Am a student at SNHU for a masters. Best experience I've had at university. Professors challange every idea, give timely feedback, and focus on the topic they work on rather than making everything political. Would recommend.
So... I may have asked this here before, but it may have been on another channel. {SHRUGS} Now that LDS is calling themselves Christians, are the other "Christian" churches accepted as they are or do they need to convert to LDS in order to be considered part of the overall flock? What about Jehovah Witnesses do you consider them part of the overall congregation?
i have to say as someone who is queer and doesn't agree with organized religion too much as it often turns into a form of idolatry, i've always felt compassion, love, and respect from you guys, and i think you are what a godly people should be
As an ex-mormon, I feel like you two are the best parts of the Mormon church. You don't fall into the church culture trap. You just shine your light unapologetically. You are authentic and amazing. I love your videos and have learned so much from both of you ❤️
@@CinemaTherapyShow I know you will have to delete this, so no hard feelings 😚 As the joke goes… did you know that two out of every three words a Spaniard says is a swearword? Spaniard: “coño, no jodas!” 😂
I’m Wiccan, and honestly I just want to thank you guys for coming out and being so open about yourselves. I will admit, it’s a bit hard for me as some of the Mormons I’ve met in the past were quite cruel to me, telling me I should ‘stop being gay.’ But you guys have never been cruel or demeaning to your audience, and your videos have always been so understanding and kind, so no matter what I’ll always support you guys. Just keep being the same amazing duo and thank you for being a rock in hard times 🙂
I learned you guys were Mormons not too long ago when you reviewed this movie on one of your other channels. I'm an atheist, but that information didn't change the way I see you. You're clearly two very introspective, sensitive and intelligent men and those aspects of you will (hopefully) always remain present 😊
Fellow athiest here, only thing that matters to an athiest is that people are empathetic to other people. How or from where you derive that empathy doesn't matter as long as it is in practice.
@@duskripper6650 I'm an Ex-Mormon turned Atheist, and I'm actually very disheartened about all the negative comments on this video. People seem to not understand that disliking the organization of religions is very different from disliking individual people who happen to be part of a given religion. If anyone wants to dislike or unfollow the channel because the hosts happen to be LDS, they're frankly bigots. Like, imagine if people did the same about almost any other religion.
Jono here! Please keep reading if you have questions or concerns about Alan and I being Latter-day Saints. In 2021 I wrote a Reddit post responding to recurring comments on our Twilight videos. They equated the series' unhealthy relationships with the author's Latter-day Saint faith. We disagreed. In that post I said: "Alan and I are Mormons. Mormons who stand for racial and gender equality. Mormons who support LGBTQIA rights. Mormons who respect (and learn from) the beliefs and worldviews of others. Mormons who swear a bit. But Mormons all the same... "Our relationship with our faith is complex. While Alan and I aren't spiritually identical, suffice to say that we both understand there are issues in our religious history and disagree with some policies and stances that have been taken. "We understand why some people leave our church. We understand why some people join our church. In some cases negative experiences have led to religious trauma. In other cases positive experiences have led to positive generational change (like in Alan’s family and in his wife’s family). Everyone must do what they believe to be right, and we support everyone in their spiritual journeys. "We also find much beauty in our culture and doctrine. We seek to make a positive impact there. Warts and all, these are our people. And in most instances, they're good people." (If you're interested, I daresay the whole post is worth reading: www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/rcr5j7/re_twilight_stephanie_meyers_and_mormonism/ ) Though we've broadly alluded to being men of faith before, this will likely be the only time we address our denomination directly on the show, as Cinema Therapy is about psychology and film. So why do it now? In part because HERETIC provides a natural opportunity to do so. Also because no one should have to hide part of their identity to be accepted. We would not expect that of anyone else and we hope that no one would expect that of us. After over 300 videos and almost 5 years, we've demonstrated that we're not out to convert you to our religion. There are many popular RUclips videos about Latter-day Saints, ranging from sensationalized clickbait to valid criticisms and passionate defenses. I think that clickbait just spreads prejudice. The criticisms and defenses, however, both have merit in my opinion. But all of these videos inevitably approach the topic with bias in one direction or another. Frankly, so do I. As I do my best to respond to your comments, please keep in mind that I am someone who identifies as a believing skeptic. In other words, I choose faith but leave room for questioning and uncertainty. I welcome respectful questions and sincere concerns. I will respond to as many as I can, not to convert anyone, but because we care about transparency and a relationship of trust with our fans. We want you to feel safe and welcome here. That door swings both ways, though. Comments that are blatantly hateful, intentionally misleading, or obvious trolling are not appreciated. I don't worry about the CT community attempting any of that, but others who stumble onto this video might try. Recognizing the inevitable biases of both those who are for and against our faith, may I recommend a few neutral sources of information? I Am Your Target Demographic has an excellent short breakdown of our history and beliefs. He is not a member of our church. His entire world religions playlist is very solid, in my opinion, with well-researched and accurate takes: ruclips.net/video/CeaC6NnhylE/видео.html Illustrate to Educate, also not a member of our church, similarly does a solid job in his exploration of our faith. He likewise has a fun and informative playlist of various world religions: ruclips.net/video/jnLCnwxx58U/видео.html Finally, Pastor Jeff from Hello Saints is an evangelical pastor who has dedicated himself to exploring Latter-day Saints from a Protestant Christian perspective. Maybe not neutral, but I like him because he models Walt Whitman's (and Ted Lasso's) approach of "be curious, not judgmental." Pastor Jeff is respectful and fair, with genuine affection and zero fearmongering. This is one of my favorite of his videos so far: - ruclips.net/video/PPnAyWtHs5Y/видео.html At any rate, thank you for reading this and for allowing us to open up a little more. In the past 5 years we've shown you exactly who we are, every week, in every episode of this show. We've been raw, real, authentic, and vulnerable. We hope that, instead of reevaluating us based on our faith community, maybe you'll reevaluate our faith community based on what you know about us. If you can't do that, we trust that at least you will continue to see us for who we are. I want you to know that whoever you are, whatever your worldview, and whoever you love, this is a safe place where you are welcome. All people of goodwill belong here in the CT family. Thank you Jonathan
I can’t deny that as a gay dude I have an automatic alarm go off every time someone shares they’re a devout Christian. But I think that’s exactly to your point: one must question one’s own biases when in pursuit of the truth. You two have never used this platform as an evangelical tool - nor used it to spread intolerance or bigotry. I have learned a lot about film and psychology from you both. And I have seen your humanity shine through and through in your thoughtful discussions and vulnerability. So, I choose to feel the automatic alarm bells that were triggered by this revelation, but I am not going to act as if you two hadn’t earned my trust and respect over the last few years with your work. Much love to you, and I hope that this revelation doesn’t bring a lot of unwarranted heartbreak. 💕
"Devout Christians". Sigh. They are neither those words and I'm sorry you've had it rough by posers. I grew up in a warm, United Christian church and I cannot remember a single time the community I grew up with did that to people. Maybe because it was a smaller farming community in Canada, but the church I attended was very nice to everyone. Literally everyone. Sucks to hear there are others who claim to be devout, then treat you and others horribly.
I'm exmo and there is a LOT of religious trauma. Leaving the church meant leaving a cultural identity and my family that has been part of the church since very nearly the inception and it was a difficult decision to make. I've struggled a lot with this channel once I got confirmation of their membership because my experience with Mormon men has been less than positive. However, I'm getting better on a lot of levels. Watching Jono and Alan, seeing authenticness and accountability has helped. You're good eggs. Im not ready to watch this movie or this episode just yet, but I'm happy to report its on my watch later spreadsheet and I'm looking forward to when I can.
The loss of cultural identity was the hardest part for me, too. That, and learning to trust people again (for a variety of reasons and in a multiplicity of contexts). I hope that you find the peace and support that you need to get to a good place for you ❤
I am a member. I am so sorry. I too have live through extreme religious trama. With that background I want to say that anyone who distances from you based on your spiritual beliefs and not on the way you treat others, even if they are family, has no understanding of the teaching of Christ.
We don't usually hear about/from them, but Liberal Mormons do exist. My dad was actually raised in a Liberal Mormon family and my Grandpa was controversial in the Church because he went against the status quo, but he still had a lot of support from the Church higher-ups.
I can tell when a person is genuine about their religion is when they don’t push an agenda towards people. My friend is Christian but she deeply cares for people regardless of race and sex. She never judged me for my lifestyle, so I know she takes Jesus’s words seriously. You guys are very genuine of your religion because you don’t push an agenda, you teach us and let us come to our own interpretation.
I completely agree, but the issue is that it's inherent in Evangelical Christianity that caring is converting. Why would you let someone you care about go to hell? A lot of people come up in environments where this is what is taught, and to believe otherwise is to defy God. They are genuine and may be good people, but the people they have been allowed to become are built on a foundation that makes it impossible for them to be a "good person" as you define one here. To a certain degree, your religion, or more importantly your choice of what of your religion you choose to adhere to and what you don't, matters. Your friend was either raised with a version of Christianity that focuses on love more so than dogma, or she has chosen it. If the latter, that makes her a far more rare and wonderful gem. It's tough to think for yourself and choose love when your soul may be on the line.
My friend’s parents have a very different view from her. They love thy neighbor but hate illegal immigrants, even though she doesn’t. I wouldn’t say it was just the church that was the only thing that influenced her but the people she chose and loved regardless of a different lifestyle that has been given to her.
@@jwr6796 "Why would you let someone you care about go to hell?" Isn't that the whole point of free will? The very idea of sin and hell is God letting people He cares about go to hell, because that is their choice. And psychologically it is very difficult if not impossible to change someone's mind once they've made it up. Look at Trump supporters. Doesn't matter what he says or does or what happens by his hand, no matter how much it hurts his supporters, they never waver. They never turn away from him. So how can anyone expect that badgering someone about eternal damnation will turn them from "no, I don't want to hear it, leave me alone" to "oh my god I understand now! Thank you for saving me!"? Evangelism in this day & age is pointless because everyone has already heard "the good word" and they've either joined the faith or chosen not to. Some of us have chosen to turn away from it because of what we heard in "the good word." Maybe instead of trying to convert people who aren't interested, they should focus on identifying those who are actively looking for a church to belong to.
I was raised religion/faith should be personal first, then community, and church last. So I feel that way too about genuineness in faith. Jono and Alan seem like good folks in that regard.
Because atheism isn't a religion, I actually never feel like an atheist in a film is meant to represent me - so there's never a need to get offended or feel like it's misrepresenting me 😊We're not a group, there's no structure.
All atheists have exactly one thing in common: lack of belief in a god or gods. Beyond that, we can be anything. It's hard to feel represented by someone who shares only a single trait with you.
am an atheist too and I was happy that his atheism wasn't due to "hating god" or if there is god then why dose this (terrible) thing happen. I didn't have a problem with him being a serial killer either.
My personal experiences with the Latter-day Saints were so negative that it never occurred to me to wonder if you two were a part of it - but my experiences were limited to just a few people. There are people in my own church that have done deeply horrific things in the past, and those who are acting shamefully in the present. I haven't left because it means so much to my mother, and because there is something in the traditions passed down to me in which I find value. I hadn't really considered it before, but of course I'd be a hypocrite to hold someone's religion against them. I choose love, respect, and compassion as my ethical priorities, my center. I know that (online, at least - trying not to get too parasocial here) you two do the same!
Thank you for this and we're on the same page with your ethical priorities. Thank you for seeing us. There's really no major difference between online us and in-person us, except maybe that we're a tad darker and more vulgar in person. Not the Latter-day Saint norm, lol.
Thank you for sharing such a personal part of yourselves. I am very removed from the Mormon community and have only encountered the stereotypes from the media. It was really impactful to hear your perspectives, given honestly and without agenda, and it has certainly helped me develop more nuance and openness about your community and your faith. I have such respect for this channel, and really enjoy hearing what ya'll have to say. This took courage, and I'm so glad this movie was created in such a way to encourage open dialogue and compassion.
As a former Mormon, I'll always be glad to see respectful discussions regarding my former faith. A certain author, book series (and movies) basically turned the religion into a punchline. As much as I might disagree with much of it, it does a lot of good for a lot of people and deserves to be discussed politely and objectively.
It's really great to bring the people that create the movie (writers/directors) to talk about their creation and the concept. The episodes when you invite people who've worked in the industry, or specifically on the movies you're talking about, are my favorite.
You guys are one of those channels that everytime I start feeling oversaturated by social media content, your episodes recharge a feeling of having substance and I don't write it ALL off, lol. Thank you for all your work!
I'm not going to join any church, but you guys have fundamentally changed how I see it. Like with many other bias checks, I realized from your message that most of what I know about the mormon church comes from stereotypes and trauma stories from ex-members. And while I'll never invalidate those stories, as I'm confident you also won't, I have realized there's a whole lot more to it than I thought. Your insights into psychology and mental health over the years, and how deeply they've helped me, forced me to realize upon hearing of your beliefs that it's just not reasonable to throw out a whole person or what they've said without hearing them out, even in a case as consistently iffy as I've heard the mormon church to be
Thank you for this. We freely acknowledge that there are people who have had religious trauma and very negative experiences with our faith. There are others who have had positive, healing experiences with it. We do our best to model healthy practice of faith and worship and call out what is harmful (see our Frollo in Hunchback video as an example). Thank you for seeing us for who we are!
