First, watch this video.
Second, let's take a look at all the nonsense O'Reilly mentions in his . . . commentary.
We can't absorb all the world's children.
Why O'Reilly had to bring up Haiti's and Brazil's children is beyond me. The issue here isn't those children, who are not coming in droves. So, there's no need to absorb them. His verb, absorb, is weird. Why he would think that someone wants to be absorbed baffles me. No one wants to be absorbed--they want to survive. Either way, if children are in trouble, wouldn't it be a good thing to take them in and help them? Wouldn't we rather protect them here?
Every child in Sub-Saharan Africa...
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
It would be cheaper to activate the National Guard
For the record, Rick Perry did activate the National Guard. O'Reilly's assessment couldn't be further from the truth. To wit, in an article published July 21 on the Texas Tribune, the cost of the 1,000 National Guard troops along with other security is estimated at $17 million a week. Yikes.
The US and Mexico closing their borders will solve the problem of the children being put in danger
No, they're running away from danger. Sending them back will actually put them in danger.
What Jorge Ramos proved by crossing the river himself was how dangerous it was crossing the river . . . not detailing that several countries have to be crossed too, the river being the last hurdle to jump. At that point, a river or a fence isn't going to discourage anyone.
The point is this. The danger the children are fleeing is so large that they would rather cross several countries, borders, gang wars and rivers and fences. The journey's danger is seemed as a risk worth taking.
Closing the border or sending troops won't stop anyone, especially because children actually seek out those in uniform once they're across.
I know I'm only hammering away at an already-dead turkey here. You can Youtube search O'Reilly and what you'll find is clueless posts backing him and hilarious satires, especially from Colbert and Jon Stewart.
What I want to get at is the fact that someone kept silent all this hullabaloo when it first started. The GOP only started to point fingers when there were already over 50,000 children across the border. Deporting children is not only immoral, but a direct violation of articles 1, 2, 3, 9, 13, 14, 25 and 30 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Island of Dreams, II
This was the scene I wrote for the annual theater production at Union College. The play, titled Fifty Years Later, was more of a vignette aimed at reviewing events of the civil rights movement fifty years ago and its implications for today.
Act one was a narration of key events leading to the March on Washington, aided with music and songs from the movement. For act one, I had lines in only two scenes: one, in which I explained the way that the antebellum laws of America were shaped around the belief that (shamelessly borrowing from George Orwell) all people are created equal, just some people are more equal than others. The second scene I was in I recited a City of Lincoln mayor's respond to criticism after banning non-whites from a new city pool. I felt terrible, being non-white myself.
Act two consisted of short scenes written by a group of cast members dealing with civil rights in today's environment. Native American rights (the most polarizing line: "we are not a mascot of a football team"), stereotypes on blacks and women and immigration were all touched.
My scene was inspired by a short documentary of Ellis Island. I saw how immigration has always been a touchy subject. Times may have changed, but circumstances of today's immigrants at the Southern border are not unlike those on the East Coast 100 years ago.
Burma is mentioned because they are the largest growing minority group in Lincoln.
I tried to put in as many hidden things in the scene. The chalk number, 1907, was the year with the greatest number of immigrants coming through Ellis Island. Anyone with a number at the station was held overnight because they were deemed unhealthy and with the probability of spreading disease in America.
It was awesome that after the play one night some girl came up to me and told me she understood what the number meant. I felt like a movie director that had hid an Easter egg in a movie and someone caught it and understood it. (I did the same sort of thing as editor of the Clocktower when the last sentence of the last page of the last issue I was in charge of read "This newspaper was tested on animals. They couldn't read it.").
Act one was a narration of key events leading to the March on Washington, aided with music and songs from the movement. For act one, I had lines in only two scenes: one, in which I explained the way that the antebellum laws of America were shaped around the belief that (shamelessly borrowing from George Orwell) all people are created equal, just some people are more equal than others. The second scene I was in I recited a City of Lincoln mayor's respond to criticism after banning non-whites from a new city pool. I felt terrible, being non-white myself.
