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Review of 'AVATAR' Movie: A Christian Perspective

Avatar MovieThe late 2009 big buzz in movies is a scifi action film called AVATAR.  The plot is the classic big guy against the little guy, underdog theme.  It is reminiscent of how Native Americans are portrayed as being victims of European expansionism.  An "avatar" is a character controlled by another person, much like any video game you might play -- the character you control is an avatar.  It follows your commands, but when you stop telling it what to do, it does nothing.  In the movie, scientists are controlling hybrid human-alien avatars in an attempt to gain the trust of the indigenous population of a planet called Pandora (alluding to Greek mythology of Pandora, the first woman, and the tale of a box that once opened let's out events that cannot be contained).  But there is also a military and corporate element that is attempting to mine resources from the planet, ironically from the main home site of the indigenous population.

Once you get past the not so nuanced play against the capitalistic mindset, the movie is really a remarkable feat. You have seen movies where the computer generated characters are a bit wobbly and fake looking, but this movie almost has it down to a believable point.  As a matter of fact, since the alien race is supposed to be much like the Native Americans, expect to see some implied nudity.

Now, I know there has been and will be some controversy over the apparent promotion of paganism, as the alien race is very religious or "spiritual" in an evironmentalist way -- but again, if we were recounting the history and culture of the Native Americans, to leave out this aspect would not be framing the entire story.  However, I have noticed something interesting in space-based scifi flicks and tv shows -- humanity seems to never really believe anything.  Are humans to be thought of as having no faith?  I mean, society has been for centuries trying to downplay if not altogether expunge religion and especially Christianity from the human record.  Yet, we see movies and tv shows that fault humanity for being disconnected from "spirituality".  The true history of humanity, especially Europeans is that of a people so connected to a spiritual sense, that it permeated everything.  But for centuries, the elites in societies have shunned that spiritual sense and promoted instead a cold, calculated "scientific" approach.  I just find it a bit ironic if not hypocritical that those same elites are now faulting humanity for not being a spiritual race.

Past all of that, the movie in my opinion ranks as one of the best scifi action movies.  And I suspect AVATAR is really the first of a new kind of film where computer generated characters and scenes will dominate.  I even suspect in the near future, live actors will give way to computer generated actors.  Let's see the paparazzi chase that.

SEE TRAILER OF AVATAR:

 

SEE BEHIND THE SCENES:

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these were strong christian

these were strong christian beliefe eywa is a lot like Yahweh the god of abraham isaac and jacob. they quote the bible say eywa will provide instead of god will provide they also follow the christian belief in one marriage. when they died they joined eywa the world was god because there god created it so i dont believ it was pantheism at all

Avatar - A Demonic Movie

I saw the movie today with my wife, 12 year old son and his 12 year old friend.

This was the first time I had been to see a movie in 5 years.

We ended up actually walking out of the cinema.

I was totally disgusted by the constant cursing of God and the taking of Jesus' name in vain.

Have
you ever noticed that American movies always find a way to blaspheme
Jesus's name and to damn God? (Molly Noble Bull, I fully support your
question.)

I had to explain to my son why we walked out of the movies.

There were also many demonic and blasphemous themes in the movie.

When
the white lillies descended on the main character's avatar, this was a
mockery of the baptism of Jesus when the Holy Spirit in the form of a
dove descended on him.

The animals in the movie were all demonic.

There
was a reference to "vampirism" when the mother stuck her knife into the
chest of the main character and then sucked his blood from the knife.

I could go on and on but you get the point.

The technology was really good and that is the only good thing I can say about Avatar.

Francis - Trinidad & Tobago

they are creatures made by Eywa(God in the movie)

Eywa is the name that represented God in the movie Avatar. If Eywa is the one that made them all, then we should respect that. Think of it like this, just try. I'm not forcing my beliefs on anyone, but if this will convince you, then that would be ok. Okay, think of it as this, if you were in the movie, and is one of the Na'vis, then you would still pray over the creatures that died, right? Because even if they looked like demons, (the design was so beautiful, in my opinion. I'm a fantasy fan) God (Eywa, in the movie) was still the one who made them. And according to the bible, we should respect every single living thing, that's why we shall not kill. That's all thank you. (I don't mean to offend anyone.)

Avatar -- do you see demons EVERYWHERE?

I suppose I am not shocked by the response on this site to the movie Avatar. It never ceases to amaze me that, if a work of art (such as this movie) portrays another spiritual belief system, it is branded as demonic by Christians. That simply reflects fear. 

