Avatar

I generally don't go to movies, but I allowed my family to convince me to go see Avatar, telling me it was just animation cartoons. Outside of the naked aliens, what really bothered me about this movie is the fact I found out Avatar is a name for the incarnate hindu god vishtu and the link that this movie makes between the earth and every living thing.

I found myself calling on the name Jesus during the movie.

What really bothers me is that some christians I know see nothing wrong with it. It is a grief to me. One was mentioning how much he liked it on facebook and I shared about vishtu and he removed my post and still uses the an avatar mini pic, and the guy is a pastor.

I have not seen this movie personally, however I do have family that has seen it. To put it simply they hated it. They said it was so preachy and just over the top with mother earth worship. They were told like you that it was a harmless fun 3d movie about blue smurfs but they ended up leaving.

Sadly there are many Christians who are saying that this is a wonderful movie. Its really kind of sad to see how easily so many professing Christians are deceived. Time is short and we need to keep our eyes on the King!

There is a bondage to entertainment that I think is very real. It is just like bondage to any other part of our flesh, and we have a very hard time coming to grips with God's desire that we be in bondage to nothing.

A young married man in our congregation was very much involved in a role-playing video game. According to him he spent up to 4 hours a day playing this game. God really began to deal with him on the issue, one of a list of issues that God has dealt with in his life. He loves to play guitar and drums, and had a great desire to write worship music. One day as we were worshiping in our fellowship the Lord spoke to him very plainly. He said, If you spent the time with Me that you spend with that video game, you could be anointed to write songs to me like you have longed to do. He struggled with this, and eventually obeyed. He went into the game and deleted everything he had saved, and then cancelled his subscription. He did not know what do to with himself. It was as though he had cut off a limb and had to learn to live without it. He has shared with me that his marriage, which was very strained, is now on the mend. He is finally free from that addiction much like the freedom he experienced when he obeyed God and broke the nicotine habit forever. He is growing, and we all notice a great difference in Him. He was more comfortable being a fictitious character than he was spending time with real brothers and sisters in Christ, but that is changing.

I think that movie and entertainment addiction is real. It is something other than God that has our heart. It leads to all kinds of compromise in our hearts and minds. I have found myself praying that this desire for entertainment be broken in peoples lives. Nothing sinful about movies, just about the content in most of them and of being in bondage to them.

Travis

There is a bondage to entertainment that I think is very real.

If we Christians would do the will of God concerning movies-- and just stop feeding on them completely-- we would severely shake Hollywood.

But alas, we love our idols don't we.

I recall reading years ago a message by I think it was Leonard Ravenhill-- comparing entertainment with the joy of the Lord.

And there IS no comparison is what he was driving at.

It's just that the price tag on the Joy of the Lord is pretty steep. We'd rather shell out a few bucks and be entertained instead. Maybe it's not the real thing, but at least it's easier.

In my own case I don't watch TV. Although I have watched a few videos over the years with the family, things like Ben Hur.

But I haven't been to a movie house since... I think it was 1972 or thereabouts.

Haven't seen any of the great Must Sees. Haven't seen Titanic. And no, haven't seen The Passion either.

A good resource: http://www.crossroad.to/Quotes/spirituality/lighthousetrails/010/1-avatar.htm

Adisciple wrote:

Haven't seen any of the great Must Sees. Haven't seen Titanic. And no, haven't seen The Passion either.

Haven't seen Titanic either. Had no desire and I am sure I did not miss a thing. I did see the Passion. I sobbed and wept my way through is as did most. I agree with you and Ravenhill. I would much rather be in the presence of the Lord and experience His joy than be entertained. I know this may sound irreverent and I don't mean it that way, but fellowshipping with the Lord, immersed in His presence with fellow believers is the best entertainment there is.

I know you were not making the point that these things are inherently evil, but I think it is worth noting that the medium of video can be a very powerful tool. I remember the Lord speaking to me and teaching me a very powerful lesson through a veggietales movie that my wife and I saw at the dollar theater. I literally wept through the ending while most people around me munched popcorn and laughed. But I am extremely picky about what I allow myself to watch and we do not have a TV in the house, nor do I ever want one. 1972?? Wow, I was barely a year old.

