Avatar

I have heard some say the film is “anti-American” or against the Iraq war, but I do not think that is the case. The film deals with issues of humanity. The messages in the film were actually very good for me to consider, as the story caused me to view anew the issues of genocide, the massacres of the Native Americans, racism, and cultural snobbery. I did struggle watching the scenes where their naturalistic religion was portrayed, as this is certainly against Scripture, but it is similar to real life in that sense—it caused me to think instead of real cultures where the truth and love of Christ are so needed, and yet we must consider the culture of the people and see them as Christ sees them. It broke my heart to think about what has been done throughout history and is still being done in the name of progress, out of selfish greed, and even in the name of Christ when other peoples and cultures are viewed as being of lesser worth and “barbaric” because of how they live.

I loved the movie. And I’m going to buy it when it comes out on DVD. “Avatar” receives two thumbs up from this viewer.

And then comes what makes or breaks the film for a Christian viewer. The religious aspect of the Na’vi. They believe in (essentially) Mother Earth. This is very close to Native Tribe religion here in the Americas, where the people are connected to everything around them (Mother Earth, trees, plants, certain animals, each other, etc.). Having read a very poignant book by Crying Wind (a member of the Kickapoo tribe who became a Christian), I understand how this religion is supposed to work. But it doesn’t, not truly, for those who believe in it (I would recommend reading Crying Wind’s books). Mother Earth does not exist, and there is no almighty connection to the planet on which we live (because of the sin committed first by Eve, then by Adam, we are severed from a friendly relationship with our planet, the animals who live here, and our fellow man).

I understand James Cameron’s desire to create someplace where everything is in harmony, but that will not happen, at least not until Jesus comes to claim his throne here. Now, I do keep up with current reviews on this film, and I know some see this film as dissing the War on Terror. My sister (who is an older Christian and went with me) discussed the context of the film. We both agreed that it was closer to Neo-Nazism, and that the head ex-military mercenary had characteristics of Hitler. But the clincher was that the trouble stemmed from a greedy corporate man… et, tu Wall Street?

I also felt that this film was a warning, to not let what happened in the 15th and 16th centuries happen again the future, yes, but also to tell people to be good stewards. The Earth IS only beautiful so long as people care about what happens on it, that is a known fact. I have believed this for a while and care, so I was not offended. Overall, I think this film has good morals: be good stewards and don’t let greedy corporations or mercenaries prevent good people from acting. But if you go, view it as I viewed it please: it is still science fiction/fantasy. Think of it like an alternate planet Earth (if Star Trek can do it… ) and then you should be able to enjoy the film, if nothing else than for the CGI. Age recommendations: 18 and up

As far as their connection to their world and the living things around them, well, you’ll see why they need their tails. If only making a connection were so easy for us. That is why I saw nothing offensive Biblically.

The native peoples in this are shown to not wear much in clothing, just loincloths and well placed ornamental feathers. As far as “sexual” content, when the two main characters do get together, it is meant for life, and “not the moment”. What one sees is very brief, no nudity or grabbing. They choose each other, and have to show their worthiness to one another. Everything, and everyone has a place, a part to be, on their world.

The “invaders” are the typical corporate/military who do not have a problem with eliminating the native “humanoids”/species just for a certain mineral. They have no concept of, or a belief of any kind it seems. The money and gains they take are their “god”. They have a belief in their own superiority, as opposed to “fly-bitten tree monkeys”.

There are though, a few who “didn’t sign up” for what the “invaders” are going to do. As a follower of Jesus Christ, it makes more of a “sense” to me to desire, to have a connection in some way with the people around me, as well as the ground I walk on. I would rather believe in something good, connect with what I can, than to not. After all, were it not for God, for Jesus that we do have ground to walk on? Water to drink? Air to breathe?

We go by faith only on what we believe. Not one of us “knows”, we may declare we do, proclaim we do, but, none of us really, really know. Any who have a belief in something bigger than they can see, hear or sense is going by faith. None of us will really know until our death.

An interesting part of the plot is, Sully must be asleep within a chamber in his reality to become awakened as a Na’vi on their planet. When he awakens as a human, his Na’vi counterpart (which is not disabled) is lifeless. Sully sympathizes with the Na’vi and decides he likes their way of life better than being human. It doesn’t hurt that he falls for the female Na’vi through whom he tries to connect with their race. (Sounds a bit like “Dances With Wolves”)

Ultimately he runs out of negotiating time and the military attack and in 3D, we are treated to some of the best mostly air battle sequences on film. From a Christian standpoint, the main problem with the film’s point of view is that the Na’vi worship their tree as their source of life and with what you become a part of after death.

This is where you can teach your children how that is the polar opposite of Christianity. Man was not created by or for the sake of Earth. The Earth was created for man … Gen. 1:26 — “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the Earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the Earth.”

“Avatar” is pure fiction. If you understand that going in, you will be treated to a beautiful introduction to the finally nearly perfected art of 3D in motion pictures. James Cameron has set the bar and it will be pretty difficult to top it.

God has communicated with us many ways—through nature, through the Scripture, through His Son and through the Spirit. We don’t need to find a world where we can plug in, ala the Matrix, in order to commune with God. We can “plug in” by accepting Jesus Christ as our personal savior and then be filled with His Holy Spirit.

Next, I think the movie shows a false view of the skeptical nature of science. The scientist character, Grace Augustine, is open to Eywa, the Na’Vi’s deity, not simply because she respects their culture, but because she believes herself. That’s very uncommon in today’s scientific circles where science tends to mock those of faith. What’s even more strange about her to me is her name. St. Augustine is considered, at least by the Catholic Church, to be the “Doctor of Grace”, so in the movie “Dr. Grace Augustine” is a pretty strong allusion to this great defender of the faith.

I’m not sure why Cameron chose that name, because at first glance, there is nothing distinctly Christian about “Avatar,” in fact, I would say it’s distinctly non-Christian. I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s anti-Christian, because the movie doesn’t bash the Faith, so much as it bashes out-of-control capitalism.

