MovieChat Forums > Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends Discussion > Angels on your body

Angels on your body

posted 16 years ago by foshoo
3 replies | jump to latest

I just re-watched the episode about the televangelists. Just curious how people reacted to that one. I thought the people in general were lovely and joyful people, the little 'Angels on your body'-lady was really sweet even though I'm in no way a christian and feel religion brings alot of bad things to this world.
Anyways, there were two things in this episode that I found disturbing among all the light little moments. The first one is when he's out with the family, and a young pregnant girl and her boyfriend stop to listen to their singing. They agree to participate in some sort of prayer, and listen some more, after the family's offered to spare them some money for food. Then the kids walked away, barefeet, starving and probably with some sort of substance abuse issues, and the family is all "Oh, Jesus will fix that sh*t, no problem". It made me really uncomfortable.
The other thing is in the very end, with the lesbian. "I was gay all my life but the Lord delivered me". Girl, if you've been gay all your life you're probably gay. Not that I'd expect anyone this conservative and serious about their christianity to be okay with being gay, but I really wish she was.
Oh well. So, was there anything else in this episode that y'all found particularly sad, disturbing, crazy or whatever?

Angels on your bodies!

Cheers.

[–] edorapietrafesa 16 years ago

Yes. It bugs me how they have to "fix" everyone. Who says us diletantes need fixing? Why doesn't Joni Lamb fix her hideous hair and makeup? Or the very sweet woman who is the receptionist. Did you see her apartment and how it was decorated? I mean they're way more disturbed then I could ever be. Most of these people, no offense, just aren't educated people who were abused somehow and through "God" (or their own inner strength) changed their lives around. That's great. But it was never some god. It was you all along who changed you. We are such strong beings. I do think we have souls, but there ain't no afterlife. After this, we become energy again and that's about it. We become part of the earth which is beautiful and cyclical. But we don't go to some golden gated spa/resort. Um, no.

[–] blaircam 15 years ago

I was really touched by Ann-Lee in this episode. Say what you want about her but she appeared to be a genuinely kind, loving and big-hearted person. IMHO the US is full of people like this. With all due respect to her and many of her country-people they may not be sophisticated, they may not be hardened, worldly or cynical, some may not even be all that 'intelligent' but they would do anything for you and will live their lives trying to be good people and do the right thing.
I also found the encounter with the homeless family a little disturbing but I don't doubt that a change of heart can change a life - I just didn't see it happen on this occassion.
I should add - I wonder if the female televangelist... Lamb??? didn't kinda suspect that Louis wasn't really taking it all that seriously and perhaps was kinda taking the mick. I know the guy asked if he'd show them positively or negatively but I got the sense that she didn't quite trust Louis.
Although I find Louis very entertaining I wonder if maybe he isn't just a little condescending or patronising to some of his subjects which I find slightly disturbing. (I should add here that I can't watch Borat for the way he abuses peoples' trust and hospitality).

[–] Littlebitsofgaming 13 years ago

Why does no one question how/why these televangalists can afford these HUGE TV studios with sets, cameras, staff, etc? These guys must really be some kind of profit...sorry I think spelt that wrong didn't I?
Yet some guy with bumper stickers can get the same/similar message across without leaning on the weak-minded.
Why does 'God' need all these 'donations' anyway. What does 'God' do with the money, why are your prayers answered or have a better chance of being answered the more money you give?
Is 'God' some 1930's gangster and into numbers?

As for the pot smoking lesbian.
She should live her life how she wants to, not by rules in a fictional book made to 'scare' people into being good.
Go out and munch some carpet and light up the biggest doobie you can. Enjoy yourself.

I didn't feel sorry for the homeless family. I felt more sorry for those idiots that think singing a song can/will make things better and that 'God' is the answer to everything.
At least that homless family were relaistic regarding their situation.

Jesus died for our sins. As he's already dead...sin away.