Where the heck is God?

For Plugged In magazine, on the Web site of the conservative Christian organization Focus on the Family, morality is key in film reviews aimed at helping parents find kid-friendly fare. Even films like “Santa Clause 2” get close scrutiny. Here’s an excerpt from critic Steven Isaac’s review:

“Positive elements: ... Good holiday cheer, keeping oneself on the ‘nice’ list and off the ‘naughty’ one, and neighborly good deeds all get thumbs up....

“Spiritual content: In a word, Santa. And he’s so big and glorious that there’s no room for anything or anyone else (namely, God). Santa is presented as the only reason Christmas exists. His demise would leave the world’s inhabitants cold, mean and cheerless. Carol raises the question of Santa to a spiritual plane when she sighs longingly, ‘A person just wants something to believe in, you know?’ Santa, of course, is what she’s offered as her solution.

“Crude or profane language: One use each of ‘golly’ and ‘heck.’

“Conclusion: ... The G-rated ‘SC2’ (the original ‘Santa Clause’ was PG) is fun, romantic, sentimental and warm, all the things a Christmas movie should be. It just refuses to acknowledge God. Santa is not the reason for the season, and kids need to be taught who is.”