Generally speaking, I don’t like children’s movies.
And while I am glad that computer animation seems to be at a fabulous apex, I am not the type to go see Pixar movies.
What I look for most in film is depth, meaning, insight. The same things I look for in all art.
But my in-laws forced me to watch the Pixar film Wall*E, and despite my reservations it was beautiful.
Forgive me if I spoil anything in the movie, but a general synopsis of this film is that humanity has nearly destroyed the planet through ecological catastrophe and it has gone to hide in abject comfort and apathy in space. The cleaning of the earth was left to Wall*E model robots, of which our hero is that last working unit. The human ship sends is a robot named Eve to take measurements of the home world. Eve is a modern iPodish robot who wins Wall*E’s heart.
As humanists we need to provide alternatives to religion’s claim to a monopoly on meaning.
In my years as a Charismatic Christian I used the persuasive power of meaning to persuade my friends to be more committed to their religion, or to get saved. In the years I have been an atheist, I have seen countless apologists in debates with atheists claim that religion alone gives human life meaning. Meaning and transcendence are what religion sells to people.
Sometimes it is difficult for us, as atheists, to articulate why we find life so exhilarating and that we don’t lack a sense of purpose.
This film captures the basic concepts of love and connection in such a raw and basic way that its transcendent power is undeniable.
There are no mystical concepts of destiny, which often ruin Hollywood fairy tales for me. Wall*E and Eve don’t have some excuse for loving one another, but merely cannot help but identify with each others basic humanity. I say “humanity” somewhat loosely since the main characters are robots.
The ability to care about one another, to empathize, and make common cause is one of life’s most rewarding experiences. It is a marvelous slice of heaven to be found right here in life for us all. This little slice of heaven exists with no need of religion.
We as humanists should reflect on all the great things in life which are available to all humans regardless of creed or culture.
One of the reasons that I don’t think we should leave religion alone is because focusing on the complexities of heaven and God distracts people from living life to the fullest. From relishing and savoring the beauty of life, as they yearn for the afterlife.
At least this was the case for me. When I lost my religion, I gained my life.
The film Wall*E is a beautiful meditation on these wonderful beautiful things in life. I think we could all be enriched by thinking on these things more, especially those of us who would really like to see religion in decline.
The richness of life is the cure for the stupor born of yearning for an afterlife.
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Okay… You sold me. I am definitely seeing this movie now.
Zaijah fell in love with this movie. So for Christmas we got her a remote control EVE.
It reminds me of the Christian Philosophy of poison and take what you can from the Earth now, because people will not need it when they get to Heaven.
That is why I am a Buddhist, if we take care if the living and unliving things around us, they will take care of us…
the Golden Rule just isn’t something you learn in Kindergarten. It is something that is lost when focused on the after life, and not the now.
I like the way that Wall-E before EVE came was marveled by all of the beautiful things humans had created and left behind… like musicals!
“When I lost my religion, I gained my life.”
Well put.
I’ve not seen this movie, but I know my father received for Christmas – I shall be on the scrounge…
…received it…
I liked this movie as well.
Living for the afterlife is a hallmark of evangelical and fundamentalist Christians. And it can certainly be used as an “opiate”, which I think it what Marx was critical of in it’s use to protect the interests of the Bourgeoisie.
But for mainline or liberal Protestants at least, life is really about life and doing what is just and right in the here and now. I know this is the case with me personally. I am very unconcerned with the afterlife…
I think that you are right about liberal Christians, who as far as the pages of Sojourner seem to indicate, are really concerned with maximizing empathy and pursuing social justice.
As for other mainline protestants I think you probably have a lot of thoughtless belief, (eg. “I am an Episcopalian because my parents are.”) , and a lot of Pascal’s wager type of reasoning (eg. “I dont know for sure but if there is a God I don’t want to end up on the wrong side.”).
Of course all of this is speculation on my part, from my own limited experiences.
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