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WICCANS
Subject: Atlantis_The_Lost_Empire
Date: Mon, 6 Aug 2001
From: Brian
Mr. David Bruce,
First, I ran across HollywoodJesus almost by accident a month ago.
But, I am very glad I did. These reviews are great and I enjoy the
reviewers takes on the Christian messages within the movies. I agree
with a lot and disagree with others, but it is never anything major
(So true).
Second, having
just read through the Atlantis bulletin Board, I'm a bit taken back.
We have well meaning people upset over references to "New Age" and
Wiccan philosophies. Um...that's part of being in the world. Recognizing
it and not believing it is not being OF the world. And while I admire
your stance that God does love all, I felt you were a bit harsh.
But that's my opinion. (Yeah, perhaps I was)
I do think there
are groups out there that may consider themselves witches and have
nothing to do with Wicca. (So true) Jesus
died for them, too. I also believe there are cults that despise
all that resembles Christianity. Jesus died for them, too. (So
true) And I believe there are people who are scared of what
could be, might be and in some cases is out there and have nothing
but good intentions to protect themselves, their families and others.
Jesus died for them, too (So true).
Well, enough
of my soap box. Can't wait to see the hub-bub from Harry Potter
though (So true).
Thank you, Brian Terrel
RECOGNITION
Subject: Atlantis_The Lost_Empire
Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2001
From: Edwin
It's been some
weeks now since I saw the movie "Atlantis" but I do remember that
I was not pleased with some of it. The crystal thing bothered me
because there are cults that use crystals. It reminds me of amulets/charms
which are items said to have supernatural/magical powers to ward
off spells, demons and bad luck. (Source of info: Fourteen Things
Witches Hope Parents Never Find Out by David Benoit) There were
other things that bothered me about the movie but I cannot recall
all of it.
I would very
much recommend David Benoit's Fourteen Things Witches Hope Parents
Never Find Out.
I do not agree
with everything he writes in this book because it seems really strict
but it does provide Christians with a microscope into the secular
world. I would never have learned what I have if I hadn't read that
book. I still find it useful at times. I do like to be positive
so I will say that the animation and color of the movie was entertaining.
----
Response:
Yes, yes. I can just see it now, all the so-called witches hoping
that parents wouldn't discover that they are out there trying to
get their children. Good grief man, why do you read such garbage
and hate. Merchants of fear. Salem witch trials are back again.
And, so-called Christians are leading the way. END THE HATE. ENOUGH
IS ENOUGH. WICCANS ARE PRECIOUS PEOPLE. JESUS LOVES WICCANS. And
Wiccans do not harm children. This film has NOTHING to do with Wiccans.
-David
THOUGHTS
Subject: Atlantis_The_Lost_Empire
Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001
From: Chatney
I truly enjoyed "Atlantis." I have read several books "about" this
fabled city and its inhabitants -- and those readings certainly
helped me understand the more "pagan" concepts in this film. The
issue of the crystal appears in all Atlantis stories -- and thus
must be a part of any new productions that claim to investigate
the same story.
Likewise, I
appreaciated the strides taken to illustrate the Christian society
from which the exploration team originated. They were few, but effective
-- particularly Milo's reference to the book of Job.
My struggle
came with the intermingling of the two worlds. The movie theoretically
begins by taking one world's (Christian) view as truth, then also
accepting another (Atlantean) view as truth. I know this statement
sounds a bit fishy -- but consider that if Milo and his team "believe"
in the crystals and spirit-goddesses, then they must have "accepted"
them as true. That throws me. If there is (and I believe there is)
One God, creator of all things -- then God's Truth is universal.
How can both of these worlds be presented as "true" at the same
time?
Response:
It's just a fairy tale within our culture, treat it as such. Don't
try to make literal sense of it. Take it on its own terms. -David
MOVIES
AND CHRISTIANS
Subject: Newsletter 25
Date: Thu, 19 Jul 2001
From: "T'n'T Family"
I'm probably
going to be blasted like what has been done with others that disagree
with Hollywood Jesus but here goes.
I read the response
to others that viewed films like Atlantis as portraying New Age
talk, supposed "demon honouring concepts" and Wiccan language and
here is my response whatever it is worth.
I have 3 small
children and I'm very protective of them and I will give an account
to God some day for what I've taught them. I want to thank those
people who wrote in about Atlantis and its seemingly occultic underpinnings.
Children are so enamered by films and seem to accept anything on
TV as true. That is why I am trying to teach mine that most of what
is seen on movies and TV has the tendency to go against what God
wants. I try to inform them where the show is wrong and teach them
not to accept anything that goes against the teachings of the Word
of God. We are to be on the lookout 1 Pet. 5:8.
(You are being a good father. This is good)
This is teaching
them discernment or to discern what is right and what is wrong based
on what God says not the what the world says. The Bible is clear
that in these last days there will be false prophets and false teachers
in the church. We need the gift of discernment in the last days.
I have always believed that if i go to a film or rent a video you
are supporting what Hollywood has done. That's why I want to know
exactly what the film is about especially if I have my children
with me (they haven't been to a movie theatre yet). I value your
reviews because they give me some info on what to watch out for
personally and for the protection of my little ones' minds who are
not ready to discern what is right and wrong. The Bible says that
this takes training. (Hebs 5:14). I rarely go to movies because
I rely on people like you and others like you who go to bat for
those of us that wait around till we have enough respected opinions
to make an informed decision about whether we should support Hollywood's
efforts or not. If we go to the movie or rent that video are we
not supporting Hollywood? (Yes just like you
support slave labor in China when you buy your children toys made
in China. And you support Harper Collins when you by a Zondervan
NIV Bible. And you support causes that you perhaps disagree with
when you buy products form corporations that give money to various
causes.) I mean if the movie glorifies sex, violence or the
occult and we go to it are we not sending a message to Hollywood-
This is what we want? (Your grid here is that
of a loving father of young children. I can not fault this. My concerns
run in a different direction) If they produced decent family
movies and these family movies became instant best picks would they
not produce more rather than those that have much violence and sex?
