Deacon Dan Wright

Media Reports Avatar Opposed by Church, Political Right

It's only been a couple days since I did my post on "Peace and Ecology."  In it I added my take on the film "Avatar."   Since then I’ve found ample stories on the Vatican and the political right being critical of the film.  I suppose my comments were timely.  It bothers me a little though that the media seems to be trying to portray the Vatican as being narrow-minded.  If anything the pope’s New Year’s address on peacemaking through protecting the environment should prove otherwise.   

Concerning “Avatar” I mentioned briefly in a paragraph what stood out to me in relation to my overall post, and really I'm no film critic but several things appeared clear to me. In my view of the film I mentioned that it seemed to convey a message of opposition to exploitation, though it’s not developed well.  The film also clearly has an underlying philosophy of pantheism and neo-paganism, which are not compatible with Christianity. Add to that the portrayal of the worst militaristic and capitalistic stereotypes imaginable, which are abundant and not easy to find likeable, and you end up with an overall poor view of humanity.  I'll repeat what I actually said, though if you scroll down the page to the January 11 post you can read it in context:

…as a society we tend to listen closely to what film and other media presents.  Undoubtedly "Avatar" expresses a strong theme of respect for nature, but it also has a strong underlying theme of pantheism and neo-paganism based on nature worship.  While I believe the film presents a good message on the importance of being opposed to environmental exploitation, it unfortunately plays too heavily on militaristic stereotypes, demonizes humanity, and is rather pessimistic concerning the future of the human race overall.  In the end it comes off as little more than an epic sci-fi tale of cowboys and Indians.

Now, I must add that I actually enjoyed the movie quite a bit.  In terms of exciting action it had me hanging on the edge of my seat for better than two thirds of the film.  However, I agree with much of what I've read about a lack of depth, though depth is not what gets movie goers out.  We live in a world where depth more often confuses people and they would rather get the simple version.  Frankly, film provides an excellent escape.  It has value often just in its ability to entertain and offer a momentary step back from the events of the week.

So “Avatar” doesn’t disappoint.  It has entertainment value.  It also expresses a simplistic view, one that has roused strong sentiment on both the political left and the right.  I find it interesting that those who can have their political feathers ruffled on either side don't actually need a lot of depth to get them going.  Rather, they seem to thrive on the more shallow expressions of real issues and the accompanying implications.  

I would have personally preferred that the film went into greater depth in making an anti-war message clear.  It could have done better to explore the real need for true environmental activism. It could have better explored the detrimental effects of unchecked capitalism.  It might have even gotten into a deeper exploration of the existential dilemmas of the characters.  However, it only had three hours for all of this and in some ways it did a good job of at least touching on these subjects. 

I found it interesting that the folks at beliefnet.com seem to be not too concerned with the heterodox challenges of pantheism or neo-paganism, rather they seem to feel that the obvious fictions of the science fiction presents a bigger challenge:

But while it's a given that the media outlets of the Catholic Church will, and should, take a particular theological stance on any bit of pop culture that may get reviewed in their pages or on their airwaves, I can't help but think, "Really? Neo-pagan nature worship is a real sticking point here?" What about the fact that human bodies no longer hold special significance, that human consciousness can be transferred into genetically-crafted empty vessels, Na'vi avatars, manufactured through a means of asexual, gene-manipulated reproduction, "matured" on a spacecraft and then decanted? And that's just one example. To worry about pantheism, and that a 3-D movie might inspire a little too much tree-hugging, just seems so antiquated, so very early Church, especially in a world full of poverty, war, and challenging scientific questions.

Actually, when it comes to a world of poverty, war, and challenging scientific questions, I don’t believe the Catholic Church has been silent. Clearly the Church has great concern with such issues and does so in a way that transcends the polemics of political ideology.