Act two consisted of short scenes written by a group of cast members dealing with civil rights in today's environment. Native American rights (the most polarizing line: "we are not a mascot of a football team"), stereotypes on blacks and women and immigration were all touched.
My scene was inspired by a short documentary of Ellis Island. I saw how immigration has always been a touchy subject. Times may have changed, but circumstances of today's immigrants at the Southern border are not unlike those on the East Coast 100 years ago.
Burma is mentioned because they are the largest growing minority group in Lincoln.
I tried to put in as many hidden things in the scene. The chalk number, 1907, was the year with the greatest number of immigrants coming through Ellis Island. Anyone with a number at the station was held overnight because they were deemed unhealthy and with the probability of spreading disease in America.
It was awesome that after the play one night some girl came up to me and told me she understood what the number meant. I felt like a movie director that had hid an Easter egg in a movie and someone caught it and understood it. (I did the same sort of thing as editor of the Clocktower when the last sentence of the last page of the last issue I was in charge of read "This newspaper was tested on animals. They couldn't read it.").
Island of Dreams, I
Island of Dreams
Actor 1: Woman, doesn’t
have the five dollars to enter.
Actor 2: Man, has
been waiting overnight. Sick. Period costume, chalk number on his suit (meaning
he has an “illness”).
Actor 3: Man, husband
of 4. Allowed to stay
Actor 4: Woman, wife
of 3. Sent back
Actor 6:
Receptionist. Working away at paperwork.
7,8 extras. All just
waiting for their names to be called.
Officer 1: Tired
demeanor
Officer 2: Tired
demeanor
Setting: Ellis
Island. Some actors are dressed to period standards (1910s) and some are
dressed to modern standards. They are intermingled. Stage is set to look like a
waiting room, and there are two officers in “offices” to where people are
called to. One is dressed period and the other modern. Background noise of
people talking, babies crying, papers rustling
SCENE START
Actors 2,3,4 are sitting, chatting with 6,7,8 about the
trip.
Actor 7: How long was your trip?
Actor 3: We got lucky, it was only two weeks. The weather
wasn’t too bad.
Actor 7: Hear that, Bertha? The man made it in two weeks!
Actor 8: My nephew came about six months ago and he said it
took him an entire month!
Actor 4: Is this your first time here?
Actor 8: No, they turned me back last time, (faces Actor 2) –tuberculosis, you know.
As soon as I landed home I turned around and got on the boat back.
Actor 7: Yup, that’s where we met.
Actor 2: So why did you come back? Is it worth it here?
Actor 8: They say it is. Better than Burma.
Actor 1 walks in,
hesitates on a seat and finally decides on one. Everyone stares.
Actor 3: I think they might send me back.
Actor 4: Don’t say that, we’ve been praying non-stop. You
saw they let me stay.
Actor 3: Yes, but—
Actor 6: 2 and 3 may proceed.
Actor 4, 7, 8: Good luck!
Actors 2 and 3 sit
down and officers don’t even acknowledge the two coming in. Just motion with
their hands to sit down.
Actor 4: Hi
Actor 1: merely nods.
Actor 2: I want to work
Actor 1: I want to provide a better life for my daughter
Actor 3: I want my son to get a good education
officers write on
their notepads. Still haven't looked up at the people sitting in front of them.
Actor 4 and Officers 1 and 2: Where are you from?
Actor 3: El Salvador
Actor 2: Ireland
Actor 1: Italy. You?
Actor 4: Mexico. What do you do for a living?
Officers 1 and 2: Occupation?
Actor 2: Carpenter
Actor 3: Doctor
Actor 1: Housewife
Officers 1 and 2: How much money do you have with you?
Actor 2: $25
Actor 3: Here's the price of admission. shows money. Not much, but I want to work and help this country as
much as possible.
Actor 1: breaks down
and cries do you have money to lend me? I didn't know you needed money to
get in!
Actor 4: I only have enough for me!
Actor 1 looks at 7,8
Actors 7,8: ad lib
about not having, but will ask others. ACTOR 1 crying softly
Officers 1 and 2: Okay. Take this paperwork to the
Receptionist. You may leave.