@@HalfJapMarine Unfortunately, you're quite right. I'm just happy that isn't happening *here*, but you're absolutely correct, it's downright criminal how invalidated they often are
I don't have good experiences with Mormonism growing up Navajo and all, but there ARE good people that practice it whom I respect. It's easy to shit on the bad apples in any group simply because we hear them the most. What's scary is that it's frighteningly easy to forget that people are diverse. Shímasaní (my grandma) taught me to find the good in people and to love THAT while being strict on disrespect from others. We're all only human. Love you Jonathan and Alan! Love your content!
As a Christian that's studying counselling and who plays a lot of D&D, I often feel like I need to compartmentalise parts of who I am and it's always a relief to let it out and be wholly myself. Glad you can do a video that talks about your faith, as it's a huge motivator for therapy and equally also for growth. Never stop being yourselves (subject to change - the selves, not love of you being them).
Definitely one of Hugh Grant's best performances, he was so unnervingly creepy, that you couldn't help but feel worried for the two missionaries. Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East were also perfectly cast, and played well opposite of Grant. In particular, I'd only seen East in "The Fabelmans", so I was impressed by seeing her in a darker project.
Honestly, what really sold his sinister-ness were Chloe East and Sophie Thatcher's reaction in conjunction with the lighting and set design. It's really interesting that Hugh Grant is still essentially being Hugh, but the setting and reactions given in the performance just twists it. I was engrossed the whole film!
@SaucyJTD you're so right too! They did such a great job in their roles, I felt like I was holding my breath through the whole movie. I can't wait to see them in more movies
Thank you for posting this. I was nervous about watching Heretic as a return missionary who narrowly avoided several situations that reminded me of the premise of the movie. I am pleasantly surprised that they handled the topic in such an interesting and philosophical way. Also, thank you for "coming out" as Mormon. As a queer member of the church I often feel attacked on both sides by both the LGBT+ community for being Mormon and by church members for being LGBT+. Seeing someone who is accepting of both sides of me is so relieving. I don't know your experiences on making this decision, but personally I often feel more afraid of openly being a member of the church on the internet than coming out to my conservative family members. So thank you for the bravery and kindness you've shown talking about faith and religion this episode.
Seeing the thumbnail genuinely made my stomach drop as an LGBT person who was excommunicated, had all my baptisms revoked, stopped going to seminary and lost all my friends. It was traumatic enough that my father moved me to the other side of the state. But Ive never seen you pick your religion over having the right morals and youve both given me great tools and appreciation for film. Im happy to see what I loved in all my friends and admired church members reflect in you both. Besides, Ive never met a mormon who also loves speedracer before, how bad can you guys be :p When I was mormon I also hated the vitriol we all got online, so thanks for being good troopers about all the "youre not bad for a mormon" comments lol.
Thank you for the compliments and I'm sorry for the rejection, fear, and judgment you were met with. The church is growing more loving and welcoming (and healthy) with every generation, but we've got a ways to go and work to do. For what it's worth, your sexuality and whoever you love are valid and welcome here. - Jono
"religion" and "right morals are not mutually exclusive, since most religions are based on interpretation, one's morality doesn't have to be different from their faith.
@@CinemaTherapyShowLove this response but how do you reconcile the positions of the LDS church with your own significantly different views and still claim to be LDS? Just feels like an incredible amount of cognitive dissonance to hold within yourself to me.
I have learned so much about compassion, acceptance, and kindness from all of you. Discovering your denomination doesn’t change anything for me-it only deepens my respect for the values you embody. As a religious person myself, I’ve had a wide range of experiences, both positive and negative, with people from all walks of life-whether they are atheists, Christians, or follow other beliefs. Kindness, I believe, knows no boundaries and isnt exclusive to any type of faith. I truly look forward to hearing more from you, especially because you offer fresh perspectives on faith and spirituality in a way that I haven’t encountered before. Thank you for all that you do-it’s clear that it took courage and dedication. Cheer to you guys❤
Ah that actually makes alot of sense that you are mormon, (respectfully) you do give off that give. 😅 I'm happy you guys can serve as a positive representation for your community though, and I am happy to continue to watch you guys regardless of your faith because while it is apart of you, you guys are still individuals.
This review is a breath of fresh air! I’m sick of one sided conversations like “Hollywood is anti-religious” or “Mormons are dumb” or whatever (especially online when people are free to talk trash about each other without any real repercussions). It’s what’s been leaving me distrusting and frustrated about my own community. So I’m glad that the guys who made the films and the guys who happen to be in the same religion that’s depicted in this movie could actually exchange thoughts about this movie. Gatekeepers (on either side) be damned!
Attempt #(33) of asking for Spirit : Stallion of the Cimarron!! Was my absolute childhood movie growing up and the filmmaking is so beautiful with amazing scores and concepts of loss and staying true to once nature even in the face of adversity!
My family was converted into the church when I was 11 years old; we are also from Arizona. I could tell you guys were LDS based on context clues from multiple videos. My family and I eventually left the church officially when I was 17, just wasn’t for us. But that never changed the way I adore your channel and learn its valuable content as a Psy.D candidate. To this day, I never let anyone talk down on the LDS church because those people have literally saved my family and supported us through insanely difficult times and they would do the same for anybody without bias. Absolutely amazing people and truly follow Christ’s teachings of service to others and to love thy neighbor. Keep doing your service to the community I look forward to it :)
I really appreciate how you guys have been able to maintain your faith and activity in the Church despite disagreeing with so many tenets and practices in the Church, especially in the culture. That was too much for me, so I'd be interested to hear sometime how you guys have made it work. Thanks for the direct and honest analysis here! I love the premise of this film and its invitation to be conscious about belief.
I would love to have that conversation anytime, anyplace. I can't speak for Alan, but you may find some of the answers to my journey here: facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10159801545827937&set=a.10152656125122937
Great video! You guys never disappoint. Side note: I feel you have built a very safe pocket in the RUclips world. In return I hope we can return that sense of safety and acceptance to you. Who you are in your hearts shines through the brightest. I don’t share your faith but I’m so happy you found a path that allows you to be who you are. Both of you show so many positive traits not just through your humor and friendship, but also your vulnerability and honesty. Thanks so much for that. Don’t change a thing. …and watch movies! 😉🍿🎥
@@IJN-33 Very distinct. I left the LDS church a decade ago, and every once in a while I will meet someone who feels familiar to me. They always turn out to be LDS. Having that radar is just what happens when you've grown up in the church. I'm still surprised by Jono and Alan, though. I was sure they must be exMo.
@hawleyolsen170 I see what you mean. They're certainly not the most orthodox. I'm seeing more of a willingness to have that kind of range in the church in the past couple of years, whatever it means.
@@IJN-33 "Not orthodox" is exactly it. I'm glad there's room in the church for people like them. They seem earnest and very kind, and any community is better for having people like that.
I feel as though this film and you guys openly advertising your coverage of it as "Mormons React" has really opened my Utahn-Agnostic-Who-Dunks-On-Mormons-A-Lot-Ass mind to some meaty thinking points. To quote Peter B. Parker: "Alright. Step 3: I reexamine my personal biases."
Happy to inspire that, but also there are enough Utah Mormons who fit the stereotype for the stereotype to exist, so you're not completely off. But thank you for opening you mind that there are others who worship and practice the faith with more inclusion and open-mindedness. - Jono
One thing that I liked about this movie is how quickly they had both girls realize that something was wrong and that they needed to try to get out. I feel like other movies would have had it take a really long time for the girls to believe they were in danger or they would have one girl realize and have the other girl claim that the other one was being paranoid. I thought that was the direction they were going in since the blond girl seems more naive than the black haired girl but I was pleasantly surprised at how in tune they were with each other.
Yes! They were too quick to trust because they were excited to talk to someone who was interested and willing. But once they figured it out they immediately started acting rational and logical.
I'm so happy you guys reviewed this, I needed this so bad. I've been going through a faith crisis since i was 19, just average branded "christian" as opposed to a specific sect of christianity. Even still it broke my heart to watch the people who raised me with such strong values of kindness do and say some of the most hateful things. I'll admit, I've become very jaded in this avenue. When I went to visit family my grandma clocked that my faith wasn't as strong is at had been. When she asked why I told her that it sucked watching people who claimed to follow God blatantly go against his word. She told me I couldn't put my faith in people. I didn't have the heart to tell her she was one of the people that made my faith wane, but she was completely right, and that stuck with me. This was all pretty recent too, it was just in October. But for the first time in a long time I prayed sincerely, asking to help me find a new way to the Lord. I ended up meeting someone who's views align much closer with my own, but he's still very devout in his faith. Throughout this whole thing, as I continue to go through it, I realized you can't get to know someone unless you ask questions about them. The way I was raised you didn't ask questions, that was a sign of weakness in your faith, and even if it wasn't sinful you'd very much be treated differently. I've been waiting for a movie like this for so long. I've been waiting to just hear a DISCUSSION like this for so long. One where no one is wrong at the end of it, no one is attacking, tempers are low, and volumes are consistent. Thank you so much for this. I've still got a long way to go in finding this new relationship, but this is truly an invaluable asset to me, and I'm sure to many others. Thank you so so much
It's unfair to put people in boxes, but I don't feel it's unfair to view members of a larger group with suspicion or mistrust. You don't get to be an individual first, when the official position of that group you belong to demonizes other people. You guys have proven yourselves over and over as kind people.
Want to say how much I love your channel. I had no idea it existed until I discovered your Prince of Egypt video earlier this year, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Long live Cinema Therapy!
I love that you put those Firefly clips when talking about how religion can encourage people to do good. As an Atheist, some of my favourite lines in Firefly and Serenity are from Book. "When I talk about belief, why do you always assume I'm talking about God?"
I'm really baffled that someone could watch this video and conclude that you're manipulating them just because you're religious. As a queer person, I am truly sorry that you two beautiful and genuine people were rejected for a part of yourselves that's important to you. I feel for you. For me, this video brought a sense of humanity to my understanding of religion, as I am not a religious person. Loved this video and the conversation around this film and beliefs 💖
I was a theatre major at Brigham Young University-Idaho when The Book of Mormon musical came out. My acting teacher told us that if we wanted to be in the entertainment industry, we would need to do our due diligence in researching works related to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, because other people in the industry would immediately ask for our opinions on those works once they would find out which Church we go to. We couldn't afford to come off as closed off and naive in this day and age. Y'all are doing a great job with that 👍🏼 it's also helpful for those like me who can't stomach horror films in general, and therefore need some extra help learning the themes of the film in context of the film itself. Thank you!
You're very welcome. I largely agree with your teacher, though I don't think anyone NEEDS to do anything, it's good to be informed. And we hoped that people who would never watch this movie would at least watch this episode :)
As an ex Jehovah's witness who recognizes high control religion as something objectively harmful, I am shocked to learn you're both LDS. I don't want to throw shade, but the LDS church clearly does not share many of the views you do. I'm glad for that, but recognize that some within the LDS church don't have that freedom of thought.
@@sadem1045 literally learned about New Order Mormons last night. I don't know if these guys - they seem to identify as LDS - are NOM or not, but since there are apparently more groups within the LDS church, it would seem there's a spectrum of belief and orthodoxy within the Church of Latter Day Saints (just as there is for any other church i have experience with: Catholic, Protestant, Humanist).
This movie had me giggling so much more than it should, because it reminded me so much if my mission. I was never physically kidnapped, but I did get trapped in conversations with people very similar to Mr. Reed, and they had arguments almost nearly word for word like Mr. Reed. I personally loved talking to people like that on the mission because it gave me a reason to care more and study my religion, to have someone cast the harshest light onto my faith and allow me to fully evaluate the information I had and how it all fit together. Honestly I would have had so much fun talking with Mr. Reed - I could have gone on for HOURS about his Star Wars analogy. I will say one "plot hole" in this movie is I think the Sisters could have still chosen the front door- with his repeated "It's your choice, I'm not making you do anything you don't want to do, you can leave however you want-" he couldn't have denied them to choose the front door and just wait until morning when it would be unlocked. I even half expected him to mention that before they were locked in the basement- like they get to the bottom of the stairs, he's at the top, and he just says "the front door was still an option. Good things come to those who wait" or something pretentious like that.
I wander about this : missionaries often come to my door asking to talk to me and my family. I don’t talk to them because I don’t think the church is true. Fighting with confused people is not how I want to spend my day but they insist on coming. Should I ask them questions about how they feel about polygamy which was never of God but of a man wanting to participate in porn relationships with many. Anyway. If they continue to come and insist I might just do that. At the end of the day I’m not the one knocking at their door.