On Peace and Ecology

Last week in Thursday’s post I mentioned that I would like to return to comment on certain sections of the pope’s message for the celebration of the World Day of Peace.  Therefore, today I want to begin by taking a closer look at the document.  However, more than just providing my commentary on an already well-expressed message, what I would like to offer is concrete direction on how we might work to make a difference as well as just to reflect on the subject with greater depth.

The first thing I’d like to do is direct you to the website of the Catholic Climate Covenant.  On it you’ll find additional information and ways to promote and be involved in peacemaking through environmental awareness and protection.  In investigating and promoting such efforts we are following through with informing ourselves in “ecological awareness,” which “needs to be helped to develop and mature, and find fitting expression in concrete programs and initiatives.” (See section 3 of the World Day of Peace message)

In order to better understand the need to protect the environment I often turn to my own personal experience and apply it to reason.  It makes good sense to be pro-environment, but we who hold this may have come to it from different backgrounds and for different reasons.  My experience of ecology has long been one that includes the understanding that nature is sacred.  I believe that my realization of this fact first came about at a time in my life when I began to understand and acknowledge the hand of God in all things—it came about through my experience of conversion.

As a young man growing up in east Texas I had ample opportunities to experience the power and awe of nature first hand.  I saw it as the work of God and I understood nature as a way in which God was communicating with me.  There was a connection made that I have never lost.  In the years to come I began better to understand the role of human beings as stewards of the environment.  The link that has always been clear to me is that of our having a shared responsibility for future generations.  This, of course, is what the pope means when he speaks of intergenerational solidarity. (See section 8)

It is my strong conviction that I should live in such a way that respects all living things to the highest degree possible.  I see in all created things a connection and interdependency that demands respect and greater understanding.  Furthermore, I truly do believe that respect for creation is the foundation of bringing peace to the world.

An important point to keep in mind, which is expressed in the pope’s message, is that being concerned with protecting creation, and thus bringing about peace through it, does not mean putting the environment—ideologically—above the human person.  To be an environmentalist does not necessarily entail a philosophical position of ecocentrism or biocentrism, which would make the claim that nature in itself is the highest good while ignoring the centrality of humanity as God’s creation.  Nor does it mean embracing pantheism, or even a form of neo-paganism which makes a god of nature and refuses to address the issues of planetary ecology from the viewpoint of true reason. 

I reflect on this keeping in mind that I just saw the movie Avatar this weekend, which I immensely enjoyed watching in 3-D.  What Avatar has to do with my reflection today is that as a society we tend to listen closely to what film and other media presents.  Undoubtedly Avatar expresses a strong theme of respect for nature, but it also has a strong underlying theme of pantheism and neo-paganism based on nature worship.  While I believe the film presents a good message on the importance of being opposed to environmental exploitation, it unfortunately plays too heavily on militaristic stereotypes, demonizes humanity, and is rather pessimistic concerning the future of the human race overall.  In the end it comes off as little more than an epic sci-fi tale of cowboys and Indians.

On more than one occasion in the pope’s message on the World Day of Peace he calls for sober lifestyles in response to the need to show greater respect for the environment.  This is something that all of us can consider.  I believe that we must also take on strong convictions that support legislation in favor of both protecting natural resources and making resources such as water and clean energy available to developing nations.  In our ecological sentiment we must move beyond ideas that are merely fantasy, such as those presented in science fiction, or even the unrealistic or seemingly romantic ideals associated with ecological efforts.  In multiple ways the survival of humanity depends on our ability to convince the world to stop destroying the air, water, climate and other resources on which life depends. In other words we have to get real, which I believe also means abandoning any pet political ideologies that are opposed to environmentalism or that deny the real existence of ecological issues such as planetary warming.

The pope goes on to say (in section 11) that concern for the environment calls for a global vision that moves beyond nationalistic interests.  Indeed this is where true peace lies.  We truly move toward obtaining the ideal of world peace when we are able to put the interests and well being of the whole world ahead of nationalistic and self-interested motives.  A global vision is also a vision of a world in which there is a renewed earth and a human society that has learned to protect its greatest gift, a gift that is the handiwork of the Creator, a gift that we were given to be its responsible stewards.

