30 Pieces of Silver: The True Cost of Amazon’s LOTR Show from Christian POV

A Billion Dollars Wasted: Hollywood’s Misplaced Priorities and the True Cost to Society.

As a Christian, I am deeply troubled by Amazon’s billion-dollar expenditure on their “Lord of the Rings” television series. This extravagant spending is not just excessive – it’s morally reprehensible in a world plagued by poverty, hunger, and suffering.

To put this into perspective, the average cost of a high-end TV show ranges from $5 million to $15 million per episode. Even at the upper end, a full season of 10 episodes would cost $150 million. Amazon’s billion-dollar project is nearly seven times this high end of the already high end amount. This level of spending is unprecedented and, frankly, unconscionable.

What makes this situation even more egregious is the tax implications. Amazon Studios, like many large corporations, benefits from numerous tax breaks and incentives. These include production tax credits, which can cover up to 30% of qualified production costs in some states. This means that a significant portion of this billion-dollar budget is effectively being subsidized by taxpayers.

Let that sink in for a moment. While millions of Americans struggle to make ends meet, their tax dollars are indirectly funding a fantasy TV show. This is not just a misuse of corporate funds; it’s a misuse of public resources.

Also, let’s compare it to Peter Jackson’s original Lord of the Rings trilogy. Jackson’s three epic films, which collectively won 17 Academy Awards and grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide, were produced for a combined total of around $281 million.  $281 million for 3 very long feature films. A far cry from what Amazon has spent on a single season of television.

Consider what this money could do if directed toward worthy causes:

1. Provide clean water to 50 million people in developing nations
2. Fund education for hundreds of thousands of underprivileged children
3. Build homes for tens of thousands of homeless families
4. Support critical medical research that could save countless lives
5. Feed millions of hungry people for years
6. Fund renewable energy projects to combat climate change
7. Provide mental health services to millions of individuals
8. Support small businesses and entrepreneurs in underserved communities
9. Fund disaster relief efforts worldwide
10. Invest in infrastructure improvements in struggling urban and rural areas

Each of these causes reflects the values that Christ taught us – compassion, charity, and care for the least among us. Yet Hollywood, with the indirect support of our tax system, chooses to ignore these pressing needs in favor of chasing profits and ratings.

As followers of Christ, we cannot stand idly by while such vast resources are misused. We are called to be stewards of God’s creation and to care for our fellow man. This wasteful spending flies in the face of those commandments.

It’s time for Christians to take a stand. We must speak out against this gross misallocation of resources. We should boycott not just this show, but any entertainment that prioritizes spectacle over human needs. We should also advocate for changes in our tax system that prioritize social good over corporate profits.

Let’s instead direct our time, money, and attention to causes that truly matter in God’s eyes. We can:

1. Support local charities and community organizations
2. Volunteer our time at shelters, food banks, and other service organizations
3. Write to our representatives about redirecting tax incentives to social programs
4. Educate others about the true cost of excessive entertainment spending
5. Invest in and support media that promotes positive values and social change

In Matthew 6:21, Jesus tells us, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” It’s clear where Hollywood’s heart lies – with mammon, not with God’s children. As believers, we must choose a different path.

Let this billion-dollar boondoggle serve as a wake-up call. It’s time to reassess our priorities as a society and as individuals. Let’s commit to using our resources in ways that honor God and serve our fellow man, not on frivolous entertainment that will be forgotten as soon as the next big show comes along.

The choice is ours. Will we continue to support a system that values spectacle over substance, or will we stand up for what truly matters? As Christians, our path should be clear. Let us be the change we wish to see in the world, redirecting our resources and attention to where they can do the most good. Only then can we truly call ourselves followers of Christ.”