Year of Obama and Avatar

OH wait, let me bring write something that will together current culture, power politics, and the validity of christianity. No one will see it as a stretch of threefold fiction. Or perhaps we can get the pulitzer for bringing together many themes confronting western ethnocentrist constructs.

Oh wait, oh never mind, hare jesus hare jesus. love all (ignore history) love all (ignore history) love all (ignore history)... Oh wait, I think I can see Russia from here. (now it wasn't that same wise America that elected Bush and Obama, was it).

oh wait,

hariaum

PAMSM,

I did see the film and the visuals are so stunning that it trumped any cockeyed ideas in the plot.

I still had to suppress chuckles at some of the "serious" dialog so as not to embarrass my son. "Unobtanium" has been a standard joke among geeks for some time. As for my treating it seriously before, that was in response Ms. Henderson's thematic treatment of this fluff.

Still, the final scene, sending the Sky People back to "their dying planet" did grate. Kill your mother indeed.

EdByronAdams says:
"I have yet to see Avatar..."

Clearly. You are taking it way too seriously. It is PURE fantasy, and utterly unbelievable. Forget the evolution of conscious trees, the odds of the intelligent life that evolved entirely on another planet, being even vaguely humanoid are so remote as to be just as impossible as the flying mountains.

And that's not all. The dialogue is uninspired, the plot completely predictable, the characters stereotypical.

But you won't care about any of this while you're watching it. See it. It's wonderful.

Switching loyalty to an alien species seems the definition of "traitor" to me. Perhaps there are reasons to do so but swallowing those reasons whole, without examination, speaks to the unexamined life philosophy of many people.

I have yet to see Avatar, but I understand that they imbue the trees with consciousness. How that might evolve, even in an alien environment, remains a mystery, but such an attribute would certainly make cutting them down a moral problem.

Furthermore, taking other cultures and putting them on a pedestal is a cheap Hollywood trick. In "Dances with Wolves" the protagonist gives the Lakota such a high status and then helps them kill Pawnee. Go figure.

At least with "Dances" he gives a nod to the idea of tribal competition, without which there would be little progress, or possibly, human intelligence at all. Cameron, in Avatar, goes out of his way to create an alien environment in which peace reigns, nature has consciousness, mountains fly and Rousseau's noble savage can finally be found.

Perhaps in such a fantastic world, turning traitor against your own planet is justified but that would be because such a planet could only exist if directly created and maintained by gods. In this case, the god is James Cameron.

God, as everyone knows, is a Woman.
___________________

Before the world as we know it was created, said the Babylonians, there was only Tiamat, the dragon goddess of salt waters and Her consort Apsu, god of the fresh sweet water.

Both represent the idea of chaos that precedes form and order, which are the foundation of upon which civilization rests. Tiamat and Apsu are the parents of all the Great Gods and Goddesses of Babylon, who came forth from Tiamat´s almighty womb. No pictures are known of Her, but She is normally said to be a fierce Dragoness in form, or the personification of the Untame, Primeval Forces of the Universe before established order.

We also know that as Her young offspring of gods and goddesses grew up, they became so noisy to the extent that Father Apsu could find rest at night.

Apsu came to Tiamat to complain about the clamor of the young gods, but first Tiamat paid no attention to Apsu´s concerns. Rivkah Harris, in her excellent study of Gendered Old in the Enuma Elish (Chapter 5 of her book Gender and Aging in Mesopotamia: The Gilgamesh Epic and Other Ancient Literature, University of Oklahoma Press, Norma, 1999) says with deep insight that we first meet Tiamat in the Epic of Creation as a young woman of childbearing years.

At this time,She is tolerant and giving, and totally opposed to the decimation of her young. Thus, the younger Tiamat resigns herself to her spouse´s death for the sake of the children. Harris also stresses the point that Tiamat´s image is very positive, because her epithet is elletu, or pure.

But Apsu is not appeased and unhappier still about the clamor of the younger generation, together with Mummu, his vizier, father Apsu plots then that both should kill the younger gods to stop the noise once and for all.

Tiamat rejects categorically the plan. But the younger gods, fearing that they could indeed be slain by their parents, decided to withstand their ground. After some thought, Enki, the God of Magick, Sweet Waters of the Deep and patron of all arts and crafts, cast a sleep spell upon Apsu and Mummu, and then kills both.

Filled probably with sorrow and guilt, Enki withdraws to the marshes of Eridu, and there builds his temple, the E-abzu or E-engurra. It is interesting that one of the names of Enki´s temple is exactly the name of the father the God of Magick had to slain to allow for his brothers and sisters to go on living.

