Dianne E. Butts...equipping you to make a difference in our nation.
|
Dianne E. Butts...equipping you to make a difference in our nation. |
|
|
Butts About It.com E-Zine
Dianne E. Butts equipping you to make a difference in our nation October, 2007
Making a Difference:
What I Learned from Carole Whang Schutter
If you've been reading my blog during September, you've read my interview with Carole Whang Schutter, the screenwriter of the movie September Dawn, which released in mid-August starring Jon Voight. And if you've been reading my blog, you may have also read some of the comments various people have left on my blog. When I started my ButtsAboutIt blog, I figured I'd get some negative comments. After all, I had planned to write on the topics of politics, the entertainment industry, and religion (and often these overlap and intersect). Could I have picked more volatile topics, for Pete's sake?! I have to admit, I felt a bit of fear. Carole Whang Schutter felt a similar fear. When I asked her how she learned about the incident where Mormons attacked a wagon train of Christians she said, "I was driving in Colorado when a story came to me about a pioneer girl on her way to the California gold rush whose wagon train was attacked by Mormons dressed as Indians. The story wouldn't leave me. Imagine my surprise when I began researching the wagon trails to the gold rush and discovered the story of the Mountain Meadow Massacre." I can understand how it would have been a fearful thing to write this screenplay. How would the Mormons react? What would they do? What would they say? Surely Ms. Schutter would be criticized--no matter how good or bad the screenplay or movie turned out! I would have been wondering if I really should write such a potentially volatile movie. Carole told me, "I was scared to write this movie as truth. I first wrote it as fiction involving a made-up cult called the 'Jehovites.'" When she consulted her friend, retired director/producer Chris Cain (who became her co-writer), Mr. Cain told her, "Write the truth." "I don't want people to get mad at me," Ms. Schutter told him. But Schutter also told me, "God wants Holy Ghost boldness. We are in the last days and we need to stand up for our God and for the truth." I understand Ms. Schutter's fears. I don't want anyone to get mad at me for what I write on my blog either. But, like Ms. Schutter, I want to stand up for our God and truth...while we still have time. Have people gotten mad at Carole Whang Schutter for her movie. Oh yeah. From movie reviewers to blog commenters to radio interviewers and more, Ms. Schutter has had her movie (and her motives, and herself) picked apart and protested. Has that stopped her or scared her off? Nope. I've only experienced a fraction of what she has on my blog. While I find certain comments unpleasant, will they scare me off? Nope. What have I learned from Carole Whang Schutter? I have learned to be more courageous. To speak the truth, even when it might get people mad at me. To follow God in the opportunities He whispers to me to write and to worry less about what others might think or say about them. What about you? Are you speaking out with truth? Are you standing up for God in these times? Or does fear keep you quiet? What will you do to speak out, to make your voice heard, to speak up for Truth and for our God? What will you do this month? Or this week? What is God whispering to you to do to make a difference for Him in our nation?
More from Carole Whang Schutter
Continuing the interview with Carole Whang Schutter, screenwriter of the recently released movie September Dawn (starring Jon Voight) and the book by the same title: Dianne: As a Christian, what disappointments have you experienced while working on this move? CWS: The great disappointment is seeing how a group of people can sabotage a movie. It is sad to see that the media can so thoroughly destroy a movie. Think about it, even if one doesn't believe it is sabotage, a movie can come out about homosexual love and the screaming of the Christians only serves to sell more tickets. The media seems to be able to knock and mock Christianity in print and on screen and it doesn't matter. But yet, try to tell the truth about a powerful, rich religious sect, or a violent group, and we are suddenly labeled bigots. The Christians allow this to happen because they don't fight back. One way of fighting back would be to support films and books like September Dawn. It is a way of saying, movies that portray Christians as good people can succeed. Movies with a message can succeed. Movies and books that tell the truth can succeed.
See 9-parts of this interview on www.ButtsAboutIt.blogspot.com during posted throughout September 2007 and more comments from Ms. Schutter on www.ButtsAboutIt.com.
