Ridley Scott Pops The Question...

...and builds his story and characters around it.

The character of Elizabeth Shaw to be specific. A scientist who believes in God. Though the article, and I'm assuming the movie, doesn't say which God.

Shaw sees no conflict between her faith in God and evidence that extra-terrestrials were responsible for mankind’s existence on earth.

In the film, an Earth-based crew is sent on a long journey to a near-by star system to explore a planet believed to host an advanced civilization. The film asks not just how realistic such a premise is, but more complex questions: Did aliens create the human race? If so, does that negate the existence of God? Or, did God create the aliens?

Ridley Scott, it seems, is a believer.

Ridley has been quoted as stating, the film "walks around the truth". Would that be Ridley's truth? Or would that be the truth of a certain group of powerful people in this world, as has been suggested by some CT's?

“Scientist who are believers -- that’s not unique,” Scott said. “I asked, ‘Who in this room believes in God?’ And four put their hands up. It’s kind of odd that somebody working with such specific clarity will say, ‘Well, actually, you know, I hate to tell you -- but I believe in God.’ So, that’s an abstract thing called faith.”

Another character, Charlie Halloway is an agnostic.

Logan Marshall-Green, who portrayed Shaw’s agnostic personal and professional partner, Charlie Holloway, doesn’t see a conflict between having faith in God and practical science. “I believe in evolution and Darwinism, but do I believe there’s a power greater than ourselves? Absolutely, and it’s out there somewhere. Do I believe that there’s intelligent life out there? Totally.”

So it seems to me Ridley is:

1. Asking us, the audience, these questions to prod our imaginations to think outside the box.
2.Living somewhat vicariously through a few of his characters.
3.Giving the impression, at least in my mind, there is much more to know than what we have been told.

I have often thought to myself. What does a "religious" institution whose main purpose is allegedly "saving souls", need with a full blown Observatory, and an interest in Astronomy since approx. 1580? Worried about the calendar? I'm not so sure about that...
Vatican Observatory History



...What are they looking for up there? Jesus? A sign from God? I'm not buying that either.

“The more you go into it, the more you realize that it kind of makes sense,” Scott told FoxNews.com. “You stand outside at night, you look at the galaxy, and think, ‘The fact that we think we’re the only ones here is entirely ridiculous.’ It’s an arrogance to believe that we’re the only ones here.”

Maybe the Vatican proactively agrees.




The face of God?

Source

I watched the interview with Ridley Scott on this topic - here it is:



I think that it. Nonetheless, essentially, he said he danced around all the current themes in the alternative media being discussed, with respect to all the ancient info that we normally discuss here on ATS.

With respect to the Vatican, I really don't see them being a Christian Organization like other may. There is plenty of information out there that they are really an astrotheological society. So, I think that would explain their interest in the stars and examining them than anything else.

Believing in aliens not opposed to Christianity, Vatican’s top astronomer says

Vatican City, May 13, 2008 / 01:59 pm (CNA).- The Director of the Vatican's Observatory, Fr. José Gabriel Funes, said in an interview with the Vatican daily, L'Osservatore Romano, that believing in the possible existence of extraterrestrial life is not opposed to Catholic doctrine

Asked if he sees a contradiction between the Catholic faith and believing in aliens, he said, "I think there isn't (a contradiction). Just as there is a multiplicity of creatures over the earth, so there could be other beings, even intelligent (beings), created by God. This is not in contradiction with our faith, because we cannot establish limits to God's creative freedom. To say it with St. Francis, if we can consider some earthly creatures as 'brothers' or 'sisters', why could we not speak of a 'brother alien'? He would also belong to the creation

www.catholicnewsagency.com...

Vatican says aliens could exist

Just as there are multiple forms of life on earth, so there could exist intelligent beings in outer space created by God. And some aliens could even be free from original sin, he speculates.

Asked about the Catholic Church's condemnation four centuries ago of the Italian astronomer and physicist, Galileo, Father Funes diplomatically says mistakes were made, but it is time to turn the page and look towards the future.

Science and religion need each other, and many astronomers believe in God, he assures readers.

To strengthen its scientific credentials, the Vatican is organising a conference next year to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of the author of the Origin of Species, Charles Darwin.

news.bbc.co.uk...


