Tell me about Veggie Tales

[bobica]

How *religious* are these movies? Are they simply bible stories, or do they have a more Christian basis? we keep seeing the ad for the pirate movie and it looks cute, but i want to know what we might be getting into first

[1xmom]

My 7 year old dd loves veggie tales. They are just silly little veggies and it is overly religious, just more clean fun than the average cartoon like no hitting, name calling, etc. Actually I am surprised my dd still likes them. I was thinking of taking her to see the new movie that starts today. She actually got a Veggie Tales Silly Songs DVD for Christmas - which is what she likes the best.

[the_lissa]

They're too religious for me.

[jenoline]

Many are bible stories, some are just "moral" stories (don't spread rumors, don't obsess about stuff, etc). The "moral" stories all begin/end with the moral being discussed and related to God/bible teachings.

We're not Christian and I'd just as soon my kids didn't see them (we try not to have them in our home), but I don't find them so offensive that I forbid them from seeing them at their grandparents & cousins homes. I think the non-bible story ones would be fine without the beginning & end messages.

All that being said, I haven't seen or heard anything about the new pirate movie, so I don't know what it may be like.

[Hatteras Gal]

We love them. We're atheists. Yes, there is often mention of "god loves us." Some of them are biblical in nature, and the end of episodes often end with a bible quote relating to the story.

Since changing ownership (so to speak) they have become less biblical stories and more stories with a morality theme. They still reflect biblical or christian values though. Moe and the Big Exit is loosely based on Moses leading his people out of Egypt. Little Joe is loosely based on the story of Joseph. Both are set in Dodge Ball City. There is a new one based on The Wizard of Oz with the subtitle The Prodigal Son. There was one based on LOTR called Lord of the Bean about finding your gift.

They're great fun and can be laugh out loud funny at times. If the movie comes to our town, we'll probably go.

http://bigidea.com/

ETA- I don't think the pirate movie will be biblical but rather moral.

[nicole lisa]

One critic said it was completely humourless and very tedious and this was a critic who liked the first movie.

I've never seen any VeggieTales except in passing so I don't know how Christian they are. I do know I think the animation is atrocious/ugly and for that reason alone I wouldn't spend my money on it.

[MandaBear]

Originally Posted by bobica

How *religious* are these movies? Are they simply bible stories, or do they have a more Christian basis?

They are both. And they're pretty good.

[Heffernhyphen]

Yeah, they are religious . . . based on the Bible and full of Bible characters and messages. But they are also very funny and have great lessons for kids of any faith (or lack thereof). I'd suggest checking one out from the library to see for yourself.

Madam Blueberry might be a good one to test. She is blue because she has all this stuff but it's not as good as the neighbors' stuff. Then a new Stuff Mart comes in and tries to convince her to buy more more more. In the end, she learns that all she really needs is a happy heart. I don't remember any Bible characters or overt religious references, but it's certainly a universal issue that you would want your child to understand.

[Hatteras Gal]

Originally Posted by Heffernhyphen

Yeah, they are religious . . . based on the Bible and full of Bible characters and messages. But they are also very funny and have great lessons for kids of any faith (or lack thereof). I'd suggest checking one out from the library to see for yourself.

Madam Blueberry might be a good one to test. She is blue because she has all this stuff but it's not as good as the neighbors' stuff. Then a new Stuff Mart comes in and tries to convince her to buy more more more. In the end, she learns that all she really needs is a happy heart. I don't remember any Bible characters or overt religious references, but it's certainly a universal issue that you would want your child to understand.

I Madame Blueberry.

[2 in August]

I love Madam Blueberry too. My dd was obsessed with VT when she was 2-4ish. Now she's 6 and hasn't watched them in awhile.

[sunnysideup]

I haven't seen much of Veggie Tales, but what I have seen I didn't like. Too religious and didactic. I found them a little insulting, actually.

[journeymom]

I think they're great fun. It's obvious the writers are Monte Python fans. Did you know that Larry the Cucumber was originally a candy bar? That was before they developed the veggie theme. Yes, the videos are religious. The Jonah movie was decidedly Christian (old-time gospel singers and cross symbolism inside the whale ). I didn't know they'd become secular.

My kids have out grown them. Dh the athiest would grumble, "Am I going to have to deprogram the kids after this?"

[Fiestabeth]

Do you like to talk to tomatoes?

Do you think a squash could make you smile?

Ever waltzed with potatoes? Up and down the produce aisle?

If not, I'd probably avoid them.

[MandaBear]

Originally Posted by Fiestabeth

Do you like to talk to tomatoes?

Do you think a squash could make you smile?

Ever waltzed with potatoes? Up and down the produce aisle?

Oh no, now I'm going to have that stuck in my head!

[Valkyrie9]

I've had "I need to tell you somethin'...I don't got a belly button" stuck in my head ever since opening this thread this morning. Catchy little buggers!

[bobica]

wow! thanks for all the responses! i should've put up a poll- these veggie tales seem quite polarizing.

Madame Blueberry sounds really cute. maybe i'll check netflix & give one a test run.

[Smokering]

We used to love VeggieTales, but I feel they've sold out with the most recent movies (well, the company went under and kinda had to, long sad story, but still). I haven't seen any of the really new ones--I think King George and the Ducky was the last (as in most recent) one I thought was good. But the classics--Madame Blueberry, Larry-Boy and the Rumor Weed, etc--they're pretty great. Fantastic humour, and the Silly Songs are incredibly contagious.

They are religious though. I mean, they don't beat around the bush--they're Christian kids' videos.

[princesstutu]

While they're Christian kids' videos, they're broad enough to appeal to any followers of any of the Abrahamic religions, IMO. My Jewish friends own plenty of the VeggieTales videos.

I love them and I'm a witch. I think exposure to different beliefs is good for kids, so we own a few. The songs are really what I love. I don't like all of the VT vids...I feel one must try them out to find ones that appeal. That's what I use our library for.

[BoxOfRainMama]

Thanks for starting this thread.... I was wondering/interested in this one too. MY 3 year old is into pirates but we are not christian... I think I will take him, going to the movies is so fun.

[phathui5]

Originally Posted by Fiestabeth

Do you like to talk to tomatoes?

Do you think a squash could make you smile?

Ever waltzed with potatoes? Up and down the produce aisle?

Have we got a show for you!