Comments on: AVATAR, the Vatican, and Neo-Paganism http://www.altfg.com/blog/politics/avatar-pagan-pope-vatican-controversy-456/ The Oscars, film awards, new releases, Los Angeles screenings, movie classics, gay movies, film festivals, box office, foreign and independent films Thu, 24 May 2012 03:40:48 +0000 hourly 1 By: Jason http://www.altfg.com/blog/politics/avatar-pagan-pope-vatican-controversy-456/#comment-489967 Jason Mon, 10 May 2010 14:01:26 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=20694#comment-489967 I am a devoted Christian and saw parts of this movie while at my parents' house yesterday for Mother's Day. I have to say, I don't understand the controversy over the film. I didn't see any political or religious tones in the film. The blue aliens did have their spiritual rituals, which reminded me of Native Americans. The "bad guys" were some greedy political big wigs and a greedy general. I've seen plenty of movies portraying these types of characters. For all my brothers and sisters in Christ: Avatar is just a movie, not doctrine. If you are swayed by the things portrayed in the movie, I would submit there's some serious prayer needed on your part. To non-believers: I do apologize if any of y'all feel attacked by Christians for your beliefs. Our hope and prayer is that yall would come to Christ, so we can all be in our Father's House together in Heaven one day. We care for y'alls eternal destination and we don't want it to be in hell. Jesus Christ came to save all, and since He has ascended, Christians have been given the task of sharing the Good News of Christ. If y'all haven't done so(or ever done so), I will encourage yall grab a Bible, ask God to open your heart and eyes, read starting in John, and prepare for your life to change! - in Christ, Jason I am a devoted Christian and saw parts of this movie while at my parents’ house yesterday for Mother’s Day. I have to say, I don’t understand the controversy over the film. I didn’t see any political or religious tones in the film. The blue aliens did have their spiritual rituals, which reminded me of Native Americans. The “bad guys” were some greedy political big wigs and a greedy general. I’ve seen plenty of movies portraying these types of characters. For all my brothers and sisters in Christ: Avatar is just a movie, not doctrine. If you are swayed by the things portrayed in the movie, I would submit there’s some serious prayer needed on your part. To non-believers: I do apologize if any of y’all feel attacked by Christians for your beliefs. Our hope and prayer is that yall would come to Christ, so we can all be in our Father’s House together in Heaven one day. We care for y’alls eternal destination and we don’t want it to be in hell. Jesus Christ came to save all, and since He has ascended, Christians have been given the task of sharing the Good News of Christ. If y’all haven’t done so(or ever done so), I will encourage yall grab a Bible, ask God to open your heart and eyes, read starting in John, and prepare for your life to change! – in Christ, Jason

]]> By: Minda http://www.altfg.com/blog/politics/avatar-pagan-pope-vatican-controversy-456/#comment-489241 Minda Tue, 27 Apr 2010 16:15:48 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=20694#comment-489241 I'm surprised the pope would have something negative to say about such a beautiful movie. Why are some Catholics so threatened by the Life Force? Why are so many Christians hateful of other religious beliefs? It's funny to me, when you say "love thy neighbor" and then if your neighbor doesn't believe in heaven, hell, or that man was "created in God's image" it's ok to openly speak out against your neighbor and condemn them for their beliefs. Don't Christians believe that only "God" can pass judgment? If that's true then why do so many Christians pass judgment on others? I'm so glad to finally have a movie that reflects my spiritual beliefs. I only wish Christians would show me and others like me respect and stop trying to condemn me for not believing in what they believe. It seems to me that there is a lot of evil and sickness that goes on within the Catholic and Christian churches as a result of their leaders condemning others and setting that type of example. I’m surprised the pope would have something negative to say about such a beautiful movie. Why are some Catholics so threatened by the Life Force? Why are so many Christians hateful of other religious beliefs? It’s funny to me, when you say “love thy neighbor” and then if your neighbor doesn’t believe in heaven, hell, or that man was “created in God’s image” it’s ok to openly speak out against your neighbor and condemn them for their beliefs. Don’t Christians believe that only “God” can pass judgment? If that’s true then why do so many Christians pass judgment on others? I’m so glad to finally have a movie that reflects my spiritual beliefs. I only wish Christians would show me and others like me respect and stop trying to condemn me for not believing in what they believe. It seems to me that there is a lot of evil and sickness that goes on within the Catholic and Christian churches as a result of their leaders condemning others and setting that type of example.

