According to published reports, last October, YouTube removed the trailer and YouTube channel for the Pure Flix movie, “I’m Not Ashamed.” A Christian-themed film based on the life of Rachel Joy Scott, the first victim killed in the 1999 Columbine shootings, the trailer had no inappropriate or offensive content (watch the “I’m Not Ashamed” trailer below).
According to the Hollywood Reporter, “I’m Not Ashamed” filmmakers questioned whether YouTube’s move was an example of anti-Christian bias after YouTube not only ignored their requests to put the trailer and channel back up, but also to give an explanation as to why it was taken down in the first place.
After a year, the trailer reappeared last week apparently after the Hollywood Reporter contacted YouTube. On Thursday, YouTube released the following statement to the magazine:
“With the massive volume of videos on our platform, sometimes we make the wrong call on content that is flagged by our community. When this is brought to our attention, we review the content and take appropriate action, including restoring videos or channels that were mistakenly removed.”
Entertainment that Values Their Agenda
“I’m Not Ashamed” filmmakers have sought the help from lawyers from Massey, Stotser & Nichols in Alabama, and, according to the Hollywood Reporter, are seeking “compensation for 11 months of lost online marketing for the movie.”
The film’s producer, Chuck Howard, and filmmakers have speculated that the trailer’s suspension may have to do with change.org's recruiting 1,868 people to sign a petition that states the trailer “evokes a sense of glorification and entertainment” toward the Columbine shooting.
However, Howard states, “We didn’t glamorize the killers. We basically portrayed everything the way it happened.” Howard also added, “YouTube is an information monopoly that controls what people see. Google should be forced to sell it because they are skewing what people can see and do. This is ridiculous.”
Entertainment that Values Your Beliefs
Howard has a point. It is ridiculous that YouTube would block a trailer of a Christian-themed movie for nearly a year without any real explanation. It makes one wonder exactly how agenda driven is the content that is featured and allowed on their website.
YouTube saw a Christian-themed film as a threat to their website, and they are right. Christian-themed movies such as “I’m Not Ashamed” or “God’s Not Dead 2” are giving Christians an alternative to mainstream media which fails to respect their beliefs.
Read Also: Top 10 Christian Movies for Your Family
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“I’m Not Ashamed” will be in theatres October 21. Watch the trailer here.
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