These articles are from 2008, so it seems that the Vatican has had a change of heart concerning life outside of our own world, regardless of one's beliefs.

Maybe some people are starting to realize that it's possible to believe in both a God [whom ever it shall be] and also life else where in our mighty Universe.

The term God, is also a universal term. Being as there are thousands and thousand of different religious sects around the world, regardless of the name one calls their Deity, the word God is used for all beliefs.

And if the Vatican says it's okay to be able to believe in both a God and other life in this Universe, then maybe that's why Hollywood is now kinda venturing out on their own saying that they think it's possible too. No worry of backlash..... plus I'm sure RS will leave it up to the viewers as to how they interpret the movie.

Me, personally, I can't wait to see Prometheus !!!
I'm an Aliens fan not to mention Ridley Scott usually puts out a good movie....

Aliens is just another word for demons. If you want to even begin to think in terms of God. Then think, what's inside an atom? God is inside every atom. As well as in other dimensions we can't see or begin to understand watching over and following everything and everyone. He's not confined by time or space, he sees and knows the whole book cover to cover. People think so 3d and narrow sighted. God is not a 3d, he's not a flatlander, like us and like the demons or aliens.

I completely disagree with the OP:

He dances around with the believe what you want to believe mantra.
Shaw believes in Christ, even after she believes the Aliens had a hand in our creation.

The Aliens are Giants. Giant humans. Hmm. I wonder if this story mimics any of our old religious stories???

The Angels who were cast down came unto the daughter of man. Their offspring was a terrible race.

Ridley dances around and leaves many possible different ways to take this story. It was genius to do so. He did not push an agenda. He just created a story that is more full of awe than the original Alien movie.
Sure, we saw the origins of the Xenomorph. But, that creation obviously gets the better of the space jockeys as well.
And then, the creation of the creation of a creation. All in the same room together. I'm talking about David.

This was a great sci-fi epic. There should not be a sequel. It would answer too many questions and take many of the possibilities of this story away. It's better to not know, for the sake of telling a story that engenders deep thought.

Just wanted to say if you're thinking about going to see the movie don't. It was terrible, the dialog was cheesy and the plot had an amazing amount of holes. It seemed like it was written by 13 year olds.

Funny. I read all the reviews that said the same thing. I found the movie to be very thought provoking and intelligent.

I think ppl are bringing too much baggage with them to this movie. If you understand that this is not an Alien movie, and instead a dark theme about religion and possible Alien creators, their motives, and what has happened in history, then I think you'll enjoy it very much.

It is not a scary Alien flick. This is a sci-fi epic. The dialogue wasn't too bad. And the plot holes are there for a purpose. Ridley wants us to fill in the blocks. Some of the blocks are filled in with dialogue if you pay close attention.
SPOILERS!!!
Questions posed:
1) Were we created by these aliens? Their DNA is identical to ours. Does this mean they are the Angels of the old testament?
2) What happened after Shaw went to their homeworld?
3) Why kill off the Human Race? Coz we are wasteful maybe. It doesn't explore this at all. Fill in the blank.
4) How did all the Aliens die in the first place... Filled in by dialogue of the Captain. Many miss this.
5) Is David or the Xenomorphs any less than us, or even the Space Jockeys?

Am a little tired so I'll just say it was a really great sci-fi, make you think kinda movie. Instant classic. Think ppl don't like it coz they wanted a scary Alien flick that answered all the questions instead of posing a million new ones.

Aliens aren't a replacement for God they are part of his creation.

PROMETHEUS IS REAL !!!!!!!!

lets just cut to the chase, lol

Originally posted by drock905
Just wanted to say if you're thinking about going to see the movie don't. It was terrible, the dialog was cheesy and the plot had an amazing amount of holes. It seemed like it was written by 13 year olds.

I realy enjoyed the film. Let others make there own minds up. Not everybody thinks the way you do.
Oh and bring on the sequal!

reply to post by r2d246

Aliens is just another word for demons.

For those of us who are not of "the faith", demons are just another word for aliens, interdimensionals, or the boogeyman.

reply to post by Fing3rm4n

I completely disagree with you completely disagreeing with the OP.

Actually, I like your line of thinking here. And we saw much of the same things in the movie, including what you said in your other post below your first.

