Comments on: Why is there a subtle Christian reference in The Pacifier?

Question: Why is there a subtle Christian reference in The Pacifier?

Hermit — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 18:04:04 -0800

I have just watched the Vin Diesel vehicle The Pacifier (don't ask), and in the wrestling scene, one of the students is holding a placard saying John 3:16, which is the verse about God giving his only son as a sacrifice that we might be saved. Does anyone know why? Was the director sending a subliminal message? Is it a common high-school thing being satirised? It just struck me as odd. Thanks.

By: chndrcks

chndrcks — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 18:09:15 -0800

I'm not sure about high school events, but it shows up at a lot of sporting events in general

By: Fat Guy

Fat Guy — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 18:11:06 -0800

Take a look at this Straight Dope article, What's with those "John 3:16" signs that people hold up at [USian] football games?

By: Verdandi

Verdandi — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 18:14:19 -0800

I might be wrong, but I think it's trying to imply that the wrestler is the son of God, blah blah.

Either that or it has something to do with John Cena.

By: Hermit

Hermit — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 18:14:35 -0800

Thank you Fat Guy. I'm guessing therefore it's somewhat satirical.

By: kmtiszen

kmtiszen — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 18:15:24 -0800

Take a look at the wikipedia entry for Rollen Stewart, the Rainbow Man. As far as I know, he pretty much brought this whole thing to mainstream sporting events.

By: Atreides

Atreides — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 18:24:52 -0800

As per the movie reference, it was an attempt at humor, due to the prevalence of such signs at major sporting events. The link above does a good job of explaining its origin in those places.

And no, it has nothing to do with the wrestlers or any athletes. No different than folks putting up messages on billboards by the side of the highway. :)

By: Partial Law

Partial Law — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 18:34:44 -0800

For another jokey reference to the concept, see this short Family Guy clip (28 seconds in).

By: evilelvis

evilelvis — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 20:19:50 -0800

Stone Cold Steve Austin baby!!!

"You sit there and you thump your Bible, and you say your prayers, and it didn't get you anywhere! Talk about your Psalms, talk about John 3:16 ... Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass!"

(from wikipedia entry for the quote)

By: mkb

mkb — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 04:49:34 -0800

evilelvis: He was talking to Jake the Snake Roberts at the time.

By: ranglin

ranglin — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 14:58:03 -0800

Since it was a wrestling match in the movie, I'm going to agree that it was probably a Stone Cold Steve Austin reference...

I didn't even know that it was something that happened at other events... I've always just associated John 3:16 with Steve Austin.