A common ministers reaction to avatar.

[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.

[neytirifanboy]

Originally Posted by Toshowlove

Some people, (like Pastor Mark Driscoll, myself and many others)have encountered the demonic, and may be more sensitive to these things, but I recognized right away when I was watching it that it was clearly demonic.

I really will have to upgrade my own personal demon prince of darkness. Because my own one just isn't hacking it compared to Lesley. I mean Lesley is an expert od demonology by the sound of it. In fact, he/she seems to know more about the Devil than God or Jesus, which I find rather disturbing.

It's amazing how these people all seem to be prefeesional experts on Satan. I bet Satan himself is an amateur copmpared to them. In fact he probably reads their stuff to find out about himself.

Originally Posted by Toshowlove

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.

Oh, my God that is horrific. There are people getting murdered and tortured every day. Yet this person is "frightened, appalled and angry" by a bit of chanting. No she doesn't get angry about the fall of Hometree or even that people get killed in the movie. No, it's the chanting. Get your priorities right!

Originally Posted by Toshowlove

b) When the character, Grace, is about to die, she looks up to the sky and says, " She IS Real". What is refering to the fact that she can see that now that "Eowa" their god/deity (god) is actually real.

c) Also, speaking to their "ancestors" through the tree of souls (since it holds infinite memories, etc), is a form of ancestral worship, rooted in paganism.

Oh, my God. Hide behind the couch or cover your eyes with a pillow. A movie has dared to suggest a different form of religion. What horror.

I am not a christian, but amazingly I do not get frightened, appalled or angry when I see people praying to Jesus on the TV (That's quite nice actually). Although it does upset me a bit when they start to convulse and foam at the mouth when on the stage.

Originally Posted by Toshowlove

HOW DO YOU KNOW A MOVIE IS DEMONIC? Most movies, are difficult to distinguish. Some are straight up demonic, just by the content.
However, if a movie glorifies SIN(sexual immorality, jealousy,violence, revenge, hatred, gossip, slander, murder, deception, lies, adultery, impurity) and makes it look ok or makes excuses for it and glorifies human righteousness" and subtly demeans godliness, we know that it is clearly demonic.
A movie that exposes sin for what it is, are good movies. A movie that DISGUISES sin, and makes it look "fine", appropriate etc. is demonic.

Er, you mean like the old testament.

Originally Posted by Toshowlove

[SATAN MAKES HIMSELF LOOK LIKE AN ANGEL OF LIGHT (2 Corinthians 11:14

Er, you mean like a Pastor.

[Woodsprite]

Originally Posted by neytirifanboy

I really will have to upgrade my own personal demon prince of darkness. Because my own one just isn't hacking it compared to Lesley. I mean Lesley is an expert od demonology by the sound of it. In fact, he/she seems to know more about the Devil than God or Jesus, which I find rather disturbing.

It's amazing how these people all seem to be prefeesional experts on Satan. I bet Satan himself is an amateur copmpared to them. In fact he probably reads their stuff to find out about himself.

Oh, my God that is horrific. There are people getting murdered and tortured every day. Yet this person is "frightened, appalled and angry" by a bit of chanting. No she doesn't get angry about the fall of Hometree or even that people get killed in the movie. No, it's the chanting. Get your priorities right!

Oh, my God. Hide behind the couch or cover your eyes with a pillow. A movie has dared to suggest a different form of religion. What horror.

I am not a christian, but amazingly I do not get frightened, appalled or angry when I see people praying to Jesus on the TV (That's quite nice actually). Although it does upset me a bit when they start to convulse and foam at the mouth when on the stage.

Er, you mean like the old testament.

Er, you mean like a Pastor.

[Txantsulsam Fyawintxu]

Originally Posted by Woodsprite

Omg... I just HAD to laugh at this one! LOL! I literally started cracking up when I saw this photo! XD Good work! Lmao

Originally Posted by Stanley_9875

exactly... the Na'vi didn't even know what lying was, Grace told them what it was! This movie didn't promote any of that!

And the very fact that the Na'vi didn't have a word for lying represents

how they handle everything in perfect synchrony and perfect harmony.

[Fkeu'itan]

Heh, I didn't notice this bit before for some reason...

However, if a movie glorifies SIN(sexual immorality, jealousy,violence, revenge, hatred, gossip, slander, murder, deception, lies, adultery, impurity) and makes it look ok or makes excuses for it and glorifies human righteousness" and subtly demeans godliness, we know that it is clearly demonic.

Y'know... Exactly the things that Avatar doesn't stand for.

