Thursday, January 03, 2008

Thought Provoking Film...

'The Kingdom' is a powerful film. Despite being an action movie, presented some deep underlying thoughts. Being a woman and observing how women are regarded in the middle east made me feel as if I was suffocating. The idea of my poor sisters walking around in burkas.... well, that's just not right! Why can't they wear colors or patterns? Is that too much of a turn on? Why must they look as if they are in mourning all the time?? I love black- goes with everything, but try wearing it in 100+ degrees with your face & every inch of skin covered. Guess the only advantage is they must not get skin cancer much. lol

Anyway, after an American citizen loses his wife in an attack, the husband tearfully asks a Muslim, "Does Allah love your children more than mine? Does he love your wife more than he did mine?" This is the same question I would be tempted to ask of any Muslim intent on killing someone just because they are not Muslim. I greatly admire the open-hearted Ghandi and his idea of peaceful resistence, but against a bully so hateful as an extremist, your chances are probably be best if I have a magnum strapped to my leg and USE it!

Although, he isn't mentioned in the film, journalist, Danny Pearl was an honorable, gifted and peace-loving man. He was in the Middle East to present a fair and balanced picture of the events that were happening. His life was taken in front of a camera by evil, animalistic rage. One cannot imagine the fear and extreme disappointment that coursed through his veins as terrorist supporters made an example of him. His heart was likely broken knowing he would not live to see his son be born and his wife would be left a single mother. There was no mercy shown to this kind man. There IS NO HONOR is such a killing!!

The film points out that for all our big talk about righteousness and morals, Christian nations and those of Islam are equally as guilty of hatred. Yes, sadly it's true and cannot be denied. Much good has been done in the name of Christ, but more atrocities have been performed and more lives taken by "Christian Crusades" and occupation by "Christian" nations than by Muslim terrorists.

I am NOT excusing terrorist behavior in any way. It's insane and inexcusable. I do not believe Allah is pleased with such murderous tactics.

Hurting people, hurt people.

No sooner do we discover we have a heart in this life, than it gets broken repeatedly. Pain creates anger, which breeds indignation & hostility. Although scarred, I still have a desire to appreciate and honor people. Every culture has something beautiful about it, some wisdom to share... if we are willing to look beyond the surface and breech the walls of prejudice.

Honestly, at times, our nation HAS been arrogant. Pointing fingers at other countries, calling them evil tyrants, but it wasn't very long ago, sons of the pilgrims who landed on these shores in search of religious freedom, were stealing land, murdering native women and children. Historical documents demonstrate that God-fearing whites of that day viewed Native Americans as "Heathen savages" and "less than dogs". A society that sat in straight-backed pews each Sunday, keeping it's women pale and corseted could not understand a culture of freedom and free spirituality.

Native silence at the forefront of any meeting, which was meant to honor the white man's presence, was interpreted as "ignorance". And violence against natives was justified in the name of "spreading the Gospel". (A message was definitely spread.) To this day, it's hard to find a genuine Native convert to Christianity. Why? Because Christians decimated Native culture with little apology or rectification. And don't get me started on slavery and the loooong struggle for civil rights....

Christians, Jews and Muslims are brothers and sons of the same Creator God. To see the three fight so intensely... well, it's heart-breaking. Strong religious culture gives people a sense of "rightness"- an arrogance that causes them to excuse away bad behavior if they are doing it "for the cause". Whenever we become blind to the humanity and uniqueness of others, genocide is a very real possibility.

Christianity is a beautiful concept that shares many common truths with Islam. Love one another, your neighbor as yourself, extend hospitality, forgive others and give sacrificially to those in need. Maybe someday, we'll get it right??

The action sequences in the film were intense. My only disappointment is that Jen Garner didn't get more speaking parts. If you see it or have already, I'm interested in what you think.

22 comments:

Erin said...

We watched that last weekend...it left me kind of speechless. Really intense. It stuck with me. It brought some reality to the kinds of things we hear in the news all the time, but we are so removed from that we don't really understand.

I agree with you about Jews, Muslims and Christians being brother sons of God...unfortunately they all want to have sole claim to God...like children fighting over who Daddy loves more...until we figure out how to overcome that, there will be fighting.

Fallen Angel said...

I saw the movie, but didn't get to see the end. I will have to watch it now. Parts of it were actually filmed here where I live, very close to my house, here in Phoenix. I guess we have climate and landscape like that of the middle east. The road they had the roadblock on at the beginning is actually a new part of the freeway here that they could film on before they started using it.

I really liked this post. I agree with all of it. Its funny how religions say they are the only right one, and that they are so different - yet you find many of the same beliefs in them, just in different words. I've studied Buddhism and am now Wiccan. I've realized that both of these religions were very much misunderstood by the Christian religion I was raised in. People are very scared of things they don't understand. Karma, "Do unto others", the law of 3, - these all basically say the same thing. Treat people good.

I am part native - 1/4 Apache. I was adopted and was thrilled to find this out. I never expected to be hated for this - I was so happy about it. But most Native Americans that I had talked to and told this to are very hateful toward me because of it. Its not something I can help, its how I was born, and something I was very happy to find out and identify with, even if it is only 1/4. I don't even mention it to any Native American's anymore. But I'm still happy about it. I'm thrilled that those are my ancestors and part of them is in me.

