Television always present religious people as out of touch with the modern world Essay Example

Meanwhile, in ITV's Emmerdale, Edna Birch - a character in her late 50s - is similarly depicted as "out of touch" with modern society. She frequently laments the younger generation's lack of values and religion and disapproves of gossip and scandalous events happening in the village. As a result, those around her tend to alienate her.

Though beloved on TV, the character of Ned Flanders from The Simpsons is often portrayed as disconnected. He has two sons who were raised in a devoutly Christian household and he continues to mourn the loss of his wife. His unwavering faith greatly impacts his daily life, evidenced by his doorbell sound being "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" and his air horn playing the Hallelujah chorus. Furthermore, before meals and at bedtime, both he and his family say prayers.

Attending church three times a week and contributing to seven congregations, Ned plays it safe. He is a member of a Bible-study group and sticks notes on his fridge with a fish magnet. As with many believers, Ned thanks God frequently for his blessings, even for something as small as a lovely day. Ned finds himself dull most of the time, comparing himself to a baked potato.

Television can defy the stereotype that religious people are "out of touch". Shows like The Vicar of Dibley feature characters like Geraldine Granger, who are in touch with the modern world. Geraldine is a beloved, kind-hearted, fun-loving, chocolate-eating, irreverent vicar who breathes new life into her village. The show is one of several religious-themed sitcoms that entertain audiences with relatable characters. Another example of a religious character portrayed as in touch is from the

film Sister Act.

Whoopi Goldberg stars as Deloris, a woman in danger after witnessing her gangster boyfriend Vince brutally murder someone. With the help of a detective attempting to take down Vince's criminal activity, Deloris is placed in protective custody at a convent in San Francisco. She adopts the name Sister Mary Clarence and causes quite the commotion at the convent, including revolutionizing their choir performances. Their new musical act becomes a hit in the community and even catches the attention of the Pope. Despite growing up in a Catholic school with nuns as her teachers, Deloris was rebellious in her religious beliefs.

In the soap opera Eastenders, there are two contrasting characters: Dot Branning and Yolandi. Despite Dot's presence, Yolandi stands out due to her religious devotion and outgoing nature. Originally from Trinidad, Yolandi ended her marriage with a cheating husband and began a romantic relationship with Patrick Truman. Their love grew while Patrick was on vacation until they became partners. When Yolandi first arrived in England, Dot despised her, believing that she was not genuinely religious and only pretending so.

Yolandi's religious beliefs are revealed, and she becomes friends with Dot. Yolandi helps Dot embrace modernity and live life to the fullest. Typically, TV portrays religious people as out of touch with modern society, largely due to the prevalence of older presenters in religious media. When a comedic role features a religious character who is aligned with modernity, they are often portrayed as laughable instead of serious. However, in most soap operas, religious characters play an important part in shaping the show's culture.

During a TV programme, I observed that religious individuals can be depicted

as both connected and disconnected from modern society. Unfortunately, few non-comedic shows portray them as "in touch". As a result, most television programmes tend to portray religious people as separate from contemporary culture. However, I disagree with this portrayal because many religious individuals remain faithful while still being in touch with the current culture. Faith does not fundamentally define someone's identity any more than skin color should.

It is important to avoid discrimination based on color or religion. However, this can potentially lead to stereotypes among younger generations who may view religious individuals as disconnected from modern society. Such beliefs can ultimately result in conflicts. Despite this, having faith can offer comfort and provide individuals with a moral compass to exist within a contemporary setting.