Interesting contrast between Avatar and watching something like Angels and Demons (which I watched last night for the first time). Even allowing for Dan Brown’s exaggerations and games with historical fact, there is so much more awful stuff he COULD put in that on the whole, his stories are not particularly hostile to monotheism’s history of misdeeds. I think the Church should be happy to get off so lightly.

But its the nature of the religion that, when compared to the simple piety of the Na’vi – contrasts so well with the Catholic Christianity. One is simple and beautiful and fulfilling and the other just comes across as a big lie and entirely unnatural. As I said, an alien, imposed sky god. And for me, anything that has to be imposed has already proven itself unnatural.

As for what you refer to as “a Hollywood war on Christianity” (one of the battles in the Culture Wars™), you need to know that Culture Warriors™ operate on three basic principles:

1. Christian Exceptionalism–There is one set of rules for Christians (who get to sit at the front of the bus) and another for everyone else. Thus, for example, the Conference of Catholic Bishops doesn’t have to register as a lobby group, and the Roman Catholic Church retains its tax-exempt status, despite the fact that the church and the bishops are involved in politics up to their noses.

2. Christian Elitism–Christians and Christianity are entitled not only to respect, but also to deference and priority. Thus, for example, it is expected that civic religious displays in December will reflect a Christmas theme. Displays reflecting other religions may or may not be tolerated. Similarly for such exercises as opening prayers at city councils, county boards, school boards, zoning committees, high school graduations, and so on (and why should there be prayers at these events in any case?)

3, Christian Exclusivism–Everything must be all Christianity, all the time, everywhere, and for everyone. If there isn’t a picture of Jesus on their box of cornflakes, they’re being persecuted. If there is a movie or book that portrays Christianity in a bad light, or any other religion in a good light, they’re being martyred. And if a store clerk says “Happy holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas,” the company is propigating anti-Christian hatred.

Once you understand this, it all makes sense–from their point of view. It’s nonsense, of course; but, as the saying goes, it wasn’t reasoned into them, and it won’t be reasoned out of them.

And Sydryd, I’ve noticed some of that “heathen” moviemaking trend too. Actually, The Lightning Thief makes me think of a trend in fantasy books of late. Stories revolving around contemporary characters finding themselves caught up in the conflicts of ancient Gods. Often finding out that they themselves are Gods or the offspring of Gods. And these books are being written for pretty much all age groups. The Percy Jackson books (The Lightning Thief included) are aimed at young adult readers. The Chronicals of Chaos series by John C. Wright and Neil Gaiman’s American Gods are aimed at older readers. All are worth checking out.

Your other comments about the subtle (and not so subtle) Christianity in films has also become apparent to me in the last few years. I can’t think of a film in the last few years where the main character(s) was not wearing a necklace with a cross.

I also saw a trailer before the film for another “heathen” picture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lightning_Thief_(film)
I haven’t seen the film, so I have nothing to comment on, but it occured to me that there have been quite a few “heathen” films as of late. Can’t say that it bothers me.

And yes, my first thought when seeing the tree was Yggdrasil.