The religious themes are all naturalism and pantheism, so the main scientist’s name, while distinctly Christian, doesn’t fit unless Cameron is trying to get some message across to believers. If anything, that message would be that capitalism, without compassion, is ungodly. If that’s his message, then anyone of faith can agree with that.

All of that being said, if you look deeper, there is Christian message in “Avatar”, although I doubt it is intended. Jake Sully has to be “born again”, as Na’Vi before he starts making decisions that are righteous. When the movie starts, his goal is to help the corporation, via the military, accomplish its goals. By the time he fully commits to the Na’Vi, his goals change to protect and nurture. He has to commit several acts of faith before that transformation occurs, but I won’t spoil what those are.

While some have said they thought the plot was too basic and there wasn’t much development, I think “Avatar” is much deeper than just a good effects movie. Like an onion, once you start peeling back the layers, you might find some very interesting nuggets.

Violence: It’s a story of the local people having their village taken over by a military force that wants natural resources. They fight back. There’s going to be violence. Spears, knives, bullets, bombs. Nothing terribly graphic though. I’d say Violence is pretty light for what PG-13 could’ve been.

Sensuality: Need to realize there’s a lot of “skin” in here, albeit graphically generated. Everything remains covered but think about remote African tribes here: loin cloths, etc. There was also one suggestible scene, I’ll address it below. I’d say this is average for a PG-13 movie. As a movie from the secular world, I had no expectations for Christ-centered ANYTHING in it. And this is the case. Once more: think about remote tribes. They worship the Earth, as does the characters in this movie. They hold the belief that all life is intertwined, trees talk to each other, etc. Not unheard of in remote tribes at all. One plus I saw is this movie did promote the “mate for life”. “Mating” was implied between the two characters, but only after the main character was accepted, they accepted each other, and they became mates for life. Once more, in remote tribes: there’s no walk-down-the-aisle ceremony, either.

Again, visually astounding. The 3D totally immerses you into the movie. I don’t ever remember having such recollection of the movie the next day as I do today, because of that. I would definitely see this film again. Please note it’s PG-13, it’s not a cartoon for kids, and it’s not something for those easily offended. ALL of the above (Being true to how remote tribes’ belief systems usually are, how they dress, act, fight, etc) made this a totally believable movie. The only thing far fetched is the science of the humans (This is a different planet, the humans use tech we aren’t even close to nowadays, and perhaps will never acquire).

The ONLY bad point I could really have against the movie is the length. It’s a long one, once you factor in waiting for the movie to start and whatnot, count on 3 hours.

Yes, this was a fantasy movie, with all kinds of action and twists and turns ~ lots of what we would call “nature worship” and the like. But permit me to turn it around and use it as a “word picture” if you will. When we are born again, we connect with God. We surrender to him. He takes our old body, and His power goes into a brand new one. We become a new creation. I saw glimpses of this throughout the movie.

The world we live in takes so much for granted. We take what we want, no matter whose lives are destroyed in the doing. So long as it “feels” right. That is what happened in the story. One man decides to be different. To take a chance and become one of the community on Pandora. He gives his life—including the chance to walk again in his world—to make a difference—to do the right thing—to be part of the people of their kingdom. Ultimately, he is born the second time—when he gives up the old man and takes on the new man. There, he can walk and run and is restored completely.

Note how his heart changes from the beginning of the story to the end. I gave this movie 4.5 because the language was unnecessary and spoiled it. It did however show the terseness of the sky people and how corrupt they had become. BUT, totally unnecessary all the same.

The tribal people could have worn more clothing. There is a scene where he chooses a woman for his “paired mate” and they entwine in embrace. It is implied that their choosing each other in intimacy, sealed them to each other as a mated pair… as in, there is no wedding in that culture, but the mutual choosing and “mating” as put in the movie, is their form of matrimony. There was nothing explicit, but it was implied. Personally, a kiss and embrace and a scene change would have told the story just as well, without showing the entwining so to speak.

I find that you can take this as a silly movie, or you can dig deeper and see it as your own story. Living in the world and living under the covering of the great YWH, and knowing that we are new creations in Him. The old things have passed away and he has made all things new. This is not a movie for children, and I believe that 13 and above would be okay with it.

I do however, ALWAYS encourage parents to PREVIEW a movie FIRST, before letting kids of any age view it.

The Na’vi do wear very little clothing but its just what you would see from Native Americans or other tribes in the world. I went to the movie with the mindset its just a movie its an escape from reality for 3 hours to just enjoy. If your going to go see it see it in 3D that’s the way to see it. Again I must give James Cameron and crew props for the amazing visual effects and the realism that it looks. The movie of course has no Christian theme to it but still the movie is amazing.

There are no major plot twists but its still a great movie I get bored at movies normally anything much over 2 hours but I was happy sitting there this movie at almost 3 hours. My wife enjoyed it as well. We loved the effects and she normally does not like 3D because it gives her a headache, but she said this movie did not bother her at all and she enjoyed it just as much as I did. This is a great movie and I recommend it.

I would love to see this type of movie making quality on a christian film. That saddens me sometimes that Hollywood can make a visually stunning movie and then great movies like star wars and Star trek but yet Christian companies can not. Final thought. SEE THE MOVE IN 3D. Just enjoy the movie for what it is and forget the mother Earth stuff in it. Sure I would love to see the Na’vi be Jesus Followers but maybe they need to make a movie of someone coming to teach them about Jesus in the next film.

The “nudity” was not nudity. I find it an outdated colonialist view that their tribal wear was offensive. There are many followers of God on other continents who wear their tribal clothing similar to that of the Na’vi. The Na’vi were not immodest. They were reverent of the land, and they were reverent of their bodies. I am also a painter, and the aesthetic of the Na’vi people was striking. If you are hesitant to see this film because of this talk of “nudity”, I suggest you go see it anyway. The body is not ugly, it is something to be celebrated, which is why God made our bodies, and I suppose in this movie’s world, the Na’vi’s bodies, the way that they are.