[Stanley_9875]

Originally Posted by Fkeu'itan

Heh, I didn't notice this bit before for some reason...

Y'know... Exactly the things that Avatar doesn't stand for.

exactly... the Na'vi didn't even know what lying was, Grace told them what it was! This movie didn't promote any of that!

Also I didn't funny read the e-mail... I had to stop I couldn't read anymore but I had to comment on this.

[madman]

This guy spouts of some real absurdities that's for sure

[rapunzel77]

WHIMPER! "Rapunzel puts her head down, shakes it with hand on face"

Why? Could guys like this stop talking for the rest of Christians??? Seriously??

There are so many things wrong with this e-mail I don't know where to begin.

Geesh....frightened by intercession and prayer for a dying woman???? Frightened by hearing the voices of the ancestors??? What???

Argh.....there are so many people like this sadly and they give Christians a bad name both Catholics and protestants. I'm a very traditional, devout Catholic who takes her faith seriously but I also love Avatar. I love mythology, sci-fi, and fantasy too. I have no problem with it and I am certainly not "frightened."

I also question weather or not this guy has actually had any dealings with the "devil." He seems ignorant, sadly.

[neytirifanboy]

Originally Posted by rapunzel77

Argh.....there are so many people like this sadly and they give Christians a bad name both Catholics and protestants. I'm a very traditional, devout Catholic who takes her faith seriously but I also love Avatar. I love mythology, sci-fi, and fantasy too. I have no problem with it and I am certainly not "frightened."

It doesn't give Christians a bad name in my view because "Lesley" does not represent a typical Christian

[rapunzel77]

Originally Posted by neytirifanboy

It doesn't give Christians a bad name in my view because "Lesley" does not represent a typical Christian

I understand what you are saying but sadly it is guys like this Lesley and others who end up giving the impression to many people that all Christians are this way. Combine this with the rantings of Pat Robertson and other loudmouths and you have a lot of people in society thinking that Christians are always complaining about something or they are always upset with stuff, etc.

I agree that he definitely doesn't represent the typical Christian although it can give a false impression to others who might not be around Christians very often.

[madman]

what makes these quaks even crazier is that they beleive they are everything a Christian should be.

[rapunzel77]

Originally Posted by madman

what makes these quaks even crazier is that they beleive they are everything a Christian should be.

I know . Its embarrassing at times.

[Toshowlove]

What i DONT understand is how the pastor blatanly disregarded the aspect of Eywa. That is like a god, and they put their trust in him to pull them through... how is that not paralell to "god"? How is that DEMONIC!? i mean i understand the chanting, but its just a different way to pray... praying is praying...

Ugh it really did bother me, obviously this pastor was a pessimist and picked out the negative thigns. You can very much see god in avatar if you are TRULY a christian...

Its a load of bollocks, i'm glad others see that too!

Originally Posted by Boomachucka

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.

I totally totally agree. And according to them, only god can judge... but LOW AND BEHOLD what are you doing judging other religions? Does got not love all people?

When christians become nazi's of "follow god, or dayum girl you gon' die" it puts me RIGHT off religion. I'm all for religion being a very practical part of peoples lives and i realize that to some people it is the glue that keeps them together, but DON't taint a beautiful movie by giving people expectations.

MY friend was SCARED to watch avatar, thinking he would be satanic. THAT is a problem. Absolutely ludacris.

I'm passionate enough to have a convo with a hardcore christian about it, but i'm far too nice to really get in their face about it unless it was this pastor lady. she needs to get off her high horse... RRrrrr.

[Wanderling]

Originally Posted by Toshowlove

I totally totally agree. And according to them, only god can judge... but LOW AND BEHOLD what are you doing judging other religions? Does got not love all people?

I feel the same way, and as a Christian myself, it drives me crazy! I actually really and truly believe I'm not the one to be judging anyone. It's one of the big reasons I don't attend church. I serve my faith in a way that seems best to me, but I just can't be a part of a group that will judge others while preaching that we shouldn't be judging others.

Originally Posted by Buoyant Rock

To each his own though, and I only wish people stop thinking like this. Embrace differences in life, and enjoy the company around you. Life is too short to spend wasting in arguments.

Please don't look poorly on me for how I feel, for I will not look poorly on your ideals

I agree with everything you said, and these last two paragraphs were just perfect. I feel just the same way.

Originally Posted by Apollo

The greatest pastor on this earth is yourself. You are a mortal god.

I took this to mean that we have the answers already within ourselves as to what is right and what is wrong, and we have a responsibility to pay attention to that.