erection while he is marrying them. Why on earth would this be on a children's movie??? I think of the man who literally drew this and included it in the movie and just wonder what his intention was.
With that I concluded that if the creators of these movies did it in one movie it was enough for me to be disgusted with them as a whole and to try and avoid these movies as much as possible. Children are sponges when it comes to absorbing information and they are constantly learning from what they hear and see... we have a huge responsibility to protect them as much as we can. Please don't think this stuff is harmless.

Heidi - posted on 03/12/2009

Just a thought - my thought on most Disney movies (and I may be a little over the top - my child is almost 4 and has never seen a movie) is that most (if not all) of the movies lack a positive mother AND father role model.  As I think back to most of the Disney movies I've seen, either a parental figure is missing, is "evil" or (s)he is killed in the movie. 

Heather - posted on 03/12/2009

I let my children watch Disney movies, I don't like all of them though, but I feel that it is better for my kids to watch them here at home with me then at a friends or even at school, because they do show them there.  My son was very sad when mufasa died on the Lion King, but we were able to talk through it and how it was just pretend. Disney movies really do have a lot of death in them, that's what bothers me most, other then that, the good always wins over evil.

The movies I have more of a problem with are Shrek and Ants. They have cussing in them, and Shrek 2 uses a lot of majic. But I still would rather have my kids watch them here where I can discuss them then somewhere that someone else will.

I do however encourage Veggie Tales as much as possible! My kids and I really enjoy them and they are great!

Michelle - posted on 03/12/2009

thank you claudia for the link to the article. i just read it and i think it helped me to realize a few things on where i stand on the disney issue. i don't particularly spend a lot of time watching movies, but i know as my kids get to that age, they will be exposed to them. i think it is so important to watch the movies before your kids watch them. that will allow for the parent to filter out the "junk." i think the some of the themes in the older disney movies can be compared to spiritual truths. but, there is definitely a beware: disney didn't intend for the "higher power" or "looking beyond yourself" to be anything more than a reference to magic. therefore, as with all tv viewing, it should be well-supervised and given the opportunity to discuss the themes and clear up any misconceptions in our precious little ones' minds.

April - posted on 03/12/2009

I dont have a problem with disney movies, but I DO discuss most of the shows with my kids- Like the little mermaid, simple question, ask your kids if they think they are real or pretend? review the bible, does God say anything about mermaids, evil witches, spirits? if you are talking with your kids, and being involved in what they watch, than I think they are fine. I;'m not big on vampire stuff, because my kids are too young and it scares them, plus the idea of them sucking blood in confusion with us taking the body and blood when we take communion.

Bethany - posted on 03/12/2009

Although I think that there are definitely influences that we need to limit in our children's lives(and out own, for that matter!) I think it's important to not make things a bigger issue than they are. Most of us here say that we were brought up on Disney movies but how many of us would say that the principles we absorbed have actually shaped how we turned out as adults? I may have played "Princess" when I was a little girl but soon outgrew the expectation that I would actually marry a prince (not that my husband isn't great- but he didn't come with a castle! haha!)

I think that one can certainly try to shelter one's children from influences (the bad and the questionable) but as Christians we don't live in a bubble...nor are we supposed to- Jesus ate with tax collectors and prostitutes (No! I did not just equate Disney movies with prostitutes! haha!) My point is that I don't think we give kids enough credit- if they know the Truth then they will know when something goes against it and can discard the 5% of a movie or book that deals with that. And ultimately they will choose their own path- I'm sure we all know of the super-sheltered kids we grew up with going completely wild when they finally tasted freedom.

The couple of ladies who said it was about laying the foundation and finding a balance got it totally right, in my opinion! But ultimately you know your children best and how they will interpret those influences...it's how it will effect their eternity that really matters. :~)

Jackie - posted on 03/12/2009

Children don't read meanings into Disney movies or anything else until they reach an older age and then they just like the movie.  I let my daughter watch Disney movies and didn't stress over it.  If she had a question or pointed something out then we addressed it from God's point of view.  Ultimately, it's your choice for your family.  Pray and see what the Lord has to say to you directly, then follow and obey.

Lacie - posted on 03/12/2009

I don't know ... I love Disney. I am continually reminding my daugher that she is a princess ... and in God's eyes, we are. I want her to be expecting a prince ... the only prince that is perfect is Jesus. :) And He is our prince.

But that's not why we watch Disney ... I find that out of the three 'major' cartoon channels, Disney is the one that does the most teaching. Nick does sometimes, but cartoon network hardly does any teaching (that I've seen). I have a hard time letting any of my kids watch a show that doesn't have some kind of learning or moral lesson. The Disney channel has Little Einsteins, Imagination Movers, Pooh (solving mysteries), Handy Manny (fixing/helping friends), Mickey's show teaches stuff....