I think the only places we might disagree, is on the film maker, and Hollywood in general. I very much see Hollywood as an agenda driven society unto itself. And a tool of "tptb". Much of it is political obviously, but what isn't always obvious is their role in molding the perception of the masses when it comes to science and religion.

At the same time Ridley is asking the questions, he is also leading the viewer. Any attorney in a court of law would accuse him of "leading the witness", even though the questions may be legitimate. Sometimes a question produces more profound changes in an individuals paradigm than blatant answers do.

I won't be-labor it with an over-sized analytical post. Suffice it to say, in this case, we agree this was a well thought out, well scripted, sci-fi epic. Whatever the critics might think, there's much there.

A sequel? I think the franchise would be better served if it were left as-is. However, I would still welcome a sequel, provided Ridley didn't lose perspective of the path he has chosen with it.

Good posts, thanks for the responses.

Originally posted by r2d246
Aliens is just another word for demons. If you want to even begin to think in terms of God. Then think, what's inside an atom? God is inside every atom. As well as in other dimensions we can't see or begin to understand watching over and following everything and everyone. He's not confined by time or space, he sees and knows the whole book cover to cover. People think so 3d and narrow sighted. God is not a 3d, he's not a flatlander, like us and like the demons or aliens.

Here we go again with a Christian proclaiming all ETs are Demons. When do they finally get it, we are not alone, and never were? Why is it when someone says they have seen an alien, it's always a demon, or a fallen angel, but is someone sees Jesus, that is OK and normal? I see this in here all the time. People come here with a real experience that wish to talk about, and religious types jump all over the thread with their "all aliens are demons," and ETs are really fallen angels. I would just like to see some proof that these ETs are fallen angels and demons. I myself, along with thousands of others, have seen an alien being. It was not a demon, nor was it a fallen angel. Where do these ideas come from? Certainly not from your book, more like from your preacher. Educate yourself, poor uneducated soul, and learn what the origin of the word "Demon" means, and the difference between an inferior spirit and an Extraterrestrial Being who needs a metallic craft to fly about in, not being supernatural in design.

reply to post by Klassified


Completely agree. Tons of movies "lead the witness" in the direction they want to go. The ever popular "human pollution has rendered Earth a barren wasteland" is one that annoys me personally.

reply to post by autowrench


It's not only Christians that believe UFO's are inter-dimensional and NOT inter-stellar crafts. Your attitude is pretty funny though, as though it's proven there are aliens living out there billions of light years away that come all the way to Earth to stay hidden from us.

Some directors make movies for mindless entertainment - action, soft porn, thrills, and all questions answered at the end of the movie. Plenty of those in the market, as it only means more money.

But some directors provide more. To let the movie goer leave the cinema with his mind working, questioning, for once instead of mindless dribble.

And Ridley Scott is one of those directors, who has such creative to provide a visually enchanting production, ability and courage to make the movie goer ask questions, based upon one's own perception of reality of one's life experiences and education - regardless if religious or secular.

He does not lead the movie goers, but creates the conditions for the movie goer to be on his own path to seek for knowledge.

He did it with Blade Runner. In the 80s without the internet for others to share and discuss. A thought provoking film on many levels, besides being entertaining, for the discerning few.

Now he did it again with Prometheus.

It may not be a big money spinner such as the mindless Avenger or Piranha 3dd movies, but no one will ever forget the highly artistic and haunting visuals for years to come, if not the unanswered questions themselves.....

reply to post by Klassified


Yeah. My bad. Sometimes I say/type things that slap ppl, even though I had no intention of doing that.
I have been trying to get to 20 posts so I could make a thread with my ideas. But, for some reason I can't get to twenty posts, even though I've made more than twenty posts. Maybe this post will be the magic twentieth post?
LOL!

I went and saw the movie so I could comment on it, along with Snow White (back-to-back at the cinema 16), since there is a thread on that here too.
I think it is a sci-fi horror movie which uses current speculation as a plot tool to get you engaged in the movie but to me it is not "thought provoking" if you have been listening to Coast to Coast and other shows like that.
I don't see the Elizabeth Shaw character as being especially religious and probably sees her faith as a way to connect with her father (apparently a former Christian Missionary to India, as probably a doctor and not as an evangelist ) who is now (during this space trip) dead, and the mother who died when Elizabeth was a little girl.