Faith & Media Initiative

Faith In Media Tracker Getting Faith Right 2025

The Positive Faith Representation in Media Web Tracker highlights recent, inclusive, and engaging content that attempts to portray faith in a positive light, fosters understanding and unity, avoids stereotypes, and demonstrates the constructive role of faith in personal and societal good.

A Christian Character Comes To Disney

  Travis Henry | Article source

The Along Main Street produced article "Pixar introduces openly Christian character in Disney+ series" profiles how Pixar's new Disney+ series, Win or Lose, introduces Laurie, an openly Christian character. The article reports how Laurie's storyline seems to authentically portray her faith as she navigates personal challenges, marking a significant step in faith representation, at least within Disney.

Many Christian and religious outlets covered Pixar’s introduction of Laurie. Understandably, these publications largely applauded the inclusion, noting that it was the first instance of such representation in at least 20 years.

Mainstream media and entertainment outlets also reported on the news, but often framed it primarily in contrast to Disney’s decision to remove a transgender storyline from the same series. While that is a valid angle to explore, it often resulted in the glossing over the importance of Disney including a character in a mainstream series who also happens to be Christian.

Christians still make up over 60% of the U.S. population, making it all the more noticeable when their representation in media and movies is downplayed or ignored.

For the Faith In Media Tracker, we are choosing to highlight the article from Along Main Street, a FanSided website powered by "fans that want to cover their passions." We liked how this content site, which regularly covers Disney shows, movies and park news, dove a little more into the character and while the author mentioned it, didn't serve up the "Christian vs LGBTQ+" take so many other sites lazily went with.

"Pixar has given us a Christian character without relying on the holier-than-thou stereotype perpetuated by Hollywood," author Zach Gass wrote. 

Below is how the article matches up with our "Getting Faith Right" criteria. 

Alignment with Positive Faith Representation Criteria:

  1. Explicit Mention of Faith in a Positive Context: The article highlights the introduction of Laurie, an openly Christian character in Pixar's "Win or Lose" series, depicting her faith as an integral and positive aspect of her character.

  2. Promotion of Understanding Between Faith Communities: By showcasing a Christian character who navigates personal challenges through her faith, the content encourages viewers from diverse backgrounds to understand and appreciate the role of spirituality in individuals' lives.

  3. Highlighting Positive Personal Impact Derived from Faith: The article describes how Laurie's faith helps her confront self-doubt and find inner strength, illustrating the constructive influence of religious belief on personal development.

  4. Absence of Offensive Language or Negative Stereotypes:The content portrays the Christian character respectfully, avoiding harmful stereotypes or discriminatory language.

  5. Balanced View of Faith Without Promoting Exclusivity: While focusing on a Christian character, the article does not suggest superiority over other religions, maintaining an inclusive perspective.

  6. Contribution to Societal Good Through Faith-Based Perspectives: By presenting a relatable character who draws strength from her faith, the content offers a narrative that can inspire and resonate with viewers facing similar challenges.

  7. Recent Publication:  The article was published within the last month, ensuring its relevance to current discussions on faith representation in media.

  8. Positive Engagement from Audience: While specific engagement metrics are not provided in the search results, the article has been referenced and discussed across multiple platforms, indicating a positive reception and interest from readers.

We believe the  article aligns well with the criteria for positive faith representation, as it thoughtfully introduces and discusses a character whose Christian faith is portrayed authentically and constructively within a mainstream media context.

 Here are other articles covering the subject:

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