But even more than all of this, I would urge you to see the film for its relevance to our society today. This entire film is about the love of others and of the Earth. Though God created the Earth and all that is contained within to serve man, Christ also said that we must love, that love is the greatest commandment of all.

It is not difficult to look at this as fiction, as alternate, and it should not be difficult to see God in stories such as these. If you are offended by the imagery and “magical” elements in “Avatar”, then you shouldn’t be watching “Shrek” or any other Disney movie, either. The last time I checked they don’t mention magical genies in the Bible, and yet we allow our children to watch “Aladdin,” do we not?

Yes, they use the Lord’s name in vain and, also, are partially nude, but last I checked, nobody got aroused from it, I wouldn’t have even noticed if I hadn’t read the reviews about the clothing. We are not using the Lord’s name in vain, and paying for the movie is not supporting it. If Jesus paid to go inside of a gathering and people used God’s name in vain would Jesus be supporting it? No! I feel strongly that if the enemy has his nose in what God is doing in us, we should have our noses in what he is doing and use it against him. Use this movie to glorify God, not Satan.

There are very godly actors and actresses who were a part of this movie. It is what you make of it, and I choose to give God credit and worship. Thank you God for giving actors and actresses the amazing talents you do. Thank you for the special effects and creativity you have given to editors, animators, and James Cameron. I pray you will use this movie to open believer’s minds to how great Heaven will really be and so much more beautiful than the forests than even in this movie. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

The Na’vi religion looks a cute nature worship via a neurological connection. We never do see two Na’vi plugging their pigtails together. Not much explanation or discussion online of the poisonous (hydrogen sulfide) atmosphere. See James Cameron’s deep ocean diving documentary (2004?). There are creatures that can metabolize hydrogen sulfide via symbiotic relationship with bacteria. So do the Na’vi have bacterial filled organs to breath hydrogen sulphide?

There’s stories of people getting depressed after seeing the movie. I wonder why? I went home and listened to Julie True’s song “You are Here Lord”…

Which brings me to the next point. They are NOT having sexual experiences with this neural “extension cord.” I believe anyone who immediately assumes that is just sick-minded. Their (literal) connection to the beasts of burden, flying creatures, and whatever else they use as a mount, is a form of symbiosis. The way the Na`vi and the flora / fauna of Pandora can interconnect, shows me that there is a single Creator that designed them with the apparatus to do so. (Exactly the way some Earth creatures co-exist—like those parasite-eating birds and the large animals they live on.)

I can easily dismiss the whole nature worship thing with a reminder that, yeah, there are people groups on our planet that deify their local landmarks, their heroes, and the powers of natural phenomena (thunder, lightning, volcanoes, etc.) and that this will always exist.

People, and groups of people, who don’t give glory to the Creator of the universe will always end up giving glory to the wonders of Nature… because they’ve never met its Author. I don’t get why people are so offended at the portrayal of an alien race [albeit based on both archetypes—and stereotypes—of tribal peoples] who don’t follow the Most High God. History, and human nature, will demonstrate that sentient beings (humans, Na`vi, etc.) will choose to settle for less than the majesty of Almighty God.

The humans in the movie are portrayed as selfish. (I think we can stop complaining, because we actually are this way.) They want the “unobtanium” at any cost, consumed by corporate greed. The only military personnel actively represented are all MERCENARIES, which is mentioned at the beginning of the movie. (They aren’t EVER specified as American, either.)

Would anyone still be offended if the soldiers are just guns-for-hire, and not intended to represent G.I. Joes from your hometown? I think people are seeing the Devil under every rock, and looking for a chance to be offended by something that doesn’t apply to them.

In the story, the Na’vi are an aboriginal, extra-terrestrial tribe of humanoids who lived in harmony with their planet, acknowledged a supreme being, and followed the precepts of their faith. They understood, hospitality and welcomed people when their faith asked it of them, even people from their “enemy camp”. The humans were invading their home world to get what they wanted—“unobtainiam”—and demonstrated every motivation from pure greed or war-mongering to pure altruism and much in between.

The humans were not religious people, but some of them were very moral in terms of wishing to respect the beliefs of the indigenous Na’vi. The main character, Jake, was particularly interesting and transparent in his approach. The director took his time developing Jake’s relationship with the female Na’vi character, Neytira. It was almost as good as the real thing. No wonder Jake was so interested in getting back into his Avatar!

One really interesting concept from the movie was the ability of the Na’vi, and Jake as an Avatar, to physically connect with animals and plants on their world. As Christians desire to “abide with God”, they abided with their deity in a real way. This connecting with “God” changed Jake—what could be a better conversation starter with someone you want to introduce to the real Lord of the universe? That the two main characters expressed their love was done in such a way that it was irreproachable morally speaking.

I tried to muster disapproval, but could not, possibly because this was part of the computer-generated animation—it was really clean. Some lessons learned from this movie were that might does NOT make right, God answers prayers, kindness and honesty matter, and courage and faithfulness are valuable virtues. A GREAT movie!

The gorgeous lovemaking scene very strongly resembles the Song of Solomon: man and woman in nature, celebrating each other, as well as God’s Creation. And consider the powerful words of the song during the credits: has anyone noticed that they also resemble Solomon’s Song in one particular way?

They portray something that mainly describes a romantic relationship, but also reflects our relationship with God. Note these phrases: “Now I live through you and you through me”… “Your love shines a way into paradise, so I offer my life as a sacrifice”… “Teach me how to see all that’s beautiful”… “Now I give my heart to you, I surrender”…

I’ve listened to that song many times, and each time, more than anything else, I’m rejuvenated in Christ’s love for us. It’s He who I think of.

I do hesitate to recommend this film to influential, non-Christian minds. But as Christians, I think there’s definitely something to appreciate.

