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Title: 'Avatar' and the Faith Instinct
Source:
townhall.com
URL Source: http://townhall.com/columnists/Jona ... /avatar_and_the_faith_instinct
Published: Dec 30, 2009
Author: Jonah Goldberg
Post Date: 2009-12-30 09:15:52 by Eric Stratton
Keywords: None
Views: 628
Comments: 39
'Avatar' and the Faith Instinct You probably don't need a long synopsis of James Cameron's half-billion-dollar epic "Avatar," in part because even if you haven't seen it, you've seen it. As many reviewers have noted, Cameron rips off Hollywood cliches to the point you could cut and paste dialogue from "Pocahontas" or "Dances With Wolves" into "Avatar" without appreciably changing the story. In short, "Avatar" tells the tale of a disabled Marine, Jake Sully, who occupies the body of a 10-foot-tall alien so he can live among the mystical forest denizens of the moon world Pandora. Sully is sent in mufti, like a futuristic Lawrence of Arabia, to further the schemes of the evil corporate nature-rapists desperate to obtain the precious mineral "unobtainium" (no, really). Jake inevitably goes native, embraces the eco-faith of Pandora's Na'Vi inhabitants and their tree goddess, the "all mother," and rallies the Pandoran aborigines (not to mention the Pandoran ecosystem itself) against the evil forces of a thinly veiled 22nd-century combine of Blackwater and Halliburton. The film has been subjected to a sustained assault from many on the right, most notably by Ross Douthat in the New York Times, as an "apologia for pantheism." Douthat's criticisms hit the mark, but the most relevant point was raised by John Podhoretz in the Weekly Standard. Cameron wrote "Avatar," says Podhoretz, "not to be controversial, but quite the opposite: He was making something he thought would be most pleasing to the greatest number of people." What would have been controversial is if -- somehow -- Cameron had made a movie in which the good guys accepted Jesus Christ into their hearts. Of course, that sounds outlandish and absurd, but that's the point, isn't it? We live in an age in which it's the norm to speak glowingly of spirituality but derisively of traditional religion. If the Na'Vi were Roman Catholics, there would be boycotts and protests. Make the oversized Smurfs Rousseauian noble savages and everyone nods along, save for a few cranky right-wingers. I'm certainly one of those cranky right-wingers, though I probably enjoyed the movie as cinematic escapism as much as the next guy. But what I find interesting about the film is how what is "pleasing to the most people" is so unapologetically religious. Nicholas Wade's new book, "The Faith Instinct," lucidly compiles the scientific evidence that humans are hard-wired to believe in the transcendent. That transcendence can be divine or simply Kantian, a notion of something unknowable from mere experience. Either way, in the words of philosopher Will Herberg, "Man is homo religiosus, by 'nature' religious: as much as he needs food to eat or air to breathe, he needs a faith for living." Wade argues that the Darwinian evolution of man depended not only on individual natural selection but also on the natural selection of groups. And groups that subscribe to a religious worldview are more apt to survive -- and hence pass on their genes. Religious rules impose moral norms that facilitate collective survival in the name of a "cause larger than yourself," as we say today. No wonder everything from altruism to martyrdom are part of nearly every faith. The faith instinct may be baked into our genes, but it is also profoundly malleable. Robespierre, the French revolutionary who wanted to replace Christianity with a new "age of reason," emphatically sought to exploit what he called the "religious instinct which imprints upon our souls the idea of a sanction given to moral precepts by a power that is higher than man." Many environmentalists are open about their desire to turn their cause into a religious imperative akin to the plight of the Na'Vi, hence Al Gore's uncontroversial insistence that global warming is a "spiritual challenge to all of humanity." The symbolism and rhetoric behind Barack Obama's campaign was overtly religious at times, as when he proclaimed that "we are the ones we've been waiting for" -- a line that could have come straight out of the mouths of Cameron's Na'Vi. What I find fascinating, and infuriating, is how the culture-war debate is routinely described by antagonists on both sides as a conflict between the religious and the un-religious. The faith instinct manifests itself across the ideological spectrum, even if it masquerades as something else. On the right, many conservatives have been trying to fashion what might be called theological diversity amid moral unity. Culturally conservative Catholics, Protestants and -- increasingly -- Jews find common cause. The left is undergoing a similar process, but the terms of the debate are far more inchoate and fluid. What is not happening is a similar effort between left and right, which is why the culture war, like the faith instinct, isn't going away any time soon. Poster Comment: My original notion based on the commercials for this film was that it was simply a new one in the vein of showing off the Hollywood techies' new "special effects" toys with nary a plot to be found. Sounds more like a political diatribe that people should get paid to go see rather than pay for. Either way, sounds like a nominee for the movie crock-o-shit 2010 award.