Not all of the movies do the same teaching. But my 'rules' with anything (movies/TV/books/games) has always been:

1 - watch/read/play it first and know what it's about 2 - talk about it with my kids - explain how it is 'real' and how it is 'make-believe'. If I think it is beyond their understanding, I don't let them see/do it.

This may open a whole new can of worms ... but I read all 7 Harry Potter books with my son (we started reading them when he was in 3rd grade). It was something interesting to him, and he had really been struggling to read. I had already read the books myself, and knew what to expect. It really helped him enjoy reading, and learn. But everything in that book we discussed how it compares to God, and how it is not real. He is 12 now, and going to see the Harry Potter movies together is a lot of fun. We can't wait to see the next one! But it only worked because it is something we talked about. I haven't read any of the books to my other two kids yet, and my daughter (who is 4) hasn't seen any of the movies. She's not ready yet. It is all about knowing your boundaries.

I would much rather my kids hear about it at home and know the truth, then hear about it at school - and not talk to them about it - and get the wrong impression from their friends. I even talk to my daughter about the movies she watches (and limit her tv/movie watching as well).

I think fantasy makes life fun. I can't help buying every Disney movie that I remember watching as a kid ..... and then watching them with my kids!! But we also have balance.

Julia - posted on 03/11/2009

Hi, interesting discussion! I am loathe to tar all Disney movies with the same brush. I think each one deserves to be assessed for suitability. Some of them, I feel, include too many evil themes. There is one other reason that I am wary of them though. The recurring image of young female heroines waiting for the perfect prince charming to 'rescue' them may well become an unrealistic expectation for our little girls who watch those type of movies all the time. Does it set them up to think happily ever after means a perfect man on a white steed? btw, the little boys are watching 'The Hulk' and 'Aliens'...where are they learning to be princes anyhow?

Marie - posted on 03/11/2009

My 4 yr old hasn't seen the Lion King either. In the movie Cars they use the word "hell" twice ("hillbilly hell") I just now notice. But like many of u, I grew up on the "disney classics" as well, and as a kid, I didn't read into the shroom part of Alice or the "sex" sence in Lion King or the "Jasmin take off your clothes" sablimanal messages in the disney films. I think think like the others said is good. Use your best judgement.

Candy - posted on 03/11/2009

I'm having the same issue with Lion King. Grammy says my 4 year old is probally the only kid on the block who hasn't sceen it. it scarred me as a teen and its sad to read,let alone watch it.

Dawn - posted on 03/11/2009

i allow my daughter to watch some of the Disney movies. however i'm noticing lately all the bad stuff in them too...i used to love snow white but it seems very dark and cynical to me now and i won't let my daughter watch it anymore. the part where the queen turns herself into the old hag then goes to leave and there's that skeleton there and she kicks a bucket of water to it. idk it just seems creepy and too scary for a preschooler to me. she loves cinderella but the cat's name bother's me too...however at this point she's too young to know the meaning. i will explain it to her later. beauty and the beast is the only one that we have that i haven't found anything wrong with. it actually has a very good point to it's plot. beauty is on the inside. idk i guess there is bad in everything we let them watch. even the kids channels at Halloween time are bad i think. but what can i do? not let her watch tv for the entire month of october?????

Amy - posted on 02/12/2009

well said Kira! 

I think for our family, that crack was beginning to be caused by those movies. It is different things for different kids/families. I have friends who won't let their kids watch super-hero cartoons, for us those aren't such an issue.

Kira - posted on 02/12/2009

I think that one really important thing that my husband and I are striving for is balance.  Yes, we are planning on letting our daughter and any future children we may have watch Disney movies.  At the same time, however, we are going to make sure that they know what is real and what is true (the Bible).  We are already trying to surround our daughter with Christ's love, and we are going to continue to make the foundation of our family and our lives, independantly and as a unit, the Lord.  Hopefully with a strong foundation, our children will be able to watch Disney movies and be able to recognize what is in line with our beliefs and what is not.  The same goes for when they go to school and are exposed to things that we would not do at home (bad language, bad manners,etc).  We just want that foundation to be strong, and if we were to come across anything that seemed to be causing any cracks in that foundation, we'd most definitely remove it.  :)

Stacey - posted on 02/12/2009

I am a Disney lover, always have been, always will be. I am a new mom  and I look forward to sharing my love with my daughter. The way I see it, it is a struggle between good and evil. Evil exists but isn't it great to know that good will prevail! If my child never sees anything 'bad' will it not be more difficult for her when something does happen to know that some good will come from it. I'm not saying this will be her only form of learning good prevails, I have plenty of Bible stories that also show this theme. I grew up on these as well.

Whitney - posted on 02/12/2009

That was a great way to respond Shelly....I agree with everything u said and I'm glad I am not the only one who feels that. may God bless YOU and your family.

