The Religious Controversy Surrounding House of Cards and its Christian Audience

Introduction:

House of Cards, a popular streaming series on Netflix, has faced backlash from a significant portion of its Christian audience. The show's portrayal of characters, including its lead, Frank Underwood, has led to debates about its relevance to Christian beliefs and values.

For example, one of the show's most controversial moments is when Frank Underwood spits on a crucifix as a dramatic gesture. This incident has sparked a vigorous discussion among Christian viewers, with some feeling disconnected from the series.

Christian Perspective on House of Cards

Many Christian viewers express disappointment and condemnation when they encounter offensive content on a series that is widely consumed.

One such viewer, John Cactusi, shares his experience, stating, 'My dad was a devout Christian. He was offended after learning about that incident and wanted nothing to do with anything he starred in after that.'

Similar sentiments have been echoed by Christian communities, who believe that the series' content is inappropriate and goes against their faith. Some argue that such content is not only disrespectful to their beliefs but also a direct attack on Jesus Christ.

Mr. Cactusi further extends his argument, suggesting that these portrayals reflect an eschatological viewpoint and support the idea that these events are signs of the end times. According to his perspective, 'These actions give reason for those who watch Netflix to consider their ways and repent and stop supporting them. They clearly hate God most of their movies are direct attacks against Christ.'

Furthermore, Mr. Cactusi believes that Hollywood, through such content, is supporting a false belief of Satan's victory over God. He views this as a warning to avoid such content, stating, 'Run from those evil bastards.'

Challenging Beliefs in Hollywood

The portrayal of religious beliefs in Hollywood shows a challenging stance towards Christianity and other faiths. Similar to what Mr. Cactusi mentioned, House of Cards's expansion of plots and characters challenges Christian values and beliefs through various characters and their actions, including the infamous scene where Frank Underwood spits on a crucifix.

Alina Martinez, a church-going Catholic, explains, 'Speaking as a church-going Catholic, I think it pretty effectively showed Francis's true nature. He takes an iconic piece of art and not only spits on it, he shows zero remorse and even jokes about it. As a Christian, I was not offended; it was a TV show. The scene was used to underscore how self-centered he really is.'

This viewpoint highlights that some Christians might not be as offended by such content as long as it's part of fiction and does not reflect consciences.

Conclusion

The challenge to Christian beliefs in House of Cards is a significant discussion point. It not only influences the audience's perception of the series but also raises questions about the role of entertainment in upholding certain values.

With the volatility in religious demographics, there's a question of what changes might be on the horizon for how Hollywood and the Christian faith interact. As the number of Christians in the US has decreased from 83% in 2001 to 70% in 2016, the balance of power in entertainment and social discourse could shift. This might lead to new challenges and controversies as Hollywood continues to represent a diverse array of beliefs and values.

Ultimately, the debate surrounding House of Cards and its treatment of religion is a complex and multifaceted issue that resonates with the concerns of a significant portion of the audience.