It's just that the price tag on the Joy of the Lord is pretty steep. We'd rather shell out a few bucks and be entertained instead. Maybe it's not the real thing, but at least it's easier.

This is a very true and sobering statement. We need to learn to value the presence of the Lord more than we value breath, and certainly more than we value our desire for entertainment.

Travis

twayneb I agree with you on all you have shared.

The trouble I have is I am the only one really walking with the Lord in my family. I really hate TV, movies and most anything but the puter and reading. However God has given me a husband that wants me to go with him places. I refuse just about everything with regards to movies because I just can't watch them, but I was assured by family it was a good OK for a christian to go to movie, not. I have been living this way for 33 years now. I am the constant wet blanket to everybody, and I am Ok with that. But it would seem as a wife you can't say no to everything. He tries to make it OK for me, but I am so.... picky. I am very sensitive to the spirit of what is being projected. I can't stand todays comedy. It is all trash to me. I have grown weary a bit of walking this, but I will not give into discouragment. I hope you will all pray that someday I will be equally yoked and it won't be me that changes. We were both unsaved when we got married 38 years ago. It is tough. So if any of you fellow believers are considering marrying someone unsaved, don't. I love my husband with all my heart, but him being a follower of Christ would be so... wonderful.

I too watched the Passion and wept. I have the video but my husband will not watch it with me yet.

I appreciate you all.

God bless you and peace to you house.

By the way dspks I sent the link you gave to my pastors and the person I mentioned that likes it.

thanks

There is a bondage to entertainment that I think is very real.

AMEN! And ditto to the other posts on this thread.

There are so many things out there that fight for our attention and once it gets it, it wants us to become obsessed with it, like an addiction. Even the most innocent thing can become an addiction.

My sister-in-law is addicted to her blackberry, Face-Book, internet and it is destroying her relationships with her husband and others...and it is all everybody else's fault, or so she says.

When I was a young woman I was addicted to crossword puzzles - I was obsessed with the ones that were in the Memphis "Commercial Appeal". God convicted me of it and now I can barely fill one out. And I was good at it! Ditto to the game Sudoku...And now I am beginning to wonder about the time I spend on FaceBook...

Loved everyones post on this thread, lots of food here to feed upon.

ginnyrose

Greetings Ginnyrose

...And now I am beginning to wonder about the time I spend on FaceBook...

I can just really relate to what you shared.
Some of my family use facebook and twitter as well. I have thought about signing up so many times but I know that I can not. As you know from my many pm I love to write, because of this I know that using facebook or twitter would be a huge temptation for me to spend way more time then I should. I know that it is something that I really need to be mindful of and be in prayer about because for me it would be something I could become addicted to.

As for movies or tv I have really been able to bring this under the Lord with His strength. At one time I was very much addicted to a certain tv show. I was obsessed with it and could not miss a single episode but then the Lord showed me that I had to stop watching it completely and I did. I never looked back and I do not regret it or miss it. For me I am learning that the Lord does not want me to give my heart away to anything other then Him and as soon as something takes any kind of priority in my life or heart over time with Him then it has to go.

As for this movie, I have not seen it but some in my family have and they thought it awful.

God Bless
mj

I have to agree snuf. I have found that when I have alone time with God occassionally I feel led to watch it and remember what love looks like.

God can even use secular society to speak to people and He did with this film. It breaks my heart and at times I really need my heart broken.

And now I am beginning to wonder about the time I spend on FaceBook...

I will say that with regards to facebook that you can use it as a ministering tool. I have friends who put scripture on there everyday and at times I feel led to share someting by what of encouragement or whatever God leads. But if you are spending huge amounts of time on things like farmville, or the rest, that is a differnt story. It is a time sucker used for just intertainment.

There is a great resource for movies that contain blasphemy, it's by Ray Comfort- HollywoodandGod.com My wife and I check this list and if there is blasphemy in the movie, we won't watch it. That cuts out 99.9% of the movies at the theatre, and 99.9% of the shows on television. In fact, we haven't had television for a year or so, since there was precious little we could watch, even on the Animal Channel, there was blasphemy.