Concerning God and Christian beliefs, we have so many cultures on this planet that worship different gods, yet Christians are criticizing this movie as if it is trying to brain wash people into world worship or do away with Godly principles. Can Christians get a reality check here? This is Sci-Fi. It is entertainment. This movie flows with all other Sci-Fi movies: the use of imagination, where the Universe is not always the limit.

My faith is strong in Jesus Christ. The movie is not satanic or blasphemous against God, but nothing more than pure Sci-fi and imagination. If a person’s Christian faith is that weak or that insecure, that you can’t relax and be entertained for a few hours, then perhaps bolting the door shut and repenting in sackcloth and ashes until the Lord returns should be your favorite past time.

Story is well written. Visual effects is a must see. I’ve watched this movie 7 times already and never once paid attention to the near nudity of the aliens because they were aliens on an alien world. In this world, their deity came from a tree that connected with all life in the world, yet Christians are saying that this is sacrilege and a deviation from God. Again, Reality check, when I finish watching this movie, I am not going to start praying to the holy tree, but instead, thank God for my ability to go see the movie and enjoy some good entertainment.

Movie is well done. I highly recommend it. My only advice of caution is that if very young children under 13 watch the movie, they should watch it with their parents or adults who can give them guidance about the movie.

It is my opinion that this movie is good. That as a christian it is your responsibility to explain the differences in faith. It is well done, but a little more could have been put into the plot line. more to the storyline. I feel if you stay in the dark on issues of other faith you will have no defense in which to defend and support your own. So learn, love, live and tell the world the TRUTH. But do it in love.

Don’t expect Hollywood to create Christian movies only… (they won’t.) (food for thought… in the movies the lion which and the wardrobe… just exactly what was up with the animals of make believe? And how about St. Nick. he was portrayed as a person with abilities of magic or whatever. the bow. the potion etc. … think about it all.

Fantasy is Fantasy. Compare it with real life and then do what you must to explain the truth to people. This movie was good… and it uses a lesson to teach what we do and don’t believe. Use it as a tool.

Everything from the plants to the animals to the Na’vi are connected to each other by this deity and if one tries to harm any living thing on the planet, it affects the other inhabitants in a negative way.

Christians may also note that another aspect of the film that might be objectionable is when the Na’vi connect with the horse-like and bird-like native animals that they use for transportation. There is both a physical connection between the end of the hair of the natives and an appendage that can be found on the animals’ bodies as well as a spiritual connection as noted by the animals’ eyes widening and behavior changing when the hair and appendage are joined.

This movie is rated PG-13, so Christian parents should make it a point to talk to their preteen and teenage children about the spiritual aspects of this film before making a decision to see the movie.

Use this opportunity to educate them about the sovereignty of God over all living things both on this planet and in the universe and of the importance of recognizing that there is one and only one God in existence and that He is the sole creator, architect, guardian and overseer of all living things.

If you are an adult and are new to the Christian faith, I would recommend not seeing this film since it might cause you to backtrack or stumble in your walk with Christ. Christians who are planning to see this film and are mature in their faith should pray for spiritual covering before seeing the film and use it as an opportunity for a teachable moment to discuss the different elements of the film from a Christian perspective.

They do this as an attempt to develop inter“national” relations between humans and the Na’vi, and to make sharing each others culture easier… the main character is a solider who replaces his brother (a scientist) for this job (and does it for money and for medical treatment of his disability). He has various motives for making connections with the Na’vi people (and they allow him in because of a sign of sorts left on him by the goddess).

The Na’vi teaches the humans how they are blind in how they live for themselves, taking without considerations… and don’t see that the goddess brings all things together. There is much criticism of the philosophy “progress for progresses sake.” The Na’vi are capable of connecting their brain to other creatures, the forestry, their ancestors and etc. Ultimately, all corruptions of humans are revealed.

Also, throughout the film, 2 humans attempt to become a Na’vi permanently and to do this they must stand in judgment before the goddess, and if they fail they die. So as a viewer one could take several stances on this culture/religion introduced in the movie.

I say that one has to question themselves on what they would think of other life because if the viewer decides not to approach this idea then all they can do is watch the film and judge it based it on current life. Of course this stance will make the movie appear as a “dances with wolves” sort.

Criticizing American military and perhaps comparing the Na’vi to the Iraqi people-or it could just be western society in comparison to all 3rd world nations. Bloodlust, greed and ignorance being the face of American or western society.

The religion of the Na’vi would therefore have connection to pagan beliefs in comparison to western society. The goddess would appear as a direct contrast from the biblical God because she is female and the deity of the “pagans”.

Also the female priestess would seem to make this connections stronger because we know, Biblically, women are asked not to preach. However if one decides to consider “what if” the existence of these people they could come to different conclusions. The Na’vi are a different species and things such as gender could have completely different meaning then they do to us. But, if they existed, they would be God’s creation. God being a “female” for them could have much different meaning than our idea of female-especially if they lack an “Adam and Eve” history like we do.

The deity is a single deity, through whom all things were made and through whom they seek to worship and all worship without question. It could bring about the possibility that if a species such as the Na’vi existed perhaps they are without sin and so can have such a direct connection with the one God through whom all things are created.

This idea brings about a complicated mess of other ideas… all of which are “what ifs”… that can be very deep and spiritual especially when one seeks biblical truth on such a subject… however because of it’s complexity it has it’s dangers…

An interesting idea to consider-life on other planets… one that can bring about both sinful or spiritual discussions… ultimately though the viewer should recognize it is a fantasy and a story told by individuals who have their faults. It’s not real. And though the idea of considering life on other planets is a fun one, and one that can induce biblical discussions… it’s really up to the viewer how they wish to take the film, and so I judged it as neutral.

Unlike many movies this movie doesn’t really 100% full out attack any biblical ideas (very ambiguous), so I have a hard time calling it offensive based on that. However the vagueness of the Na’vi religion and how this fake religion is elevated so much-added with a lot of violence, bloodlust, and curse words makes it offensive, in my opinion.

