The ‘Theology’ of ‘Avatar’
Cloning, Military Aggression, Adoring Worship Among Plot Devices
By the Dr. Rev. Jack Copas
I bought my ticket and received 3-D glasses for the movie. 3-D is making a comeback. Kids really enjoy images on a screen coming out at them — and so do I.
“Avatar” can
best be described as a remake of “Dances with Wolves,” the 1990 Academy Award-winning best picture
starring Kevin Costner. The core themes are the same. In fact, Cameron has admitted that “Dances with Wolves” inspired his space epic.
The protagon
The protagon
ist of “Avatar” is a paraplegic Marine named Jake Sully, who takes his dead brother's place on a mission to an alien planet because their DNA matches. Like John Dunbar in “Dances with Wolves,” Jake is a lost soul who has no idea what his purpose in life is.
Military loyalty
“Dances with Wolves” is set in 1876 on the prairie frontier of the Midwest; “Avatar” is set in the year 2154. Otherwise both stories are about a military man loyal to the United States of America.
An underlying theme amidst the techno-spectacular presentation of “Avatar” is social justice. Natives are declared "hostiles" because they resent the U.S. invasion. The powerful feel justified in rolling over weaker enemies to achieve self-serving goals.
In both movies, the military seems to mindlessly carry out orders without considering the moral or to be more precise, the immoral implications. Avarice and profit are the motivating forces fueling carnage.
Cameron allows no doubt as to who is good and who is bad. As Christians, however, we often confront a world where grey is the predominant color for both good and evil.
Nonetheless, “Avatar” contains lessons for anyone claiming a Christian heritage. For instance, true peace is not merely the absence of tension. It is the presence of justice.
The tribal folks prayed to something called "Elwe." Their worship resembles the mass assemblies I used to witness in Southeast Asia of Buddhists who appealed to the higher power for discernment and enlightenment.
Devotion to a monotheistic deity hasn't stopped the wars here, of course, so I figure why not be open to something new, especially with all the deceitful foreign policy this tired old clergyman has seen in his lifetime.
The church must not relinquish its authority to blind patriotism and bless the nation’s military conduct. As Christians, we are called to see beyond our own self-interest and use a moral imperative to critique the established order. We must stand against that established order if its policies contradict the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Might does not make right. We are called as Christians to stand between powerful sources that cause powerlessness in others too weak to defend themselves. Caring for the last and the least among us is not only good citizenship but is, in fact, Christianity to the umpteenth degree.
For entertainment purposes I thoroughly recommend seeing “Avatar,” especially in 3-D and, if possible, on an IMAX screen.
As Christians we are called to turn our swords into plowshares and study war no more. “Avatar” should prompt us to question how we live with ourselves when we are confronted with being the aggressors, fomenting war for scurrilous purposes.
Gradually, though, both begin to question the objectives of a country they are dedicated to serving. Their country selfishly condones raping and pillaging of innocent "natives" on land it has no sovereignty over. Such a revelation is extremely disturbing in both movies, which portray U.S. military forces as ruthless, cruel and oppressive.Such a revelation is extremely disturbing in both movies.
An underlying theme amidst the techno-spectacular presentation of “Avatar” is social justice. Natives are declared "hostiles" because they resent the U.S. invasion. The powerful feel justified in rolling over weaker enemies to achieve self-serving goals.
Just War theories
The United States called that “Manifest Destiny” during its expansion from the Atlantic to the Pacific. On occasion, the concept is used today to validate “Just War” theories, even when we started the war.What troubles me is how easily military loyalists can be manipulated to enlist in “the cause.” A chilling line in “Avatar” from the war room states the mercenary motto, “We will fight terror with terror.”We will fight terror with terror.
In both movies, the military seems to mindlessly carry out orders without considering the moral or to be more precise, the immoral implications. Avarice and profit are the motivating forces fueling carnage.
Cameron allows no doubt as to who is good and who is bad. As Christians, however, we often confront a world where grey is the predominant color for both good and evil.
Nonetheless, “Avatar” contains lessons for anyone claiming a Christian heritage. For instance, true peace is not merely the absence of tension. It is the presence of justice.
Theological dimension
There is a theological dimension to “Avatar.” Cloning is an important plot device, which should cause reflection on creation.The tribal folks prayed to something called "Elwe." Their worship resembles the mass assemblies I used to witness in Southeast Asia of Buddhists who appealed to the higher power for discernment and enlightenment.
I appreciated the tenderness of the worshippers’ adoration. This is especially so considering that religion as we know it here on planet earth today sorely lacks that.I appreciated the tenderness of the worshippers’ adoration.
Devotion to a monotheistic deity hasn't stopped the wars here, of course, so I figure why not be open to something new, especially with all the deceitful foreign policy this tired old clergyman has seen in his lifetime.
The church must not relinquish its authority to blind patriotism and bless the nation’s military conduct. As Christians, we are called to see beyond our own self-interest and use a moral imperative to critique the established order. We must stand against that established order if its policies contradict the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Might does not make right. We are called as Christians to stand between powerful sources that cause powerlessness in others too weak to defend themselves. Caring for the last and the least among us is not only good citizenship but is, in fact, Christianity to the umpteenth degree.
For entertainment purposes I thoroughly recommend seeing “Avatar,” especially in 3-D and, if possible, on an IMAX screen.
As Christians we are called to turn our swords into plowshares and study war no more. “Avatar” should prompt us to question how we live with ourselves when we are confronted with being the aggressors, fomenting war for scurrilous purposes.
This article has been reprinted with permission from the newsletter of the "The General Board of Church and Society" of the United Methodist Church.
Posted by The Tomball-Spring Times at 2/13/2010 3:55 PM 
Categories: Other
Tags: Spring Klein News Avatar Jack Copas Theology of Avatar
Categories: Other
Tags: Spring Klein News Avatar Jack Copas Theology of Avatar
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