Jono’s byu water bottle gave it away from one of your videos for me haha!! As someone who grew up in the church and served a full-time mission, but now is questioning his faith in God, I greatly appreciate your amazing representation of our religion! Great video and thank you for always giving an amazing example of healthy and loving masculinity for us men to emulate! Love your videos, and keep it up!
Good for you dude. I'm very similar (mission, temple marriage etc.) I went through a 2 1/2 year questioning period regarding the church and ultimately stayed, but I think regardless of the choice you make it's important for us all to explore our beliefs and be honest with ourselves. I like to think I came out better for it even if there were some people it scared.
As an atheist, I don't feel offended or really much of anything because of how Hugh Grant's character is portrayed because that's not who I am as a person. I agree with the overall sentiment of just trying to be a good person I just don't think religion really has to play any part in it. I also didn't know you guys were Mormons but it doesn't change my view on yall. I've always enjoyed my time watching your videos and even cried sometimes because I felt seen and understood so keep up the good work!
That was a point of contention in this analysis for me, too. I don’t think religion is the only reason people do good, think of others, help, care, are of service, etc. But I do know that most religions require or encourage those things.
As a practicing member who has been in A LOT of RUclips comments sections on Mormonism, this is bar none the least hostile I've ever seen the discussion be. Good group of people here.
I deeply suspect that there is a lot of moderation going on. Regardless of one’s beliefs, it’s difficult to post anything personal that can be remotely controversial without having someone on the “other side” coming out of the woodwork to pick a fight.
this movie hit me deeply as an ex-mormon who still believes in god and spirituality, but is going through self discovery as to where my faith lies. such spectacular commentary and show of what respecting other beliefs should be. sister barnes emphasis on the spectrum of faith is something i’ve always agreed with. also coming from a yellowjackets fan, i got so used to hear sophie thatcher throw f-bombs that her saying fricking made me giggle
Adult LDS convert whose views line up very similarly to Jono and Alan's here 🙋♀. I can't wait for everyone to watch this episode. It serves as an excellent model for how to discuss religion in an open-minded fashion where everyone has a voice. Beautifully done, guys. Also, shameless plug here: The Director's Cut on their Patreon is a whole 54 minutes long without any ads. It's absolutely worth the watch 🤘.
@@CinemaTherapyShowI got a question.Do you think you could do a video about the movie Transformers one?I'm very curious to see what you would do with an idea like that
I was raised Catholic, and am now an atheist. I left the Church when I was a teen. Being an atheist does not make me bad. I'm a humanist, and I value the people around me, regardless of their religious beliefs. Being kind, giving, and forgiving are the most important things.
I saw your other channel's video on this movie and realized i don't know much at all about Mormons beyond what the media presents. I didn't actually want to watch Heretic before that, it brought a new perspective to me.
I highly recommend the Hello Saints channel. I thought I knew about Mormonism from my mom, living in Utah, and even reading the Book of Mormon, but I learned way more through that channel than anything else and it’s done in such a respectful way.
Howdy. I'm an ex-mormon trans man who has been watching you guys for years now. I'm glad you have found good in your faith. And I'm glad that you have talked about being part of the church that supports my existence. It was hard for my mother to come to terms with me not wanting to be a good man rather than being a wife and a mother. I have several recurring events that have led me to religious trauma with the church. Some of which being some of the cult-like behavior encouraged in the church, like love bombing or encouraging members to only use church materials. I personally believe that god cannot be owned by a singular people, and that idea never had a home in the mormon church for me. It's refreshing to see mormon men who kind of agree with my position. Thank you, and have a good day.
@thegamerwoman5320 I'm doing complicated. Which I suppose is the human experience. I'm happier now that I can live in alignment with my own beliefs in peace.
I think any LDS person who was offended by Heretic either didn't actually see the movie, or they went into it wanting to hate it. It's by far the most realistic depiction of Mormon characters in anything made by mainstream media ever. Compare it something like Under the Banner of Heaven or Big Love, and it's not even close (I like both of them for what they are, but most of the Mormon characters in them feel like caricatures). Also, both Sister Missionary characters are depicted very sympathetically, and are both incredibly intelligent and resourceful. Also here's a fun quote; "He who takes offense when no offense is intended is a fool, and he who takes offense when offense is intended is a greater fool." - Brigham Young
As a practicing member I 100% agree. I had a few nitpicks with it, but overall it was a very accurate portrayal of the diversity and complexity of our people. P.S. I actually enjoyed under the banner of heaven too. It was wildly inaccurate and took a lot of liberties on uncertain history, but it was very entertaining.
As a Mormon who has a particular disdain for Brigham Young I felt bamboolzed and possibly even smeckldorfed when I read that quote, nodded, then saw who said it lol
I loved this! Thank you for sharing your faith with us. If you get the chance, would you please review dead boy detectives? I think it’ll really be up your guys’ alley!
Your openminded, authentic and respectful approach is obvious! I am sorry that some people suddenly loose the ability to see that. Fortunately, most people in this world are good people ❤️
As a member (and someone who's serving a mission very soon!) I am so glad that you decided to be open about your faith, and how you decide to live within those beliefs. The messages you share in these videos are powerful. Thanks so much for everything you do.
I’ve followed Jono on instagram for a while so I was not blindsided by this confession, not in the slightest. I didn’t know it about Alan, but my opinion of him hasn’t budged. You’re excellent men, and I’m grateful for your open-mindedness, compassion, and vulnerability in talking about your faith on a different platform.
I'd love to see you do the Rise and Fall of Dr Robotnik from the Sonic movie trilogy, as it's really interesting how it intersects with his narcissism but also his relationship with Agent Stone. No matter how high he rises or how low he sinks, he almost always makes room for Stone and it's a genuinely sweet dynamic, that started with the gag line "Of course I want a latte! I love the way you make them!".
I like how the intellectual, insightful, questioning, psycho is pitted against the naive, trusting, believers. It shows that both sides, uncertainty and certainty can be harmful and destructive without balance, and respect for the human at the center. Watching Hugh Grant was so wonderful. His expressions! His mannerisms. He looked like he was having so much fun.
I would LOVE to see them review the movie Wicked because the question in the beginning “are people born with wickedness or is wickedness thrusted upon them” is SUCH a good line
Jono's comment at the end about seeing yourself represented as a human being rather than a stereotype was spot on. I was honestly scared of watching this video, being from a minority (polytheistic) religion that is often overlooked or demonized. I have had some horrible experiences with some Christian denominations and I was scared to see that in a channel I enjoy so much. But that was trauma and the bias it carries. I'm glad I watched it. Truthfully I was reminded that most people can learn how to think and act in an open and respectful manner towards diverging beliefs. Thanks for the insights!
Sorry to say this, but I find it extremly nonsensical to claim all these good things like wanting to do good, kindness, trying to be a better person and helping other people for religion. Why can't I just do that? Why do I need to believe in the metaphysical for that? And if you claim people wouldn't do that, if there wasn't somebody higher, who judges their actions, then that tells me nothing about people, but a whole lot about you.
Did you watch the video? Because we explicitly talk about the atheist side of things, that people can be moral without religion. It feels like you didn't watch it all the way through.
@JonathanDecker You got me, sorry. I commented the moment I heard that. But my point still stands. If I can be a good person without belief I don't see the point in it.
In college I once had a religious studies professor that was exactly like Hugh Grant's character, only he was Catholic and (as far as i know) not a serial killer. In my life he was one of the first religious people i ever met that wasnt afraid to challenge and discuss the boundaries his religion, its relations to others, and the world as a whole, and as a result it challenged and presented new world views to me. Many people only took his class to get a grade, but even as an atheist i took it twice because i enjoyed his viewpoints and openness. I love the way the film approaches that same notion not just with religion, but with music, books, games, popculture. It shows to construct and deconstruct what you love, what you hate, and what you dont know. Even the movie plays upon your expectations with many things. Like the "final girl" for example, between Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton. With Barnes seeming more fitting for the for the final girl archetype, but was instead the one to die first. Or if Paxton really escaped and lived because of ideas and themes presented early in the movie like the "whiteness" you see while dying, or the butterfly dream quote.
I just wanted to say how much I admire both of you. You two are the members I aspire to be. I have such a hard time disclosing I am a member of the church because I know of the hurt and judgement that many people have received from members of the church. I try to keep it hidden sometimes and let people get to know me first so that they know I am not judgemental and I make room at the table for everyone. Jesus said to love everyone and that is how I try to live my life. Thank you for being an example and showing me that my way of practicing can work. I have doubts. And I'm learning that that is okay. It's good to question things and to be open. That's not a bad thing. Again thank you so much. Seriously. You are the people I aspire to be. ❤
Thank you so much and you're welcome! There's a reason we took five years to lay the groundwork before outing ourselves, haha! Part of it was we didn't have the right movie, but part of it is what you're saying.
10:51 thank you! It’s so hard to be put under an umbrella because of our faith. But even in BYU, I’ve seen more diverse thought than anywhere else, believe it or not. My professors all had different viewpoints, and accepted it. It was beautiful.
I'm a convert and YW Advisor in my ward. I can honestly say that there I have noticed a significant shift in thought as I listen to what they have to say. It's wildly interesting and heartwarming.
i didn’t realize both of you were mormon but i had my suspicions :) but being exmormon your channel has always brought so much comfort to me thru my transition out of the church and in my every day life since. you really are the best parts of the church i’ve chosen to leave, and being able to see you two be so openly accepting of queer communities and be outspoken about acceptance has had more of an impact on my own self acceptance than you could know! i am sure there’s others here with the same sentiment. thanks for all you guys do and keep going!! we need more people like you both
As a Christian myself I can’t tell u how much I am learning and growing so much because of u two! I recently found out u two r Mormons but the way u guys present urselves authentically means u do want to help others and that is enormously admirable. U guys’ wisdom resonates and it has been super beneficial to my mental health and how I face every day life with sm loss goin on iml rn. Thank u sm Alan and Jono!
I will admit that like many, the title reveal threw me for a bit of a loop. But sitting here, eating my breakfast, I forced myself to examine by biases for a minute. You are both such kind, open-minded, and caring individuals who fly in the face of everything negative I’ve ever heard about LDS. It’s a great reminder that there are good and bad actors in any group, and this showing is a shining example of goodness 😊 I’m also a bit of a scaredy cat but man you guys have convinced me to watch this movie 🍿 Happy New Year! Looking forward to even more shenanigans in 2025 🎉
Fellow scaredy cat here! The tension that is built by the actors is a majority of fear aspect of the movie. There is a brief moment of gore, as well as one or two scenes with an actual jump scare. Overall, it's perfect for curling up on the couch with a comfy blanket and your supportive snack of choice ❤.
@@lyndsayhawkins8747 As soon as I feel like there could be a jump scare coming; I'm curled up in my seat with my hands over my ears and still making myself watch... and still end up jumping. It's a curse, I tell you 🤣. Would love to know your thoughts after watching it!
As a Catholic, I feel like this movie can be equally applicable. The Catholic Church has certainly been mocked and criticized just as much as Mormons (plenty of the criticism being warranted), and I get the impression from this film that faith, true faith, is personal and individualized rather than being rooted in something more objective whether that is institutional dogma or some yet to be discovered “universal truth.”
So much of it is what you bring to it, agreed. Also, I have a soft spot for Catholicism. Valid criticisms and controversy there, same as for my religion, but I love your cathedrals, your reverence, and the sheer amount of humanitarian work you do in the world.
As an Atheist, so an outsider, for all the issues I have with the Catholic church in its Bureaucracy and cover ups, they do one thing most other religious groups don't: Good Works, doing good upon this earth. Your belief that you have to do tangible good in the world is something to be admired, and they quote they used from Angel really sums up a view on it "If there's no great glorious end to all this, if nothing we do matters... , then all that matters is what we do. 'Cause that's all there is. What we do. Now. Today. Because, if there's no bigger meaning, then the smallest act of kindness is the greatest thing in the world."
I sometimes go into these types of videos without having watched the movie because I can't be bothered or I just can't find it anywhere online except streaming websites full of viruses, but the moment I heard Alan say that you have to watch this movie before watching this video with such passion that I knew I had to watch this movie, and also the fact that he's a filmmaker so he's got good taste. Was not disappointed one bit, that was an amazing movie, scared my parents a bit when I gasped really loud at the jump scares but worth it lol
Happy New Year Guys! I have a request! Now that Season 2 of Arcane is out, could you guys do some episodes on that? I feel like there’s quite a lot of things to unpack! Vis a vis “jinx and Vi”, “ambessa and Mel”
Best wishes for 2025, Jonathan and Alan. Thank you for inspiring my loves of storytelling and filmmaking, as well as discovering aspects that I'd previously overlooked.