In my opinion, a movie of this type was long overdue. It was good to finally see an "in your face" assault on amoral capitalism and militarism at its worse. Don't misunderstand me: capitalism on a small scale is fine and basically harmless. When huge corporations are involved, however, they don't care about anyone, including those who defend them. As for the military, there is an obvious need for them as well. But aggressive action against peaceful populations is NEVER right, and Christianity should teach that.
As for the poster who pulled his son and friend out of the movie, as a parent of 3 children I would caution you: you are building resentment and anger in your children and hopefully this will cause them, when they are grown and free, to question such dogmatic and prejudiced approaches to life. It will probably have a good effect on him in the long run and perhaps he will not be as stubbornly attached to a belief system that forces worship.

Avatar review - demons everywhere

Hello Joseph,
Thanks for commenting.  I think you'd agree that the initial review was even handed.  I never assumed anything nefarious about the movie except that it has the tinge of typical capitalism bashing, environmentalism and all around liberalism -- however, the irony is that Hollywood and the production of such movies is ALSO "big corp".

The real problem that you point out is not a little capitalism compared to a lot of capitalism -- the real problem would be CORRUPTION.  Capitalism, free, open society can become corrupt, but unlike a closed, despotic society a capitalistic society allows for people to oppose corruption usually without bloodshed.

You mention what you think Christianity SHOULD teach.  Christianity isn't something that can be imposed upon.  It is a static system with dynamic expression -- that is, we ought not read our "morals" back into Christianity.  For instance, Jesus didn't really care about the political oppression going on in His day.  The Jews were looking for a Messiah to come and overthrow the Romans -- Jesus had other plans.  Nor does Christianity urge social upheaval -- read these verses for example, 1 Cor 7:20-24.  Jesus was a revolutionary but He was not a wanton, hippie-like rebel ready to uproot everything.

Lastly, as for the parent that removed their children from the movie -- well, they don't tell us the full conversation they had with their children.  Where does their right to raise their children end and other people's right to intrude on that right begin?  Some secularists don't want to allow home-schooling.  Some secularists would forbid a parent from even teaching their children about their religion, as if they should just let the child grow up and "choose for themselves".  This makes no sense, since ALL ethics and morals, character and conduct in which we instruct our children could come under this intrusion -- even the secularists teach their children some form of ethics, morals, character and conduct.  It is just that the secularists really has no basis for any of that except an arbitrary notion of "good" which can change definitions at a drop of a hat.

Anyhow, yes ultimately it was just a movie.  I am more concerned with people led away by their own lusts/desires/thoughts/ideas then by some boogiemen demons or devil tempting them. James 1:4

Thanks again for the comments.

I'm glad you took your son out

Francis, I'm really glad you took your son, who would have a very impressionable mind out of the cinema, he may not have liked what you did, but what you've done will stay with him 'til he gets old. Be consistent in your decisions, and what you view (especially what u watch in his presence) or it will crumble the foundation you've established. Avatar, & most movies today, has so many hidden schemes that many wont detect. But kudos to you my friend. Stay strong, Peace!

The hidden Agenda - Romans 1

My husband and I just saw the movie last night and got into an argument both last night and this morning regarding the hidden agenda that I see in the movie Avatar. On the surface the movie seems great but when you really dissect the movie from a biblical perspective, you have the worship of nature rather than the worship of the true God. There is an agenda not just in Hollywood to push for saving the earth. The bible is very clear that God will destroy this earth and creat a new one. Now, I am not for just wrecklessly destroying the earth but why is it that you can get fined for chopping down x tree or destroying the habitat of the bald eagle or the x whale but millions of unborn babies lose their lives and nothing is done about it. Open your eyes Christian and see the agenda, the deception of Satan. You may think that a harmless movie has nothing to do with what I am saying but it does. Don't be lulled to sleep. Satan has his agenda and he will use any means necessary to get that across. There is no such thing as Mother Earth. Don't get your priorites twisted. We are not called to save the earth but to make disciples and preach the Good news. This earth will be destroyed. Let's make our mission to save souls rather than the inidgenious plants or animals. Yes we have been given a responsibility by God to be stewards over the earth but don't let your affections get too caught up with the earth. God cares moere about souls than trees or animals. He sent his son Jesus Christ to die for you not them. Just remember that. I am not condemning you if you enjoyed the movie but just be aware of the hidden agenda because it's there rather you realize it or not. God bless.