And I identify on some level with how they feel about Christianity. My religious and spiritual "ancestors", my sisters, were burned at the stake in the name of Christ. For the "cause", because Christians had the only access to and approval from God. And not that long ago. Burned at the stake. Literally. Murdered. I thought that was one of the 10 commandments? To this day, this is why it is a secretive, discreet religion. Wicca is actually a very loving religion. Very accepting, very spiritual, very nurturing. We don't sacrifice anything, have orgies, or worship Satan. I grew up believing those things. It is the only thing that makes sense to me. So I am here.

We are all on different paths to the same destination. We need to love each other and accept that we all have different ways of getting there. I sound very enlightened stating those words, but I, too, need to believe them and be more accepting. I have been having a challenge with an "anonymous" on my blog. I have a hard time being loving when I feel attacked, especially when it involves my kids (Mama Bear). But I need to accept and love the Christians too, which I find very challenging most times. Thank you for you kind words you wrote to me.

Everyday I have to look at "love" and "truth" that are permanently etched on my left arm. I did this after studying Buddhism, and I did it on purpose - so I would have to look at them every day. For me. They are the two most important things in the whole world. I all to often fall short of living them, but it helps to see them everyday.

I love the COEXIST bumper stickers I've seen - each letter in the symbol of a different religion.
(http://www.stampandshout.com/shop/bumper-stickers/coexist.php).

God is big enough for ALL religions.

Thank you for your post.

Namaste

imfreenow.blogspot.com said...

No way can you base your love of God and Jesus Christ on what Christians are or do, or have done. Therre is and has been so much hypocrisy, that it would be impossible to believe if hypocrisy were going to stand in the way.

For example, I am against the idea of acceptance of Harry Potter, because it is opening to things of the occult, yet many Christians are open to these books and see nothing wrong with them. I cannot for the life of me see why. It seems black and white to me.

I can see what Christians have done in the past and their defense for doing so - their killing instead of converting souls. Again, it should be obvious that Jesus would not do this or promote this, yet this is what Christians chose to do.

Yet, I have no doubt that Jesus was right when he said "I am the way, the truth and the LIFE. No one comes to the Father except through ME!"

I'm still going to stick with Jesus!

And, TL, in response to your comment in your last post - there is something about you that makes it difficult to keep from sticking with YOU!

Cheers!

Steve Sinai said...

I guess this is for fallenangel. Why would Native Americans be upset that someone was 1/4 Apache?

Fallen Angel said...

I had a Navajo co-worker who, after I told her I was 1/4 and after her rolling her eyes and shaking her head in disgust, explained to me that they resent anyone who calls themselves Indian or native at all if they aren't full blooded. If we are "white" at all we are in no way a part of them. I'm still proud of it though, even if it is only 1/4, probably explains alot about me, lol, I'm kinda fiesty. Anyhow, sorry I didn't make the reason clear. I really don't understand it myself.

Don said...

To paraphrase and update a banner quote on my blog, Organized religion has done more to stifle the real message of Jesus than any other source. It is true. Unfortunately, Christianity is not the only organized religion to distort and twist the real message of our Source, God. Very nice reivew and post TL.

Brian said...

Hi TL,

Been reading and enjoying all your recent posts. I hope 2008 brings you joy and blessings.

Brent and Bless said...

I'm Catholic and I love Harry Potter. I don't understand why most Christians are so against it. To me, it is just a beautifully written book. Just because I'm a Harry Potter fan, it doesn't mean I love Jesus any less. Anyone who has ever read any of the books, will see that it highlights family, friendships, love, and loyalty, etc. Nothing wrong with that! ~Bless

Fallen Angel said...

Harry Potter rocks. I wanna live at Hogwarts. And I want an invisibility cloak. Can you even imagine?

Love Harry. Just watched The Chamber of Secrets the other day.

Love the floating candles. Want some.

imfreenow.blogspot.com said...

I can't "discern" for those who "feel" right about Harry Potter. Best thing i can do is direct you to a post I did on the topic back on my original blog "Go Free Now." I named it "How I Met Harry Potter." It explains the experience I have had with the books:)

imfreenow.blogspot.com said...

Oh, and TL, I forgot to mention that I agree with you on the burkas and the color issue. What's up with that? Men can't look at a woman's face and not get turned on? Men can't handle colors on her body? What a bunch of wooses!

Roseuvsharon said...

I'm grateful I don't have to wear a burka.

However, there are some women I've seen recently who enjoy showing off everything they've got, even in church. Perhaps there is something to modesty, but Burkas, no way.

I let Karl see what I'm dressing in before we go to church. Then, he's the only one that knows what's underneath and the joy is all his.

Fallen Angel said...

Hope you are ok.

Ekta said...

aah..havent seen this one..but after reading ur post..am eager to watch it!
Hopefully..soon....

Erin said...

Hey there...everything OK? Miss hearing from you.

imfreenow.blogspot.com said...

Trailady,

maybe you're bowing out and we won't be hearing from you now....just know that we are praying for you..I think I speak for a large number of those who have been visiting you...

Gingers Mom said...

I keep checking back too. My thoughts are with you on this Mother's Day. :) Hugs.

Don said...

I miss you insightful posts. Hope all is OK.

Livingsword said...

Hi Trailady…..

Long time since hearing from you, I hope you are well…..

Col. B. Bunny said...

. . . you're obviously

Don said...

Col.Bunny- Religious conflict... You are in the process of further it with a response like this one. We are all ONE. There is no Jew, Gentile, male, female, free, slave, just us...ALL. The sooner we understand this, the sooner we live in peace.

Don said...

Where are you, TL? We miss you.