Section 2:
Equipping You to Make a Difference
If you saw something objectionable on TV or in a movie, would you speak out about it? If yes, how? What if you wanted to write a letter to someone in the entertainment industry? Would you know how to do it? Whether you want to write someone in the entertainment industry, a politician, a church leader, or a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, knowing how to write a business letter is one more weapon in your arsenal. You may have learned this in school, but reviewing never hurts. And if you don't remember or don't know how to write a business letter, then having this information easily available to you makes it easier and less time consuming to speak out. So, here are the basics for writing a business letter:
Hints: It's best to keep your letter to one page if possible. Use the space you need to say what you need to say, but get to the point, say it, and sign off. Too much information just clutters the mind and the issue.
For a sample business letter, click here: http://www.buttsaboutit.com/business_letter.htm
Q & A:
Q: "It's so hard for me to get my thoughts down on paper. It's easy for you--you're a writer. How can I write my politicians without it taking hours out of my day?"
Dianne: Got news for you: it ain't easy for me either. For this type of letter, you don't need to defend your position or even give reasons for why you want your Senator or Representative to do what you're asking. They won't be reading your letter anyway--a staffer will be. Just state what you want them to do. Think of it like the Romans giving a thumbs up or thumbs down on an issue. State the topic or issue and whether you're for it or against it. "Please do not pass the amnesty bill." Or, "Please support the ban on partial birth abortion." One sentence. That's all you need. Always remember, writing is hard. But it does get easier with practice. So practice!
Section 3:
No Buts About It:
Just pretend I'm sitting in a chair next to you and I ask you, "What do you want to say?" It will take a few stabs at it. Just try. Try again. Now write it down. You can do it! No buts about it.
~~~
How to Support Butts About It E-zine
You may forward this e-zine in its entirety to anyone interested. If someone forwarded this e-zine to you, get your own free subscription at www.ButtsAboutIt.com Help offset our expenses for publishing this e-zine by clicking through the links in this e-zine or on the web sites when you make any purchase from the companies represented here and on the sites. Thank you!
Bio:
Dianne E. Butts has had more than 200 articles published in over 50 Christian magazine such as The Plain Truth, the Salvation Army's War Cry, The Lookout, Light and Life, and Focus on the Family magazine. She has contributed to fifteen books including Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul 2, What I Learned from God While Cooking, For Better, For Worse: Devotional Thoughts for Married Couples, Zondervan's New Women's Devotional Bible, and A Cup of Comfort Devotionals for Mothers and for Women. Her writing has been published in Great Britain, Bulgaria, Poland, Canada, and Korea. Dianne wrote her book, Dear America: A Letter of Comfort and Hope to a Grieving Nation (Ampelos Press, 2002), in response to September 11th to tell her own story, help others get through grief, and discuss topic like who the Muslims are, the story of the Bible, and Bible reading for beginners. When she's not writing, Dianne enjoys riding her motorcycle with her husband, Hal, and gardening with her cat, P.C.
Subtopic 1:
Quote:
"I have grown tired of [Christians] who are always worried about the next 'conspiracy' or decision by a government official they don't like. Don't they realize we are on the winning side? Why don't we start acting like it?" Cal Thomas, columnist, in the forward of Awakening the Giant by Jim Russell
My Book:
Dear America, - A Letter of Comfort & Hope to a Grieving Nation
Subtopic 2:
Resources:
Religion of Peace?: Why Christianity Is and Islam Isn't
Awakening the Giant: Mobilizing and Equipping Christians to Reclaim Our Nation in This Generation
~ What's Happening on www.ButtsAboutIt.blogspot.com :
~ What's New on www.ButtsAboutIt.com:
~
Subtopic 3:
More Books
Can't say I agree with everything Bill O'Reilly says or writes. And when he starts talking about the Bible, well, you can tell he doesn't know a lot about it. (The Apostle Paul was a lot of things, including a Roman citizen, but he was never ever a Roman soldier.) But anyway, overlooking some of those types of things, I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it. BAI
In an episode of Crossing Jordon last season, one character referred to "ACS": Ann Coulter Syndrome. "Hate everyone," he explained. If you're not familiar with Ann Coulter's brand of sarcastic humor, you might think this book is pretty mean. But if you can hear her voice in your head delivering the humor, it works. You know she's joking--not mean--because you've got a brain. I was fascinated by the history she detailed of many of the issues of the day. If you can get the humor, I'd recommend it. BAI
Godless: The Church of Liberalism
Archives: www.ButtsAboutIt.com (scroll down to the bottom of the home page)
Coming next month: Writing Letters to the Editor
A Conservative Voice Equipping Conservative Voices
~
|