Jonah Goldberg
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
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#1. To: Eric Stratton (#0)
(Edited)
this article is mainly bullshit from a neocon... an attempt by a neocon apologist to discredit "avatar" and its lesson about empires and imperialism. goldberg might have a leg to stand on if empires had not proved themselves to be unsustainable throughout history. goldberg knows he's on shaky ground, which is why he tries to hitch his argument to american knuckledragger anti-environment sentiment.
goldberg will continue cutting a fat hog in the ass as long as the israeli american empire survives. it's no wonder he's trying to trash any effort to show empires are shit.
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"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards." — Claire Wolf: 101 Things to Do 'Til the Revolution (1996)
how you gonna separate the truth from politics? if it's impolitic to tell the truth about empires, then films demonstrating the brutality of empires should be banned, huh? no wonder you're posting neocon bullshit.
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"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards." — Claire Wolf: 101 Things to Do 'Til the Revolution (1996)
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"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards." — Claire Wolf: 101 Things to Do 'Til the Revolution (1996)
you gots to admit that anyone that posts scripture is handicapped from the git- go. ...or are you posting scripture because "you simply dont understand the hoopla" about the bible in its various incarnations?
I saw the movie. I liked it. It wasn't the best movie in the world. But it was entertaining. It is no Star Wars or Lord of the Rings. But it is entertaining. The previews for Alice in Wonderland were beautiful. The 3d world.
Error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it - Thomas Jefferson
Your words are making me reconsider that award.
Error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it - Thomas Jefferson
what award?
Here's Devvy Kidd's review of Avatar and Invictus: Avatar & Invictus: Glorifying communism and a communist
"Obama is outbushing Bush"~Gerald Celente
too bad imperialism and capitalism have become synonymous. too bad our capitalistic abuse of the planet is catching up with us. too bad capitalists have such a religious faith in the benefits of capitalism when the evidence of their idiocy is staring them in the face. too bad we cant all board a spaceship and move to a new planet once we've used this one up.
too bad that any planet that's capable of supporting human life is probably already inhabited. too bad we'll have to kill those people off so we can colonize their planet, then use it up in capitalistic imperialistic pipedreams. good thing we can justify our extermination of the natives on religious and economic grounds.
Well, I saw it last night and thought it was pretty good. Very good. Yes the plot line was predictible-; so what?, nearly all are. And it did to me seem to warn of the effects of a MIC, a message that I am am in total sympathy with, so that was no problem with me. The special effects were, of course, the star of the show. I recommend it to anyone who thinks it might be interesting.
"Satan / Cheney in "08" too bad our capitalistic abuse of the planet is catching up with us. too bad capitalists have such a religious faith in the benefits of capitalism when the evidence of their idiocy is staring them in the face. It's obvious that you hate capitalism and that's your right. Just what, however, would you replace it with?
"The Central Intelligence Agency owns everyone of any significance in the major media." ~ William Colby, Director, CIA 1973–1976 The purpose of the legal system is to protect the elites from the wrath of those they plunder.- Elliott Jackalope "When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that justifies it." - Frederic Bastiat
capitalism is a good idea as long as the capitalists are not buying the people who make the laws. i dont know what the solution is, and there's probably no solution for america, seeing as how sustainable cultures founded on respect for their environment have been replaced by crypto-fascists disguising themselves as "free market capitalists".
what it boils down to, from a "capitalist" point of view, is: nevermind how bad you fuck things up so long as you stack up enough loot to buy refuge somewhere that hasnt been trashed.
I thought the movie was great. Sure it had it's corky political and environmental wacko themes, and it was a carbon copy of Dances with Wolves, but it's Hollywood and I expect nothing less from them. What would be shocking would be for a Hollywood director to make a movie with a classical liberal theme. LOL! Now THAT would be news. IMHO the 3D cinematics and the special effects made it worth sitting through.
