A common ministers reaction to avatar.

[aoitennyo]

One thing first, please remember not to generalize. Not all Christians are close-minded bigots .

Originally Posted by josie20

Idiots like this pastor have ruined a beautiful religion. This is why I don't go around flaunting my beliefs. This guy seriously needs a punch-in-face.

I completely agree! I am also not very vocal about my faith for the same reason. A punch in the face? LOL

Originally Posted by madman

I know right? Wonder how many faithful followers this cook lost when he sent out this email.

It's a sad thing, really

Anyway, This post makes me so sad, I almost felt like crying. I wasn't there to hear it, but apparently my pastor made a reference to Avatar, and it was a positive comment, like bringing people together or something, he also said something about how beautiful it was. I myself am a Christian and I think that you get what you want to from this movie. For example, I was incredibly moved by Jake's "prayer" to Eywa (which, by the way, is an anagram of "Yahweh"... interesting to ponder). It is rare to see any kind of respectful and non-negative portrayals of religion in Hollywood. I was in tears because it spoke to that part of me that believes that the purpose of Christianity is to seek communion and connection with our creator, which the Na'vi can do (well, Eywa's not their creator, but you get the idea).

I don't know, maybe I'm not a "good" Christian. Then again, my mom is the most devout Christian I know (strongest faith, relies on her religion on a daily basis for guidance, reads the Bible every morning, etc) and she liked it alot. She's also a fairly open-minded person as well. I also know some very religious women at church in their 40's and 50's who thought it was the "best movie ever." Guess it just depends on the person (and the area they live in--I live in the Seattle area, and my church is fairly liberal/open-minded/casual compared to some). It's sad that the most close-minded people are the most vocal...

Also, not to sound sound corny, but I'd like to ask these people what they think Jesus would think about the movie... He was the savior of the downtrodden and the oppressed and often spoke passionately against greed and exploitation

[Sight Unseen]

Originally Posted by aoitennyo

One thing first, please remember not to generalize. Not all Christians are close-minded bigots .

I am a Christian, I believe in the gospel. Heck, I go to church every Sunday.
But, I hate every minute I spend there because of the seething close-mindedness just below the surface. You can sense the underlying hate for everything that doesn't conform to the pastor's beliefs. Stay quiet, and listen they say; be quiet and accept this one man's opinion as fact. Avatar has given me a more objective look on organized Christianity, and I can say without a doubt that organized hatred for anything different isn't what the bible intended. They're doin' it wrong.

There is no reason that Eywa and the Christian God cant exist together. Remember, Eywa is an organism. An organism with godlike powers, that Na'vi connect to through trees to talk to, but just an incredibly advanced organism nonetheless. Eywa is like a caretaker, watching over the balance of Pandora. I don't see the problem with this.

I want to personally punch this religious @$$hole in the face. My response is: C'mon, did you even watch the damn movie?

[Migg3006]

OOO my Eywa!!! I wasn't know there have still this type of religion control. Personally I never believe in this, I only believe in my own things.

[tm20]

i read about half way and stopped, since im lazy, but i was laughin the whole way

[Tsyal Makto]

Originally Posted by tm20

i read about half way and stopped, since im lazy, but i was laughin the whole way

+1

If the Na'vi, Eywa, and Pandora are wrong, then I don't want to be right. It seems like Christianity is becoming a much more militant religion lately, they seem to think they are at a constant war with the world - them against everybody else.

I'm Christian by name, but really more deist by practice. My belief is that there is a higher power out there, and that humans are innately drawn to it, and they develop different religions/spiritual beliefs in their attempts to interpret it, which is why I can't stand religious self righteousness. I find it hard to believe that something as feeble as a human could completely understand a being that has the capability of creating universes. All our religions are are educated guesses.

[Ratavasidna]

non-christian, mainly for these reasons of how one faith is so strict
and because i don't conform to society as well, and most of society is some sort of christianity. i am taking on east world religions, and opening my mind up to many other possibilities, (currently Buddhist, and i am enjoying it much), because these religions are just crazy the way that they think that everything that isn't their idea is like pure evil. now nothing against christians ans all, thats just what i feel

[Migg3006]

Originally Posted by Tsyal Makto

+1

If the Na'vi, Eywa, and Pandora are wrong, then I don't want to be right. It seems like Christianity is becoming a much more militant religion lately, they seem to think they are at a constant war with the world - them against everybody else.

I'm Christian by name, but really more deist by practice. My belief is that there is a higher power out there, and that humans are innately drawn to it, and they develop different religions/spiritual beliefs in their attempts to interpret it, which is why I can't stand religious self righteousness. I find it hard to believe that something as feeble as a human could completely understand a being that has the capability of creating universes. All our religions are are educated guesses.

Totally agree exactly what I mean.

[Sovereign]

People who think like this, that their faith is the only way, lose my respect when they begin using this belief in their own inherent "rightness" to demean others. There is nothing wrong with believing in God, multiple Gods, Eywa, or anything else so long as it does not motivate you to harm others. As soon as your beliefs cross that line I can't accept them anymore.

Further, although some may disagree, in my life there is absolutely nothing I have seen that can prove any one faith to be the single truth such that all others are immediately disproven. Nor have I encountered anything that concretely discredits any single faith (or religious faith in general). These people like to see in black and white: we are right, they are wrong. It might be (in some hypothetical situation where we assume that we know which, if any religions are "right"--that is we can prove or disprove the existence of deities) that multiple faiths are right. Or they're all right. Or they're all wrong.