Make it simple guys- If a movie or tv show contains any form of blasphemy, even once, don't financially support it or watch it.

Make it simple guys- If a movie or tv show contains any form of blasphemy, even once, don't financially support it or watch it.

Can I ask you what do you mean when you say if it contains any form of blasphemy? Are you talking about if they use the Lords name in a profane way?

God Bless
mj

Also jlosinski I think christians would be better off getting rid of all of it and using that time to further the kingdom. However you are the head of the household and able to make that call. I am in a position that I would have to sit in the bedroom all the time to not see it at all since my husband doesn't want to give it up. I think he is getting close though because he watches almost all the weather channel and sport. However the commercials are all vulgar. It is tough being submissive and still standing your ground to set no wicked thing before your eyes. My husband tries to "humor" me and I am greatful for that. But it seems I have to pick my battles. One day God will change all that and we will be in perfect agreement and I won't be the one to yield ground.

The trouble I have is I am the only one really walking with the Lord in my family. I really hate TV, movies and most anything but the puter and reading. However God has given me a husband that wants me to go with him places. I refuse just about everything with regards to movies because I just can't watch them, but I was assured by family it was a good OK for a christian to go to movie, not. I have been living this way for 33 years now. I am the constant wet blanket to everybody, and I am Ok with that. But it would seem as a wife you can't say no to everything. He tries to make it OK for me, but I am so.... picky. I am very sensitive to the spirit of what is being projected. I can't stand todays comedy. It is all trash to me. I have grown weary a bit of walking this, but I will not give into discouragment. I hope you will all pray that someday I will be equally yoked and it won't be me that changes. We were both unsaved when we got married 38 years ago. It is tough. So if any of you fellow believers are considering marrying someone unsaved, don't. I love my husband with all my heart, but him being a follower of Christ would be so... wonderful.

Goldminer: I will pray for your husband. You are not in an easy place I know. But I am sure you have experienced God's grace in this place to allow you to truly love your husband in word and in deed. Lean on God. The difficult part may be sorting out where you can go with him, and where you cannot. If it is a matter of conscience, I would lovingly not go. If it is simply a matter of preference, I would go with him. You have the greatest ability of anyone to win Him to Christ. I have read many people's opinion of how one spouse should react to another who is not born again, and I am still not sure how I would behave were I in that situation. I will pray for you now. May God give you wisdom and love in each situation you deal with.

Travis

Thank you twayneb,

I have learned to walk in love and respect for my husband. And God's grace is sufficent. When I was 23 and first saved a lady told me she had been praying and believing for 18 years for her husband to be saved and I was horrified. Well my husband got saved at the same time I did 33 years ago and I am still praying he will truly make Jesus Lord of his life. He never reads the bible, won't go to church, and shows no outward signs of being saved. 18 years seems pretty short now. Ha. I have a feeling when He, God, gets finished with me He will do a quick work on my husband.

Thanks for praying, I really appreciate it.

by Goldminer on 2010/1/25 18:57:47

Thank you twayneb,

I have learned to walk in love and respect for my husband. And God's grace is sufficent. When I was 23 and first saved a lady told me she had been praying and believing for 18 years for her husband to be saved and I was horrified. Well my husband got saved at the same time I did 33 years ago and I am still praying he will truly make Jesus Lord of his life. He never reads the bible, won't go to church, and shows no outward signs of being saved. 18 years seems pretty short now. Ha. I have a feeling when He, God, gets finished with me He will do a quick work on my husband.

Thanks for praying, I really appreciate it.

God bless you sister! My aunt is in the same position... so i know some of what you're going through... I'll be praying for your husband!! May the Lord Jesus bless you richly for holding firm to the faith!!