Somehow the temple, or the ground and foundation for Enki´s worship, is built upon the essence/legacy of his father. Enki takes refuge in his sacred realm, with his beloved wife Damkina. There, they conceive and give birth to Marduk, their son, a child of wonder, perfect in form and strength, blessed by all gods and goddesses of the land.

continued.....

When we meet Tiamat again, says Harris, She is older, more assertive and independent, therefore deeply shaken by Apsu´s death, now the Caring Mother turns to be the Avenging Spouse.

Thus she accepts to fight against her own offspring. As Mother Hubur, the underworld river, who fashions all things, She bore giant snakes with venom for blood, and cloaked dragons with a godlike radiance yet with a terrible visage, for the war. She rallied a horned serpent, a mushussu-dragon, a lahmu-hero, a ugallu-demon, a rabid dog, a scorpion-man, umu-demons, a fish-man, a bull-man, and eleven others underneath her champion, Qingu. She gave Qingu the Tablet of Destinies to facilitate his command and attack.

Tiamat is therefor a much more formidable opponent than Apsu, and asserts Her authority in such a fashion that it is mandatory that She should be eliminated. Thus the younger gods need desperately a champion, and there came young Marduk, a hero on the make, still untried, who is chosen as the champion of the gods. Marduk then ventured to try and conquer the greatest of all powers to date, the Ancestress who had given birth to the world that was, but that should accept change and become something else... perhaps more.

Qingu's strategy initially confuses Marduk, and Tiamat tried to enspell him, hurling jibes at him. Finally, Tiamat was incited into single combat with Marduk. She continued to cast her spell, but Marduk nets her, throwing winds at the fierce Dragoness.

She tried to swallow the winds, but Marduk cut into her heart, crushing afterwards her skull to death. Then there was the enormous effort of picking up the remains of the Great Dragoness, the worthiest opponent ever to a young hero and thus create the new order for all worlds. The parts of Tiamat´s body created the universe as we know it, and the divine fashioner was Marduk. For example, Tiamat´s body fell into the lower universe; one half became the dome of heaven, her eyes became the sources of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

Tiamat´s and Marduk´s Mystery was celebrated every year in Babylon especially during the New Year´s or the Akitu Festival, where Life was seen as the taming of primeval Chaos, a task that indeed never ends.

The Mystery of the Fierce Dragoness and Her Valiant Opponent bring also to light the victory of the hero-centered consciousness represented by Marduk in opposition to the cyclical view of the world centered on communal values, where the collective took precedence over individualism.

Marduk is the first heroic dragon-slayer in world history. Remember though that His glory was built upon the remains of Tiamat, to become the glory that was Babylon.

"Humans are disgusting and filthy creatures and should not breed any more disgusting human babies. I hope people got this message from the movie. Humans should stay out of space and quietly go extinct."
Posted by: cloudyone | December 28, 2009 2:41 PM

You first amigo, the kool aid is under your sink and the express button is the one in your nightstand.

Well! Well!

Spoken like a true brown shirt.

My, you seem to have a bit of something on your nose.

Hold still..

there is,…. Yes.....all clean.

But you can still smell it, can't you?

Oh is that so?

You have become quite accustomed to it,.... I suppose.

What mindless claptrap. Oboobma's groovy ancestry and pigmentation, however much they tingle the spines of self-conscious white liberals, can't compensate for his incompetence and extremist ideology.

Amazing the word *Avatar* is originally Sanskrit (Indian). And may be you shld get someone like Chopra to see if he can assimilate it with current American culture.

Anglo-Saxon culture, as I begin to understand it, at my +70s, and having been raised in a former British Colony where the rulers practised overt apartheid and sacreligious disregard to native culture and traditions, the Avatar's incarnation on American popular screen during this holiday season may be a means of seeking repentence for all its evils....

Nietsche's *Beyond Good And Evil* was written at end of 19th century/invention of popular democracy - which he decried as historical/moral decadence.

Compared to continental european cultures and their inherent diversity of both *good and evil*, anglo-saxon culture is today principally and morally abbhorent and racially unprincipled for popular democracy to be sustainable long term.

Amazing the word *Avatar* is originally Sanskrit (Indian). And may be you shld get someone like Chopra to see if he can assimilate it with current American culture.

Anglo-Saxon culture, as I begin to understand it, at my +70s, and having been raised in a former British Colony where the rulers practised overt apartheid and sacreligious disregard to native culture and traditions, the Avatar's incarnation on American popular screen during this holiday season may be a means of seeking repentence for all its evils....

Nietsche's *Beyond Good And Evil* was written at end of 19th century/invention of popular democracy - which he decried as historical/moral decadence.

