Sister Act

I'm having this lazy day today, kicking back and doing nothing much except shop for and put away the groceries, which is how I came to be channel surfing and ended up watching Sister Act. It gives me furiously to think.

First off, I really like Whoopi Goldberg. Anyone who names herself for a rude noise making device has got my attention and my vote right off the launch pad, and she is funny and real and a lot of other things. She can make a movie watchable all by herself.

And, I admit I like this movie. I've seen it four or five times and I always respond just the way I'm supposed to. But, do I approve of it? Hmmm. The messages it sends to women, that I'm not so sure I approve of.

First, the messages that I do like, which can apply to men and women both: make a joyous noise unto the Lord, (if you are going to believe, it is better to believe in a God you can sing to joyously); talk to people in the language (music) they understand; people can change and grow; and self-renewal is possible through using your gifts for the good of mankind.

Then, the messages that I don't like (which seem to be about women only): it is a woman's job to use her gifts in service to others; youth and enthusiasm are better than age and experience; women who have undertaken a very serious profession are cute (notice how the nuns manipulate the helicopter pilot so cutely and again how they cute around the casino); and loving a man is like loving God. Notice how easy it is to change one word, guy to God, and change the popular songs in the movie from songs about loving a boyfriend to songs about loving God. Is this a healthy message? That women should worship men? That we are handmaidens to them? That this is a healthy relationship? I mean, I have problems with the songs anyway -- they are already telling women that their role is secondary and basically to love and be loyal. When we take it that extra dimension that equates my man with my maker, it gets way too much for me.