Actors 2 and 3 take
their papers leave the offices. Hand papers to Receptionist, 2 first. 3 waits
in line after him.
Receptionist: I'm sorry, but your illness is deemed a threat
to the safety of the United States of America. we do not want you infecting
this country. Please go to the left and board the boat back to Liverpool.
Actor 2: No, please, I'm not sick! I only want to help this
country out! I'm not a disease!
Receptionist: Please sir. There's nothing I can do about
that. Next.
Actor 3: Here are the forms.
Receptionist: I'm sorry, sir, but we cannot risk you taking
out benefits in this country—
Actor 3: But I won't, I'm here to work—
Receptionist: Sorry. You'll be taking our jobs. Go to the
left door, and get on the plane which will be departing soon.
Actor 3: My family is here!
Receptionist: Door to the left.
Actor 4: What will we do?
Actor 3: I'll be back soon. I'm coming back whatever the
cost, and claiming the opportunity they advertise.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
What goes in my brain . . .
I do not watch just anything on television or films that come along. I know friends that hear of a new show or a new movie, watch the trailer, think it has enough explosions and naked people and decide they are going to watch it.
I try to keep to things that will give me a chance to expand my mind a bit. I won't watch just any Oscar-winning movie, I won't read just any bestseller, and I won't watch just any award-winning show.
So why do I watch Doctor Who? Surely, a fifty-year-old science-fiction show with aliens and stuff blowing up isn't fit for my rather high standards!
Let me tell you why: I can't explain it in a few words. Honestly, I find the writing incredible, and beneath all the aliens and funny parts, there are quotes like "In 900 years of space and time I haven't met anyone who isn't important."
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Words of Wisdom to the youngins
There's nothing I have to say that Dr. Seuss hasn't already.
Still, if one were so inclined to glean from me any wisdom, I will impart the little I have accumulated over the course of the past few years:
1. Find a mentor.
As simple as this may sound, a mentor (or mentors) can become an invaluable resource of advice and guidance.
2. Listen.
I cannot stress enough the importance of listening. Most wisdom and learning happens when we listen. Most relationship building hinges on your ability to listen. Listen to friends, significant others, teachers, mentors, parents, listen. Even if you don't agree, listen. Take notes in class. Take notes in class. Take notes in class. Take notes in class . . .
3. Don't live your life for others.
This applies on many levels. Learning how to say "no" is one of the most important things, especially for people like me that love to help out or attend every invitation I get. Don't pay attention to people that don't like you for who you are. Don't let friends, significant others, and even family take up all your life and leave no room for other things.
4. Become involved.
Don't say "no" to everything. Being involved allows you to improve yourself, meet other people, and get that high that comes with accomplishing something.
5. Make a plan and stick to it.
Goal setting is one of the best things to happen to anyone. Long term plans are not flexible. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Pastor Rojas told me in a chat we had after he spoke for vespers that this question shows your ability to gauge your growth potential by the way you describe your plan.
6. Make a plan and destroy it.
Short term plans should never control your life. These are the ones you change and improve and keep molding according to how you grow.
7. Talk to others with experience.
Anyone that has been around longer than you have is fair game, even if "on paper" you have more experience.
8. Pick up a personal hobby.
Taking time out to sharpen the saw and be alone is something everyone should do. Read, bike, pick up an instrument, do math problems you make up yourself--possibilities are endless.
10. Challenge yourself.
Take a class that you would never take in a million years. Set an impossible project and finish it. The accomplishment is amazing, and you might learn a thing or two along the way.
11. Leave every person you touch better than you found them.
This one's pretty self-explanatory. Make a positive mark in everyone you meet.
Remember that every person is the most important person in the universe. Remember that you are the most important person in the universe. There's only one you in the entire vastness of the universe. There's only one of them in the entire vastness of the universe. Love God with all your mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.
Still, if one were so inclined to glean from me any wisdom, I will impart the little I have accumulated over the course of the past few years:
1. Find a mentor.
As simple as this may sound, a mentor (or mentors) can become an invaluable resource of advice and guidance.