However the CG is beautiful, and the artwork behind the film is wonderful. I would not recommend anyone under the age of 18 seeing this film because of the complexity of the moral issues it introduces. However I would recommend anyone over that age seeing it, and discussing it.

I have also heard interesting Christian view for the movie and some people were actually challenged to get to know the Holy Spirit better and become more in tune with Fathers’ voice. I also noted that 99% of the comments/reviews were made by people living in the USA …Really people… Get over it, the world does not revolve around America and the world is not against the USA.

Why should every movie and everything always mean something against the US Army or the Bush administration or something political? It’s a fantasy movie for crying out loud—entertainment. Anyway. Over all… Really good movie!! Will probably buy it when it comes out on Blueray (Hope fully in 3-D). So, if your in the mood for a get away from reality moment and good entertainment and AWESOME graphics and scenes…GO AND SEE “Avatar” IN 3D!!

There is also the fact that the natives are basically wearing nothing. Strategically placed jewelry and loincloths prevent you from seeing much, but the backsides of some of the natives are shown repeatedly. There is a “deity” that the natives worship, and they “connect” with her by attaching their tails to a “mother tree.” A lot of Native American beliefs seem to influence this. Another thing some might think offensive is that to connect to an animal they want to control, they also have to connect their tails to the creature, and then they will know each other’s thoughts. It is very similar to Lyra’s daemon in The Golden Compass, in the fact that they are connected and know each other’s thoughts.

There is also quite a bit of violence between the natives and the military; but the bad side is clearly bad and the good clearly good. The main character is immensely loyal to the natives, and will die to protect them All in all, wow. The color is stunning, the acting brilliant, and the spirituality behind the film just a bit disturbing. You may want to use this as a great discussion with teens and tweens; the main character at one point says “that his mother god has been dead for a long time” when talking to a native. I can only gather from the comment that the character has felt like God has not been around to help on Earth.

If big blue native humanoids that run naked worship a big fluffy tree, sitting and swaying in unison while the priestess attempts to work magic on dead or mostly dead bodies, I am not surprised. When the ONE TRUE GOD of the universe’s name is used in vain, and some alien species animism is held up as preferable or even true, I am not surprised.

When Mr. Cameron pushes a wide variety of current liberal political, social and theological buttons (too numerous to mention) I am not surprised. When he plagiarizes plot ideas from “Dances with Wolves,” I am not surprised. These, of course, are always disappointments for Christians.

I think he was slamming Christianity when he refers to floating mountains as the “Hallelujah” mountains. Oh, and the mountains float, but inexplicably, you don’t, so don’t you fall off, it’s a long way down. What surprises me is that Mr. Cameron spends 10 years attending to detail in his story line for believability’s and consistency’s sake and misses the titanic boat. It’s 21st century straining at gnats and swallowing camels. The characters are all hackneyed and typecast. In this respect, the storyline is trite and predictable. There is a tremendous amount of wishful thinking going on here.

If Cameron wanted to write something more compelling from a social perspective, he should have plagiarized more from “Dances with Wolves,” where at the end, you know that the natives are going to lose everything despite their best efforts, and it really is a tragedy. But Cameron wants his cake. So his storyline is highly inconsistent, even stupid, on any scale of believability.

I liked the one inventive idea that we humans are portrayed as the space aliens that invade and plunder some distant garden of Eden, as it were. Usually we’re being invaded, not invading. But he should know that when one intelligent life form has the technology to cross galaxies at warp factor 10, Mr. Sulu speed, in suspended animation, just to obtain “unobtainium” (give me a break, puleeease!), create spitting image duplicates (avatar—Hindu concept) of the hostile local intelligent life form that is still at the Stone Age level of technology that are then used to infiltrate them, etc., etc., then the local Stone Age tribe hasn’t one chance in a trillion against the space aliens, Gaia or no Gaia, especially in war.

A more realistic plot would have us space aliens orbiting Pandora in the comfort and safety of our massive space ships, and we would just beam down trillions of robots ranging in size from microscopic to space shuttle and let the machines exterminate the pesky locals. This is the trend in American warfare; the “boots on the ground” concept will soon be obsolete if technology continues its current path. That’s how nasty bureaucrats would do it now and in the whatever future century Cameron envisions. Tragic, but believable.

And, oh yes, the victorious Na’vi need to know that graciously sending space alien survivors back to their planet spells certain doom for you. They’ll be back, if your unobtainium is really that unobtainable elsewhere, and this time they won’t be using guns and rockets and stupid looking helicopters.

The whole story is a sick manipulation, done with superb visuals. James Cameron is brilliant. However, at the end of the day he is still nothing more than a guy making billions of dollars by creating hatred for America, the military and anyone involved in any corporation anywhere. What he seems unable to grasp is the fact that the billions he is making, come from and are protected by, the very things he is vilifying.

There is finally, the sheer stupidity of the storyline. Nothing makes any real sense. Why would a horse need 6 legs? Why would a bug spin in circles continuously? Why would huge mountains float in the air while the water on them falls down from them? Why do aliens have pony tails with feelers in them? Are they born with long hair? Who braids it? Does it grow like regular hair? Do they have to cut it monthly and if so, what happens to the feelers? On and on the goofiness of the story unravels the more you consider it.

As a Christian, the pantheistic worldview is so convoluted and inconsistent that it makes one wonder how anyone would ever fall for it. As a Christian I know that when I die I will go to be with my Lord. As an alien Na’vi, you go nowhere. You simply turn into a dandelion/jelly fish that floats around in a big mother tree. A big “tree” by the way that can be bulldozed down by a strong wind or a bigger tractor.

Their “Mother” tree, we’re told never “takes sides.” That is until the Blue Folks are losing. Then she sends out her hammerhead-rhinos, skinless doggies, and flying dragons to wreak havoc. So what was “she” waiting for? A more dramatic moment? My God always takes sides. Always cares. And He cannot be bulldozed down by any alien thing or machine. He can even stand up to a half billion dollar film with mind blowing 3D effects.

