On Friday February 7, 2014, the American Family Association sent Mother Jones the following statement from Sandy Rios, AFA's director of governmental affairs:
The Academy is so overdosed on the fake, they can't seem to hear or see the real. Joni Eareckson Tada's powerfully delivered performance of "Alone Yet Not Alone" sung from the reality of a life lived with uncanny strength proved to be too much of the real thing. Hollywood and the Academy manufacture fantasy so well they seem incapable of recognizing true heroism or being moved by the deep expression of it in music.
"Alone Yet Not Alone",
performed by 64-year-old quadriplegic evangelical author Joni Eareckson Tada, and comes from the little-known 2013 Christian film of the same name. The film, set in 1755, is based on the story of two young sisters threatened by religious persecution and Native American tribes.
This beautiful rendition by Joni Eareckson Tada of 'Alone Yet Not Alone'
is featured in the movie by same name title, schedule to release on June 13th, 2014.
Made on a roughly $7 million budget and produced by a team of evangelical filmmakers, outside of the sphere of a secular Hollywood. Very few in the entertainment industry and film press have seen it, but the movie has received endorsements from a who's who of Christian-right big names, such as Family Research Council President Tony Perkins and former Republican presidential contender (and Christian movie man) Rick Santorum, and, to the surprise of many in the industry, an Academy Award nomination for best original song.
"The decision: the Academy of Motion Pictures of Arts and Sciences withdrew the richly-deserved Best Song nomination of Alone Yet Not Alone, which contains a powerful message of faith, is blatantly discriminatory and just the latest example of Hollywood's apparent hostility to expressions of faith in God," said Ralph Reed, chairman of the Coalition. "We urge the Academy to reinstate the nomination or risk needlessly offending tens of millions of Americans and moviegoers of faith." —
Read Full Article and Updates at MotherJones.
"I'm alone, yet not alone.
God's the light that will guide me home.
With his love and tenderness,
Leading through the wilderness,
And wherever I may roam,
I'm alone, yet not alone." —
in case you want to sing along or cover it.
Joni's Corner!;
"While I can only imagine the disappointment of the composers of “Alone Yet Not Alone” in the rescinding of their Oscar nomination, it in no way detracts from either the song’s beauty or its message.
I was humbled and honored to have been asked to sing it for the film, and was as surprised as anyone when I learned of the song’s nomination.
I am grateful for the attention the nomination brought to this worthy song and the inspirational film behind it, as well as to the ongoing work of Joni and Friends to people affected by disabilities. The decision by the Academy to rescind the nomination may well bring even further attention, and I only hope it helps to further extend the message and impact of the song."— My Thoughts on the Oscar Decision…
"Our ministry is dedicated to extending the love and message of Jesus Christ to people who are affected by disability around the world." — Joni and Friends
In Hollywood, there's what's known as the "elevator pitch." You know, your 50-word summation of why you (or your movie) is a must have/see. @MotherJones' is 155 words, but still, good stuff:
What Is Mother Jones?
Share with those Who Care, Thanks for Visiting!