I suspected Jono was a member (I saw a BYU sticker on his cup in one video), but I had no idea about Alan. As a fellow Mormon, and a recent graduate of BYU, I just want to say I appreciate you guys. I'm pro-LGBTQ+, identify as Demisexual (but heteroromantic), and sometimes I curse when I feel like the situation demands it. But, I also feel like when I'm around people who are not members of the church I need to portray an idealized version of a member, or else people are going to get the wrong idea about me or the church. Seeing how you guys are makes me happy and comfortable. I notice you guys sometimes curse in videos and it makes me happy that I'm not the only member of the church who does it. It makes me happy to know that people are getting to see members of the church who aren't stereotypical or idealized. Honestly, anytime I see Mormons portrayed in media, even if it's in a positive light, I get nervous because I start to think that's how others are going to expect me to act, behave, or think, and if I deviate from that then something is wrong. These are deep-seated issues that I have been working on with my therapist (and have nothing to do with my faith) and you guys have helped me with that, so thank you.
I'm ex-Mormon and I'm so happy to see your guys be so positive about religion and be so willing to discuss your ideas in ways that people refuse to see so many times, so amazing to see you guys address the grey area in discussions about religon
Agnostic-ish (it’s complicated) who grew up southern Baptist here! I fell out of my religion years ago, sometime during college, for a number of reasons. I remember being angry (still am, also for a number of reasons), and feeling lost, like I could no longer enjoy a lot of the things that I’d loved growing up because they were tied to Christianity. I remember being afraid to tell my parents about it, just as I was afraid of telling them about my sexuality or gender identity (bisexual and gender-fluid, if you’re wondering), and having no one to turn to except my brother and the internet. It took a long time for me to be okay with who I’ve become as a person. Part of what got me there, however, was realizing that religion isn’t just control and oppression. It’s storytelling, and trying to make sense of the world around you, and community, all the stuff that I still enjoy to this day, just without a label. I also realized that it’s okay to not know what to believe, or who to put your faith in. Life is full of uncertainty! That’s what makes it an adventure! And when I do finally figure out what i stand for, I’ll also have a decent understanding of why I stand for it because of the stepping stones I took to get there. Sorry for rambling, but I thought I’d throw my two cents in. My general thoughts on religion is that every god is real to those who believe in them, and that it’s what you do with your faith that really matters.
I really appreciate this movie and your guys reaction to it! ❤ As someone who neither confirms or denies any one religion while simultaneously follows none but all religions, I feel this movie and reaction speaks to me profoundly. Thank you so much.
I am agnostic, and while I'm not fond of religion as an institution, I love to talk about spirituality and learn about how other feel. Who am I to judge what anyone chooses to believe anyway? Trying your best to be true and good to yourself as well as others is the only thing that really matters. You guys have always been real and the world would be a better place if more people cared like you do.
As a "divorced from institutional religion" person, I found this movie very insightful, and I have it on a list I titled: Movies I Think Everyone Needs to See. While I side with Mr. Reed with his arguments, minus the coersive control he is exerting over all of the women in this film, I was pleased to see Sister Paxton get confronted with a harsh reality, and she chose to remain compassionate. Her integrity (her character of heart) remained intact despite the horror. Do I think everyone would behave as Sister Paxton did? No. I feel like she is an exception, not the rule. We see the example of what I believe everyone else would do via the women imprisoned and Sister Barnes. Some would give up (choose to be imprisoned), or some would fight back with the intent to kill (survival of the fittest; animal instinct). Yes, Sister Paxton fought back, but only as a means to escape, and only after Sister Barnes provided her the letter opener. It is a movie about choices, too, and choices have consequences. It's ultimately up to you to decide what it is you believe, and you shouldn't rely solely on what others think you should believe. The MAMA (Moratorium-Achievement) cycle is something everyone should work through for everything (faith, politics, sexuality, etc.).
I hadn't heard of this film and now I definitely want to give it a watch. As for a comment relevant to the video I actually really enjoyed listening to the discussion. It brought up several pleasant memories from my youth when I did my own dive into various faiths. Trying to find my feet when it came to religion led me to meet many wonderful people who were happy to share insights into their faith and occasionally I got to have some very fun debates on our opposing viewpoints. It brought a smile to my face remembering the people I helped and those that helped me, so, thanks guys
I believe myself to be a positive nihilist. There is true power and freedom to be found in the fact that that there is no backup plan. The undeniable accountability that comes with no greater design. You truly are what you do. And when you are a good person or successful in something, you know it is truly of your own making, and if you are strong willed, it can motivate you to be the best you can be.
For real...I hate how people shit on nihilism because they don't understand it. I sometimes just call myself an existentialist or absurdist to make it easier to deal with people. I wish everyone with faith would let themselves experience nihilism properly. Giving your own life meaning and worth is so fulfilling. I disagreed with a lot of stuff I heard in Sunday school as a kid...not betraying your own ethics and instincts and living true to yourself is the absolute best. Leads to proper humanism in most cases.
this was actually a really really fascinating episode to me! ive had a very complicated relationship with religion myself but have settled into just referring to myself as agnostic without any attachment to a particular sect or specific religion, but despite all that id fallen into the "lol Mormons" and thinking of Mormonism only as negative without thinking about the nuance of religion. While i still don't agree with the church itself, thank you guys for helping to challenge my own thought processes and reminding me to think critically in all walks of life and reminding me to see people as individuals rather than a stereotype!
@@CinemaTherapyShow oh it's actually nothing to be sorry about. See much like some others have already pointed out in the comments atheists are distinctly non religious. Nothing unified us except for a lack of belief. Whether just unconvinced like me or religious trauma or any other reason we don't all believe the same thing. In fact to properly characterize an atheist it would require so much characterization that the fact that they just don't believe would fall into the background. Poetically speaking just like a real atheist. My belief is not my core. And I'm fairly certain most others like me would agree.
this movie was Amazing ! and daring to cast Hugh Grant in such a script was the Cherry on Top ! as a European Queer Muslim living in Canada now, I have to say that the representation done on your religion has encouraged me to look into it and I discovered your religion with joy and curiosity ! also, as a muslim, I Adored the moment Hugh Grant took out the Holy Q'ran , with the detail of our Book being in Arabic and English was Fantastic :D /I am a converted person and I enjoyed so much the conversation of this movie, it was like seing multiple sides of myself interacting and choosing the same end as the Sister presented , it was wholesome while the scene was terrifying. Such a wonderfully achieved contrast. Your video was sooo interesting and enjoying your conversation with the creators was really awesome and a bit meta as well haha , thanks for this video closing this year , and Happy New Year !!
Hey, sorry to ask this but I mean it in as genuine a way as possible, is this an okay video to watch if you have a lot of "mormon" based trauma from or should I skip this video? No offense to anyone who practices, but some of the stuff around the church can be really triggering to me, but I dont want to skip good discussion if that isn't going to be the case here. I know nothing about the movie but would love to see their take down of it as long as the movie itself is not... overtly preachy or super focused on marriage/family/children in LDS culture. Again, I dont mean any offense. Im just trying to figure out if this is a good video for me as a long time fan of cinema therapy or not.
In my opinion, you're safe here. This video is an excellent demonstration of talking about religion in a way that's open-minded without being preachy on their behalf.
@SaucyJTD Thank you! I know I probably seem silly but It's definitely a sensitive subject for me. I'll start watching carefully then! I trust Alan and Jono to not be overt and insensitive about it but trauma can be shitty sometimes.
@helloiamadog6222 Speaking as someone who has done a literal SHIT ton of work toward overcoming my C-PTSD, I can empathize with you. It's not silly, it's just difficult. Sending much strength your way! 🫂
Not offensive and your trauma is valid. In addition to the good, there's a lot of crap that has happened and does happen in the faith. I believe the episode is okay for you to watch. It may even be healing in a way.
GRATEFUL FOR YOU!! Member of the church here! Been watching you guys for a while and love your vids! Thank you for your transparency and entertaining, funny, and well-thought videos!! Ignore the hate, you guys are awesome!
Would you please do a video on The scent of a woman 1992? I know it’s an oldie, but really would love to see you react to scenes from it! Thanks! Happy new year!
I gulped when I saw the title but so happy you confirmed you still are and will be open minded to people of different or no religion, sexuality etc. We are all human after all. Keep it going! :)
This video came out at the perfect time for me! I'm an ex-atheist who, this past year, has spent a lot of time trying to find a faith. I think I've settled on Christianity, but even then there's a whole lot of denominations. Latter-Day Saints is one I have seriously considered, and although I'm not feeling drawn to it (at least, currently), I'm glad you guys have been able to find happiness in it! 🙂 And yeah, conformation bias and stereotyping are definitely big problems, and ones I have come across many times in my journey. I'm very glad insightful movies like this exist, and I hope that there will only be more.
Here’s what I struggle with, Jono. I love what you both do on this channel. I have reservations and have shied away from it once I learned you are LDS. Although you seem like great guys, if you are practicing Mormons, part of your money goes to the church. So by watching this, I am indirectly supporting the church. I cannot reconcile it.
How did I already know you were mormon, without you ever having confirmed it on the channel? I could've sworn you already did. Or maybe the vibe really is that strong :)
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Y'all got sponsored by a college, that's mind blowing to me for whatever reason. Love you guys!
I went to SNHU for my MA in Creative Writing/Poetry. Excellent online university with outstanding support for students.
check out /r/exmormon to get started on your deconstruction journey. Joseph Smith was a narcissistic conman
Am a student at SNHU for a masters. Best experience I've had at university. Professors challange every idea, give timely feedback, and focus on the topic they work on rather than making everything political. Would recommend.
So... I may have asked this here before, but it may have been on another channel. {SHRUGS} Now that LDS is calling themselves Christians, are the other "Christian" churches accepted as they are or do they need to convert to LDS in order to be considered part of the overall flock? What about Jehovah Witnesses do you consider them part of the overall congregation?
I had to do a double-take because my dumb ass thought the thumbnail said "morons." I probably need glasses.
We (Mormons) get that a LOT…
@@CinemaTherapyShow sorry i did laugh to that but i think you guys are great keep up the great work.
Lol
Wearing glasses rn and still read it as ‘morons ↗️’ lmao
South Park definitely helped with that
i have to say as someone who is queer and doesn't agree with organized religion too much as it often turns into a form of idolatry, i've always felt compassion, love, and respect from you guys, and i think you are what a godly people should be
Thank you for saying so! That is who were are.
I second this. You two are awesome and I wish more people were like you
And as such, you don't have to be religious to be pious. :)
As an ex-mormon, I feel like you two are the best parts of the Mormon church. You don't fall into the church culture trap. You just shine your light unapologetically. You are authentic and amazing. I love your videos and have learned so much from both of you ❤️
We try! Also, I like swearing too much to be “mainstream” -alan
@@CinemaTherapyShow oh, darling… 😊 Spaniard here. You guys don’t even know what real swearing is 😂
As another ex-Mormon I greatly agree with you.
@@janwel74 Jono here. My favorite response of the day, haha!
@@CinemaTherapyShow I know you will have to delete this, so no hard feelings 😚 As the joke goes… did you know that two out of every three words a Spaniard says is a swearword? Spaniard: “coño, no jodas!” 😂
I’m Wiccan, and honestly I just want to thank you guys for coming out and being so open about yourselves. I will admit, it’s a bit hard for me as some of the Mormons I’ve met in the past were quite cruel to me, telling me I should ‘stop being gay.’ But you guys have never been cruel or demeaning to your audience, and your videos have always been so understanding and kind, so no matter what I’ll always support you guys. Just keep being the same amazing duo and thank you for being a rock in hard times 🙂
For what it's worth, the more I learn about Wicca the more I appreciate its core values. It's often misunderstood and misjudged.
I learned you guys were Mormons not too long ago when you reviewed this movie on one of your other channels. I'm an atheist, but that information didn't change the way I see you. You're clearly two very introspective, sensitive and intelligent men and those aspects of you will (hopefully) always remain present 😊
I figured they were Mormon, whether past or present. Their demeanor is such that I thought they must have at least been brought up in the church.
We hope so too! No plans to change that about ourselves :) Thank you for seeing us!
Fellow athiest here, only thing that matters to an athiest is that people are empathetic to other people. How or from where you derive that empathy doesn't matter as long as it is in practice.
@@duskripper6650 I'm an Ex-Mormon turned Atheist, and I'm actually very disheartened about all the negative comments on this video. People seem to not understand that disliking the organization of religions is very different from disliking individual people who happen to be part of a given religion. If anyone wants to dislike or unfollow the channel because the hosts happen to be LDS, they're frankly bigots. Like, imagine if people did the same about almost any other religion.
@@LockeDemosthenes2 I'm a religious Jew, and I agree with you wholeheartedly!
Jono here! Please keep reading if you have questions or concerns about Alan and I being Latter-day Saints.
In 2021 I wrote a Reddit post responding to recurring comments on our Twilight videos. They equated the series' unhealthy relationships with the author's Latter-day Saint faith. We disagreed. In that post I said:
"Alan and I are Mormons. Mormons who stand for racial and gender equality. Mormons who support LGBTQIA rights. Mormons who respect (and learn from) the beliefs and worldviews of others. Mormons who swear a bit. But Mormons all the same...