In short, there should be a disclaimer on this film when you sit down in the theater which reads, “As you put on your 3D glasses, please remove your brain and set it in the cup holder beside you. The movie will be much more enjoyable that way.”

The worst was saved for last when the body of a dying human had to be brought to the tree of prayers and have his spirit transport into the spirit of the tree, through the eye of the Earth-goddess, and re-incarnated into the body of the blue alien, while the other aliens engage in a prayer, trance-like chant and dance that I am assuming will awaken the great mother. It likened a scene from a demonic voo-doo worship experience mixed with Wiccan theology. One guess where THAT comes from.

I can see where minorities are calling this film raciest as well. My daughter and I noticed that all the blue aliens were represented by actors who were very obviously African-American. While the color of their skin was changed to blue, it was still very apparent that this was representing a racial division between evil white Americans and helpless African American’s being run out of their land.

Some might say this represents the Native American Indians, and it would be hard to argue against them, but the speech pattern and characteristics were more African-American, as that is who Cameron hired to play the major parts. I can also see where military families might be offended by the hateful light in which the villains of this story are presented in.

Why ARE the hate-filled villains who are killing innocents with such a demonic, unsettling evil glee, ALL WEARING American Military uniforms? I’m trying to teach my daughters that our Military soldiers are HEROES, and here Cameron makes them look like possessed crazed evil killers. What is it with him and his hatred of our military? Is he trying to make a political statement? If he is, I am not impressed.

Now, I can accept the fact that some movies present a good-cop/bad-cop storyline, and this could be another example, since some of the military personnel refused to follow orders and chose to defend the blue race, the GOOD people of this story. (Talk about making evil good and good evil). I could also complain about the numerous times God’s name was taken in vain, but what else do you expect from a Godless, neo-pagan tree-hugger like Cameron?

I give this film 2 grades…. Visual Effects: A+ Hidden Agenda: F-

I don’t want to serve a God who must be told danger is approaching, but a God that knows everything that will happen and has the power to do anything He wants to do; I don’t want to serve a God whose thoughts can be understood, but a God who is completely incomprehensible, yet eminently knowable.

I don’t want to serve a God who dwells in all things, but a God who is the creator and sustainer of all things; I don’t want to serve a mindless force, but a God who has had a plan for eternity future from eternity past; I don’t want to serve a God who does not feel, but a God who is intensely compassionate, graceful, merciful, wrathful, jealous, just, loving, and caring.

I am so thankful that this God I want to serve is the God I do serve! I think this movie is one of the most profound expressions of the direction our world is heading. The thought of connection and indeed “oneness” with our environment is a very prominent movement in our society. This way of thinking has become the love of our modern world.

If you don’t embrace saving the environment and indeed “mother Earth,” you are labeled a self-centered, wasteful, hater of all things good. It even rears it’s ugly head in our advertising, garnering sales with campaigns stating companies have “gone green.” It is obvious this is not a movie without agenda. Coupled in this movie with the strange and incorrect worldview were some of the most amazing computer graphics ever created.

However, despite the visual feast never once during this movie was I spiritually edified in any way. Amidst the unwholesome language and innuendo lay one of the most spiritually oppressive scenes I have ever seen in a movie.

As the 12 food blue natives surrounded and chanted to their mother Earth tree, I felt a physical weight on my chest. My response way to recite scripture to myself and pray to my God—the one and true God, giving Him praise. When this scene was over, I felt that weight lift off of my chest.

From a movie making standpoint, “Avatar” is brilliant. The story is intriguing, imaginative, and creative. It is extremely well directed, acted, and edited. And the visual effects are absolutely stunning, to say the least. Astoundingly good. However, to the Christian viewer must go a word of warning, that this is not just an entertaining movie, but a film that carries a message contrary to Christianity.

Sure, there are themes of redemption, healing, and salvation—which are all great Christian things, and very present in this movie—but their object is completely skewed. The redemption and savior in this movie is not the true God, but a pantheistic life force.

We must remember that the true savior and the one who gives life is Jesus Christ—who became man and dwelt among us, was obedient to the point of death on a cross, was bruised for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities, was indeed raised from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the father having been given the name that is about every other name—the name to which one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess “Jesus Christ is Lord!

In contrast, the evil humans are sneaky, greedy, grasping and have lost their connection to their roots. It’s not a question of the Pandorans merely being alien either. We are told Humans have destroyed their “mother.” Yes, they really are saying that.

The message is a total love for a peasant life close to nature (which actually is usually dangerous, unhealthy and frequently short) and a despisement of everything modern man has made and achieved. This is a film that is little short of being unapologetically anti-Human. Watching “Avatar” is an exercise in despising oneself, and not in a healthy way either.

Since the movie is from the alien POV, there is by definition no need for any hint of a divine hand or presence behind this particular metaphorical Israel. Not surprisingly, these aliens would each rather cling to alien ways than surrender to the RDA no matter how superior the humans claim to be with all manner of civilizational and technological blessings, quasi-covenantal advantages which figuratively stand for the blessings of the figurative Israeli God. And the human host has traveled afar from a blighted land, on a mission to secure their prosperity…

Before anyone cites the themes of corporate greed and militarism ruining resources and ecology as the true overarching story justifying the betrayals to follow: just be aware that such issues as thematically presented in a fantasy this, serious and valid as they are in real life, are likely offered only as weak distractions from the real body of conflict, which is about whose people really has the rights to the fruits of the putative promised land of Pandora.

As in the Old Testament, these rights are manifested in the movie by the results of both physical and spiritual contest, with battlefield consequences every bit as “providential”. In one sense, lame Jake Sully stands figuratively for one of the biblical spies sent into enemy cities to scout for weaknesses. As in the Book of Joshua, Spy Sully must get to swim before he meets and comes to live with an alien female in the enemy city, but from thereon most else in the original biblical narrative is reversed.