]]> By: Page Larkin/SF http://www.altfg.com/blog/politics/avatar-pagan-pope-vatican-controversy-456/#comment-486904 Page Larkin/SF Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:57:19 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=20694#comment-486904 James Cameron is a genius - on many levels. Word on the street is that he flew to Rome and worked out a great deal re: the "Papal/Pagan pox on your movie campaign". Win Win for the coffers of Rome and revenues for Avatar. Catholics flocked to Avatar and ticket sales soared and we loved the movie. Amen. James Cameron is a genius – on many levels. Word on the street is that he flew to Rome and worked out a great deal re: the “Papal/Pagan pox on your movie campaign”. Win Win for the coffers of Rome and revenues for Avatar.
Catholics flocked to Avatar and ticket sales soared
and we loved the movie.
Amen.

]]> By: Linda http://www.altfg.com/blog/politics/avatar-pagan-pope-vatican-controversy-456/#comment-486067 Linda Sun, 24 Jan 2010 08:39:17 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=20694#comment-486067 I worked for HALLIBURTON in Iraq, and honestly, I saw more politics in the movie, than religion overtones, and I'm a pagan! I don't know a single pagan who WORSHIPS anything. If you believe that we are all inter-connected, then why would you worship anything? You accept it, nurture it, heal it, and allow it to die and be reabsored for the good of all. So what is the Pope afraid of? Losing POWER. Halliburton/Pope. . . .hmmmm I see the similarity. I worked for HALLIBURTON in Iraq, and honestly, I saw more politics in the movie, than religion overtones, and I’m a pagan! I don’t know a single pagan who WORSHIPS anything. If you believe that we are all inter-connected, then why would you worship anything? You accept it, nurture it, heal it, and allow it to die and be reabsored for the good of all. So what is the Pope afraid of? Losing POWER. Halliburton/Pope. . . .hmmmm I see the similarity.

]]> By: Heather J http://www.altfg.com/blog/politics/avatar-pagan-pope-vatican-controversy-456/#comment-485811 Heather J Sat, 16 Jan 2010 14:22:06 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=20694#comment-485811 I am far from religious, in fact some of my friends have called me the atheist of the group. But if a movie is made weather it be about Christian's or Pagen's or in-between...Who cares? I mean come on. If a movie was made and the Pagen's thought it was to "Pro-church" they wouldn't go on about it! This is stupid. The Da Vinci code and Angles and Demons both happen to be great movies and I hear this one is to but why can't the Pope just understand that no matter how hard he tries he will never be able to stop Pagen beliefs, because to me that is what it looks like he's trying to do. I don't have a religion because I do not believe in a higher power but that we make our own choices. I hope I have not offended any one because that was not my intention. Has any Catholic here seen any of the three movies mentioned and found them offensive? Angels and Demons to me was a great movie to me because of the Science, not the Anti-religion. Another book that the Vatican would not like is the His Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman. I am hoping to see Avatar and if there are pagen views I will be sure to inform you as to my views. Heather I am far from religious, in fact some of my friends have called me the atheist of the group. But if a movie is made weather it be about Christian’s or Pagen’s or in-between…Who cares? I mean come on. If a movie was made and the Pagen’s thought it was to “Pro-church” they wouldn’t go on about it! This is stupid. The Da Vinci code and Angles and Demons both happen to be great movies and I hear this one is to but why can’t the Pope just understand that no matter how hard he tries he will never be able to stop Pagen beliefs, because to me that is what it looks like he’s trying to do. I don’t have a religion because I do not believe in a higher power but that we make our own choices. I hope I have not offended any one because that was not my intention. Has any Catholic here seen any of the three movies mentioned and found them offensive? Angels and Demons to me was a great movie to me because of the Science, not the Anti-religion. Another book that the Vatican would not like is the His Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman. I am hoping to see Avatar and if there are pagen views I will be sure to inform you as to my views.