Compared to continental european cultures and their inherent diversity of both *good and evil*, anglo-saxon culture is today principally and morally abbhorent and racially unprincipled for popular democracy to be sustainable long term.

thanks for catering, from Hen-Dear Zone.

héy people, come here, here is the food
http://tinyurl.com/unimari

As a public servant, Pres; Obama is not supposed to ADVANCE religion. We see how Ban=Abortion churches interfere with having a good, affordable tax-paid health system. We need tax-funded abortion because welfare is so costly & USA abortion is so cheap. Up to the l0th week, it costs $527. Up to 16 wks, it's $738. To the end, it's still only $1370. Compare that with the HALF-MILLION dollars we pay one poor unwed mom & one kid to age l8. If we pay the maximum $1370, instead of $500,000 we save $$498,630. It is Big Government to hire people to pay out that money for welfare, ADC, food stamps, health care and subsidized housing.

With respect.."WE" is not me nor is it half of Americans that did not vote for Barack Hussein Obama. So please, stop with the self soothing - start waking up to the fact that the "We" is a shrinking minority, here and abroad. Obama was the wrong choice for this time in history. I would refer you to the incidents of the past few days, those man made disasters, then let us in on your profound wisdom.

I've got an idea let's compare Bush's election to Alf while we're at it. What were you thinking?

Freeparking says:
"OBAMA on the other hand, is taking us for a ride and proves to everyone that the average American has no senses.
SHOW ME THE BIRTH CIRTIFICATE!!!"

Typical Birther - can't even spell "certificate."

And I suppose, Garoth, that the similar story (but with a much worse ending) in Judges 19:22-29, also meets with your approval?

Garoth says:
"One of the most sacred duties of God's people, according to both Testaments, is that of hospitality to strangers. Lot gave his daughters over to the crowd, rather than let them hurt those strangers who were under his protection"

Yes, he offers his virgin daughters to a crowd of men intent upon rape, to protect two strangers that he had insisted stay at his house. And you find this admirable?? This is the way of God's people?

You are one sick puppy, Garoth, and your bible is one sick book.

and if you think a president is okay who believes in abortion, you really are out there.

what a load. JESUS was GOD. read what he said about himself woman. He came because man couldn't have fellowship with God because of sin. God said the earth will pass away , but his word will not. you don't have to believe anything in the bible, but you are making up your own fairytale about Jesus.

Talk about a stretch to write a column! Why does everything have to relate to Obama? And I like the guy. But geez -- it's a movie, and it has the same plot as "The Return of the Jedi": People using medieval weapons defeat high tech weapons because wielders of stone medieval weapons are pure of heart and others are meanies.

Avatar is a 3D thrill ride for your senses,
OBAMA on the other hand, is taking us for a ride and proves to everyone that the average American has no senses.
SHOW ME THE BIRTH CIRTIFICATE!!!

The two things Obama's presidency has taught me is that a black politcian can be as corrupt as a white politician and that Democrats are just as corrupt as Republican politicians.

As if local politics hasn't shown us these already

Lose the "Avatar" analogy.

pgr88

You wrote, "The connection of the "Dances with Wolves played by Smurfs" movie with Obama just proves to me that the "Obama as gift from God" crew (read: Katharine Henderson) are truly living in a fantasy land."

Do you realize that we are all a "gift from God" to each other?

What "kind of gift" we are to each other is of our own choosing.

Take care, be ready.

Sincerely, Thomas Paul Moses Baum.

edbyronadams

You wrote, "So, the movie is all about extolling the virtues of turning traitor. Is that it?"

I have no idea what the movie is about but your comment is rather funny, do you realize that the "founding fathers" of this country were "traitors" toward England?

Have you ever considered that the "traitor", as you referred to in this movie, actually, as what is written in the posting, may have looked upon those he met as ones he got to know rather than to "cling to" what "others" told him they were.

Take care, be ready.

Sincerely, Thomas Paul Moses Baum.

Now it's about Religion after 8 years of supporting Satan Bush and even accepting the deaths of over 4000 soldiers based on lies, racism/hate/sex affairs all by the GOP with the Church in the White House to make sure the propaganda was spread around. Calling President Obama every name in the book and cheering the Priest who molest kids and even supporting the murder of Dr. Tiller. Is the Church now looking to suck up to Obama for money? Don't expect Obama or any American to believe this stuff even God wouldn't believe it as he knows liars.

Just another religious hack.. AND, clearly one that harbors strong bigoted feelings for people that don't look/think/talk/act/believe EXACTLY like you..scary..

