It seems that Dunkin’ Donuts—that seductive hangout for local cops the nation over—has dropped an online ad campaign featuring that radical Islamist Rachael Ray because conservative bloggers complained a scarf worn by Ms. Ray around her neck resembled a kaffiyeh, the traditional Arab headdress that nitwits like Michelle Malkin (and no, I’m not going to link to her blog—you’ll have to find it all by yourself) claim have come to symbolize Muslim extremism and terrorism.

I don’t know about you, but when I look at Rachael Ray in that paisley scarve, around her neck, no less, the last thing I’m thinking about is Yassir Arafat.

Fox described its faith division as “Films you can believe in.” Apparently, however, not many people have believed in the films, and some of the newly-created divisions are already on the ropes. The problem as Allen sees it is as follows:

What the Fox, Lionsgate and Weinstein deals all have in common—and perhaps what’s impeding their success—is that they have all teamed up exclusively with Protestant/Evangelical distribution units and are all focusing exclusively on developing Protestant/Evangelical content. There isn’t a Catholic company or title in the mix ….

Moreover, according to Allen, the companies have been unable to produce a film that integrates the three key demographics: Evangelical, Catholic, and African-American Christian.

The real problem as I see it, is that American Christianity is far more nuanced and diverse than three neat little categories (to be fair, Allen does mention Mormons as another category but states that they have their own production and distribution arm that is essentially closed to non-Mormons). I, for example, would not classify myself in any of the three (or four) categories the movie industry wants to divide the market into. What I want—and will pay to go see—is a good story, high production values, and not to have someone else’s theology imposed on me. Probably the best “faith-based” films are the ones that do not proselytize and allow me to search for and locate the theological message on my own. That’s a film I can believe in.

So the question I throw out is, what’s your best or favorite example of a faith-based film?

Enjoy …

He also notes: “Weeks after Allen’s blunder, Sidarth finds himself writing an entrance essay for a class at the University of Virginia, where he is a senior. The class is called Campaigns and Elections, and it has about four applicants for every spot. ‘I get all these large, elaborate essays about the meaning of politics and why they are going to be president,’ says Larry Sabato, the professor. Sidarth writes only three words. ‘I am macaca.’ Sabato lets him in. ‘When you have the right stuff, you don’t need to brag,’ the teacher explains. ‘A simple declarative sentence will do.’