Heather

]]> By: Cameron http://www.altfg.com/blog/politics/avatar-pagan-pope-vatican-controversy-456/#comment-485766 Cameron Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:59:01 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=20694#comment-485766 Graham, This needs not turn into a religion bash of any sorts. And if they really have become irrelevant how come so many people call themselves Christians? Further more your assertion sums up our arguments and irrational and pointless. Does the Catholic Church have a point in what it said absolutely. But the conclusion they drew from the movie I feel is incorrect or taken to much on face value. If the Church, spirituality didn't matter nobody would posted anything on this blog. I guess what I am really asking is what exactly do you really mean? Cam Graham,

This needs not turn into a religion bash of any sorts. And if they really have become irrelevant how come so many people call themselves Christians? Further more your assertion sums up our arguments and irrational and pointless. Does the Catholic Church have a point in what it said absolutely. But the conclusion they drew from the movie I feel is incorrect or taken to much on face value. If the Church, spirituality didn’t matter nobody would posted anything on this blog. I guess what I am really asking is what exactly do you really mean?

Cam

]]> By: Graham Weir http://www.altfg.com/blog/politics/avatar-pagan-pope-vatican-controversy-456/#comment-485765 Graham Weir Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:31:34 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=20694#comment-485765 Yet another example of why the Catholic Church ( as well as others) have become more or less irrelevant to the majority of the population. The philosophy that ideologies can be maintained forever is well outdated and has been discarded by many who prefer to think for themselves rather than be told by a bunch of old fellas in frocks.. Yet another example of why the Catholic Church ( as well as others) have become more or less irrelevant to the majority of the population. The philosophy that ideologies can be maintained forever is well outdated and has been discarded by many who prefer to think for themselves rather than be told by a bunch of old fellas in frocks..

]]> By: Shelly http://www.altfg.com/blog/politics/avatar-pagan-pope-vatican-controversy-456/#comment-485756 Shelly Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:55:04 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=20694#comment-485756 Hmmm, from a Heathen and historical standpoint, looks like yet another knee-jerk reaction on the church's part when presented with a threat to their power. --"The pope...proclaimed against the dangers of turning nature into a 'new divinity.'"-- First off, Nature was worshiped thousands of years before the church was even thought of. Secondly, it is now known that the early church converted thousands by absorbing the old pagan beliefs of the country-folk over the centuries. In closing, returning to our Ancestral Folkway is a good thing, not something to be feared and admonished. We must find our own way to the Gods and Ancestors and walk tall and proud, not live on our knees to be shepherded like the other sheep. Hmmm, from a Heathen and historical standpoint, looks like yet another knee-jerk reaction on the church’s part when presented with a threat to their power.
–”The pope…proclaimed against the dangers of
turning nature into a ‘new divinity.’”–
First off, Nature was worshiped thousands of years before the church was even thought of. Secondly, it is now known that the early church converted thousands by absorbing the old pagan beliefs of the country-folk over the centuries. In closing, returning to our Ancestral Folkway is a good thing, not something to be feared and admonished. We must find our own way to the Gods and Ancestors and walk tall and proud, not live on our knees to be shepherded like the other sheep.

]]> By: Miriam http://www.altfg.com/blog/politics/avatar-pagan-pope-vatican-controversy-456/#comment-485739 Miriam Thu, 14 Jan 2010 02:19:09 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=20694#comment-485739 Thank you for your view Cameron... I am pagan and I saw pagan symbolism and correlation. You saw your belief and a correlation there. It would be great if everyone can look at someone elses religion and actually "see" that there is more than one way to look at something, that there is not one path and everyone else is wrong. And yes Citana - we should all work together for the good of our planet which would be for the good of us humans. Thank you for your view Cameron… I am pagan and I saw pagan symbolism and correlation. You saw your belief and a correlation there. It would be great if everyone can look at someone elses religion and actually “see” that there is more than one way to look at something, that there is not one path and everyone else is wrong. And yes Citana – we should all work together for the good of our planet which would be for the good of us humans.

]]> By: Burtan Lafleur http://www.altfg.com/blog/politics/avatar-pagan-pope-vatican-controversy-456/#comment-485737 Burtan Lafleur Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:58:21 +0000 http://www.altfg.com/blog/?p=20694#comment-485737 I can understand the points of view from Stephanie and Citana. However, if the Pagan community had raised objections about "Passion of the Christ" or said anything derogatory about it, the Christian community would be up in arms against us. I can understand the points of view from Stephanie and Citana. However, if the Pagan community had raised objections about “Passion of the Christ” or said anything derogatory about it, the Christian community would be up in arms against us.

]]>