2. Listen.
I cannot stress enough the importance of listening. Most wisdom and learning happens when we listen. Most relationship building hinges on your ability to listen. Listen to friends, significant others, teachers, mentors, parents, listen. Even if you don't agree, listen. Take notes in class. Take notes in class. Take notes in class. Take notes in class . . .
3. Don't live your life for others.
This applies on many levels. Learning how to say "no" is one of the most important things, especially for people like me that love to help out or attend every invitation I get. Don't pay attention to people that don't like you for who you are. Don't let friends, significant others, and even family take up all your life and leave no room for other things.
4. Become involved.
Don't say "no" to everything. Being involved allows you to improve yourself, meet other people, and get that high that comes with accomplishing something.
5. Make a plan and stick to it.
Goal setting is one of the best things to happen to anyone. Long term plans are not flexible. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Pastor Rojas told me in a chat we had after he spoke for vespers that this question shows your ability to gauge your growth potential by the way you describe your plan.
6. Make a plan and destroy it.
Short term plans should never control your life. These are the ones you change and improve and keep molding according to how you grow.
7. Talk to others with experience.
Anyone that has been around longer than you have is fair game, even if "on paper" you have more experience.
8. Pick up a personal hobby.
Taking time out to sharpen the saw and be alone is something everyone should do. Read, bike, pick up an instrument, do math problems you make up yourself--possibilities are endless.
10. Challenge yourself.
Take a class that you would never take in a million years. Set an impossible project and finish it. The accomplishment is amazing, and you might learn a thing or two along the way.
11. Leave every person you touch better than you found them.
This one's pretty self-explanatory. Make a positive mark in everyone you meet.
Remember that every person is the most important person in the universe. Remember that you are the most important person in the universe. There's only one you in the entire vastness of the universe. There's only one of them in the entire vastness of the universe. Love God with all your mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
According to 4th graders,
Justice is:
"Standing up for someone else."
"When we're at peace with one another."
"When everyone has the same rights."
"Equality."
"Fairness."
"Sharing."
"Treat others the way you want to be treated."
"Friends."
"When we work together."
"Teamwork."
"Being nice to bullies."
Forgiveness is:
"Very important. I will write a note to the person who abused me saying I forgive him."
Their most favorite thing in the world:
"Football."
"Books."
"Instruments."
"The family that adopted me."
"Friends."
"Sports."
"Math."
Sharing--even with people who are mean--
"Is important because if you're not nice then the person will still be mean, and if the mean person has something another day he might not share."
On Inequality:
"It's not fair."
"When poor people have no money, they end up having to go to People's City Mission."
"It's harder for the poor because the rich get richer and the poor is hard for them to not be."
On Self-Image:
"Hey! You're the pretty girl!" Made all the "grown-ups" smile.
"It's easy, because you're skinny!" The surprised look on the skinny girl's face told me she didn't think of herself as skinny very often. Maybe we should all talk to kids more often.
"You're the funny one!" I've always thought of myself a bit on the corny side rather than funny, but maybe I should think again.
On Life:
"I told the other group about my past." (In 4th grade . . .) "I told them about how I've been adopted three times: once by a Native American family, then by a family that didn't give me my meds, and now by this family who loves me."
Kid: "My name is Atticus."
Me: "Oh, Atticus Finch!"
Kid: "That's who I was named after."
I don't like teaching little kids much, I'm not smart enough to explain things in a simple way. Today, though, it was just fine because they were the ones taking me to school, teaching me lessons in the simplest of language.
"Standing up for someone else."
"When we're at peace with one another."
"When everyone has the same rights."
"Equality."
"Fairness."
"Sharing."
"Treat others the way you want to be treated."
"Friends."
"When we work together."
"Teamwork."
"Being nice to bullies."
Forgiveness is:
"Very important. I will write a note to the person who abused me saying I forgive him."
Their most favorite thing in the world:
"Football."
"Books."
"Instruments."
"The family that adopted me."
"Friends."
"Sports."
"Math."
Sharing--even with people who are mean--
"Is important because if you're not nice then the person will still be mean, and if the mean person has something another day he might not share."
