Ortiz speaks on new book
Jackie Long
Issue date: 11/4/08 Section: News
At the "Meet the Author" presentation, Gaye Ortiz discussed the importance of theology in film. She has just published her third book on the subject, entitled "Theology and Film: Challenging the Sacred/Secular Divide."
"We believe that it is vital to have a continuing mutual conversation between theology and culture," said Ortiz, professor of communications. "(It should) confound our beliefs and teach us something new."
She expressed concern that some religious groups separate themselves from popular culture, and by doing so, reject potentially enriching experiences and new ideas.
"What I'm trying to do," Ortiz said, "is just to get people to open up their minds a little bit more so that you aren't stuck in your own perspective and not appreciating."
In this endeavor to reconcile theology and film for her audience, Ortiz spoke on the nature of theology in films like "2001: A Space Odyssey." She compared the quest of religion to that of probing out into the great unknown. But, she didn't stop there. Ortiz insisted that theology is found no less in movies like "Kill Bill" than it is in movies like "The Passion of the Christ."
"It is vital that we reflect on religious teachings and values through the messiness of everyday life," Ortiz said, "because that's where we all live."
She also referenced Joseph Campbell, a well-known American mythology professor and writer. She quoted him as saying, "There is an invisible world that supports, sustains and shapes the visible world around us."
The author continued by speaking of the way films have helped to shape theology.
"(Now that) the days of theologians pronouncing from an ivory tower are over," Ortiz said, "(films open up another world and help us) explore the philosophies and experiences of these passages of one mode of being to another."
Ortiz said one of the purposes of the book is to advocate the pop culture literacy, even among religious people.
"It's OK for people interested in religion to engage in popular culture," Ortiz said. "I want people to be able to look around and say, 'I have my own reality, but I understand that somebody else doesn't share my perspective or culture or religion, but we are still human beings.'"
Wendi Stroud, a senior communications major, expressed her enthusiasm for Ortiz's classes and ideas.
"I've never been in a class where someone didn't like her," Stroud said. "She stretches you. She helps you in stepping out of the box. Stuff you kind of don't think about, stuff that kind of gets past you, she calls to your attention and reminds you of."
Ortiz said, above all, she just wants people to enjoy the film medium.
"I just want people to enjoy film," said Ortiz. "We find out who we are through telling stories and listening to stories."
"We believe that it is vital to have a continuing mutual conversation between theology and culture," said Ortiz, professor of communications. "(It should) confound our beliefs and teach us something new."
She expressed concern that some religious groups separate themselves from popular culture, and by doing so, reject potentially enriching experiences and new ideas.
"What I'm trying to do," Ortiz said, "is just to get people to open up their minds a little bit more so that you aren't stuck in your own perspective and not appreciating."
In this endeavor to reconcile theology and film for her audience, Ortiz spoke on the nature of theology in films like "2001: A Space Odyssey." She compared the quest of religion to that of probing out into the great unknown. But, she didn't stop there. Ortiz insisted that theology is found no less in movies like "Kill Bill" than it is in movies like "The Passion of the Christ."
"It is vital that we reflect on religious teachings and values through the messiness of everyday life," Ortiz said, "because that's where we all live."
She also referenced Joseph Campbell, a well-known American mythology professor and writer. She quoted him as saying, "There is an invisible world that supports, sustains and shapes the visible world around us."
The author continued by speaking of the way films have helped to shape theology.
"(Now that) the days of theologians pronouncing from an ivory tower are over," Ortiz said, "(films open up another world and help us) explore the philosophies and experiences of these passages of one mode of being to another."
Ortiz said one of the purposes of the book is to advocate the pop culture literacy, even among religious people.
"It's OK for people interested in religion to engage in popular culture," Ortiz said. "I want people to be able to look around and say, 'I have my own reality, but I understand that somebody else doesn't share my perspective or culture or religion, but we are still human beings.'"
Wendi Stroud, a senior communications major, expressed her enthusiasm for Ortiz's classes and ideas.
"I've never been in a class where someone didn't like her," Stroud said. "She stretches you. She helps you in stepping out of the box. Stuff you kind of don't think about, stuff that kind of gets past you, she calls to your attention and reminds you of."
Ortiz said, above all, she just wants people to enjoy the film medium.
"I just want people to enjoy film," said Ortiz. "We find out who we are through telling stories and listening to stories."
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