"The Central Intelligence Agency owns everyone of any significance in the major media." ~ William Colby, Director, CIA 1973–1976 The purpose of the legal system is to protect the elites from the wrath of those they plunder.- Elliott Jackalope "When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that justifies it." - Frederic Bastiat
They are only able to call themselves free market capitalists because the American people are so economically stupid and have no idea what the term free market means. We even see it here. I was arguing with a guy/gal just the other day who was blaming all of our problems on America's "free market." By his/her own admittance he/she was a right wing socialist. We do not have a free market in the United States. A free market does not utilize GATT, WTO, NAFTA, etc., etc., which consists of literally tens of thousands of pages which benefit multinational conglomerates. A free market is an individual or company being able to do business with anyone anywhere in the world without needing the governments permission and without government interference. We do not have this.
"The Central Intelligence Agency owns everyone of any significance in the major media." ~ William Colby, Director, CIA 1973–1976 The purpose of the legal system is to protect the elites from the wrath of those they plunder.- Elliott Jackalope "When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that justifies it." - Frederic Bastiat
that's why i put "free market capitalists" in quotes. a "free market capitalist" believes in staging terror attacks on their own country that will supposedly rally support for wars that will acquire resources for the "free market capitalists". the whole scam rests on "capitalist" control of the government, a government which is supposed to play along with any hare-brained scheme the "capitalists" come up with. since the government is supposedly elected by an educated public, the main thing is to ensure the public is properly educated, and while people will moan about injustices committed by their empire, they are not about to give up their SUVs and mcmansions, especially since the "capitalists" have gone to such lengths to discredit people who see the environmental handwriting on the wall.
The problem is that there are governments in the world and so many fans of governments. Some of the most ardent fans of totalitarian government actually claim not to be. The so-called "right" (and some of the "left" and "center" such as the Zionazis like Israeli Senator Lieberman) in this country for instance will NEVER give up on at least $1.1 trillion in government spending on the military-industrial-security-surveillance complex and is continually looking for ways to increase its parasitic take from the productive economy.
“I would give no thought of what the world might say of me, if I could only transmit to posterity the reputation of an honest man.” - Sam Houston
woe be unto anyone stupid enough to draw parallels between this "avatar" movie and european treatment of palestinians or european treatment of native americans.
a "free market capitalist" believes in staging terror attacks on their own country that will supposedly rally support for wars that will acquire resources for the "free market capitalists". the whole scam rests on "capitalist" control of the government, a government which is supposed to play along with any hare-brained scheme the "capitalists" come up with. since the government is supposedly elected by an educated public, the main thing is to ensure the public is properly educated, and while people will moan about injustices committed by their empire, they are not about to give up their SUVs and mcmansions, especially since the "capitalists" have gone to such lengths to discredit people who see the environmental handwriting on the wall. Personally, I believe the term economic corporatism is a better description of our economic system that free market capitalism.
"The Central Intelligence Agency owns everyone of any significance in the major media." ~ William Colby, Director, CIA 1973–1976 The purpose of the legal system is to protect the elites from the wrath of those they plunder.- Elliott Jackalope "When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that justifies it." - Frederic Bastiat
"economic corporatism" as a euphemism for fascism. good enough
good enough That's not exactly true. Economic corporatism is actually an economic system unto itself and is distinctly different from fascism, although as with all central planning and collectivist systems, they have their common themes.
"The Central Intelligence Agency owns everyone of any significance in the major media." ~ William Colby, Director, CIA 1973–1976 The purpose of the legal system is to protect the elites from the wrath of those they plunder.- Elliott Jackalope "When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that justifies it." - Frederic Bastiat
whatever you want to call it, the big boys have enough resources now, and they are stacking more up every day, to pay for whatever's necessary to squeeze every last nickel out of america and americans.
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"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards." — Claire Wolf: 101 Things to Do 'Til the Revolution (1996)
and i have to remind you, unpleasant as it may be, that anyone who's been paying attention has seen the handwriting for decades, ever since american oil production peaked.
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"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards." — Claire Wolf: 101 Things to Do 'Til the Revolution (1996)
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"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards." — Claire Wolf: 101 Things to Do 'Til the Revolution (1996)
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"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards." — Claire Wolf: 101 Things to Do 'Til the Revolution (1996)
The movie is a total white-guilter fantasy. Jake is not just accepted by the spear-chuckers, but becomes their leader. In the real world, white guilters get kicked out once they're no longer useful. Organizing a resistance was incredibly stupid of Jakey. The planet still has something valuable that the earthlings must have, the natives have shown themselves to be violent and unwilling to negotiate, so what happens next? A big rock would be dropped on Pandora. Much easier to mine a bunch of airless asteroids. That's the typical result of liberal attempts to assist spear-chuckers.