I have to throw in my two cents on this. I don't believe that TV is inherently evil, just everything on it. Kind of joking, but most of what is on TV and in movies is not fit for Christians. I talk to a lot of older people at church who have all these great stories of God moving back in the "old days". They talk about things I've never seen God do like miracles, healings, and jericho marches. Well, then they say that it really wasn't that great because going to the movies was a sin, and watching tv was a sin, but now it's ok. Me thinks I see a corellation. We spend our time allowing the god of this world to entertain our minds, which we are commanded to seek God fully with, and then expect God to move. Uh?

quote]My granddaughter, age 8, loves the movies, and I have accompanied her to several kids movies, from Nemo to the "Skweakwell"...[ chipmunks ] over the years. She also seems to be very sensitive to things of the Spirit,

Tom, it is a pleasure when you sense such discernment in your grandchild, is it not?

ginnyrose

What I mean by blasphemy is what we hear every day, I really don't want to list all the examples that I've heard, basically using Gods or Jesus name in irreverent ways such as an expression of surprise, frustration, (enter emotion here)... Any use of His name with swear words, I've heard numerous professing christians use "oh my G-d" so often that the fleshly part of me wants to shout "What did you just say?" Romans 2:24 comes to mind.

I know that there are things that are personal convictions to others in Christ, but this is not one of them. If you are entertained by media that contains blasphemy, you are wrong. This is a no compromise issue, I can't think of any valid argument that one could offer to God as to why they thought it was ok to watch/listen/read that stuff.

Goldminer:
I don't rule my house with an iron fist :), the decision was one that I certainly wanted to make, but knew that my wife wouldn't spring for it at first. I've been learning over the past couple of years that for me to bring up areas that need to change is often not the best way to go about it. I've learned to pray and wait for the Holy Spirit to make the change in my wifes heart, and I pray that she does the same for me. Over the next few months the change was made and I didn't have to fight over the issue, the Holy Spirit is far more tactful and convincing than I can be, even with good intentions. I feel your situation, cast you cares on Christ. When I'm in a situation like yours, my ears hear what is going on, but my heart is jealously guarding my love for Christ.
Love in Christ,
Joe

This is a no compromise issue, I can't think of any valid argument that one could offer to God as to why they thought it was ok to watch/listen/read that stuff.

_____________________________________________________

Greetings jlosinki

Thanks for expanding on what you meant. I have often heard many who profess the name of Jesus who use His name irreverently. It really does cause me to take pause, I wonder how it must grieve the Lord. And I agree that in those situation that we can we should not put these things before us.

God Bless
maryjane

Edited

jlosinski and everybody thanks for all your great comments.

I am at peace in my situation. My real reason for posting this thread is not frustration with my situation. It is extreme wonder of how "chritians" could find Avatar OK and even great, especially pastors that lead the flock. It seems that some think that they can just blink out the "bad" parts and enjoy the action and animation and be OK. But we become desensitized by allowing these things to enter our eye gates and ear gates. It is like hiding the idol amongst our stuff. It might not be visible but God is not OK with it.

We need to not evaluate how much is just OK, one sex scene? one swear word? one adultery. How many is OK? Enjoying the entertainment of false gods?

It is time we as christians understand that we are to be redeeming the time for it is short and making sure that pure things enter our lives so that the outflow can be pure.

I was hoping in this thread to encourage anyone who thinks Avatar and movies like it are Ok to rethink their position in light of the comments this generated.

We need to not evaluate how much is just OK, one sex scene? one swear word? one adultery. How many is OK? Enjoying the entertainment of false gods?

How much is OK? Excellent question! I wonder about this, too.

As a married woman I get very uncomfortable about 'love' scenes, not the sexy ones (never viewed any of this), just the passionate kissing. Hey, these actors are made with flesh and blood and do respond to touch...Is it holy for people who are not married to each other to participate in these scenes? Does 1 Corinthians 7:1 apply here?

Several years ago we saw a live performance of "Annie Get Your Gun". It was a good one, fun to watch until the end where you had Annie and the young man in a very cozy embrace kissing. The actress was a married woman, married to someone else. I felt very uneasy after seeing that...is this not committing adultery? I can tell you one thing, I would be as happy as an angry rooster if I saw my husband kissing another woman on stage....and I just might begin to act like one, too. :-(

ginnyrose

I am sure this is part of the reason there is so very little lasting committment in Hollywood. When you are lip to lip with someone else it is bound to have an effect, especially if that person is physically gorgeous. I sure there is a big group that have dumped their spouses after these encounters.

