Activities

Selinsgrove Theater Sponsors Blasphemy
By Caleb Petrone
8th grade

On Friday, May 19th the Academy staff and students went on three different protests nearby to pray in reparation for the blasphemous movie The Da Vinci Code.

In Selinsgrove, the protest organizer was Mr. Lucas Southerton, a TFP friend who had invited us to join him at the local mall. Besides leading us in praying many rosaries and litanies, Mr. Southerton read verses from the Bible and intoned songs such as Holy God We Praise Thy Name.

Unfortunately, the mall manager only allowed us to gather at a spot that was a little known mall exit. Barely anyone drove by, and it was hardly noticeable from the theater.
One more proof that theaters are afraid of protests. Often one hears, “Don’t protest, you’re only giving free publicity!” If this were true, why wouldn’t they allow the protest right at the entrance? While secluding us, they practically deny us free speech rights. Protests not only hurt ticket sales, but also force spectators to make a moral decision and think about how a movie like The Da Vinci Code offends Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Church.

Reactions varied. Despite our bad position, there were those who were in support and and stopped to talk about the movie. Others drove by as fast as possible, sometimes making immoral statements or gestures because they had no arguments. And of course, there were punk teenagers who drove by shouting blasphemies.

Near the end of the protest, three teenagers approached and said, "If you sign my women's suffrage petition, I won't watch the movie." Of course, this was just a gimmick. They babbled on, but upon leaving they admitted management was unfair in placing us so far away. They would not, though, admit the film is blasphemous. Why? Because they are like Dan Brown, Sony, and Columbia Pictures: they are going to do what they want, even if it includes insulting God.

Finally, the Academy's day at Selinsgrove came to an end as we proclaimed our ideals and recalled Our Lady's promise: In the end, My Immaculate Heart will triumph!