At a later date I’ll be back with more discussion on the World Day of Peace message, until then I want to offer the following suggestions, which are provided by the USCCB website and may be downloaded in pdf format for bulletin inserts:

5 Ways You Can Cultivate Peace by Protecting Creation

 • Learn more about how climate change is related to global poverty at the

Catholics Confront Global Poverty Web site: http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/globalpoverty/ 

• Take the St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor at the Catholic Climate Covenant

Web site: http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/

• Take action to ensure that climate change policies protect poor and vulnerable people, and sign up to receive the most recent legislative updates/action alerts at http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/takeaction.shtml

• Join with family, friends, or fellow parishioners to pray for solutions that care for creation and care for the poor!  Access USCCB prayer resources at http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/ejp/climate/

Jesus Through Iranian Eyes

"In the award-winning movie, "The Messiah," Jesus is depicted as not being the son of God, and not crucified."

It was a little surprising to learn that an Iranian filmmaker had chosen to make a film about Jesus.  However, the fact of the view expressed in the movie as being far from orthodox came as no real surprise. 

Even before ever learning about the understanding of Jesus in Islam, it was evident to me for some time that Islam had acquired a heterodox version of Christianity.

The film was reported on by ABC news:

A new movie in Iran depicts the life of Jesus from an Islamic perspective. "The Messiah," which some consider as Iran's answer to Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ," won an award at Rome's Religion Today Film Festival for generating interfaith dialogue.

Filmmaker Nader Talebzadeh spoke to ABC's Lara Setrakian in Tehran:

"Many thought this film is a good step for serious inter-religious dialogue. Many of them liked it — seeing the Koran-based ending. And I was very happy that the practicing Christians were very happy with the film. I have never found one case among practicing Christians who are offended [by the movie].

American Christians, I respect them very much. I think these Christians, the born-again Christians, especially, are a very interesting group that Iran is not aware of, because a whole generation of Iranians haven't been able to travel to America. And those who do move to America, stay in America. So, how to create serious communication, not at the political, but at the religious level? I thought this would be a shortcut."

Source

So, is the movie a tool for dialogue, or is more an attempt to spread the message of Islam?  It appears to me that a Muslim movie about Jesus might be a bridge for Islam into the west, though perhaps more for Europe--where the rise of secularism has displaced Christianity--than America.

Evangelization Hollywood Style

I suppose that seeing is believing, at least this appears to be part of the rationale and timing for an upcoming December release:

(The Catholic Register) – The latest film in Hollywood’s fascination with Christ is about to hit the theatres. “The Nativity Story” will be released in early December just in time for the Christmas season.

Alliance Atlantis and New Line Cinema, which produced “The Lord of the Rings,” have teamed up with the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) to promote the film. Canadian church leaders were invited to preview the film at private screenings across the country in late October and early November.

While nobody approached Canada’s Catholic bishops to promote the film, several Catholics have been invited to the EFC prescreening events.

Archbishop James Weisgerber of Winnipeg, the only Canadian bishop who had viewed the film as of last week, said he will not be promoting the film in any official way in his archdiocese.

But, Archbishop Weisgerber said, the film itself is delightful.

And here I was thinking all I had to look forward to was Charlotte's Web!

Get the whole story here

Going to the Movies?

If you are like me chances are that you're more likely to stay at home and rent a movie to watch after the kids have gone to sleep than to go out and spend better than $50 at a theater.  However, I've found that it's always a dilemma to decide what to pick--after all, you want to get your $3.50 worth. To help out, I found a handy little tool available from the bishops:

Click here

Often a quiet night at home with a good movie is just what's needed at the end of a long week.  It's not that I'm planning on staying in.  Quiet the contrary, there's something to hoot about happening at my kids' Catholic school tonight.  But afterward, when the little ones have turned in, there are several great suggestions for a Friday night movie that get the mark of approval in a year-by-year top ten list.