"Our relationship with our faith is complex. While Alan and I aren't spiritually identical, suffice to say that we both understand there are issues in our religious history and disagree with some policies and stances that have been taken.
"We understand why some people leave our church. We understand why some people join our church. In some cases negative experiences have led to religious trauma. In other cases positive experiences have led to positive generational change (like in Alan’s family and in his wife’s family). Everyone must do what they believe to be right, and we support everyone in their spiritual journeys.
"We also find much beauty in our culture and doctrine. We seek to make a positive impact there. Warts and all, these are our people. And in most instances, they're good people."
(If you're interested, I daresay the whole post is worth reading: www.reddit.com/r/cinema_therapy/comments/rcr5j7/re_twilight_stephanie_meyers_and_mormonism/ )
Though we've broadly alluded to being men of faith before, this will likely be the only time we address our denomination directly on the show, as Cinema Therapy is about psychology and film.
So why do it now?
In part because HERETIC provides a natural opportunity to do so. Also because no one should have to hide part of their identity to be accepted. We would not expect that of anyone else and we hope that no one would expect that of us.
After over 300 videos and almost 5 years, we've demonstrated that we're not out to convert you to our religion.
There are many popular RUclips videos about Latter-day Saints, ranging from sensationalized clickbait to valid criticisms and passionate defenses. I think that clickbait just spreads prejudice. The criticisms and defenses, however, both have merit in my opinion. But all of these videos inevitably approach the topic with bias in one direction or another.
Frankly, so do I. As I do my best to respond to your comments, please keep in mind that I am someone who identifies as a believing skeptic. In other words, I choose faith but leave room for questioning and uncertainty.
I welcome respectful questions and sincere concerns. I will respond to as many as I can, not to convert anyone, but because we care about transparency and a relationship of trust with our fans. We want you to feel safe and welcome here.
That door swings both ways, though. Comments that are blatantly hateful, intentionally misleading, or obvious trolling are not appreciated. I don't worry about the CT community attempting any of that, but others who stumble onto this video might try.
Recognizing the inevitable biases of both those who are for and against our faith, may I recommend a few neutral sources of information?
I Am Your Target Demographic has an excellent short breakdown of our history and beliefs. He is not a member of our church. His entire world religions playlist is very solid, in my opinion, with well-researched and accurate takes: ruclips.net/video/CeaC6NnhylE/видео.html
Illustrate to Educate, also not a member of our church, similarly does a solid job in his exploration of our faith. He likewise has a fun and informative playlist of various world religions: ruclips.net/video/jnLCnwxx58U/видео.html
Finally, Pastor Jeff from Hello Saints is an evangelical pastor who has dedicated himself to exploring Latter-day Saints from a Protestant Christian perspective. Maybe not neutral, but I like him because he models Walt Whitman's (and Ted Lasso's) approach of "be curious, not judgmental." Pastor Jeff is respectful and fair, with genuine affection and zero fearmongering. This is one of my favorite of his videos so far: - ruclips.net/video/PPnAyWtHs5Y/видео.html
At any rate, thank you for reading this and for allowing us to open up a little more. In the past 5 years we've shown you exactly who we are, every week, in every episode of this show. We've been raw, real, authentic, and vulnerable.
We hope that, instead of reevaluating us based on our faith community, maybe you'll reevaluate our faith community based on what you know about us.
If you can't do that, we trust that at least you will continue to see us for who we are.
I want you to know that whoever you are, whatever your worldview, and whoever you love, this is a safe place where you are welcome. All people of goodwill belong here in the CT family.
Thank you
Jonathan
I get that but remember that Mormonism was literally started by a narcissistic pervert. Mormonism is quite literally a cult.
Love all of this. Thank you Jono and Alan!! ❤❤
This was beautifully written, Jono! I look forward to today's comment section.
I have a question: As Mormons what made you choose it over Christianity? And what are your responses to when people call it heretical?
I have a question for Jono - did studying psychology change your relationship with your faith or church?
I can’t deny that as a gay dude I have an automatic alarm go off every time someone shares they’re a devout Christian. But I think that’s exactly to your point: one must question one’s own biases when in pursuit of the truth. You two have never used this platform as an evangelical tool - nor used it to spread intolerance or bigotry.
I have learned a lot about film and psychology from you both. And I have seen your humanity shine through and through in your thoughtful discussions and vulnerability.
So, I choose to feel the automatic alarm bells that were triggered by this revelation, but I am not going to act as if you two hadn’t earned my trust and respect over the last few years with your work.
Much love to you, and I hope that this revelation doesn’t bring a lot of unwarranted heartbreak. 💕
"Devout Christians". Sigh. They are neither those words and I'm sorry you've had it rough by posers.
I grew up in a warm, United Christian church and I cannot remember a single time the community I grew up with did that to people.
Maybe because it was a smaller farming community in Canada, but the church I attended was very nice to everyone. Literally everyone.
Sucks to hear there are others who claim to be devout, then treat you and others horribly.
I'm exmo and there is a LOT of religious trauma. Leaving the church meant leaving a cultural identity and my family that has been part of the church since very nearly the inception and it was a difficult decision to make.
I've struggled a lot with this channel once I got confirmation of their membership because my experience with Mormon men has been less than positive.
However, I'm getting better on a lot of levels. Watching Jono and Alan, seeing authenticness and accountability has helped. You're good eggs.
Im not ready to watch this movie or this episode just yet, but I'm happy to report its on my watch later spreadsheet and I'm looking forward to when I can.
The loss of cultural identity was the hardest part for me, too. That, and learning to trust people again (for a variety of reasons and in a multiplicity of contexts). I hope that you find the peace and support that you need to get to a good place for you ❤
Yeah, man. Learning to deal with the cynicism, colonialism, racism and everything else the Church has done around the world is very hard for a while.
I am a member. I am so sorry. I too have live through extreme religious trama. With that background I want to say that anyone who distances from you based on your spiritual beliefs and not on the way you treat others, even if they are family, has no understanding of the teaching of Christ.
We don't usually hear about/from them, but Liberal Mormons do exist. My dad was actually raised in a Liberal Mormon family and my Grandpa was controversial in the Church because he went against the status quo, but he still had a lot of support from the Church higher-ups.
I'm so happy to see the comment section behaving and being orderly for a video like this! ...oh it dropped 3 minutes ago.
@@carterbennettmusic8948 I’m ready for this comment section to LIGHT UP!
Channels can delete any comments they want, so they may be deleting anything negative or critical of them.
Lol. Right? We'll see how this goes. I have trust in our community. - Jono
@@Bluelightzero That doesn’t sound like something they would do tbh.
@@SilverLovesJesus That's what I said about my Mormon parents for 25 years. Turns out they were abusive the entire time.
As an atheist my representation may be a series killer, but he is also Hugh Grant, so it evens out.😄
Listen... fair, haha!
Amen 😂
😂
I can tell when a person is genuine about their religion is when they don’t push an agenda towards people. My friend is Christian but she deeply cares for people regardless of race and sex. She never judged me for my lifestyle, so I know she takes Jesus’s words seriously.
You guys are very genuine of your religion because you don’t push an agenda, you teach us and let us come to our own interpretation.
Thank you for seeing us! These points are beautiful. - Jono
I completely agree, but the issue is that it's inherent in Evangelical Christianity that caring is converting. Why would you let someone you care about go to hell?
A lot of people come up in environments where this is what is taught, and to believe otherwise is to defy God. They are genuine and may be good people, but the people they have been allowed to become are built on a foundation that makes it impossible for them to be a "good person" as you define one here.
To a certain degree, your religion, or more importantly your choice of what of your religion you choose to adhere to and what you don't, matters. Your friend was either raised with a version of Christianity that focuses on love more so than dogma, or she has chosen it. If the latter, that makes her a far more rare and wonderful gem. It's tough to think for yourself and choose love when your soul may be on the line.
My friend’s parents have a very different view from her. They love thy neighbor but hate illegal immigrants, even though she doesn’t.
I wouldn’t say it was just the church that was the only thing that influenced her but the people she chose and loved regardless of a different lifestyle that has been given to her.
@@jwr6796 "Why would you let someone you care about go to hell?" Isn't that the whole point of free will? The very idea of sin and hell is God letting people He cares about go to hell, because that is their choice. And psychologically it is very difficult if not impossible to change someone's mind once they've made it up. Look at Trump supporters. Doesn't matter what he says or does or what happens by his hand, no matter how much it hurts his supporters, they never waver. They never turn away from him. So how can anyone expect that badgering someone about eternal damnation will turn them from "no, I don't want to hear it, leave me alone" to "oh my god I understand now! Thank you for saving me!"? Evangelism in this day & age is pointless because everyone has already heard "the good word" and they've either joined the faith or chosen not to. Some of us have chosen to turn away from it because of what we heard in "the good word." Maybe instead of trying to convert people who aren't interested, they should focus on identifying those who are actively looking for a church to belong to.
I was raised religion/faith should be personal first, then community, and church last. So I feel that way too about genuineness in faith. Jono and Alan seem like good folks in that regard.
Because atheism isn't a religion, I actually never feel like an atheist in a film is meant to represent me - so there's never a need to get offended or feel like it's misrepresenting me 😊We're not a group, there's no structure.
better an atheist than an agnostic
All atheists have exactly one thing in common: lack of belief in a god or gods. Beyond that, we can be anything. It's hard to feel represented by someone who shares only a single trait with you.
This ☝️
@@kevinmorrice I'm an atheist myself, but I'm curious: why is an atheist better than an agonistic, in your opinion?
am an atheist too and I was happy that his atheism wasn't due to "hating god" or if there is god then why dose this (terrible) thing happen. I didn't have a problem with him being a serial killer either.
My personal experiences with the Latter-day Saints were so negative that it never occurred to me to wonder if you two were a part of it - but my experiences were limited to just a few people. There are people in my own church that have done deeply horrific things in the past, and those who are acting shamefully in the present. I haven't left because it means so much to my mother, and because there is something in the traditions passed down to me in which I find value. I hadn't really considered it before, but of course I'd be a hypocrite to hold someone's religion against them. I choose love, respect, and compassion as my ethical priorities, my center. I know that (online, at least - trying not to get too parasocial here) you two do the same!
Thank you for this and we're on the same page with your ethical priorities. Thank you for seeing us. There's really no major difference between online us and in-person us, except maybe that we're a tad darker and more vulgar in person. Not the Latter-day Saint norm, lol.
Thank you for sharing such a personal part of yourselves. I am very removed from the Mormon community and have only encountered the stereotypes from the media. It was really impactful to hear your perspectives, given honestly and without agenda, and it has certainly helped me develop more nuance and openness about your community and your faith. I have such respect for this channel, and really enjoy hearing what ya'll have to say. This took courage, and I'm so glad this movie was created in such a way to encourage open dialogue and compassion.
Well, now I'm crying and I'm not even Alan. - Jono
As a former Mormon, I'll always be glad to see respectful discussions regarding my former faith. A certain author, book series (and movies) basically turned the religion into a punchline. As much as I might disagree with much of it, it does a lot of good for a lot of people and deserves to be discussed politely and objectively.
Well said. And yeah, LOL, we know the books of which you speak. Some of our post popular videos :)
@@CinemaTherapyShowI’m not familiar with what series are you talking about? I’m looking through but can’t see any about it?
@@tylerwillem8683I'm sure they mean Twilight.
It's really great to bring the people that create the movie (writers/directors) to talk about their creation and the concept. The episodes when you invite people who've worked in the industry, or specifically on the movies you're talking about, are my favorite.
NGL, they're our favorites as well. We spend the entire time geeking out. - Jono
You guys are one of those channels that everytime I start feeling oversaturated by social media content, your episodes recharge a feeling of having substance and I don't write it ALL off, lol. Thank you for all your work!
I'm not going to join any church, but you guys have fundamentally changed how I see it.
Like with many other bias checks, I realized from your message that most of what I know about the mormon church comes from stereotypes and trauma stories from ex-members. And while I'll never invalidate those stories, as I'm confident you also won't, I have realized there's a whole lot more to it than I thought. Your insights into psychology and mental health over the years, and how deeply they've helped me, forced me to realize upon hearing of your beliefs that it's just not reasonable to throw out a whole person or what they've said without hearing them out, even in a case as consistently iffy as I've heard the mormon church to be
Thank you for this. We freely acknowledge that there are people who have had religious trauma and very negative experiences with our faith. There are others who have had positive, healing experiences with it. We do our best to model healthy practice of faith and worship and call out what is harmful (see our Frollo in Hunchback video as an example). Thank you for seeing us for who we are!
Those stories are real and they are very invalidated.
@@HalfJapMarine Unfortunately, you're quite right. I'm just happy that isn't happening *here*, but you're absolutely correct, it's downright criminal how invalidated they often are
I don't have good experiences with Mormonism growing up Navajo and all, but there ARE good people that practice it whom I respect. It's easy to shit on the bad apples in any group simply because we hear them the most. What's scary is that it's frighteningly easy to forget that people are diverse.