NOW, you're stooping to use a topical piece of fiction to illustrate your point. You clearly have no clue what the work is about AND you're too stupid to find any real reason in trying to justify the same religious fairy tales all organized faiths try to use!! Weak... go back to your elders and try to make up something else...

Not too long ago there was an article decrying the lack of positive public relations on the part of the Christian majority in the US (the far Christian right getting all the press).

This offensive article is just another example of a Christian exhorting her superiority over others.

That this woman is the head of a seminary should be an embarassment to her denomination, faculty and students.

Obama won because he was the better choice over McCain, not because "Christians banding together" saved the Republic.

Besides, most people professing to be Christans do so in name only - they don't really practice what they preach. If they did, we'd have less crime, less poverty, less of everything Jesus preached we should make better.

I saw Avatar. Comparing that movie to Obama's election is an exercise in foolishness by a supposedly educated woman.

Christians are no better or worse than other religions.

It's about time Christians stopped acting like they are the superior beings and truely embrace all faiths, or those who practice no faith, equally and without prejudice.

to CHAOTICIAN, the poster. Remember that guy Atilla the Hun?
He did not exactly distribute free Asiatic cookies to the Europeans.
********
That Asian horde did to Europeans what the cowboy did to the Indian. No??

"So, the movie is all about extolling the virtues of turning traitor. Is that it?

Posted by: edbyronadams"

Actually, one of the themes is the *disgusting* exploitation of the loyalty by profiteering ideologues ...of the US Marines, who showed bravery and valor in carrying out the wishes of... Crass corporations.

This little display here on this board shows it's not ill-placed.

One thing Christian xenophobes trying to rebuke 'Hollywood pantheism' or whatever will not see while saying, "It's just a tree!"

Is that the 'tree' in question was also what we'd call a "city."

I suppose, like 'Dances With Wolves' ...what upsets Christian conservatives about the movie is in fact that for 'incomprehensible' reasons, a number of people *did* 'go Native' ...for good reasons. Reasons especially understandable to a 'modern' perspective.

You talk about "Betrayal." Betraying *what?* Fides must go both ways. Or it turns into something else.

I nearly fell out of my chair reading this column (its premise was ludicrous to begin with, so I wasn't expecting much). I don't know where to begin, whether it's the author's condescending, self-congratulatory tone ("Lookie! Aren't we grand! We chose to elect a black man whose middle name is Hussein! Oooh, and he's so EXOTIC!", ignoring that he's a capable, charismatic leader who rose above the fray by sheer talent and skill), or the fact that the author claims to know that difference is "God-given and God-intended." I'm wary of those who claim to know what God intends; I'll make up my own mind.
Electing Barack Obama was not about embracing the other. Had he been other, he would not have been elected. If Christian and multifaith education are Ms. Henderson's "passion," perhaps it is time for her to reconsider her definition of otherness in light of her background.
And comparing Barack Obama's election to Avatar? There's still a dent in the drywall where I've been banging my head. I enjoyed the movie as much as the next person who shelled out $15 to see it in 3-D, but likening the American people's election of Barack Obama to Jake Sully's embrace of fictional ten-foot blue pointy-eared aliens fighting to defend their very existence strikes me as incongruous at best. I won't say what it is at its worst. Ms. Henderson needs to go back to her seminary and think long and hard about how to make a meaningful contribution to the public debate. Hint: this ain't it.

I nearly fell out of my chair reading this column (its premise was ludicrous to begin with, so I wasn't expecting much). I don't know where to begin, whether it's the author's condescending, self-congratulatory tone ("Lookie! Aren't we grand! We chose to elect a black man whose middle name is Hussein! Oooh, and he's so EXOTIC!", ignoring that he's a capable, charismatic leader who rose above the fray by sheer talent and skill), or the fact that the author claims to know that difference is "God-given and God-intended." I'm wary of those who claim to know what God intends; I'll make up my own mind.

Electing Barack Obama was not about embracing the other. Had he been other, he would not have been elected. If Christian and multifaith education are Ms. Henderson's "passion," perhaps it is time for her to reconsider her definition of otherness in light of her background.

And comparing Barack Obama's election to Avatar? There's still a dent in the drywall where I've been banging my head. I enjoyed the movie as much as the next person who shelled out $15 to see it in 3-D, but likening the American people's election of Barack Obama to Jake Sully's embrace of fictional ten-foot blue pointy-eared aliens fighting to defend their very existence strikes me as incongruous at best. I won't say what it is at its worst. Ms. Henderson needs to go back to her seminary and think long and hard about how to make a meaningful contribution to the public debate. Hint: this ain't it.