Until we can agree on faith the way we agree on gravity (this may never happen), no one can claim the right to attack others' faith for being wrong.

[Sìltsan'awpo]

WUUUUUT??
Someone should put a leash on this guy. How does Avatar promote withcraft? If anything, that would be the last thing I'd ever want to do.

*Sigh* It makes me sad to see people like that who are always trying to find things to critizise or exploit to make people think it's a negative thing (Is there a word for that?). They just can't enjoy life that way. Ayskxawng...

And btw, my grandma's an active Christian and she thought Avatar was a great movie. Just goes to show how wrong he is.

P.S. Lol he misspelled Eywa xD

[Na'vi_supporter]

Originally Posted by Sovereign

People who think like this, that their faith is the only way, lose my respect when they begin using this belief in their own inherent "rightness" to demean others. There is nothing wrong with believing in God, multiple Gods, Eywa, or anything else so long as it does not motivate you to harm others. As soon as your beliefs cross that line I can't accept them anymore.

Further, although some may disagree, in my life there is absolutely nothing I have seen that can prove any one faith to be the single truth such that all others are immediately disproven. Nor have I encountered anything that concretely discredits any single faith (or religious faith in general). These people like to see in black and white: we are right, they are wrong. It might be (in some hypothetical situation where we assume that we know which, if any religions are "right"--that is we can prove or disprove the existence of deities) that multiple faiths are right. Or they're all right. Or they're all wrong.

Until we can agree on faith the way we agree on gravity (this may never happen), no one can claim the right to attack others' faith for being wrong.

^ Absolutely agree with this. I wouldn't ever say it better.

P.S. Lol he misspelled Eywa xD

Yeah, it made me laughing a lot more .

[Dreaming Of Pandora]

That email was frustrating. That's all I need to say.

[Woodsprite]

My mother also wholeheartedly hates the film...


This person is yet another bad example for Christians everywhere. What else can I say? I'm a Christian; the film has non-Christian elements in it; I loved Avatar. I'm a conservative; the film has non-conservative/liberal ideologies presented; I loved Avatar. I'm a YEC; the film is grounded in evolution; I loved Avatar. I am one of the prime examples of how Christians don't have to be offended by a movie that happens to occupy the realm of science fiction, and still take in all the beautiful elements that made the film shine.

As for Eywa, I think I've pretty much ruled out the fact that Eywa could possibly be "competition" to Christianity as an actual goddess. In fact, I'm so convinced Eywa isn't really a supernatural goddess that I believe Cameron, in his prequel novel, will explain how "she" is quite literally an "it", but still promoting the spiritual nature of Eywa as the Na'vi perceive it so as to not ruin the magic for others.

All in all, this email is bullsh*t, and I'm not one to swear.

[Sight Unseen]

Originally Posted by Woodsprite

My mother also wholeheartedly hates the film...

-snip-

As for Eywa, I think I've pretty much ruled out the fact that Eywa could possibly be "competition" to Christianity as an actual goddess. In fact, I'm so convinced Eywa isn't really a supernatural goddess that I believe Cameron, in his prequel novel, will explain how "she" is quite literally an "it", but still promoting the spiritual nature of Eywa as the Na'vi perceive it so as to not ruin the magic for others.

All in all, this email is bullsh*t, and I'm not one to swear.

+10 agreed.

Originally Posted by Tsyal Makto

+1
If the Na'vi, Eywa, and Pandora are wrong, then I don't want to be right.

^QFT. I think I just declared war on my own religion, and I don't care. If this is what Christianity is, underneath it all, then screw them. I'll read the bible and interpret it my own way.

[Boomachucka]

Originally Posted by Toshowlove

a) I was frightened, appalled and angry when I saw the "prayer" scene when they were praying to the "tree of souls". That reminds me alot of occult and witchcraft practices. Some mystical, and hindu and buddhist practice this kind of prayer chanting as well. The woman, also was channeling" some sort of spirit, which was taking control of her and "possessing" her.

The church feels threatened by pretty much everything- Including a semi-sentient planet-being with (awesome, beautiful) blue people living on it.

And the bolded/italic text is one of the many reasons why I can't stand organized religion... "My god is better than your god! That makes you less of a person, fiend!" I mean, since Hindu's and Buddhist's practice similar ceremony's, does that make them demonic sinners as well?

****, I hope some christian fanatic gets in an argument with me about this.

Absolutely no offense to anyone who practices their religion, I think that many of the moral ideologies are important and send good messages. I just find it frustrating when people take it too far, such as in this example.

[ZenitYerkes]

You know, there's always anyone for everything in this world.

And mostly, things are the way you want to see them. If you go to the cinema with the conviction of it being a Satan's work, then there you go. Closed minds will be closed minds. Everything from outside is for them forbidden, sinful and unbearable.

Just leave them on their own; if they want to say anything is demonic, that's just a concern for the people who wants to hear it.

And if I could refute him: 1 Tes 5: 21 - Put everything to the test. Hold on to what is good.

God, I love that quote. "Semper qvestinandvm" is one of my favorite mottos.

But if this guy thinks Avatar is demonic, is because he's been taught so. I can only see beauty and authenticity on Pandora.