Sully’s figurative “Israeli spy” is turned by the aliens into committing treason against his own nation by no less than pagan alien females, a clear reverse of the biblical story of pagan alien women turning against their own tribes in favor of Israel. In another sense, Sully also stands for those biblical faithless Israelis who turned away from their own nation due to the wicked influence of… those same pagan alien women.

Remember, in this fantasy version might and right is on the side of the figurative Canaanites, and the master of this world isn’t about to let its nonhuman giant breeds get slaughtered, even if it is a non-Earth setting. The Na’vi princess Neytiri stands for a scheming Moabite sex-princess type who in this revisionist case did not get speared by a zealous Sully/ figurative zealous Phinehas.

The Na’vi princess is also a figurative Rahab, taking the place of the Biblically fearful prostitute who helped Joshua’s two spies seal the fate of biblical Jericho. It is in this last sense that her human turncoat lover Sully figures in reverse as one of the two spies, the other one figured in the reverse by Sully’s scientist-diplomat partner. Others in the treasonous of scientists and soldiers also figuratively represent, although not in reverse, the feckless group of spies in Moses’ time, who counseled reasonably yet faithlessly against invading the promised land.

The figurative aliens of Jericho (Na’vi) come out to fight, a reversal of the tale of the Biblically wretched inhabitants who waited fearfully until the figurative Wall (HomeTree) fell and led to their complete destruction. Or not, in this case. It’s all premium revisionist thinking from the POV of vanquished ancient pagans, you see. The Eywa-as-Gaia stuff does get to fill in wondrously for divine favor in reverse of the biblical narrative. As noted in other Christian blogs, the Na’vi Hometree may also symbolize the Canaanite Tree of Life associated with the Canaanite goddess Asherah, part of a fertility religion which Hebrew prophets repeatedly warned against.

There is no reversed Balaam sorcerer figure in the movie but We do have a figurative plural talking donkey in fighting trim in the form of the riding and flying beasts, particularly the dragon Toruk, creatures which can do more than just talk back for they can actually mind-meld to plan battle tactics on the fly.

OTOH maybe they are just nasty creatures that just happened to be so, like… snakes in the desert. We don’t see the figurative Jewish troopers (RDA Marines) circle seven times before attempting to drop the daisycutter bomb which is figurative for the Ark and the mighty physical powers of the true God, even though the resulting blast would surely have been as cinematically shocking and awesome as the biblical blaring of trumpets and the massed shouting of a Jewish host.

Yet the figurative Ark (bomb) symbolizes the god who failed his people, retold from the POV of the pagan victors as a mere tool of the invaders to be deployed as needed but inutile when needed most, which is what counts in this alternate-future-history story.

The only thing cooler from a defeated OT pagan’s point of view would be to see a figurative Moabite sex-princess preemptively skewer a figurative Joshua (Marine Colonel Quaritch) in his camp and so stop the invasion cold before it begins.

But the “Avatar”'s makers do need funds to spread their counter-biblical message, and so said spearing of figurative Joshua happens only after a titanically exciting battle plays out on the screen to draw the needed paying audience.

Most of the fighting takes place in the air over the alien planet but this displaced context does serve to obscure what the contest does symbolize—the fantastic reversal of biblical Israel’s conquest of the pagan tribes of the Promised Land. If ever the “ghosts” of those pagan tribes of old could have a hand in casting a modern fantasy of triumph instead of defeat, movies like this would be the result. In a way Cameron produces as if he were speaking for all vanquished pagans, as if voicing their wishes from beyond the grave for what could have been—but wasn’t and shall never be.

Great movie-making, though.

3. However, the main reason why I hated “Avatar” was because it is extremely offensive in many different ways. As an American who supports our troops overseas, I was offended at how the military officer and his troops (at least 90% of whom were white, and all of whom were clearly Americans) were all, almost without exception, portrayed as horrible, pure-evil monsters who just love slaughtering innocent creatures purely for the fun of it.

I kept half-expecting to see a scene of them torturing puppies and kittens while laughing like Dr. Evil. Their use of terms like “savages,” “terrorists,” and “Pre-emptive strike” imply that the filmmakers apparently believe our troops in the Middle East are all exactly like this (again, their message has no subtlety).

Also, as a Christian… I was very much offended at how blatantly the film promotes Neo-Paganism. The way the Na’vi worship the plants and animals and the “Life Energy” behind them was an obvious parallel to Neo-Pagan “Gaia” worship. A scene near the film’s climax in which they try and help transfer a human’s spirit into a Na’vi body permanently (don’t ask, long story) honestly made me feel like I was sitting in on a cult meeting.

To put it into perspective, let’s look at another, better movie from last year, “The Princess and the Frog.” That movie’s gotten some flak for featuring voodoo, but at least there, voodoo was mainly shown as evil and something to be avoided. In contrast, the Na’vi’s Neo-Pagan Earth worship in “Avatar” is portrayed as being beautiful and noble. If Christians want to keep their kids from being drawn into the occult, THAT’s the movie to watch out for.

I cannot believe that Cameron is planning a sequel to this repulsive movie; my only comfort is that rather than sweeping the Oscars, as Cameron had obviously hoped, it only won one or two rather unimpressive awards. Christians, and conservative Americans, stay away from “Avatar” at all costs.

Some positive morals include that all life is important. This was portrayed as the main character (Jake Sully) defending the indigenous people as well as the plant life. Now, I am by no means an extreme “save the environment” type of person. I do, however, believe that we should protect God’s creation that He entrusted to us. That would include the environment. Another is the classic “good triumphs over evil” theme. In my mind, this movie doesn’t portray all humans as the bad guys. In fact, some humans fight on the side of the Na’Vi. I won’t spoil the movie with details though.

My final point is as already stated: the offensive parts. The first and foremost I would like to state is the Na’Vi’s deity, Eywa or something very similar. This deity is basically a “nature goddess.” It controls the animals and is responsible for the flow of life.