On Inequality:
"It's not fair."
"When poor people have no money, they end up having to go to People's City Mission."
"It's harder for the poor because the rich get richer and the poor is hard for them to not be."
On Self-Image:
"Hey! You're the pretty girl!" Made all the "grown-ups" smile.
"It's easy, because you're skinny!" The surprised look on the skinny girl's face told me she didn't think of herself as skinny very often. Maybe we should all talk to kids more often.
"You're the funny one!" I've always thought of myself a bit on the corny side rather than funny, but maybe I should think again.
On Life:
"I told the other group about my past." (In 4th grade . . .) "I told them about how I've been adopted three times: once by a Native American family, then by a family that didn't give me my meds, and now by this family who loves me."
Kid: "My name is Atticus."
Me: "Oh, Atticus Finch!"
Kid: "That's who I was named after."
I don't like teaching little kids much, I'm not smart enough to explain things in a simple way. Today, though, it was just fine because they were the ones taking me to school, teaching me lessons in the simplest of language.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
God's not a linear God, II (or, a Critical Review of Darren Aronofsky's "Noah")
I'm infuriated.
I cannot stand the twisting lies that are being told.
Let me back up a bit.
There's a certain British actress which has caught my eye for quite some time now named Emma Watson. Classy, smart (straight As all throughout British school system and a soon-to-be graduate of Ivy League Brown University), and beautiful, I've been following her career.
She announced she would be in a project called "Noah," about the Biblical character. At first, I had no idea how the heck this would work. Any Biblical adaptation to the big screen can be really sketchy. I can count on one hand the Biblical movies that have been good and at the same time well-grounded.
I saw the trailers and was amazed at the visuals. Then, I researched the movie.
Turns out, the director had co-written a graphic novel on Noah that had been controversial with conservative Christian reviewers, most of whom said in their reviews that they hadn't read it because (and I'm paraphrasing) they didn't want to have anything to do with lies.
I researched it and read bits, and I found out that Daronofsky (raised a Jew, yet an Atheist now) intended to create another flood myth and combine aspects of many other flood myths (read the Qu'ran's version of Noah, Epic of Gilgamesh, Chapter 3 of the Popol Vuh, Trentren and Caicai Vilu, and others) to create a "master" myth. He found that basing the main story arc in the Bible's point of view worked best.
This became the movie.
The night before the movie came out, a horribly one-sided review came out following months of people criticizing it for not being Biblical (since the author wanted to create another myth mostly based on the Bible but not the Bible's version, he put a disclaimer on all the trailers stating that creative license had been taken and if one were so inclined to read the Biblical story, one could visit Genesis).
This review was exaggerated, and the author had been under fire for calling President Obama a racist.
A comment war on facebook exploded. I joined only to disregard the article, not the movie. Soon, the movie became the conversation. I explained the mono-myth approach, to which (and I've heard this argument many times since, including in an Amazing Facts review of a review of a review) someone argued that Noah was a mage who had demons help him build an ark out of a magic forest.
I had done my research.
Noah plants the forest, just like in the Qu'ran's version. That's when I noticed that all the other criticisms could be utterly wrong.
Thursday (opening night for the movie) after our play performance, two literature/film buddies of mine decided to go watch it. Heck, we thought, there's a theater that has comfy seats and free popcorn and $5 movies for students. Let's go learn something--even if we're disappointed, we'll know why the movie was wrong and not rely on hearsay.
All I can say is that this movie is one of the best films I have ever seen.
First thing I did as I arrived in my apartment was take out my Bible. After reading and re-reading and re-re-re-reading the story, I was astonished at how much I thought I knew the story and how much I really didn't. (How much of the Bible do we really know and not just remember vaguely from sermons and Bible stories?). I appreciated the accuracy.
