My friend Megan sent me a video two weeks ago that I have just now got around to watching. It is a preacher by the name of Mark Driscoll of the Mars Hill Church ranting about how Avatar is contrary to the teachings of Christ. Now, I never knew that Avatar was presenting itself as the Christ-alternative, but perhaps I’ve missed that in the advertising. I did finally see the movie without knowing what to expect. Not only were the visual effects stunning, but I was rather pleased at how good of a job the producers did at making me believe that I wasn’t just watching another rendition of Pocahontas or Dances With Wolves.
One thing I did notice was the obvious allusion to a Pagan or Earth-centric (Pandora-centric?) belief system. There was a sense of connectedness with all living things and one’s surroundings. This preacher believes that not only is this movie promoting (that’s debatable) Paganism, it is Satanic and demonic and any good Christian should distance themselves from its poisonous effects.
Pastor Driscoll seems to have forgotten the meaning of the word “fiction.” I bet he creamed his jeans when the Harry Potter and Twilight series came out. After all, those both market themselves as convenient alternatives to Christian belief, don’t they?
Not only do I believe that this man doesn’t actually have a clue what “Pagan,” “demonic,” and “Satanic” mean, I think he thoroughly believes that his sheep will turn into James Cameron’s sheep if they see this movie. He knows that the people to whom he is speaking will swallow ideas like a fish swallows bait, which is fine, as long as it is his ideas that they are swallowing. Where I think he underestimates his huddled masses is in their ability to distinguish fiction from reality, a feat that he obviously struggles with himself.
He believes with all of his heart that mere exposure to something less-than-Christian will lead to a complete internalization of a new worldview. I could understand that if the problem was people being lured into a cult, but the problem – for him – lies in a piece of fictitious cinema. “That any Christian could watch that without seeing the overt demonism is beyond me,” he says. Aside from confusing Paganism with the fictitious demons of his own twisted beliefs, he is suggesting that Christians cannot enjoy a film which presents a different idea of god and society. They must immediately be insulted and enraged that such sacrilegious filth is even allowed in theaters.
Apparently, a film that takes place on a different planet, with a foreign indigenous species, is supposed to follow the same religion that only a fraction of our own planet follows.
“The visuals are amazing because Satan wants you to emotionally connect to the lie.” That quote alone shows that this man cannot be reasoned with in any way. He genuinely believes that Satan is working through the evil producers and directors of Hollywood to bring anti-Christian propaganda to the big screen for the sole purpose of converting all viewers to a sin-laden lifestyle.
I can’t possibly speak any more about this man’s belief that fiction is taken seriously by all that view it. He believes that people will view a fictitious lifestyle and try to reconcile it with their own religious beliefs, instead of doing what normal people do, which is regarding it as a story with moving pictures and lots of bioluminescence.
Of course to solidify that this man is a charlatan and a profiteer, he admits that he has two home theater systems and three Tivos. I’m happy for him and all, but does his congregation not realize who bought him all of that way cool stuff?
This guy is completely cuckoo bananas. I hate assholes like this who try to twist a simple fictional tale to something that it isn’t. I can do this too. I could preach about how Avatar is about American imperialism or industrialization. I could say that it is akin to our treatment of Native Americans. I could say that the big spirit tree is really a giant supercomputer and they all have USB ports in their braids. This guy obviously doesn’t think that his audience is smart enough to go enjoy the movie for what it is and not be swayed by these so-called demonic messages.
On that note, even if there were overt demonic messages, who cares? Don’t go see the movie then. If by some stretch of the imagination this movie really did have some kind of persuasive agenda, only those already very gullible *cough*Christians*cough* would actually buy into the messages.
Religion is a politic/Politics is a religion, and the power that comes with it is too much to resist for some. The issue they can control many who need a crux because they do not have enough faith in themselves is saddening.
I am (and have always been) an atheist, and never have let my life be dictated to by religion nor politics. That was my own choice, but sadly that a large number of people are told “you have to believe this…” or “you have to believe what I believe in because it is the truth”.
Shouldn’t people have the choice in watching what they want to watch and for those creative people who create these technological big screen works of genius I salute you.
The whole point of genre is that there is something for everyone, and this is not an attack on anyone’s theological beliefs unless they have designed a movie to be that way. Avatar has done nothing of the sort, nor has Harry Potter or any other movie of it’s genre.
I think these particular religious leaders had better crawl back under their rocks and do some reflection of their own. People who have a brain will not stand this for very long after they realize their mistakes.
.-= David Morrison-Gardiner´s last blog: Finding a job =-.
Again Hyyyylarious!
“The world tempts you to sin, to use people, to disobey god, to live for your own glory instead of his own, to be a consumer instead of generous”
Well he’s certainly not doing a good job of ignoring the evil temptations of the world and it’s delicious consumerism Mr”I’ve got two home theater systems, I’ve got three Tivos” seems like he’s doing a pretty good job of being a well bred consumer.
“It’s worldliness, you have three enemies the world, this system of thinking and corruption that teaches you lies about you and god”
I suppose the only way to live is in complete ignorance, hidden away in an un-luxurious bunker with a cassette of the bible blasting in our ears and drooling over a book we can’t even read for the rest of our miserable lives.
I don’t know how this guy can live, if he were to seriously try and utilize the ignorant, self-righteous bullshit he puts out into the world he’d walk around with blinders on the side of his head and cotton wool in his ears.
At least he’s the most fashionably dressed preacher I’ve seen, seems he hasn’t got a bad eye for his wardrobe…just a bad eye for sense.
All arguments aside,the ONLY thing this man obviously fears is losing the congregation that is financially keeping him in his “two home theater systems and three Tivos” and undoubtedly six figure income,big fancy house and so on and so forth.