Pollard on Film

This programme explores the ideas of change and power that are expressed in the film Charlie Wilson's War.  As well as clips from the film it includes interview footage with the real Charlie Wilson, and Aaron Sorkin (the film's scriptwriter).

The programme invites discussion of the question "What would you want to see changed in today's world?"  And it sets up any talk about change and power.

Published: 14th Jan 08
Length: 4.21

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 Suggestion for use

1. Show the first part of the programme - then freeze frame on the question "What would you change in this world?"
2. Invite people to share their answers with one another
3. Invite feedback, and discuss what our answers tell us about:
   • our view of the world - what do we consider to be important?
   • our view of ourselves - do we feel powerful or impotent?
   • our view of change - how does change happen, and where does it begin?
4. Show the rest of the programme
5. Deliver a short talk lifting off from the suggestion to look at what the Bible says about power and change - illustrating with contemporary quotes about power and change (NB these links into the large collection of relevant Bible references and contemporary quotes require a subscription to Tools for Talks).

Background reading

If you do want to read about some background issues you may find the following helpful:

• Lies and Consequences (an article by Nick Pollard which provides some information, particularly in the footnotes, about Utilitarianism)
• Peter Singer and Utilitarianism (a talk by Dr John Lennox)
• Virtue Ethics (from Stamford University Encyclopaedia of Philosophy)