wfn.org | UMNS# 05059-'Joan of Arcadia' helps families,

["NewsDesk" <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

'Joan of Arcadia' helps families, teens discuss touchy topics

Jan. 25, 2005	 News media contact:   Matt  Carlisle * (615) 742-5470*
Nashville {05059}

NOTE: Related materials are available online at http://www.umc.org.

A UMC.org Feature
By Vicki Brown*

The idea of God talking to a teenage girl might sound like a
conversation stopper, but parents and teens who are fans of "Joan of
Arcadia" say the television drama provides a weekly basis for
discussions about faith, relationships and a host of other real-life
topics.

A recent episode, in which one of Joan's best friends dies in a
drug-related stabbing, has 15-year-old Meghin Stevens of New York
talking to her parents about recklessness.

"We have been talking about how teenagers seem to think they're
invincible and do insane, reckless things, like Judith, and how her
death affected Joan and made her so angry at God for taking her best
friend away, even if it was Judith's time to go," writes Stevens, who
visits an online fan site. Although Stevens is not a churchgoer, she
believes in God and says the show has strengthened her faith.

The youth Sunday school class at Blakemore United Methodist Church in
Nashville, Tenn., often watches the show, then discusses it on Sunday
mornings. Sarah Williams, 15, believes the common thread that ties all
the shows together is the concept of doing the right thing.

"They all have to do with 'doing what you know is right even when you
really don't want to do it,'" Williams says. "Every episode is so
unique, it brings about lots of discussions.''

Her Sunday school teacher, Doc Hooks, says an issue that has come up
often in discussions of the show is the idea that it is OK to question
your position and what you are being called to do. "In 'Joan' and in the
Bible, plenty of people argue with God that they are not the right
person for the job," Hooks says.

The ripple effect of Joan's actions also appeals to teens, Hooks says.
"By doing small things, you can have a huge impact," he says. "Actions
can have ripples - effects in a way you never intended."

And, he says, God often asks Joan to do things that make no sense to her
and that she doesn't want to do.

"God didn't tell Noah he was going to enjoy the ride," Hooks says. "He
just said build a boat."

Despite the out-there idea of God appearing in the guise of a hot guy, a
punk kid, a suburban mom or the cafeteria lady, both adults and teens
cite realism as one of the show's strengths.

Many TV shows aimed at teens feature the stereotypical popular, pretty
girl, the jock and the outsider rebel character, or the shows are
sex-obsessed, says Melissa Caldwell, director of research and
publications for the Parents Television Council. The organization gave
its seal of approval to the CBS show with a caution that it's not
suitable for younger children because of themes such as death and dying
and sexuality.

"The main character, she's not the most popular girl, not the prettiest
girl or the smartest, but she has a close circle of friends," Caldwell
says. She adds that almost every episode includes subject matter that
could start a family discussion.

"There was an episode about bullying in which Joan tries to be friends
with the bully," Caldwell says. Although the bully still goes to jail,
the character of God shows Joan that her friendship kept the boy from
going to school and shooting classmates and teachers.

"She saved the lives of dozens of classmates because he felt so
isolated. He would have come to school and shot several classmates.
(Joan's action is) certainly consistent with Christian teaching and
doctrine of loving your enemy," Caldwell says.

While the show takes a nondenominational approach, with no mention of
Jesus or specific doctrines, the Rev. Christopher Robinson says it's
clearly coming from a Judeo-Christian, even prophetic, tradition.
Robinson, a Catholic priest and professor of religious studies at DePaul
University in Chicago, says the show does a good job getting young
people to consider faith questions.

The show presents a complex view of a God who is with Joan but does not
step in and miraculously make her brother walk again or fix her
problems. For instance, Robinson says he was stunned to hear a line in
one show that was straight from Thomas Aquinas, when God tells Joan the
opposite of faith is not doubt but certitude.

"In a prophetic tradition, she's praying by talking to God; she wrestles
with him and she gets angry with him," Robinson says. "God is
complicated, and everything doesn't end up OK, but she has a
relationship with God."

# # #

*Brown is a freelance writer in Nashville, Tenn.

News media contact: Matt Carlisle, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5153 or
newsdesk@umcom.org.

This feature was developed by UMC.org, the official online ministry of
the United Methodist Church.

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United Methodist News Service
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