The Office’s Rainn Wilson Claims Anti-Christian Bias in ‘The Last of Us’
“The Office” actor Rainn Wilson, who played Dwight Schrute on the popular TV series, recently spoke out against what he believes to be anti-Christian bias in “The Last of Us.”
Starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsay, the television series adaptation of the video game has been widely acclaimed as one of the best shows in recent times.
The show depicts their survival in a post-apocalyptic world where a lethal fungus called clickers transforms humans into monsters.
In the recently concluded penultimate episode of the first season, a new character, David (played by Scott Shepherd), a cannibalistic pastor, was introduced.
Rainn Wilson calls out anti-Christian bias in Hollywood after 'Last of Us' episode: I knew he was a 'villain' https://t.co/mK2e7onxN5
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 13, 2023
Rainn Wilson’s Thoughts about the Show
After viewing the episode, Wilson tweeted, “I think there is a bias against Christianity in Hollywood.
When the David character in “The Last of Us” began reading from the Bible, I knew he would be a horrific villain.”
He continued, “Could there be a preacher reading a bible on a show who is loving and kind?”
Wilson’s criticism of the show’s portrayal of the cannibal pastor has sparked a debate about the representation of religion in popular culture.
I do think there is an anti-Christian bias in Hollywood. As soon as the David character in “The Last of Us”
started reading from the Bible I knew that he was going to be a horrific villain. Could there be a Bible-reading preacher on a show who is actually loving and kind?— RainnWilson (@rainnwilson) March 11, 2023
Some have argued that the show is not necessarily attacking Christianity as a whole but rather depicting a specific character who happens to be a Christian.
Others have pointed out that the show does not demonize Christianity but uses the cannibal pastor as an example of how some can twist and use religion to justify horrific actions.
Fox News subsequently covered the tweet because of the controversy caused by the debate over the perception of Christians in Hollywood.
Wilson, however, stressed he’s “not even Christian” and called out the broadcaster for using his opinion as ‘front page news.’
“Talk about bias,” he wrote. “An organization established as a corporate shill to create a division for profit based on culture-war outrage. Print that!”
He continued, “Of course, it’s true that the evangelical/political coalition is doing great damage to our country.
Banning books and freedom denying inconvenient science, taking a grotesque anti-LGBTQ+ platform.”
“Still, most Christians I know are kind, accepting, loving, and seek to improve the world. The media should also honor them.”
A Look at ‘The Last of Us’
The Last of Us reflects a post-apocalyptic world where a fungus has infected the population and turned many into zombies.
The show follows the story of Joel, a smuggler tasked with taking a young girl named Ellie across the country to a group of resistance fighters.
Along the way, they encounter various factions and individuals struggling to survive in the new world. The cannibal pastor is introduced much later in the last episode.
Joel and Ellie stumble upon a small community that appears friendly and welcoming at first.
However, it soon becomes apparent that the community is run by cannibals. They lure travelers to their town with false promises of safety and shelter.
The cannibal pastor is one of the community’s leaders. The hit show featured him to be a twisted and sadistic individual. He justifies his actions by claiming that he is doing God’s work.
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