Shímasaní (my grandma) taught me to find the good in people and to love THAT while being strict on disrespect from others.
We're all only human. Love you Jonathan and Alan! Love your content!
As a Christian that's studying counselling and who plays a lot of D&D, I often feel like I need to compartmentalise parts of who I am and it's always a relief to let it out and be wholly myself. Glad you can do a video that talks about your faith, as it's a huge motivator for therapy and equally also for growth.
Never stop being yourselves (subject to change - the selves, not love of you being them).
Thank you! And please openly be yourself here! We want that for everyone in the CT family, so long as they can do so while respecting others doing it.
Fellow Christian D&D lover (haven't found a group or time to play 😅) who graduated as a religion major with a theater minor
Definitely one of Hugh Grant's best performances, he was so unnervingly creepy, that you couldn't help but feel worried for the two missionaries. Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East were also perfectly cast, and played well opposite of Grant. In particular, I'd only seen East in "The Fabelmans", so I was impressed by seeing her in a darker project.
All three actors were SO good! - Jono
Paddington 2 is his peak for me
It's so funny that I still see him as that rom com buffoon, so good to see him expand his range.
Hugh Grant is so good at playing smarmy yet sinister, I can't wait to see him in more roles like this because the atmosphere becomes so tense
Honestly, what really sold his sinister-ness were Chloe East and Sophie Thatcher's reaction in conjunction with the lighting and set design. It's really interesting that Hugh Grant is still essentially being Hugh, but the setting and reactions given in the performance just twists it. I was engrossed the whole film!
@SaucyJTD you're so right too! They did such a great job in their roles, I felt like I was holding my breath through the whole movie. I can't wait to see them in more movies
@@darkninjafirefox My friends and I are all heavy book readers and we're already fancasting them as some of our favorite characters 🤣.
@SaucyJTD that sounds like so much fun!
I'm loving this phase of his career!
Thank you for posting this. I was nervous about watching Heretic as a return missionary who narrowly avoided several situations that reminded me of the premise of the movie. I am pleasantly surprised that they handled the topic in such an interesting and philosophical way.
Also, thank you for "coming out" as Mormon. As a queer member of the church I often feel attacked on both sides by both the LGBT+ community for being Mormon and by church members for being LGBT+. Seeing someone who is accepting of both sides of me is so relieving.
I don't know your experiences on making this decision, but personally I often feel more afraid of openly being a member of the church on the internet than coming out to my conservative family members. So thank you for the bravery and kindness you've shown talking about faith and religion this episode.
Seeing the thumbnail genuinely made my stomach drop as an LGBT person who was excommunicated, had all my baptisms revoked, stopped going to seminary and lost all my friends. It was traumatic enough that my father moved me to the other side of the state. But Ive never seen you pick your religion over having the right morals and youve both given me great tools and appreciation for film. Im happy to see what I loved in all my friends and admired church members reflect in you both. Besides, Ive never met a mormon who also loves speedracer before, how bad can you guys be :p
When I was mormon I also hated the vitriol we all got online, so thanks for being good troopers about all the "youre not bad for a mormon" comments lol.
Thank you for the compliments and I'm sorry for the rejection, fear, and judgment you were met with. The church is growing more loving and welcoming (and healthy) with every generation, but we've got a ways to go and work to do. For what it's worth, your sexuality and whoever you love are valid and welcome here. - Jono
"religion" and "right morals are not mutually exclusive, since most religions are based on interpretation, one's morality doesn't have to be different from their faith.
@@CinemaTherapyShowLove this response but how do you reconcile the positions of the LDS church with your own significantly different views and still claim to be LDS? Just feels like an incredible amount of cognitive dissonance to hold within yourself to me.
@@brandonsheffer1396 Jono here. Speaking for myself, here's the long version: facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10159801545827937&set=a.10152656125122937
@@CinemaTherapyShow appreciate the reply.
I have learned so much about compassion, acceptance, and kindness from all of you. Discovering your denomination doesn’t change anything for me-it only deepens my respect for the values you embody. As a religious person myself, I’ve had a wide range of experiences, both positive and negative, with people from all walks of life-whether they are atheists, Christians, or follow other beliefs. Kindness, I believe, knows no boundaries and isnt exclusive to any type of faith. I truly look forward to hearing more from you, especially because you offer fresh perspectives on faith and spirituality in a way that I haven’t encountered before. Thank you for all that you do-it’s clear that it took courage and dedication. Cheer to you guys❤
Ah that actually makes alot of sense that you are mormon, (respectfully) you do give off that give. 😅 I'm happy you guys can serve as a positive representation for your community though, and I am happy to continue to watch you guys regardless of your faith because while it is apart of you, you guys are still individuals.
Well said, and thank you! - Jono
This review is a breath of fresh air! I’m sick of one sided conversations like “Hollywood is anti-religious” or “Mormons are dumb” or whatever (especially online when people are free to talk trash about each other without any real repercussions). It’s what’s been leaving me distrusting and frustrated about my own community. So I’m glad that the guys who made the films and the guys who happen to be in the same religion that’s depicted in this movie could actually exchange thoughts about this movie.
Gatekeepers (on either side) be damned!
Attempt #(33) of asking for Spirit : Stallion of the Cimarron!! Was my absolute childhood movie growing up and the filmmaking is so beautiful with amazing scores and concepts of loss and staying true to once nature even in the face of adversity!
Yes!!! love this movie ❤
that movie is unique because they NEVER say the character's name in it.
I loved that movie so much. I was 7 years old when it came out, and my family saw it in theaters.
Jono here. I see you and your requests :) I don't think either of us have seen it, but maybe we'll give it a watch and see if it's a fit :)
This is the only movie that has made me cry
My family was converted into the church when I was 11 years old; we are also from Arizona. I could tell you guys were LDS based on context clues from multiple videos. My family and I eventually left the church officially when I was 17, just wasn’t for us. But that never changed the way I adore your channel and learn its valuable content as a Psy.D candidate. To this day, I never let anyone talk down on the LDS church because those people have literally saved my family and supported us through insanely difficult times and they would do the same for anybody without bias. Absolutely amazing people and truly follow Christ’s teachings of service to others and to love thy neighbor. Keep doing your service to the community I look forward to it :)
Thank you for this!
I really appreciate how you guys have been able to maintain your faith and activity in the Church despite disagreeing with so many tenets and practices in the Church, especially in the culture. That was too much for me, so I'd be interested to hear sometime how you guys have made it work. Thanks for the direct and honest analysis here! I love the premise of this film and its invitation to be conscious about belief.
I would love to have that conversation anytime, anyplace. I can't speak for Alan, but you may find some of the answers to my journey here: facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10159801545827937&set=a.10152656125122937
Great video! You guys never disappoint.
Side note: I feel you have built a very safe pocket in the RUclips world. In return I hope we can return that sense of safety and acceptance to you. Who you are in your hearts shines through the brightest. I don’t share your faith but I’m so happy you found a path that allows you to be who you are. Both of you show so many positive traits not just through your humor and friendship, but also your vulnerability and honesty. Thanks so much for that. Don’t change a thing. …and watch movies! 😉🍿🎥
I'm a member of the Church and I knew these guys were members the whole time, always funny to see how shocked others are
I always thought it was pretty obvious, especially whenever I saw Jono using a BYU mug. 😂
Yep, I think it's easy to forget how distinct we are as a subculture.
@@IJN-33 Very distinct. I left the LDS church a decade ago, and every once in a while I will meet someone who feels familiar to me. They always turn out to be LDS. Having that radar is just what happens when you've grown up in the church.
I'm still surprised by Jono and Alan, though. I was sure they must be exMo.
@hawleyolsen170 I see what you mean. They're certainly not the most orthodox. I'm seeing more of a willingness to have that kind of range in the church in the past couple of years, whatever it means.
@@IJN-33 "Not orthodox" is exactly it. I'm glad there's room in the church for people like them. They seem earnest and very kind, and any community is better for having people like that.
I feel as though this film and you guys openly advertising your coverage of it as "Mormons React" has really opened my Utahn-Agnostic-Who-Dunks-On-Mormons-A-Lot-Ass mind to some meaty thinking points. To quote Peter B. Parker: "Alright. Step 3: I reexamine my personal biases."
Happy to inspire that, but also there are enough Utah Mormons who fit the stereotype for the stereotype to exist, so you're not completely off. But thank you for opening you mind that there are others who worship and practice the faith with more inclusion and open-mindedness. - Jono
One thing that I liked about this movie is how quickly they had both girls realize that something was wrong and that they needed to try to get out. I feel like other movies would have had it take a really long time for the girls to believe they were in danger or they would have one girl realize and have the other girl claim that the other one was being paranoid. I thought that was the direction they were going in since the blond girl seems more naive than the black haired girl but I was pleasantly surprised at how in tune they were with each other.
Yes! They were too quick to trust because they were excited to talk to someone who was interested and willing. But once they figured it out they immediately started acting rational and logical.
I'm so happy you guys reviewed this, I needed this so bad. I've been going through a faith crisis since i was 19, just average branded "christian" as opposed to a specific sect of christianity. Even still it broke my heart to watch the people who raised me with such strong values of kindness do and say some of the most hateful things.
I'll admit, I've become very jaded in this avenue. When I went to visit family my grandma clocked that my faith wasn't as strong is at had been. When she asked why I told her that it sucked watching people who claimed to follow God blatantly go against his word. She told me I couldn't put my faith in people. I didn't have the heart to tell her she was one of the people that made my faith wane, but she was completely right, and that stuck with me. This was all pretty recent too, it was just in October. But for the first time in a long time I prayed sincerely, asking to help me find a new way to the Lord. I ended up meeting someone who's views align much closer with my own, but he's still very devout in his faith.
Throughout this whole thing, as I continue to go through it, I realized you can't get to know someone unless you ask questions about them. The way I was raised you didn't ask questions, that was a sign of weakness in your faith, and even if it wasn't sinful you'd very much be treated differently. I've been waiting for a movie like this for so long. I've been waiting to just hear a DISCUSSION like this for so long. One where no one is wrong at the end of it, no one is attacking, tempers are low, and volumes are consistent. Thank you so much for this. I've still got a long way to go in finding this new relationship, but this is truly an invaluable asset to me, and I'm sure to many others. Thank you so so much
This was a beautifully vulnerable comment. Wishing you the absolute best ❤.
So raw and real. Since you brought up your own faith, let me say thank you and God bless you.
It's unfair to put people in boxes, but I don't feel it's unfair to view members of a larger group with suspicion or mistrust. You don't get to be an individual first, when the official position of that group you belong to demonizes other people. You guys have proven yourselves over and over as kind people.
So, so true. Thank you for this :)
Want to say how much I love your channel. I had no idea it existed until I discovered your Prince of Egypt video earlier this year, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Long live Cinema Therapy!
“The presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely to be preferred to the presence of those who think they've found it.”
-Terry Pratchett
I love that you put those Firefly clips when talking about how religion can encourage people to do good. As an Atheist, some of my favourite lines in Firefly and Serenity are from Book. "When I talk about belief, why do you always assume I'm talking about God?"
I am attempting not to alert every person in my household by cackling this hard at “Bob Ross”.
Best roast of Latter-day Saints I've ever seen. Impossible to be offended by and super accurate.
I'm really baffled that someone could watch this video and conclude that you're manipulating them just because you're religious.
As a queer person, I am truly sorry that you two beautiful and genuine people were rejected for a part of yourselves that's important to you. I feel for you.
For me, this video brought a sense of humanity to my understanding of religion, as I am not a religious person. Loved this video and the conversation around this film and beliefs 💖
I was a theatre major at Brigham Young University-Idaho when The Book of Mormon musical came out. My acting teacher told us that if we wanted to be in the entertainment industry, we would need to do our due diligence in researching works related to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, because other people in the industry would immediately ask for our opinions on those works once they would find out which Church we go to. We couldn't afford to come off as closed off and naive in this day and age. Y'all are doing a great job with that 👍🏼 it's also helpful for those like me who can't stomach horror films in general, and therefore need some extra help learning the themes of the film in context of the film itself. Thank you!
That's an awesome example of being not just a professor but a true teacher. Props to them!
You're very welcome. I largely agree with your teacher, though I don't think anyone NEEDS to do anything, it's good to be informed. And we hoped that people who would never watch this movie would at least watch this episode :)
As an ex Jehovah's witness who recognizes high control religion as something objectively harmful, I am shocked to learn you're both LDS. I don't want to throw shade, but the LDS church clearly does not share many of the views you do. I'm glad for that, but recognize that some within the LDS church don't have that freedom of thought.
You don't often hear about/from Liberal Mormons, but they're out there.
@@sadem1045 literally learned about New Order Mormons last night. I don't know if these guys - they seem to identify as LDS - are NOM or not, but since there are apparently more groups within the LDS church, it would seem there's a spectrum of belief and orthodoxy within the Church of Latter Day Saints (just as there is for any other church i have experience with: Catholic, Protestant, Humanist).