One of the most sacred duties of God's people, according to both Testaments, is that of hospitality to strangers. Lot gave his daughters over to the crowd, rather than let them hurt those strangers who were under his protection; Israel was reminded that they shoud "remember that you were one sojourners;" over and over in the Epistles, we are reminded not to neglect hospitality, for in doing so, "some have entertained angels/messengers." Jesus welcomed those who were outsiders - all of the Gospels picture these outsiders as not only being a special concern for him, but also portray them as being more responsive to the "good news" of God's inclusive nature. How easily we forget this central message of both Judaism and Christianity! Thank you for a well-written article!

It's far from Core Issue,it's far from Core Issue.

Americans love their neighbors,but,their immigrants neighbors dont love American Nation.This is the Problem.
This Article is written 90 percent for muslim newcomers.
Americans want to love their muslim neighbors,but,muslim neighbors hate Americans.This is the Problem.
US is not Enemy of Islim,but,Islam is Enemy of USA.This is the Problem.
US will not adapt to muslim immigrants,They shall adapt to USA.This is the Problem.
They shall Melt,yes thousand times yes,they shall melt in Melting Pot,but they dont like to melt.This is the Problem.

My Dear Lady,
USA will not melt,they shall melt,yes,they shall melt.This is the Core Issue.
And,besides,Americans have no right to love their neighbors who try to destroy/wipe out USA.
And,besides,Americans shouldnt love their neighbors who hate USA.
Americans must not love their neighbors who try to blow up Ameican Planes.
America shouldnt adapt to those who swim with their dresses(Khashama).Swimming with Dress is not difference,it's a Challenge.

Contemporary Values.This must be Usher.
USA will not go back to Stone Age,but,those who live in Stone Age shall come,yes,they shall come to Twentyfirst Century(AD,not BC).Yes,thousand times yes,million times yes.

I am a little lost in your article, although I can easily agree with its general premise. Accepting the immigrant into our communities has faced the constant tension between the new and the old throughout our history. I do not believe that the US is any less tolerant of immigrants than 50, 100, or even 150 years ago. In fact, I believe we are far more tolerant. But, tolerance neither excludes judgment, nor means acceptance of everything a new person brings, nor does it mean that the new person gets to keep everything brought from the "old country". That is the concept of the "melting pot" and assimiliation. The American culture, as it is, absorbs the newcomer, only slightly affected, but forever changed from his/her influence. The newcomer is overwhelmed by the culture, at first quite resistant, but soon adapting, especially as the new generations, born and raised here, come to dominate the family structure.

Since I did not vote for Obama, I did not "instinctively" believe he was the one to be President at this moment in history. I am eternally grateful for that personal impact, if nothing else but to disprove to those who felt anyone but a white man could become President. I have always believed that anyone in this country can overcome personal and societal obstacles to achieve much in the area that they choose. I recognize that it is harder for some, because of prejudices, than for others. But, the opportunity remains. I have seen too many positive examples in my lifetime, such as Barack Obama, to believe otherwise. How many minorities of the so-called social-democratic states of Europe have reached such a similar pinnacle? Other than a couple of notable women (not exactly minorities), such as Margaret Thatcher (a conservative politician), d**n few.

So, the movie is all about extolling the virtues of turning traitor. Is that it?

Posted by: edbyronadams
===

If your boss orders you to shoot your mother, are you a traitor if you refuse?

After being subjected to numerous, rabid screeds calling for tightened restrictions on anyone named "Abdul" in the aftermath of the weekend's failed terrorist plot, it's refreshing to read this thoughtful piece. Thank you, Ms. Henderson, for sharing a true Christian perspective.

Humans are disgusting and filthy creatures and should not breed any more disgusting human babies. I hope people got this message from the movie. Humans should stay out of space and quietly go extinct.

Love the column and agree wholeheartedly with what is expressed. Find the comments sadly indicative of what too many of us are becoming; hostile, snarky, shallow and reactionary.

The connection of the "Dances with Wolves played by Smurfs" movie with Obama just proves to me that the "Obama as gift from God" crew (read: Katharine Henderson) are truly living in a fantasy land.

..."spent his boyhood in the Far East"

I know I'm no cartographer, but I'm pretty sure Hawaii is west of Ca-lee-for-nyuh.

As for his father not being American...isn't that the case for 99.9999% of all families at some point in this country? We wiped out most of the indiginous population and took their land, which means we are all descended from those whose fathers were "not American".

Sadly, people like you are all that will survive the media-apocalypse in progress. God help us all.

(Note: this poster is a registered Independent who voted for McCain)

So, the movie is all about extolling the virtues of turning traitor. Is that it?