Very good point ginnyrose. Not sure about the adultry part.

We need to not evaluate how much is just OK, one sex scene? one swear word? one adultery. How many is OK? Enjoying the entertainment of false gods?

I remember asking this question to a group of young people that I taught years ago. We went into a great discussion of how far is too far in the sense of physical contact in a dating environment. I have realized over the years that the very question itself is based on a very faulty premise. That premise is that sin has a threshold that we can approach ever nearer to without crossing that threshold. To ask, "How far can I go without crossing the line?", reveals that in our hearts we divided between surrender to God and desire to feed our own lust. I am not talking about a person who is ignorant or a person who finds himself giving in to a temptation in a moment. I am talking about believers who know deep down that they are participating in sin, but desire it to the degree that they are willing to justify degrees of sin in order to gratify the flesh.

I am not a legalist. None of us will ever be perfect like God is perfect until the return of the Lord, and if we wish to make it by our own good standard of living we must be just as perfect as God. Impossible! So I am not trying to say that one must have everything together to be accepted by God. This standing comes by God's grace through our faith in that grace. What I am saying is that so many have never surrendered these areas of their lives to Christ for one reason or another and so they continually try to serve two master in the thing by asking the question, "How far can I go and still be technically OK?"

Travis

It's a little leaven that leaventh the entire loaf.

I decided to remove my post after some prayer.

God Bless
mj

about the adultery part

I was thinking of Matthew 5:27-28. While this scripture deals with looking, what you have in acting is actual physical contact - something that has gone to the next level.

ginnyrose

I remember asking this question to a group of young people that I taught years ago. We went into a great discussion of how far is too far in the sense of physical contact in a dating environment. I have realized over the years that the very question itself is based on a very faulty premise. That premise is that sin has a threshold that we can approach ever nearer to without crossing that threshold. To ask, "How far can I go without crossing the line?", reveals that in our hearts we divided between surrender to God and desire to feed our own lust. I am not talking about a person who is ignorant or a person who finds himself giving in to a temptation in a moment. I am talking about believers who know deep down that they are participating in sin, but desire it to the degree that they are willing to justify degrees of sin in order to gratify the flesh.

Excellent point. This point has far reaching applications. In other words, if you doubt, don't.

ginnyrose

Excellent point. This point has far reaching applications. In other words, if you doubt, don't.

Well, it is true that whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Paul dealt with the subject of eating meats that were offered to idols. He basically said that we know the idol is nothing and that the meat is simply food, but if you are weak in your faith and are doubting, then you should not eat. In that sense, if you doubt, don't is truly great advice.

I think what I was saying goes even beyond that though. It is the idea that I want to hang on to as much of the flesh as I can and still "make it" so to speak. It is a life that is not surrendered to the Lord in its entirety. God wants it all. If my attitude is, "How much can I get away with before I cross the line?", then I show that my desires are as much or more toward appeasing my flesh as they are toward pleasing God.

There is a balanced understanding of the grace of God that needs to be worked into and out of every part of our lives. It is true that I am saved by grace. My right standing with God through Christ has nothing to do with my actions in the sense of my actions somehow earning me right standing by merit. Paul taught this principle so strongly that he knew some might misunderstand and say, cool, I can be right with God and still do what I want? Awesome! But Paul said, "What shall we say then, shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid!" We are to reckon ourselves dead indeed to sin and alive unto God. We are not to let sin reign in our mortal bodies. Why? So we can earn something from God? So He will be more apt to answer our prayers? So He will be disposed to send revival either personally or corporately? The answer to all of these questions must be a resounding NO! Paul also made this very clear with the hard things he had to say to the church at Galatia.

It is the grace of God that teaches us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. We must realize that sin in any form defiles us. It makes us deaf to the voice of the Lord. It hardens us to Him. It brings about hardness of heart and impotency of faith. 1 Tim. 1:19.