This movie had me giggling so much more than it should, because it reminded me so much if my mission. I was never physically kidnapped, but I did get trapped in conversations with people very similar to Mr. Reed, and they had arguments almost nearly word for word like Mr. Reed. I personally loved talking to people like that on the mission because it gave me a reason to care more and study my religion, to have someone cast the harshest light onto my faith and allow me to fully evaluate the information I had and how it all fit together. Honestly I would have had so much fun talking with Mr. Reed - I could have gone on for HOURS about his Star Wars analogy.
I will say one "plot hole" in this movie is I think the Sisters could have still chosen the front door- with his repeated "It's your choice, I'm not making you do anything you don't want to do, you can leave however you want-" he couldn't have denied them to choose the front door and just wait until morning when it would be unlocked. I even half expected him to mention that before they were locked in the basement- like they get to the bottom of the stairs, he's at the top, and he just says "the front door was still an option. Good things come to those who wait" or something pretentious like that.
I was hoping someone who has been a sister missionary would comment! Your sense of humor and straightforward attitude are fantastic 👏.
I wander about this : missionaries often come to my door asking to talk to me and my family. I don’t talk to them because I don’t think the church is true. Fighting with confused people is not how I want to spend my day but they insist on coming. Should I ask them questions about how they feel about polygamy which was never of God but of a man wanting to participate in porn relationships with many. Anyway. If they continue to come and insist I might just do that. At the end of the day I’m not the one knocking at their door.
Jono’s byu water bottle gave it away from one of your videos for me haha!!
As someone who grew up in the church and served a full-time mission, but now is questioning his faith in God, I greatly appreciate your amazing representation of our religion!
Great video and thank you for always giving an amazing example of healthy and loving masculinity for us men to emulate! Love your videos, and keep it up!
Good for you dude. I'm very similar (mission, temple marriage etc.) I went through a 2 1/2 year questioning period regarding the church and ultimately stayed, but I think regardless of the choice you make it's important for us all to explore our beliefs and be honest with ourselves. I like to think I came out better for it even if there were some people it scared.
As an atheist, I don't feel offended or really much of anything because of how Hugh Grant's character is portrayed because that's not who I am as a person. I agree with the overall sentiment of just trying to be a good person I just don't think religion really has to play any part in it. I also didn't know you guys were Mormons but it doesn't change my view on yall. I've always enjoyed my time watching your videos and even cried sometimes because I felt seen and understood so keep up the good work!
That was a point of contention in this analysis for me, too. I don’t think religion is the only reason people do good, think of others, help, care, are of service, etc. But I do know that most religions require or encourage those things.
As a practicing member who has been in A LOT of RUclips comments sections on Mormonism, this is bar none the least hostile I've ever seen the discussion be. Good group of people here.
I deeply suspect that there is a lot of moderation going on. Regardless of one’s beliefs, it’s difficult to post anything personal that can be remotely controversial without having someone on the “other side” coming out of the woodwork to pick a fight.
this movie hit me deeply as an ex-mormon who still believes in god and spirituality, but is going through self discovery as to where my faith lies. such spectacular commentary and show of what respecting other beliefs should be. sister barnes emphasis on the spectrum of faith is something i’ve always agreed with. also coming from a yellowjackets fan, i got so used to hear sophie thatcher throw f-bombs that her saying fricking made me giggle
Adult LDS convert whose views line up very similarly to Jono and Alan's here 🙋♀. I can't wait for everyone to watch this episode. It serves as an excellent model for how to discuss religion in an open-minded fashion where everyone has a voice. Beautifully done, guys.
Also, shameless plug here: The Director's Cut on their Patreon is a whole 54 minutes long without any ads. It's absolutely worth the watch 🤘.
Thank you Saucy!
@@CinemaTherapyShowI got a question.Do you think you could do a video about the movie Transformers one?I'm very curious to see what you would do with an idea like that
I was raised Catholic, and am now an atheist. I left the Church when I was a teen. Being an atheist does not make me bad. I'm a humanist, and I value the people around me, regardless of their religious beliefs. Being kind, giving, and forgiving are the most important things.
I saw your other channel's video on this movie and realized i don't know much at all about Mormons beyond what the media presents. I didn't actually want to watch Heretic before that, it brought a new perspective to me.
Thank you!
Also (Jono here) see my personal comment (it's likely the "top comment" by now) for good neutral sources of info on our beliefs :)
I highly recommend the Hello Saints channel. I thought I knew about Mormonism from my mom, living in Utah, and even reading the Book of Mormon, but I learned way more through that channel than anything else and it’s done in such a respectful way.
Howdy. I'm an ex-mormon trans man who has been watching you guys for years now. I'm glad you have found good in your faith. And I'm glad that you have talked about being part of the church that supports my existence. It was hard for my mother to come to terms with me not wanting to be a good man rather than being a wife and a mother. I have several recurring events that have led me to religious trauma with the church. Some of which being some of the cult-like behavior encouraged in the church, like love bombing or encouraging members to only use church materials.
I personally believe that god cannot be owned by a singular people, and that idea never had a home in the mormon church for me. It's refreshing to see mormon men who kind of agree with my position. Thank you, and have a good day.
i hope your doing well now 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
@thegamerwoman5320 I'm doing complicated. Which I suppose is the human experience. I'm happier now that I can live in alignment with my own beliefs in peace.
@@Thundercat_Jaime-6304 ok :)
This video was beautiful and really helped me through my troubles this morning. Thank you.
You're so welcome!
I think any LDS person who was offended by Heretic either didn't actually see the movie, or they went into it wanting to hate it. It's by far the most realistic depiction of Mormon characters in anything made by mainstream media ever. Compare it something like Under the Banner of Heaven or Big Love, and it's not even close (I like both of them for what they are, but most of the Mormon characters in them feel like caricatures). Also, both Sister Missionary characters are depicted very sympathetically, and are both incredibly intelligent and resourceful.
Also here's a fun quote;
"He who takes offense when no offense is intended is a fool, and he who takes offense when offense is intended is a greater fool." - Brigham Young
As a practicing member I 100% agree. I had a few nitpicks with it, but overall it was a very accurate portrayal of the diversity and complexity of our people.
P.S. I actually enjoyed under the banner of heaven too. It was wildly inaccurate and took a lot of liberties on uncertain history, but it was very entertaining.
As a Mormon who has a particular disdain for Brigham Young I felt bamboolzed and possibly even smeckldorfed when I read that quote, nodded, then saw who said it lol
@johncrowcc even a broken clock is right twice a day, lol
@@LockeDemosthenes2 haha amen brotha!
I learned something new about my favorite creators everyday.
I loved this! Thank you for sharing your faith with us. If you get the chance, would you please review dead boy detectives? I think it’ll really be up your guys’ alley!
This was fun! I loved Heretic and appreciated getting insight from the filmmakers. Thanks for the cool video, y'all!
Thank you!
Your openminded, authentic and respectful approach is obvious! I am sorry that some people suddenly loose the ability to see that. Fortunately, most people in this world are good people ❤️
As a member (and someone who's serving a mission very soon!) I am so glad that you decided to be open about your faith, and how you decide to live within those beliefs. The messages you share in these videos are powerful. Thanks so much for everything you do.
I’ve followed Jono on instagram for a while so I was not blindsided by this confession, not in the slightest. I didn’t know it about Alan, but my opinion of him hasn’t budged. You’re excellent men, and I’m grateful for your open-mindedness, compassion, and vulnerability in talking about your faith on a different platform.
I'd love to see you do the Rise and Fall of Dr Robotnik from the Sonic movie trilogy, as it's really interesting how it intersects with his narcissism but also his relationship with Agent Stone. No matter how high he rises or how low he sinks, he almost always makes room for Stone and it's a genuinely sweet dynamic, that started with the gag line "Of course I want a latte! I love the way you make them!".
Jono here. Just say Sonic 3 last night. I would love this.
@@CinemaTherapyShow an episode about the sonic movies, whichever character you guys want to focus on, would be greatly appreciated!
I like how the intellectual, insightful, questioning, psycho is pitted against the naive, trusting, believers. It shows that both sides, uncertainty and certainty can be harmful and destructive without balance, and respect for the human at the center.
Watching Hugh Grant was so wonderful. His expressions! His mannerisms. He looked like he was having so much fun.
I would LOVE to see them review the movie Wicked because the question in the beginning “are people born with wickedness or is wickedness thrusted upon them” is SUCH a good line
“What is better - to be born good, or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?” -Paarthurnax, Skyrim
Jono's comment at the end about seeing yourself represented as a human being rather than a stereotype was spot on. I was honestly scared of watching this video, being from a minority (polytheistic) religion that is often overlooked or demonized. I have had some horrible experiences with some Christian denominations and I was scared to see that in a channel I enjoy so much. But that was trauma and the bias it carries. I'm glad I watched it. Truthfully I was reminded that most people can learn how to think and act in an open and respectful manner towards diverging beliefs.
Thanks for the insights!
Sorry to say this, but I find it extremly nonsensical to claim all these good things like wanting to do good, kindness, trying to be a better person and helping other people for religion. Why can't I just do that? Why do I need to believe in the metaphysical for that? And if you claim people wouldn't do that, if there wasn't somebody higher, who judges their actions, then that tells me nothing about people, but a whole lot about you.
Did you watch the video? Because we explicitly talk about the atheist side of things, that people can be moral without religion. It feels like you didn't watch it all the way through.
@JonathanDecker You got me, sorry. I commented the moment I heard that. But my point still stands. If I can be a good person without belief I don't see the point in it.
@@DasWarVorbestimmtall good. 😊
In college I once had a religious studies professor that was exactly like Hugh Grant's character, only he was Catholic and (as far as i know) not a serial killer. In my life he was one of the first religious people i ever met that wasnt afraid to challenge and discuss the boundaries his religion, its relations to others, and the world as a whole, and as a result it challenged and presented new world views to me. Many people only took his class to get a grade, but even as an atheist i took it twice because i enjoyed his viewpoints and openness.
I love the way the film approaches that same notion not just with religion, but with music, books, games, popculture. It shows to construct and deconstruct what you love, what you hate, and what you dont know.
Even the movie plays upon your expectations with many things. Like the "final girl" for example, between Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton. With Barnes seeming more fitting for the for the final girl archetype, but was instead the one to die first. Or if Paxton really escaped and lived because of ideas and themes presented early in the movie like the "whiteness" you see while dying, or the butterfly dream quote.
SO many great thoughts here. Your professor sounds amazing. I, too, trust that he wasn't a serial killer.
I just wanted to say how much I admire both of you. You two are the members I aspire to be. I have such a hard time disclosing I am a member of the church because I know of the hurt and judgement that many people have received from members of the church. I try to keep it hidden sometimes and let people get to know me first so that they know I am not judgemental and I make room at the table for everyone. Jesus said to love everyone and that is how I try to live my life. Thank you for being an example and showing me that my way of practicing can work. I have doubts. And I'm learning that that is okay. It's good to question things and to be open. That's not a bad thing. Again thank you so much. Seriously. You are the people I aspire to be. ❤
Thank you so much and you're welcome! There's a reason we took five years to lay the groundwork before outing ourselves, haha! Part of it was we didn't have the right movie, but part of it is what you're saying.
10:51 thank you! It’s so hard to be put under an umbrella because of our faith.
But even in BYU, I’ve seen more diverse thought than anywhere else, believe it or not. My professors all had different viewpoints, and accepted it. It was beautiful.
I'm a convert and YW Advisor in my ward. I can honestly say that there I have noticed a significant shift in thought as I listen to what they have to say. It's wildly interesting and heartwarming.
i didn’t realize both of you were mormon but i had my suspicions :) but being exmormon your channel has always brought so much comfort to me thru my transition out of the church and in my every day life since. you really are the best parts of the church i’ve chosen to leave, and being able to see you two be so openly accepting of queer communities and be outspoken about acceptance has had more of an impact on my own self acceptance than you could know! i am sure there’s others here with the same sentiment. thanks for all you guys do and keep going!! we need more people like you both
As a Christian myself I can’t tell u how much I am learning and growing so much because of u two! I recently found out u two r Mormons but the way u guys present urselves authentically means u do want to help others and that is enormously admirable. U guys’ wisdom resonates and it has been super beneficial to my mental health and how I face every day life with sm loss goin on iml rn. Thank u sm Alan and Jono!
Exmormon myself. Loved this film and loved the analysis/interview. (And yes, I definitely clocked you guys as Mormons, lol
I will admit that like many, the title reveal threw me for a bit of a loop. But sitting here, eating my breakfast, I forced myself to examine by biases for a minute. You are both such kind, open-minded, and caring individuals who fly in the face of everything negative I’ve ever heard about LDS. It’s a great reminder that there are good and bad actors in any group, and this showing is a shining example of goodness 😊 I’m also a bit of a scaredy cat but man you guys have convinced me to watch this movie 🍿 Happy New Year! Looking forward to even more shenanigans in 2025 🎉
Fellow scaredy cat here! The tension that is built by the actors is a majority of fear aspect of the movie. There is a brief moment of gore, as well as one or two scenes with an actual jump scare. Overall, it's perfect for curling up on the couch with a comfy blanket and your supportive snack of choice ❤.