Everything that is in the Bible is in the story. Things that aren't only work to advance the main plotlines: man's wickedness (which caused the flood) then and how it relates to today (soldiers from all eras including modern are depicted when the subject of brother against brother is brought up after Cain and Abel), redemption (arguably the underlying and main plot story arc), a merciful God who is willing to give us a choice and a second chance (In Noah's hands the fate of the human race is left), stewardship (one of the main wickedness is our inability to serve nature and creation around us, including a bit about vegetarianism and eating meat--only after the flood are we allowed by God to eat meat, so it stands to reason that someone just would have been vegetarian), A God who speaks after the point of desperation (many people lose their faith because God seems silent at the time of most apparent need. This God is silent many times, but in the end comes through even after all hope seems to have been lost--I feel an accurate view, because hope is never lost when He's around).
I only had one problem with the story: a certain storyline--brilliant, by the way--could have been cut and the plot could have advanced just the same. But that's just a literature freak talking.
Throughout the movie, there were several parts of the movie where I wished I could have paused it and thought for a minute.
The ride back was full of conversation. My two friends and I concluded that the movie was grandiose. As I tweeted, "Majestic in scope, masterful storytelling," and I might add "compelling, thought-provoking, and moving. Not for entertainment purposes. A stern warning." The Bible verse "as in the days of Lot and Noah" came alive as the director mirrored man's wickedness to things we do today.
When I read the Amazing Facts review, I was astounded at the gall and ignorance of the post. The reviewer says: "We’ve been paying close attention to the reviews of this film from both Christian and non-Christian critics alike." Then he lists lies spread about the movie:
The worst lies in the article are these: "it's likely the filmmakers believe Genesis is a mere fable and seek to change your perceptions about God and the Bible." Never to change your perception, just give you another view which you don't have to agree with. I don't agree with Gilgamesh and still find it edifying. How dare we say that God allowed all civilizations to live without any light until they were reached by us.
The article is right: the Bible isn't meant for amusement. It is wrong in that it accuses the movie of doing that, when the film clearly cannot be seen if you are not ready to learn and discuss afterwards.
We, as Christians, do not hold the legal and the only rights to the truth. How dare we take claim over those. While I can say that the only source material I trust 100% is the Bible, that will not stop me from learning from others that have the limited light available to other cultures, while they wait for Christ to illuminate them himself.
If one only wants to find faults, one can do so watching this or even a Doug Batchelor sermon. Mindset is everything. Point of view matters--especially from a world wide flood. If one does not understand that there have been countless cultures with their own literature and that the Bible's account itself came from spoken stories, it is easy to discount it.
If you are not educated outside of what you grew up hearing, do not watch it. If you want to be entertained, stay home or don't download it.
Otherwise, you'd be a fool to miss it.
I cannot stand the twisting lies that are being told.
Let me back up a bit.
There's a certain British actress which has caught my eye for quite some time now named Emma Watson. Classy, smart (straight As all throughout British school system and a soon-to-be graduate of Ivy League Brown University), and beautiful, I've been following her career.
She announced she would be in a project called "Noah," about the Biblical character. At first, I had no idea how the heck this would work. Any Biblical adaptation to the big screen can be really sketchy. I can count on one hand the Biblical movies that have been good and at the same time well-grounded.
I saw the trailers and was amazed at the visuals. Then, I researched the movie.
Turns out, the director had co-written a graphic novel on Noah that had been controversial with conservative Christian reviewers, most of whom said in their reviews that they hadn't read it because (and I'm paraphrasing) they didn't want to have anything to do with lies.
I researched it and read bits, and I found out that Daronofsky (raised a Jew, yet an Atheist now) intended to create another flood myth and combine aspects of many other flood myths (read the Qu'ran's version of Noah, Epic of Gilgamesh, Chapter 3 of the Popol Vuh, Trentren and Caicai Vilu, and others) to create a "master" myth. He found that basing the main story arc in the Bible's point of view worked best.
This became the movie.
The night before the movie came out, a horribly one-sided review came out following months of people criticizing it for not being Biblical (since the author wanted to create another myth mostly based on the Bible but not the Bible's version, he put a disclaimer on all the trailers stating that creative license had been taken and if one were so inclined to read the Biblical story, one could visit Genesis).
This review was exaggerated, and the author had been under fire for calling President Obama a racist.
