Bible Edited Out of Film 'Soul Surfer' to Appeal to Non-Christians, Added Back In

FoxNews ^ | 02/17/2011 | Hollie McKay

[OldDeckHand]

The upcoming film “Soul Surfer,” slated for release in April, is based on the true story of spirited teen surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a 2003 shark attack, but courageously returned to her board and become a champion again months later.

However, it appears as though the uplifting story hit a sour note with the film's producers where the family's Christianity was concerned.

[OldDeckHand]

The producers/director edited out the words "Holy Bible" from a bible that is visible in one of the scenes. In Hollywood, The Bible is like garlic to a vampire.

They say that they don't want to alienate the "larger" audience. But, Passion of the Christ didn't edit out Christ, yet it managed to book over $400M in box office, probably closer to $1B total. How about that?

[Sans-Culotte]

They had no problem loving the Koran in V For Vendetta, where (horrors!) the Koran was banned.

[BenLurkin]

Why would "Holy Bible" either add or detract from a film's appeal to non-Christians?

[RBIEL2]

Why would "Holy Bible" either add or detract from a film's appeal to non-Christians?

I've been a surfer for 40 years, as a subculture or clan they are pretty much areligious. When someone dies, they have a paddleout ceremony...something a little spiritual, but spiritual only...they think happy thoughts for the deceased and family. To help others they have their own charities apart from religion. For instance Surf-Aid was instituted after the great Tsunami to help people in those areas and is heavily promoted in the surf industry as an overseas relief agency...albeit one that gives traveling on visa for surf, white surfers in those areas salaries, and buys materiel from the larger relief agencies for distribution. Surf-Aid has no scale of efficiency, neither are their 'volunteers' related to a humanistic mission in the area...they are there to surf and cycle out eventually. Surf-aid is a non-religious charity and has little or no other counter parts in any other sport. Ever heard of Golf-Aid or any other sports related releif agency ,....it doesnt exist because people respond to these things in usually less secular ways and apart from a sports identity. When someone is sick or stricken with cancer or some grief and ask for prayer within the surf community, the frequent reply is 'I thought happy thoughts while riding a wave for you'. Prayer is reduced to happy thoughts and wave riding! Of course these observations are vast generalizations, but the sport has set itself apart from religion in many ways not apparent with other participant sports.

[BenLurkin]

So, you’re saying that it would not be an issue to have Holy Bible in the movie?

[RBIEL2]

since you begged for reply:
This topic is as much about surfing as it is religion.
It doesnt appear you have a handle on either.
All your answers were in the previous post.

[BenLurkin]

http://www.johnspeedie.com/healy/cowabunga.wav

[Monterrosa-24]

At least Laird Hamilton gives “the Lord” credit for creation. And there are some surfers who tire of mere existential cliches and find Christian substance.

[OrthodoxKirkPresbyterian]

They keep attacking Christianity