American director Ron Howard is well-known for his work on films such as "A Beautiful Mind," "Apollo 13," and the religious thrillers "Angels and Demons" and "The Da Vinci Code." He talked about his discussions with pious Catholic friends prior to the release of his films in an interview. These conversations brought to light some of the difficulties religious people may encounter when interacting with media that examines contentious facets of their beliefs.

The Church has a lengthy history of scandals, abuses of power, and even acts of violence, as Howard's friends acknowledged. Those who are deeply involved in religious institutions may find it challenging to face these darker aspects head-on, but this is nothing new to anyone who studies church history. It's similar to looking through an old family photo album where some of the images bring back more memories of the hardships than the happiness of your loved ones.

Howard highlights the value of comprehending and appreciating different viewpoints when handling delicate subjects by bringing up discussions with his friends. This method promotes empathy and respect between artists and their audience by facilitating a deeper conversation.