Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Bristol Palin

Home
Politics and Religion
Lessons from the University Cancellation of ‘American Sniper’ Because Kyle A ‘Mass Killer’

Lessons from the University Cancellation of ‘American Sniper’ Because Kyle A ‘Mass Killer’

Last updated on: April 10, 2015 at 1:01 pm by Bristol Palin

Lessons from the University Cancellation of ‘American Sniper’ Because Kyle A ‘Mass Killer’ 2015-04-10T13:01:39-05:00 Bristol Palin

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

All it takes is a loud, politically-correct minority, and “leaders” cave to the pressure.

The University of Michigan was planning to show American Sniper at an event on campus, but backed down after getting a petition from students saying it made them “uncomfortable.” The student who led the petition said, “As a student who identifies as an Arab and Middle Eastern student, I feel that ‘American Sniper’ condones a lot of anti-Middle Eastern and North African propaganda.”

One group went even further and said, “The movie American Sniper not only tolerates but promotes anti-Muslim and anti-MENA rhetoric and sympathizes with a mass killer. Chris Kyle was a racist who took a disturbing stance on murdering Iraqi civilians.” They said the movie made them feel “unsafe.” I won’t even respond to such ridiculous accusations, except to say this: the whole movie is about a man who sacrificed his own safety to preserve theirs. And they don’t sound very grateful.

These kind of arguments persuaded the school’s administration to show the kids movie Paddington instead.

Not that I have anything against Paddington. But the decision to pull American Sniper was a step down a dangerous path.

Plenty of students and faculty disagreed with the decision and let their opinion be known too. Another petition said:

The movie American Sniper is not about a racist mass murderer or a criminal. If the University prevents a movie like this from being shown, it promotes intolerance and stifles dialogue and debate on the subject and goes directly against the atmosphere UMix purports to provide. As adults at a public university, we should have the option to view this movie if we so choose and have the opportunity to engage on the topics it presents to come to our own conclusions on the subjects. Students should be trusted to interact responsibly on a movie no different than any other film depicting the lives of the troops at war, such as Saving Private Ryan.

The football coach, Jim Harbaugh, tweeted:

Michigan Football will watch “American Sniper”! Proud of Chris Kyle & Proud to be an American & if that offends anybody then so be it!

Not long after that, the University announced they’d changed their minds. They even admitted, “It was a mistake to cancel the showing of the movie “American Sniper” on campus as part of a social event for students. The initial decision to cancel the movie was not consistent with the high value the University of Michigan places on freedom of expression and our respect for the right of students to make their own choices in such matters.”

They still showed Paddington somewhere else on campus. Not the most obvious choice for a double feature, but it actually sounds like a good movie night: a healthy dose of patriotism and inspiration, along with echoes of the Gospel and the value of family love!

Thank you, Michigan students and Coach Harbaugh, for standing up for our military!

Read more on the Patheos Faith and Family Channel, fan me on Facebook and follow this blog on Twitter!

University of Michigan

Previous Post

April 10, 2015

Heartwarming Video: Watch Seniors (including WW2 Vet and Holocaust Survivor) Dance with Joy

Next Post

April 11, 2015 This Woman Goes For Her Ultrasound; See Her Reaction to a REALLY Big Surprise!

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category abortion compassion inspiration life military persecution photos Uncategorized

Select a Month June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What did Jesus say to the storm on the Sea of Galilee?

Select your answer to see how you score.

"Let there be light!" "Be gone!" "Depart from me!" "Peace, be still!"

Books by This Author Books by Bristol Palin

See All Titles »