Seattle Archdiocese

Workshop presenter Michael Danielson (left) and coordinator Tim Malone after the Nov. 17 gathering at St. Louise Parish in Bellevue.

BELLEVUE
By Armando Machado

Secular movies can have religious significance found through imagination and symbols
“We can look deeper into movies and look to connections to moments in those movies that really encourage us, and give us a sense of hope or faith,” said Michael Danielson, who spoke on “Finding God … At the Movies,” the Spirituality on Tap workshop sponsored by the Seattle-based Ignatian Spirituality Center. The Nov. 17 gathering was held at St. Louise Parish in Bellevue.
In a look at universal and faith-based truths in popular films, his multimedia workshop focused on how some movies have clear overtones, such as Bruce Almighty and The Prince of Egypt, and others are more subtle, like Shawshank Redemption and The Matrix.

Danielson said these moments can “really help us pray; we can find in some of the most surprising places great little parables that encourage our faith, and give us encouragement in our journey.” Danielson teaches religion at Seattle Preparatory School. He has a master’s degree in ministry, and he has given keynotes, retreats and workshops on the topic of media for many years.
“When I’m watching Lord of the Rings with my son (11 years old), he can really see some of the spiritual issues that come up with the friendships and some of the challenges that the characters in Lord of the Rings face,” he said.

In discussing The Matrix, Danielson noted that the main characters represented biblical figures. For example, he said Neo was Jesus, Morpheus was John the Baptist, and Cypher was Judas.

Christian values in decisions

Danielson said he would like people to understand the impact of the media ,both positive and negative; and also how to respond in light of their Christian values. “And then whatever they are consuming in the culture, whether it be TV or movies or advertisements, that they bring their values to those decisions, and that they think more about how the media and its message can be seen in light of our values as Christians.”

He said he appreciates moments when he’s watching TV commercials and his daughter says: Look Dad, they’re trying to trick me into thinking that’s cool. “So even though she’s only 8 years old,” Danielson said, “she already realizes that the media is trying to trick her to buy something.”
He noted that he believes that “too many people turn on the TV and then they turn off their brain.” He also noted that there are countries where public and private schools teach children and teens media literacy, such as Canada, Great Britain, Australia, and some European countries. “They do because they know the impact is significant. They understand the impact of (media from) the United States….It also helps them to be better consumers; it helps them to not be deceived by ads.”

Given the huge impact of U.S. media throughout the world, he said, “It’s ironic that we don’t do as much media literacy with our kids as these other countries do.” He did say that there are pockets of communities in the U.S. where schools teach media literacy. And he said that New Mexico as a state “has really implemented media literacy throughout their school system.” He said media literacy is the ability to analyze, evaluate, interpret and understand the media.

Event presenter Michael Danielson talked with some attendees after the Finding God...At the Movies workshop in Bellevue.

Imagination and symbols

“The Finding God….At the Movies” gathering also focused on the importance of using imagination while watching certain movies as potentially inspirational – trusting that God can come through the imagination and symbols in films. Other movies mentioned included: It’s a Wonderful Life, Forrest Gump, Field of Dreams, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Dead Man Walking. Scenes from some of the movies were shown.

During the meeting, participants spoke of how secular movies can have religious significance -- and why this is very much welcomed. A similar Spirituality on Tap discussion was held last May on finding religious themes in modern secular music.

Both gatherings were coordinated by Tim Malone, co-director of the Ignatian Spirituality Center. “Our favorite movies that inspire us can also be a place where our faith can be enlivened, where we can meet God,” Malone said. “They reflect many of the values of the Gospel.”

Ana Lopez, 24, a member of St. Louise Parish, said she enjoyed the workshop because it made her better aware of “how to find spiritual meaning in popular movies….It makes you think more about what is being presented (at the movies).” About 30 people attended the workshop.

Spirituality on Tap is a program based on research and assessment of young adults’ spiritual needs, people 19 to 39 years old. The Spirituality on Tap monthly meetings have a school-year calendar -- held in different parishes within King County.

The Ignatian Spirituality Center collaborates with St. Joseph Parish in Seattle, Seattle University, and Seattle Preparatory School. It is part of Jesuit spirituality in the Northwest.

Danielson is also a member of The Reid Group, Catholic lay ministry consultants based in Bellevue. His email address is: mdanielson@seaprep.org.