‘The Chosen’ Actor Jonathan Roumie Claims Entertainment “Landscape Has Become Increasingly Sinister And In Some Cases Even Demonic In Tone”
John F. Trent
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The Chosen actor Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus Christ, appeared at the annual March for Life in Washington D.C., and noted that the landscape in the entertainment industry especially in film, television, and music “has become increasingly sinister.”
Jonathan Roumie as Jesus and Erick Avari as Nicodemus in The Chosen Season 1
About halfway through his speech, Roumie stated, “For some time now, we have been witnesses to a mounting polarity between light and dark. We’ve seen it manifest itself in many facets of culture.”
He continued, “But I would like to address as I see it as an artist in the entertainment industry. In the last several years there’s been a sharp and disturbing increase in the darkness of the imagery being used in film, television, and music. The landscape has become increasingly sinister.”
“And in some cases, even demonic in tone,” he added. “More so than in previous years. Sometimes subliminal. Oftentimes overt. Storylines involving the occult, witchcraft, demons, and even Satanic elements are commonplace in mainstream programming. Many feature spiritually and psychologically disturbing content.”
Shahar Isaac as Simon Peter, Jonathan Roumie as Jesus, George H. Xanthis as John, and Paras Patel as Matthew in The Chosen Season 2
He made it clear he wasn’t referencing Harry Potter, “And before you jump on me, no, I’m not referencing a specifically bespectacled wizard. Though a few folks might disagree.”
Roumie then clarified, “I’m referring to the media which is more ominous. And I don’t need to name names. You know it when you see it.”
Tom Connolly as Leander and Jonathan Roumie as Jesus in The Chosen Season 3
The actor then stated, “The youngest of us and the most vulnerable as well as those who are not grounded in a solid faith in God are susceptible to the influences of these images. Media has become a portal to behavior and attitudes kids want to emulate that reject God, reject the light, and reject, ultimately, all those aspects of community which give life.”
“I have observed God subtly, but radically being removed from public popular culture over the last couple of decades. Replaced with some of the most corruptive images and ideologies for young hearts and minds,” he said.
Jonathan Roumie as Jesus and Alaa Safi as Simon the Zealot feed the hungry crowd in The Chosen
“And any of us who profess any kind of faith are branded as fundamental or condemned for their beliefs with the assertions of the religiosity of a Pharisee,” he declared. “This is completely contrary to what it means to have a relationship with Jesus Christ and follow his teachings.”
“If only the rest of the world actually took the time to explore what it means to follow Jesus’ heart,” Roumie said. “Yes, there are always individual exceptions, unfortunately. But for the majority of believers God is love and true love gives way to life not death.”
Director Dallas Jenkins and Jonathan Roumie as Jesus discuss scene in synagogue
Roumie then provided some advice on how to deal with this darkness that has run rampant throughout the entertainment industry, “They say we live in a post-Christian society. I reject that. You can reject that. Change the culture by impacting the culture.”
“Embrace that which is bigger than you, He who gave you abundant life and He who has called you by name,” he advised. “Do not be afraid. Mute the noise of the popular and embrace the counterculture of Christ’s life and the message He offers you. The road is wide which leads to destruction and many will enter it. So enter through the narrow gate, my dear friends. For therein lies the kingdom of Heaven.”
Jonathan Roumie as Jesus during the wedding at Cana
After criticizing the entertainment industry, he also took issue with social media platforms and so-called influencers.
“Social media sites rife with images of hypersexuality, predominantly young women, some of them who are major influencers, give the youngest of our digitally consuming the impression that that is how you’re supposed to look. That this is how you’re supposed to think, and feel, and act to get what you want, to get who you want, to be what you are supposed to be as if some fantasy of aesthetic perfection is the road to happiness. It is not,” he declared.
“Your imperfections were perfectly designed by God in Heaven. As if by objectifying yourself you will somehow be empowered. That is an empty lie of the enemy,” he asserted. “The only way to empower yourself is to believe in the greatness of who you are: flaws and all, the gifts that you bring into this world that God freely gave you, the uniqueness of your precious life, and to share them with one another. That is your legacy. That is your power. That is who you are meant to be, and that is how you will change the world.”
Stephen Hailo as The Leper and Jonathan Roumie as Jesus during the healing of the leper in The Chosen Season 1
He continued to advise, “Do not let mainstream media’s shallow depictions of sexuality and sexual irresponsibility deceive you into thinking that such an approve to love and relationships is without consequences. It isn’t.”
“And this is part of the systemic issue that brings us here today. I know how difficult it can be to think differently, to swim against the current, to choose life in a culture that celebrates death,” he added.
“You know, standing here saying these things to you is neither the obvious career choice nor an easy decision for me because I’ve never set foot in this arena before, publicly,” he relayed. “But, ultimately, I had no choice. [God] made me do it. And I’m a better man for it.”
Jonathan Roumie as Jesus prepares to send out his disciples in The Chosen Season 3
Roumie then began to conclude his speech stating, “We are under an assault on our sense of virtue. We’re enduring an affront to the innate holiness we are all imbued with and called to. An attack on the family structure and the sacredness of the gift of life.”
He continued, “But as ones created in the image and likeness of God, who is Himself love, we are charged to be the standard bearers who defend and preserve the dignity of every human, but especially the most vulnerable, which begins with the initial stages of life and continues throughout the entire cycle. From conception through that phase we all aim to enter into — our golden years — followed by the final stages of our earthly existence. Nannies and Pop-Pops if we are called to it.”
Jonathan Roumie as Jesus with his disciples in The Chosen Season 2
He then provided some action items, “How can you make a difference? Number one, pray the Rosary. St. Padre Pio said the greatest weapon against the devil we have is the Rosary. Try it. See for yourself. I don’t need to sell it. God doesn’t need me to sell anything.”
“Secondly, examine and expose the areas of darkness in your world, in your community, in your immediate society that need your light, and bring it everywhere you go. Change the culture by impacting the culture. Raise your voice. Vote with your resources: financial, spiritual, and temporal.”
Director Dallas Jenkins and Jonathan Roumie as Jesus revisit the script on the set of The Chosen Season 2
Roumie then noted what he’s doing to make a difference, “My commitment to impacting the culture as an artist is to pray I get to continue participating and in telling stories like The Chosen and my upcoming film, Jesus Revolution, that shine a light on the struggles and successes of the human condition, stories that uphold human dignity and reveal God’s truth, an infinite love for his people despite our inherent flaws. And we are al so beautifully flawed, perhaps myself most of all.
“But we are not alone, He has lived as one of us and that brings us into communion with Him. By bringing your gifts to the world with love and compassion, you will be creating an environment of holiness, which the most impressionable in our society will draw their examples from. And to help rewire the attitudes of society’s collective consciousness, steering it back to the preservation and value of life, restoring respect for faith and true religious tolerance, and healing some of our beloved nation’s wounds in the process while hopefully planting us more deeply within God’s grace,” he concluded.
Elizabeth Tabish as Mary Magdalene, Amber Shana Williams as Tamar, Vanessa Benavente as Mary, and Jonathan Roumie as Jesus in The Chosen Season 2
What do you make of Roumie’s speech?
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