@ Thank you for all the helpful information! I’m much better with tension than jumpscares so to know there’s only a few is great 😊
@@lyndsayhawkins8747 As soon as I feel like there could be a jump scare coming; I'm curled up in my seat with my hands over my ears and still making myself watch... and still end up jumping. It's a curse, I tell you 🤣. Would love to know your thoughts after watching it!
Thank you for seeing us and I hope you enjoy the show!
Thank you for seeing us!
As a Catholic, I feel like this movie can be equally applicable. The Catholic Church has certainly been mocked and criticized just as much as Mormons (plenty of the criticism being warranted), and I get the impression from this film that faith, true faith, is personal and individualized rather than being rooted in something more objective whether that is institutional dogma or some yet to be discovered “universal truth.”
So much of it is what you bring to it, agreed. Also, I have a soft spot for Catholicism. Valid criticisms and controversy there, same as for my religion, but I love your cathedrals, your reverence, and the sheer amount of humanitarian work you do in the world.
As an Atheist, so an outsider, for all the issues I have with the Catholic church in its Bureaucracy and cover ups, they do one thing most other religious groups don't: Good Works, doing good upon this earth. Your belief that you have to do tangible good in the world is something to be admired, and they quote they used from Angel really sums up a view on it
"If there's no great glorious end to all this, if nothing we do matters... , then all that matters is what we do. 'Cause that's all there is. What we do. Now. Today. Because, if there's no bigger meaning, then the smallest act of kindness is the greatest thing in the world."
I sometimes go into these types of videos without having watched the movie because I can't be bothered or I just can't find it anywhere online except streaming websites full of viruses, but the moment I heard Alan say that you have to watch this movie before watching this video with such passion that I knew I had to watch this movie, and also the fact that he's a filmmaker so he's got good taste. Was not disappointed one bit, that was an amazing movie, scared my parents a bit when I gasped really loud at the jump scares but worth it lol
Happy New Year Guys!
I have a request! Now that Season 2 of Arcane is out, could you guys do some episodes on that? I feel like there’s quite a lot of things to unpack! Vis a vis “jinx and Vi”, “ambessa and Mel”
Best wishes for 2025, Jonathan and Alan. Thank you for inspiring my loves of storytelling and filmmaking, as well as discovering aspects that I'd previously overlooked.
Trina, I see you everywhere lol.
I suspected Jono was a member (I saw a BYU sticker on his cup in one video), but I had no idea about Alan. As a fellow Mormon, and a recent graduate of BYU, I just want to say I appreciate you guys. I'm pro-LGBTQ+, identify as Demisexual (but heteroromantic), and sometimes I curse when I feel like the situation demands it. But, I also feel like when I'm around people who are not members of the church I need to portray an idealized version of a member, or else people are going to get the wrong idea about me or the church. Seeing how you guys are makes me happy and comfortable. I notice you guys sometimes curse in videos and it makes me happy that I'm not the only member of the church who does it. It makes me happy to know that people are getting to see members of the church who aren't stereotypical or idealized. Honestly, anytime I see Mormons portrayed in media, even if it's in a positive light, I get nervous because I start to think that's how others are going to expect me to act, behave, or think, and if I deviate from that then something is wrong. These are deep-seated issues that I have been working on with my therapist (and have nothing to do with my faith) and you guys have helped me with that, so thank you.
You're very welcome! Go Cougs!
I'm ex-Mormon and I'm so happy to see your guys be so positive about religion and be so willing to discuss your ideas in ways that people refuse to see so many times, so amazing to see you guys address the grey area in discussions about religon
I’ve been waiting for this video as soon as I saw the movie …
Wait no longer!
Agnostic-ish (it’s complicated) who grew up southern Baptist here! I fell out of my religion years ago, sometime during college, for a number of reasons. I remember being angry (still am, also for a number of reasons), and feeling lost, like I could no longer enjoy a lot of the things that I’d loved growing up because they were tied to Christianity. I remember being afraid to tell my parents about it, just as I was afraid of telling them about my sexuality or gender identity (bisexual and gender-fluid, if you’re wondering), and having no one to turn to except my brother and the internet. It took a long time for me to be okay with who I’ve become as a person. Part of what got me there, however, was realizing that religion isn’t just control and oppression. It’s storytelling, and trying to make sense of the world around you, and community, all the stuff that I still enjoy to this day, just without a label. I also realized that it’s okay to not know what to believe, or who to put your faith in. Life is full of uncertainty! That’s what makes it an adventure! And when I do finally figure out what i stand for, I’ll also have a decent understanding of why I stand for it because of the stepping stones I took to get there. Sorry for rambling, but I thought I’d throw my two cents in. My general thoughts on religion is that every god is real to those who believe in them, and that it’s what you do with your faith that really matters.
I really appreciate this movie and your guys reaction to it! ❤ As someone who neither confirms or denies any one religion while simultaneously follows none but all religions, I feel this movie and reaction speaks to me profoundly. Thank you so much.
I am agnostic, and while I'm not fond of religion as an institution, I love to talk about spirituality and learn about how other feel. Who am I to judge what anyone chooses to believe anyway? Trying your best to be true and good to yourself as well as others is the only thing that really matters.
You guys have always been real and the world would be a better place if more people cared like you do.
As a "divorced from institutional religion" person, I found this movie very insightful, and I have it on a list I titled: Movies I Think Everyone Needs to See.
While I side with Mr. Reed with his arguments, minus the coersive control he is exerting over all of the women in this film, I was pleased to see Sister Paxton get confronted with a harsh reality, and she chose to remain compassionate. Her integrity (her character of heart) remained intact despite the horror.
Do I think everyone would behave as Sister Paxton did? No. I feel like she is an exception, not the rule. We see the example of what I believe everyone else would do via the women imprisoned and Sister Barnes. Some would give up (choose to be imprisoned), or some would fight back with the intent to kill (survival of the fittest; animal instinct). Yes, Sister Paxton fought back, but only as a means to escape, and only after Sister Barnes provided her the letter opener.
It is a movie about choices, too, and choices have consequences. It's ultimately up to you to decide what it is you believe, and you shouldn't rely solely on what others think you should believe. The MAMA (Moratorium-Achievement) cycle is something everyone should work through for everything (faith, politics, sexuality, etc.).
I loved reading this.
@CinemaTherapyShow I love watching your show! Thank you for creating a space combining the two things I enjoy: psychology and media ♡
I hadn't heard of this film and now I definitely want to give it a watch.
As for a comment relevant to the video I actually really enjoyed listening to the discussion. It brought up several pleasant memories from my youth when I did my own dive into various faiths. Trying to find my feet when it came to religion led me to meet many wonderful people who were happy to share insights into their faith and occasionally I got to have some very fun debates on our opposing viewpoints. It brought a smile to my face remembering the people I helped and those that helped me, so, thanks guys
Thank you and you're welcome!
I believe myself to be a positive nihilist. There is true power and freedom to be found in the fact that that there is no backup plan. The undeniable accountability that comes with no greater design. You truly are what you do. And when you are a good person or successful in something, you know it is truly of your own making, and if you are strong willed, it can motivate you to be the best you can be.
For real...I hate how people shit on nihilism because they don't understand it. I sometimes just call myself an existentialist or absurdist to make it easier to deal with people.
I wish everyone with faith would let themselves experience nihilism properly. Giving your own life meaning and worth is so fulfilling. I disagreed with a lot of stuff I heard in Sunday school as a kid...not betraying your own ethics and instincts and living true to yourself is the absolute best. Leads to proper humanism in most cases.
this was actually a really really fascinating episode to me! ive had a very complicated relationship with religion myself but have settled into just referring to myself as agnostic without any attachment to a particular sect or specific religion, but despite all that id fallen into the "lol Mormons" and thinking of Mormonism only as negative without thinking about the nuance of religion. While i still don't agree with the church itself, thank you guys for helping to challenge my own thought processes and reminding me to think critically in all walks of life and reminding me to see people as individuals rather than a stereotype!
As an atheist I didn't even know this movie existed. But I'm use to nobody depicting us right.
You and me, brother!
We have that in common. For what it's worth, I 'm sorry.
@@CinemaTherapyShow oh it's actually nothing to be sorry about. See much like some others have already pointed out in the comments atheists are distinctly non religious. Nothing unified us except for a lack of belief. Whether just unconvinced like me or religious trauma or any other reason we don't all believe the same thing. In fact to properly characterize an atheist it would require so much characterization that the fact that they just don't believe would fall into the background. Poetically speaking just like a real atheist. My belief is not my core. And I'm fairly certain most others like me would agree.
@@zach51 thank you for giving me greater insight and understanding!
this movie was Amazing ! and daring to cast Hugh Grant in such a script was the Cherry on Top ! as a European Queer Muslim living in Canada now, I have to say that the representation done on your religion has encouraged me to look into it and I discovered your religion with joy and curiosity ! also, as a muslim, I Adored the moment Hugh Grant took out the Holy Q'ran , with the detail of our Book being in Arabic and English was Fantastic :D /I am a converted person and I enjoyed so much the conversation of this movie, it was like seing multiple sides of myself interacting and choosing the same end as the Sister presented , it was wholesome while the scene was terrifying. Such a wonderfully achieved contrast. Your video was sooo interesting and enjoying your conversation with the creators was really awesome and a bit meta as well haha , thanks for this video closing this year , and Happy New Year !!
Hey, sorry to ask this but I mean it in as genuine a way as possible, is this an okay video to watch if you have a lot of "mormon" based trauma from or should I skip this video?
No offense to anyone who practices, but some of the stuff around the church can be really triggering to me, but I dont want to skip good discussion if that isn't going to be the case here. I know nothing about the movie but would love to see their take down of it as long as the movie itself is not... overtly preachy or super focused on marriage/family/children in LDS culture.
Again, I dont mean any offense. Im just trying to figure out if this is a good video for me as a long time fan of cinema therapy or not.
In my opinion, you're safe here. This video is an excellent demonstration of talking about religion in a way that's open-minded without being preachy on their behalf.
@SaucyJTD Thank you! I know I probably seem silly but It's definitely a sensitive subject for me. I'll start watching carefully then! I trust Alan and Jono to not be overt and insensitive about it but trauma can be shitty sometimes.
@helloiamadog6222 Speaking as someone who has done a literal SHIT ton of work toward overcoming my C-PTSD, I can empathize with you. It's not silly, it's just difficult. Sending much strength your way! 🫂
Not offensive and your trauma is valid. In addition to the good, there's a lot of crap that has happened and does happen in the faith. I believe the episode is okay for you to watch. It may even be healing in a way.
GRATEFUL FOR YOU!! Member of the church here! Been watching you guys for a while and love your vids! Thank you for your transparency and entertaining, funny, and well-thought videos!! Ignore the hate, you guys are awesome!
Would you please do a video on The scent of a woman 1992? I know it’s an oldie, but really would love to see you react to scenes from it! Thanks! Happy new year!
I’ve been so excited for this video. God bless you two!
Thank you!
I knew it! I saw a BYU mug in one of your videos a while back, lol 😂
The signs were always there, hahahaha.
Can’t forget the BYU Captain America shirt Alan has worn a few times!
I gulped when I saw the title but so happy you confirmed you still are and will be open minded to people of different or no religion, sexuality etc. We are all human after all. Keep it going! :)
Still in the middle of the video; am LDS myself; love the Easter Egg at 9:39 with the subscribe count!
Where?
@tanjoy0205 After the Subscribe button is clicked, the count goes up to 1830. 1830 is the year the LDS/Mormon church was founded.
This video came out at the perfect time for me! I'm an ex-atheist who, this past year, has spent a lot of time trying to find a faith. I think I've settled on Christianity, but even then there's a whole lot of denominations. Latter-Day Saints is one I have seriously considered, and although I'm not feeling drawn to it (at least, currently), I'm glad you guys have been able to find happiness in it! 🙂
And yeah, conformation bias and stereotyping are definitely big problems, and ones I have come across many times in my journey. I'm very glad insightful movies like this exist, and I hope that there will only be more.
Here’s what I struggle with, Jono. I love what you both do on this channel. I have reservations and have shied away from it once I learned you are LDS. Although you seem like great guys, if you are practicing Mormons, part of your money goes to the church. So by watching this, I am indirectly supporting the church. I cannot reconcile it.
100% THIS!!! (or should I say 10%? lol)
It really sucks that you won't support someone just because of their religion.
Read what I wrote again. This channel is a business. I am choosing not to indirectly support the church. I think what they do on the channel is great.
I KNEW IT. It's really cool of you guys to do this video.
Thank you!
How did I already know you were mormon, without you ever having confirmed it on the channel? I could've sworn you already did. Or maybe the vibe really is that strong :)
We code very strongly, lol.
@@CinemaTherapyShow when you said you were both at Brigham Young college in Provo then I knew ❤😊