I thought a lot about what I would say regarding this movie while driving home tonight. First, know your reviewer. He does not claim to be Christian, though he strives to be Christ-like. He has been baptized at least 4 times in various denominations, used to be a Church officer in a Fundamentalist Baptist Church, and is fairly well-read and well-versed in the Bible, as well as in many other variously consistent and seemingly divergent spiritual points of view. He has also studied politics, psychology and philosophy at the graduate level. He takes an eclectic approach to the study of the Divine in the Spirit of Matthew 7:1. Yet by definition, I must judge to comment on this movie, so without further ado, I descend into the paradox of life to share my opinion.
I would say about 95% of this movie delivered a message that is consistent with Truth and enlightened understanding, based on the Christian ideal of being Christ-like (Love God, Love your neighbor). Yet, there is one particular scene that suggests that those who do not accept 'Jesus' as their Lord and Savior are spending eternity in agony (i.e. Hell). In some ways, this fear-based approach spoiled the movie for me. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear" (1 John 4:18). The Bible says "The Kingdom of God (Heaven) is within you." Well, so is Hell. Heaven and Hell are states of Life, not death, states of one's inner being, and Salvation is ALWAYS possible. Why? Because "With God, all things are possible." In fact, according to scripture, "Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me" (John 12:44). In the end, "Death sets all men free" (Faust). That is if we really want to call it death - Remember, all we are is energy and matter, both of which are different manifestations of the same thing (according to Einstein), and neither of which can be created nor destroyed per the first law of thermodynamics. In other words, we've always been here, and we're always going to be here, in one form or another. But, it is still a good clean movie with a well-intentioned message. Of course, if you disagree with anything I have said, then you are judging. If you think anyone is going or has gone to hell when they die, then you are judging. And if I think you are judging then I too am judging. Boy, its a vicious circle, let me tell ya. I guess "wisdom is what's left when we run out of personal opinions."
I would say about 95% of this movie delivered a message that is consistent with Truth and enlightened understanding, based on the Christian ideal of being Christ-like (Love God, Love your neighbor). Yet, there is one particular scene that suggests that those who do not accept 'Jesus' as their Lord and Savior are spending eternity in agony (i.e. Hell). In some ways, this fear-based approach spoiled the movie for me. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear" (1 John 4:18). The Bible says "The Kingdom of God (Heaven) is within you." Well, so is Hell. Heaven and Hell are states of Life, not death, states of one's inner being, and Salvation is ALWAYS possible. Why? Because "With God, all things are possible." In fact, according to scripture, "Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me" (John 12:44). In the end, "Death sets all men free" (Faust). That is if we really want to call it death - Remember, all we are is energy and matter, both of which are different manifestations of the same thing (according to Einstein), and neither of which can be created nor destroyed per the first law of thermodynamics. In other words, we've always been here, and we're always going to be here, in one form or another. But, it is still a good clean movie with a well-intentioned message. Of course, if you disagree with anything I have said, then you are judging. If you think anyone is going or has gone to hell when they die, then you are judging. And if I think you are judging then I too am judging. Boy, its a vicious circle, let me tell ya. I guess "wisdom is what's left when we run out of personal opinions."