A comment war on facebook exploded. I joined only to disregard the article, not the movie. Soon, the movie became the conversation. I explained the mono-myth approach, to which (and I've heard this argument many times since, including in an Amazing Facts review of a review of a review) someone argued that Noah was a mage who had demons help him build an ark out of a magic forest.
I had done my research.
Noah plants the forest, just like in the Qu'ran's version. That's when I noticed that all the other criticisms could be utterly wrong.
Thursday (opening night for the movie) after our play performance, two literature/film buddies of mine decided to go watch it. Heck, we thought, there's a theater that has comfy seats and free popcorn and $5 movies for students. Let's go learn something--even if we're disappointed, we'll know why the movie was wrong and not rely on hearsay.
All I can say is that this movie is one of the best films I have ever seen.
First thing I did as I arrived in my apartment was take out my Bible. After reading and re-reading and re-re-re-reading the story, I was astonished at how much I thought I knew the story and how much I really didn't. (How much of the Bible do we really know and not just remember vaguely from sermons and Bible stories?). I appreciated the accuracy.
Everything that is in the Bible is in the story. Things that aren't only work to advance the main plotlines: man's wickedness (which caused the flood) then and how it relates to today (soldiers from all eras including modern are depicted when the subject of brother against brother is brought up after Cain and Abel), redemption (arguably the underlying and main plot story arc), a merciful God who is willing to give us a choice and a second chance (In Noah's hands the fate of the human race is left), stewardship (one of the main wickedness is our inability to serve nature and creation around us, including a bit about vegetarianism and eating meat--only after the flood are we allowed by God to eat meat, so it stands to reason that someone just would have been vegetarian), A God who speaks after the point of desperation (many people lose their faith because God seems silent at the time of most apparent need. This God is silent many times, but in the end comes through even after all hope seems to have been lost--I feel an accurate view, because hope is never lost when He's around).
I only had one problem with the story: a certain storyline--brilliant, by the way--could have been cut and the plot could have advanced just the same. But that's just a literature freak talking.
Throughout the movie, there were several parts of the movie where I wished I could have paused it and thought for a minute.
The ride back was full of conversation. My two friends and I concluded that the movie was grandiose. As I tweeted, "Majestic in scope, masterful storytelling," and I might add "compelling, thought-provoking, and moving. Not for entertainment purposes. A stern warning." The Bible verse "as in the days of Lot and Noah" came alive as the director mirrored man's wickedness to things we do today.
When I read the Amazing Facts review, I was astounded at the gall and ignorance of the post. The reviewer says: "We’ve been paying close attention to the reviews of this film from both Christian and non-Christian critics alike." Then he lists lies spread about the movie:
- Satan’s fallen angels protect Noah while he builds the ark
- To stop the earth from being repopulated, Noah tries to kill his son’s pregnant wife
- Noah is portrayed as a uncaring, coarse man reluctant to follow God’s instructions
- Methuselah is characterized as some sort of witch doctor who guides Noah spiritually!
The worst lies in the article are these: "it's likely the filmmakers believe Genesis is a mere fable and seek to change your perceptions about God and the Bible." Never to change your perception, just give you another view which you don't have to agree with. I don't agree with Gilgamesh and still find it edifying. How dare we say that God allowed all civilizations to live without any light until they were reached by us.
The article is right: the Bible isn't meant for amusement. It is wrong in that it accuses the movie of doing that, when the film clearly cannot be seen if you are not ready to learn and discuss afterwards.
We, as Christians, do not hold the legal and the only rights to the truth. How dare we take claim over those. While I can say that the only source material I trust 100% is the Bible, that will not stop me from learning from others that have the limited light available to other cultures, while they wait for Christ to illuminate them himself.
If one only wants to find faults, one can do so watching this or even a Doug Batchelor sermon. Mindset is everything. Point of view matters--especially from a world wide flood. If one does not understand that there have been countless cultures with their own literature and that the Bible's account itself came from spoken stories, it is easy to discount it.
If you are not educated outside of what you grew up hearing, do not watch it. If you want to be entertained, stay home or don't download it.
Otherwise, you'd be a fool to miss it.
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