society thrives. Its extension reaches the boundaries of

such cultural mainstreams as movies, television, and

music. Oliver Stone's 1986 war film Platoon is an example

of the religious subtleties and overtones that appear in

various American genres. Stone not only uses religious

themes to portray the Vietnam War, but manipulates the war

to show the decadence of American society.

Throughout history, man has traveled the world, and

conquered nations, in order to force one religion on

another. America was founded by Spain's attempt to spread

Christianity to the new world. Although Spain was the

most powerful nation at the time, their attempt to spread

Christianity on less civilized people came to a fatal end

due to the explorers' detrimental actions. The movie

Platoon reenacts this theme in a modern true life event.

After World War II, America demonstrated itself to be

arguably the most powerful nation. When communism

threatened Vietnam, America acted to defend its democrat

contexts as well. According to the Bible, the garden of

same scene, some soldiers are caught raping a village

American ineffectiveness in Vietnam.

only uses historical references, but opens it to Biblical

Along with a religious backdrop, Stone uses symbolism

Barnes and Elias, played by Tom Berenger and Willem Dafoe,

themes throughout key parts of the movie, Stone

of combat, making them the more experienced members, and

to represent the mystic garden of Eden. Stone's

Some common words found in the essay are:
Barnes Elias, Vietnam War, Eden Chris, Kevin Dillon, Elias Barnes, Eve America, Vietnam America, Oliver Stone's, Cain Abel, Crusade Religion, vietnam war, attempt spread christianity, adam eve, spread christianity, barnes elias, religious themes, movie platoon, decadence american, garden eden, attempt spread, according bible, decadence american society,
Approximate Word count = 725
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)