I agree with you

The closer Jesus second coming approaches the more all demons use strategies to have people blind and be shaped by them instead of Christ. I reject this movie as I reject Da Vinci Code, Harry Potter, the book The Shack. All these trash go to the right place with their followers. The door right door is narrow. May God give to his chosen people discerniment and they can be able to avoid the evil.

I agree with you also

Celita, when i read your response I totally agreed to what you said. In a time when evil is high, when the things we may take for granted, or things that we think are clean, pure or just 'normal' are in fact an unbearable stench in the nostrils of our God. & it is these times when our Helper (Holy Spirit) that Jesus Christ left for us should be ever so present in our lives. For He gives us discernment.
I have had experiences... experiences that I thank God He allowed to happen, for I would not have changed. Where demons have entered my being and tormented me constantly at night, & the sources were music & watching movies. I know I've strayed a bit from the topic but I had to bring it to the thousands of readers on this site. I could remember clearly when I 1st saw someone kill another person on a video clip, now where I'm from at that time you wouldn't hear about or see those things. & I felt so upset that I wanted to throw up. But as time progressed, & I kept seeing the same thing over and over, eventually it was normal to see, then it turned into a craving, that if a movie didn't have blood, I didn't want to see it. & that's what has happened, the devil has used the tool of media to desensitize us to sin. Though I've used a harsh analogy of killing, there are other underlined sins that we think is Okay (e.g. unmarried couples kissing) these things we can no longer detect, in movies, and equally in our daily lifestyles. But thanks to God's Grace, God's Word, the Cleansing Blood of Jesus, & our Helper, we can tap into the eyesight of our Creator & do His Will. We are in the last days, and inevitably things will keep getting worse until the end which has to be shortened because no1 will survive. The gate to destruction is oh so wide.. But that to eternal life is narrow.. Many may disagree to what I've just wrote, but the ways of God are nonsense to carnal men.
Avatar is a definite no no in my view. I use this measure, if I can say "Hi Jesus, lets sit down together and watch a movie with killing, violence, witchcraft and all the other things you are against" then I'll watch it! But you know whats the sad thing? God is always with us when we sit to watch the movies, & we grieve Him time and time again. I hope this has opened at least one person's eyes... God blessings.

Animals \ Nature

We are to be caretaker's to the earth...  Don't pull the "Satan" card stating that naturist claims are only a distraction.  There are many injustices in the world.  Many problems concerning all types of life...

Stick to the 10 commandments. 
1.) 1 god.
2.) No idols.
3.) No name is vane.  (Do not curse God or his will)
4.) Remember sabbath.
5.) No murder... (Yes this includes killing muslims despite popular belief - can't save\convert a dead man\woman)
6.) Be faithful to Husband\Wife.
7.) Honor your parents.
8.) Don't steal. 
9.) No false witness.
10.) No jealousy.

 

In Genesis 1 we find the creation of all things. It is here that we see God establishing the relationship between man and animal. In verse 28 God gives to man authority over all that was created on earth. Man is to take care of and use the earth. Man is to have the authority over all that was created. This means that man is to assume the control and protection of all that God had created. We must be careful in this role. Many are for protecting every animal no matter the cost both to mankind and to the animals.  So we need to protect the earth and its animals so as to not hurt ourselves, or the animals and earth. 

Very fine line between what's right and wrong in god's eyes. 

 

Remember do and think as Jesus would to the best of your abilities.  What would Jesus think about Avatar? 

I think he would focus on the positive messages and look gracefully past its shortcomings. 

Jesus and Environmentalism

Joshua,
Thanks for the comments and the reminder about the 10 commandments, though Jesus expanded that the 10 commandments are actually just to show that people CAN'T actually be "good" on their own -- since no one has EVER kept all of the commandments.  However, what I would be more interested in, is verses where Jesus talks about animals and the environment in general, especially since as you challenged us, "What would Jesus think about the movie?".  The only way I could know is to read what Jesus thought about concern for animals and environmentalists issues.  Could you point out some verses please?  Thanks

Avatar Observations

Setfree, your observations about the movie are on the mark.  However, even blantant paganism can be used as a ice-breaker to share the Gospel.  Unfortunately, most "Jesus movies" depict Jesus as some sort of 1st-century hippie just going around spouting out of context sayings and being sugarly-sweet all the time.  It is no wonder many people can't seem to contect with Jesus because most of the time He is portrayed falsely.  The Avatar movie can be used to talk about the God of humanity (not aliens), which is revealed in the Bible.  Romans 1:20 and Acts 17:16-34 are good starter verses.  Thanks for the comments.