The Oscars display "decaying moral standards", according to a Southern Baptist commentator and reviewer.
Phil Boatwright wrote for Baptist Press: "I confess that I preferred the days when the Oscar telecasts were hosted by men who weren't married to other men (or walking on stage wearing only socks, shoes and underwear). When musical divas weren't plastered with tattoos. And when at least one winner looked up and thanked their Creator."
He said that "movies are most often not made to nurture the society we live in. Rather, they aim at our baser instincts. Sadly, films that uplift the spirit are few and far between. Indeed, many of this year's film nominees seem to not just reflect our nation's decaying moral standards, but foster them as well."
He asked, "Which films nominated for Best Picture refrained from the profane use of our Creator's name?", replying "None that I saw. The greatest Creator is not reverenced by Hollywood (on the whole)."
The winners were "among all of us who should be grateful to God. Instead, they made sure to show gratitude to their agents and their children. One guy even thanked his dog. But the Creator went unrewarded."
He said that there were "many very good show business folk working to make the best product they can". However, he asked, "Why is it that we support films that ridicule biblical teachings or blaspheme our Creator? Why are we led by a medium so focused on everything but spiritual truth?"
This year's Oscars, which saw Eddie Redmayne take the Best Actor award for 'The Theory of Everything' and Julianne Moore for 'Still Alice', each of them a moving portrayal of someone struggling with a serious illness, were criticised for the lack of ethnic diversity among nominees and for the lacklustre performance of host Neil Patrick Harris.
Christian film 'Saving Christmas' won in four categories at the previous night's Golden Raspberry awards or 'Razzies' – worst picture, worst actor, worst screenplay and worst screen couple/ensemble.