Shelly - posted on 02/12/2009

Whitney,

  Ya know I have had many friends boicott disney because of them airing the Ellen show on (I think it's ABC that they own)  So they wont let their children watch Disney movies because they don't feel like the people at Disney have any morals.  Well my take on it is use your God given common sence when you are allowing your child to watch them.  I myself Love Disney movies...and my boys were raised with Disney movies.  Just remember that here about 8 to 10 years ago they decided that the fairy tales we were raised on like sleeping beauty, cindrella, and snow white and the seven dwarf neede to be taken off of our library shelves because they said that it gives little girls unrealistic views of life.( they lost that one)  I think that if you raise your children in the grace of God you can get past every thing that this world throws at you.  I have always believed that God gave all of us common sence and we need to us it and quit relying on others to make dessions for us.  My God Bless you always

Amy - posted on 02/12/2009

I hope i didn't offend and I am sorry if I did. I think I stated in my first post that we had lived for 4 years in a country where witchcraft was rampant. I think that makes you very sensitive to those things in seemingly "innocent" things. My kids also grew up (so far) with the terms "witch doctor" and knowing witches are real, ect. So when they see them in movies they react with why are watching this mommy, it is about Satan. They are very sensitive to spiritual things in that way, that is why we don't watch them. We recently watched Madagascar 2, and afterwards my 8 and 6 y/o were like we shouldn't watch that again mom, it has witch doctors. To them those are real things, many people in this culture aren't exposed to them in the same way we were. That is why we don't watch, whatever we do watch we talk about why or why not they would want to see it again.  For me Disney and many other movies make spiritual issues like these seem harmless, when for my family they are not. I would not be able to explain that watching a witchdoctor in a movie is fine, when they know the harm caused by real ones. The same for witches, they know Satan's name is Lucifer, ect, I can not make it OK for them as it would be a double standard. 

However, I would never tell someone's family not to watch them. I was asked for my opinion and that is it. It is for our family and what works for us. 

Sarah - posted on 02/11/2009

Yeah with everything I am learning more and more very parent will have their own standards and like you I grew up on them so I see nothing wrong with them. As for the ride I was joking ;-) nothing wrong with it, I rode it a million times as a teen but when I took my daughter for the first time it took on a whole new meaning. I never thought about the ride before until she was with me and at the end we ended up in hell and the heat was turned up.

Whitney - posted on 02/11/2009

actually no there was another lady that really seemed to be attacking that one girl on the post about spankings i was just like ouch harsh....but no hard feelings :-) .It is funny because looking back i never even thought twice about the catepillar or whatever from Alice and Wonderland and as embarassing as this is I probably actually didn't realize it til like 3 years ago...im not as "informed" on such things as most people haha. And the cat on the Cinderella was always "Rucifer" to me because the mice called him that and still is to this day. haha im still a little kid....I guess it just took me aback when i saw someone say on another discussion they dont let their kids watch Disney movies because the occult is in them, because those things never registered in my mind then or now.... I had no idea what the deal with Mr. Toad was then but that ride did scared me to death! ....its just interesting when I read The Gospel of Disney by Phillip Longfellow Anderson and he makes some very good parallels between some of the movies and the Bible that would provide great discussion topics like to have with little kids so they can separate the Truth from the parts that aren't...but like u said you don't let your kids see anything you havent which is always a good idea...i do think it's more important for a parent to decide what they think their child can and can't watch but it's also crazy to me i guess that some kids aren't allowed to watch ANY disney movies but i guess thats because they have a special place in my heart and i even still watch most of them now

Sarah - posted on 02/11/2009

Whitney,

Please first let me say I am sorry if I offended you in other postings I truly am not trying to hurt anyones feeling I come from a long line of debaters (Husband and family) ;-)

Anyways I probably seem pretty conservative but not when it comes to stuff like this...

I grew up on all the Disney movies and never thought twice about the "meaning" behind it all. Now as an adult I realize Cruel Deville's license says "Devil" and Cinderella's Cat is Lucifer and the pot smoking shroom eating Alice in Wonderland is a whole 'nother story but as a kid I did not read anything into it what so ever. Every parent has to gage what movie is right for what age. There are Disney movies that are rated G that still scare my 6 year old. We never let our kids watch anything we have not seen but as far as the old school Disney movies go there are few that do not pass the test. (Although have you been on Mr. Toad's wild ride through "Hell" at Disneyland? ;-) ?? Yikes!!

Claudia - posted on 02/11/2009

Hi, new to this group and this post just caught my attention because we just so happened to talk about this the other day with some friends.  For example, I just realized that on 101 Dalmations, the evil lady is named Druella Deville (DE VIL is her license plate) and her cats name is Lucifer.... HELLOO????

Here is an interesting read though...

http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/...

Leslie - posted on 02/11/2009

I am ok with most Disney movies.  There are some however that I feel go against my beliefs.  I guess it all depends on your "your" set of morals and beliefs.  For example...I won't let my kids watch Brother Bear b/c I don't believe in the "Spirit Gods" thing and I don't want them learning it either.  (sorry if that offends anyone, just not how I believe.)