It's not socialism if it's the white man's money.
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"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards." — Claire Wolf: 101 Things to Do 'Til the Revolution (1996)
I accept all that. Avatar is amazing, and yes I know, but there it is. The picture is a landmark. If you don't see it in 3D - too bad for you. Not being snide Eric, but this seems to me to be a landmark wave of the future of movies. I don't go to them too often, but I do like the big screen for the big screen stuff. Eric - See this one. Really. If for nothing else to see the Cat D-90000 destroying the planet. I feel it is really history in the making. In the big screen. Nothing wrong with chess.
"Satan / Cheney in "08" That's the typical result of liberal attempts to assist spear-chuckers. ????
"Satan / Cheney in "08" I enjoyed it today and recommend it to all. View it as a child and watch the wonder, beauty and action. Hopefully, the Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Man message will unfold for you. I dug it. Also, maybe a soldier or two that views it will wonder why they too are shooting the locals for some corporation. Maybe a few will refuse to participate in the slaughter for empire on this planet. Yes, it was Dancing with the Wolves, Alice in Wonderland, Star Wars and others. I saw some Last of the Mohicans, too. So. I wish I had a way to laser light a message on the screen at just the right time: Nothing liberals do ever works. If you hate the spear-chuckers, root for Jake.
It's not socialism if it's the white man's money.
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"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards." — Claire Wolf: 101 Things to Do 'Til the Revolution (1996)
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"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards." — Claire Wolf: 101 Things to Do 'Til the Revolution (1996)
#2. To: Eric Stratton (#0)
#3. To: groundresonance (#2)
#4. To: Eric Stratton (#3)
I am of the immovable opinion however that films should be for entertainment and the politics, any politics, should be left out of them.
#5. To: groundresonance (#4)
#6. To: groundresonance (#4)
#7. To: Eric Stratton (#5)
I'm sorry if something that you don't agree with offended your sensitive sensibilities...
#8. To: Eric Stratton (#6)
Basically I posted it because I wanted some real feedback on the fucking movie douche bag. Not that I figured that too many here would actually waste their time and money to go see it other than simply to assess it, but nevertheless.
#9. To: groundresonance (#7)
#10. To: A K A Stone (#9)
#11. To: Eric Stratton, groundresonance (#6)
#12. To: christine (#11)
#13. To: All (#12)
(Edited)
#14. To: Eric Stratton (#5)
#15. To: groundresonance (#12)
too bad imperialism and capitalism have become synonymous.
#16. To: F.A. Hayek Fan (#15)
#17. To: F.A. Hayek Fan (#15)
#18. To: Eric Stratton (#0)
#19. To: groundresonance (#16)
free market capitalists".
#20. To: F.A. Hayek Fan (#19)
(Edited)
#21. To: F.A. Hayek Fan (#19)
#22. To: F.A. Hayek Fan (#19)
(Edited)
#23. To: groundresonance (#20)
that's why i put "free market capitalists" in quotes.
#24. To: F.A. Hayek Fan (#23)
#25. To: groundresonance (#24)
"economic corporatism" as a euphemism for fascism.
#26. To: F.A. Hayek Fan (#25)
#27. To: groundresonance (#7)
#28. To: F.A. Hayek Fan (#25)
#29. To: christine (#11)
#30. To: tom007 (#14)
#31. To: F.A. Hayek Fan (#18)
#32. To: Eric Stratton (#0)
#33. To: Prefrontal Vortex (#32)
#34. To: Eric Stratton (#30)
The "special effects thing" wore off on me not too long after Star Wars. Then again, you're interacting w/ someone that doesn't like modern video games either. It's all mastering the software, not actually being where one thinks one may be in the game. I much prefer a game of Chess.
#35. To: Prefrontal Vortex (#32)
Organizing a resistance was incredibly stupid of Jakey. The planet still has something valuable that the earthlings must have, the natives have shown themselves to be violent and unwilling to negotiate, so what happens next? A big rock would be dropped on Pandora. Much easier to mine a bunch of airless asteroids.
#36. To: Eric Stratton (#0)
(Edited)
What The Hell Are We Doing In Iraq and Afghanistan?
Bring'em Home
#37. To: tom007 (#35)
(Edited)
#38. To: tom007 (#34)
#39. To: wakeup (#36)
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