On a side note, I did like that the movie mentions an explanation for the ability to share these memories and the like with the Na’Vi. Anyway, needless to say, this isn’t supportive of the Lord.

Another mildly offensive part was the mating scene. It really didn’t show anything and was portrayed as a life-long commitment and not a lustful moment. It was only mildly sensual and less so than many other films. I have heard others mention the lack of cloths on the Na’Vi, but I have also heard them say that it isn’t portrayed in a sexual manner, and I would agree with them there. I didn’t find it very offensive at all. Even though they have a humanoid appearance, it isn’t sensual. There are two parts where it shows humans clad in a net of leaves, but it doesn’t show much at all and isn’t meant to portray ANYTHING sexual.

The language isn’t very bad at all. I noticed a few “SH” words, a few “D” words and a Holy “SH” word combo. I have heard people mention the people using the Lord’s name in vain, but I didn’t notice it. Again, I wasn’t viewing this movie with much of a critic’s eye.

The violence was not graphic and made for good action scenes.

In conclusion, this film has a WONDERFUL plot and various climatic points. The positive morals aren’t all that drastic or obvious, but they are there. The main offensive part is the Na’Vi’s deity. This is in occurrence throughout the movie. However, I don’t think it is any worse, in fact less so, than what is shown in other movies, i.e., sex, drugs, gore, violence, heavy blaspheme, strong profanity, etc. It was a bit weird at times though. Anyway, I greatly enjoyed this movie as far as entertainment goes and didn’t find it very objectionable.

However, when I went to see this movie one of the ideas presented was the idea that the whole planet was connected through a bio-electrical “root system” that worked like a huge database which stored memories, thoughts etc. When the Natives gathered to “worship” they connected with special trees that as described by them 'connected them with Eywa and as by the humans lets them plug themselves into the bio-electric database. It was clear that the humans didn’t totally understand the whole “database” idea but the logic was sound enough, and I thought it was a perfect way to portray God in such a secular world.

Those who liked the Naturalistic part (which was there) could take that, those who wanted to ignore any religion at all could focus on the “bio-electric” part, and those who wanted to find God could focus on the idea that neither the naturalistic or highly advanced and secularized humans of that time, had a clear answer (kinda sound like today.)

Violence 2. Throughout the film there was plenty of action so you wont be disappointed by that fact, I wouldn’t recommend it to any audience under the age of 13 or 14 because 1. Its pretty intense 2. GENERALLY when your younger than that you have a far more impressible and still developing your own beliefs, and all of the intense action sequences and the Naturalistic (which, to me, wasn’t that offensive however it WAS present) could have a negative affect on them.

Moral Values 3. The entirety of the film is based on a paraplegic, ex-marine inhabiting the body of an Avatar in order to gain the trust of the natives and get them to move without a fight.

However ***LIGHT SPOILER*** there is a plot twist where the Military Leader present on the planet bribes him to acquire any information on their culture, warfare etc. that would give them an advantage “when things [got] ugly,” and in return, he would arrange for him to get his legs repaired (they have that sort of technology). ***SPOILERS END***

The film is based on his struggle between what he believes is right, what he wants and what multiple factions of people are telling him to do. I’m not going to say what eventually happens but I can say that I was NOT disappointed and I plan on seeing it again in 3D tomorrow with my same friend as well as 4 or 5 more. Overall Rating 5 out of 5 stars You’ll like this movie depending on your perspective. But I do HIGHLY recommend it.

The most obnoxious scenes come when the Na’vi ritually sing to Eywa. It was like seeing a clear reference to evolutionism in a movie. It’s not all that offensive to me… just superbly annoying. So if you can get past the annoying environmentalism, you’re in for something nice.

As for property rights, again, I reference the Cherokees. Seeing as property is a human right (as defined by John Locke), don’t we have the right to defend it when it’s being unjustly confiscated? That is my impression, and as strange as it sounds, I was right along with the Na’avi, hoping that they would come out victorious against the expansionist humans. I felt myself wholeheartedly rooting for the Na’avi, because one of the most annoying things to me is injustice. The humans kill and destroy Na’avi land simply to get a profit, and I completely understand the Na’vi’s warlike feelings afterward. Their rights were being infringed.

That said, let’s get into the nitty-gritty objectionable issues. Aside from the Earth worship, there are a couple other issues. Violence is present (of course) so don’t take eight year-olds to see this one. Language is an even bigger issue. It’s pretty strong at times, with a couple instances of God’s name paired with d*mn, and a handful of other minor profanities…

Sex is also minor, but I want to talk a little about it. There’s a scene in which the girl (can’t remember or spell her name right now) mates with Sam Worthington’s character (can’t remember his either). For one thing, the scene is brief. For another thing, the scene feels overwhelmingly pure and innocent, as the two are essentially married, saying that they are “mated for life.” I think this scene shows how sex can be a beautiful thing, inside of marriage, and does not at all portray it like so many other action movies of today (“Iron Man,” “Star Trek,” etc.).

Since so people have mentioned nudity, let me just say that 1) yes, the loincloths don’t cover very much, but it’s all only partial nudity and not in the least sexual, and 2) the females have almost nothing covering their chests, but, sorry for being frank, there’s not much of their chests worth covering up.

So, in the end, I enjoyed it. The objectionable content (really the Earth worship and language) is annoying, but if you’re planning to see “Avatar,” chances are you’ve already seen that content multiple times as I have. The property rights message is huge and is definitely correct about fighting back. I don’t think it was Oscar quality. Yes, it had tons of gorgeous eye-candy, and a good story, but it just wasn’t a best picture. I’m glad “Hurt Locker” came out on top, if only for a better story and better acting.

I recommend this movie for almost everyone twelve and older if 1) you are mature enough to handle the sex scene, and 2) you aren’t completely turned off by the environmentalism. Even if you are turned off by that, however, I would urge you to watch the movie anyway, because there’s so many good things in it. The advantages outweigh the disadvantages. God bless