If people refused to go to movies that had any nudity and sex that
would surely decide for the producers in Hollywood that movies with
this content DON"T make money, since it is all about money. ("If"
This never works. You are being idealistic. The world is won one
person at a time. Not by changing Hollywood) Hats off to
those of you who go into movies with the motive to inform the Christian
community about potentially dangerous content for children and compromising
content for us adults. (Hollywood Jesus, as you
know, does not do this. I do not see this as Christianity in any
way shape or form. Even Mormons, Buddhist, Muslims have such concerns.
I see these types of reviews as being moralistic family guides and
not spiritual guides).
I agree that
we need to build bridges to the world including Hollywood and Wiccans.
We are in the world but we are not to be like the world or of the
world. (This is by an action of God, and by our
action) Love the people, hate the sin? Please, mr. HollywoodJesus
when you respond to others that you don't agree with could you use
the wisdom of Ephesians 4:29 where Paul says " Let no unwholesome
word come out of your mouth (pen) but only such a word as is good
for edification according to the need of the moment, that is may
give grace to those who hear (read) [Brackets- mine]. Let's build
bridges to our brothers too.- Speak the truth in love Ephs 4:15.
That they may be one John 17:21. If we differ can we agree to disagee
in love? (absolutely, but I will always side
with the outsiders, rejected, loners, and despised. Speaking against
any group of people does not work well with me. Too many Christians
seem to be finger pointing moralist. Hollywood Jesus is different
and will never do this)
Respectfully Yours,
hornblower KECY
Thank
you for your kind words. And keep on being the wonderful dad that
you are. -David
WICCAN
LANGUAGE USED
Subject: Atlantis The Lost_Empire
Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2001
From: "Lon
The language
used in the movie is Wiccan. A real spiritualist language used in
incantations, spells and communication with the spirit world by
the nature worship religion called Wicca. There isn't time to go
into it here but Wicca has its roots in Druid worship and is occult
in nature. This has no place in any movie viewed by a Christian.
Pastor Lon
Response:
And the moon is made of green cheese. Lon you have now identified
yourself as a legalistic horn blower. Christianity is not defined
by what you do or do not do. It is defined by who you serve. Even
if you were right, Jesus loves Wiccans and died for them, understand?
Wiccans are always welcome at Hollywood Jesus, I love them too.
May you learn the wisdom of Acts 17:16-34. -David
THE
"WORD" WITHIN
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001
From: Andy
I believe I
saw several sequences in Atlantis: The Lost Empire that breathe
out God's words. The one that touched me the most though is when
Milo was standing against all odds against the bad guy Rourke. He
would probably lose his head to do that. But he was determined that
it may not be the "smart" and "easy" way to do, but it was the RIGHT
way. As Christian, I believe The Lord doesn't want us to follow
the stream, to be save, to be ok. But like Milo we must stand and
do what is right. Now this is something I would do.
From: Andy
NOT
SATANIC
Subject: Atlantis the Lost Empire
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001
From: Grim Reaper
I dun think
the show is satanic or what. If you dont like such movies then dont
go to the movies at all. Most Hollywood flicks have New Age mumbo
jumbo stuffs in them if you wanna enjoy a film just bear with whatever
nonsense they throw at you. But I muz say that its nice to see Disney
change the usual fare of songs and dances. As for violence, well
most Japanese manga have 10 times more violent scenes then that.
In a nutshell I think Atlantis is nice, I'd give it 7 out of 10
stars in my chart....
ATLANTIS
REVIEW
Subject: Atlantis_The_Lost_Empire
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2001
From: Bethany
I was quite
appalled upon viewing Atlantis a few days ago with my three children,
ages 5-15. Even my five-year-old was unhappy with the amount of
New Age, Eastern mysticism-type mumbo-jumbo in this movie. In looking
for a fun, Indiana Jones kind of adventure movie, we found a violent,
incoherent, badly-plotted movie that opens even small children up
to acceptance of New Age ideas and practices. These are evidenced
in the movie's elements that rely on the healing power of crystals,
the main crystal which "kept the whole civilization alive" and was
powered by the emotions of past inhabitants, the human sacrifice
aspect of the "crystal consciousness" selecting a person to be sacrificed
when the civilization becomes threatened, to name a few. All are
anti-Christian and even demon-honoring concepts that young children
should not be exposed to.
This movie is
just one more media element (like Harry Potter) that could very
easily cause children to take an interest in Eastern or New Age
religious practices that involve crystals and manipulation of power.
I would not recommend this movie at all for any Christian family.
Response:
Did we see the same film? "Anti-Christian and even demon-honoring
concepts" you say! Somehow, this is not my idea of an anti-Christian
film. I am curious, what do you think of C.S. Lewis' "The Lion,
Witch and the Wardrobe"? Or, T.R.R Tolkien's "Lord of
the Ring"? What do you think of the "Ghost of Christmas
Past"? Why do you think that New Age groups experience little
growth? Oh well, just wondering. -David
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ATLANTIS:
THE LOST EMPIRE
