In the wake of a federal judge ordering the return of banned books to a Texas public library, conservative Christian communities are now calling for the removal of another cultural artifact from televesion and streaming services: the popular 1980s movie Footloose.
According to religious leaders, the movie portrays a dangerous message of rebellion against parental authority and control. The plot follows a young man named Ren McCormack, played by Kevin Bacon, who moves to a small town where dancing is banned by the local minister, played by John Lithgow.
“Footloose is a threat to our way of life,” said Reverend Robert Killjoy, head of the Coalition for Moral Values. “It promotes the idea that young people can challenge their parents and community leaders, which goes against our values of obedience and respect for authority.”
The call to ban Footloose has gained momentum among conservative Christian groups, with petitions circulating on social media and emails flooding streaming services. Some parents have even reported canceling their subscriptions to streaming services that still offer the movie.
“It’s just too risky,” said Susan Flanders, a mother of three from Indiana. “I don’t want my kids getting any ideas about challenging my authority or questioning our church’s teachings.”
Supporters of the ban argue that Footloose is part of a broader culture war that pits traditional values against secular liberalism. They warn that if left unchecked, movies like Footloose could inspire a generation of rebellious youth who reject their parents’ beliefs and morals.
“We need to protect our children from the corrupting influence of Hollywood and its woke liberal agenda,” said Reverend Killjoy. “We can’t let them undermine our values and destroy our way of life.”
While streaming services have yet to comment on the calls to remove Footloose, some experts warn that censorship of any kind can be a slippery slope.
“Once you start banning books or movies, where do you draw the line?” said Professor Roy Hinkley, a media studies expert. “It’s important to have open and honest discussions about the messages we’re consuming, but censorship is not the answer.”
For now, the fate of Footloose remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the debate over the movie is just one battle in a larger culture war that shows no signs of ending soon.