Living by weighing consequences of actions versus perceived benefits in gratification of the flesh is to live carnally, and is a result of carnal mindedness. Not sin-mindedness, but flesh mindedness. It is having our focus on physical things rather than spiritual. To live this way is death. But to be spiritually minded is life and peace. This is living out of the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2)

This, I am afraid, is where a large portion of Christians live. They have an incomplete understanding of the grace of God and they live most of their lives out of carnal motivation. They have great knowledge of the side of grace that brings righteousness by faith, but little understanding of what accepting that grace means in the realm of death to the flesh and to self. It is an incomplete view and it leaves them faithless and impotent, unable to clearly hear the voice of the Lord.

I guess that was a little bit more where my thoughts were going.

Travis

I'm glad I read all these posts. Sometimes you wonder if you are too extreme on certain views. With Avatar, I considered going but I went to screenit.com[url=www.screenit.com]Screen It - free family reviews[/url] and was disturbed by what I found out in regards to the profanity.. Especially after the movie was recommended by several people I know. Most said it was "awesome!" and the graphics were great, etc.

look at this:
# At least 10 "s" words, 1 slang term using male genitals ("d*ck"), 5 hells, 4 asses, 4 damns, 3 craps, 1 S.O.B., 7 uses of "G-damn," 2 of "Jesus" and 1 use each of "For Christ's sakes," "My God," "Oh God" and Oh my God."

I disturbs me that Christian parents would have no issue with this. I just don't understand..Also, that hollywood would make a movie thats geared for kids that has this in there. Well, I shouldn't be surprised on that right?

Lastly, take a look at this "IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR" on the screenit review... Stuff that I don't even feel comfortable posting here. Anyways... I guess I'm preaching to the choir.

I guess I'm preaching to the choir.

Some of the choir members would even disagree with issues that bring you displeasure...

Thanks for sharing this list of inappropriate (or carnal or sinful) language. Because popular culture uses this language with no conscience, Christian people have incorporated it into their speech with no thought of its meanings or definitions. Sad. Tragic. Yes, Christians are getting used to the dark.

Blessings,
ginnyrose

WHY IS SO MUCH ATTENTION BEING GIVEN AND COMMENT
MADE ABOUT A PIECE OF PAGAN, SECULAR ENTERTAINMENT ??
SHOULDN'T OUR HEARTS AND MINDS BE STAYED UPON
HIGHER AND HEAVENLY THINGS ??

snufalapagus:
[i]"How far can I go and still be technically OK?" [/i]
For any believer to think this way, I question their faith.

[i]For through the authority graciously given to me I warn every individual among you not to value himself unduly, but to cultivate sobriety of judgement in accordance with the amount of faith which God has allotted to each one.[/i]
Rom 12:3 WEY

My pastor years ago was a sheep farmer and he said that sheep walk in a single file line to the barn to eat and back out again and if one of them steps on a rock, they will kick it out of the way (sideways) for the sheep coming behind.

(edit)We all have been alloted or given a different portion of faith. We who are so 'FAITHFUL' need to teach the younger ones!! We are all trying to make it home, even those questioning how much they can get away with!! (edited)

God bless you brother,

Greetings Sojourner

WHY IS SO MUCH ATTENTION BEING GIVEN AND COMMENT MADE ABOUT A PIECE OF PAGAN, SECULAR ENTERTAINMENT ?? SHOULDN'T OUR HEARTS AND MINDS BE STAYED UPON HIGHER AND HEAVENLY THINGS ??

I think some are talking about this as a warning to others who may not be aware of the dangers and pitfalls that are in this movie. Some times a warning from those who have seen and learned can help another from making the same unwise decision.

God Bless
mj

Yes, Plugged In online is also a good resource. My wife and I will not see a movie that uses the Lord's name in vain. Once we saw that in Avatar's review we didn't need to look any further.

We use ChristianCinema.com to get good movies. Its like netflix. We watched Timechanger last week and were on our faces before the Lord when it was over.

It depicted a Bible college professor transported from 1890 to 2000. One scene had him going to a movie on with a group from a local church.

It then went to a scene where he ran out from the movie into the lobby where they sell popcorn, very upset and animated, shouting "They have blasphemed the name of the Lord...you must stop this!!!"

We are fish in the sea and do not know how wet we are.