Intellectuals have previously anticipated the decline of religions within modern society. As Sigmund Freud privileges within his theory known as "The Future of an Illusion," the illusion that is religion will be outgrown through secularization. However, it can be seen that religion is not dying, but evolving.
Deacy (2006) develops the ideology that there is a connection between religion and film, where film "underlines the universal nature of the biblical texts (para. 5)." He says that characters within movies can take on the traits of Jesus Christ, even in non-religious films. Many of Christ's attributes can be reflected through a Christ-like figure, such as blue eyes, or being referred to using expressions such as "oh God!" or "Jesus Christ!" (Deacy, 2006).
It is interesting to think that characters whom do not have a religious role can be likened to Christ through various characteristics. Take the superhero, Spiderman, for example. Peter Parker, or Spiderman, has blue eyes and the expression "my God" is repeatedly used throughout the movie. Spiderman can also be somewhat likened to Christ as he knowingly goes into battles, constantly sacrificing himself for his people. This attribute is taken from Christ who willingly put His life on the line for His people's protection. However, does this mean Spiderman is an unconsciously created Christ-like figure? Or has the director chosen a blue-eyed actor on purpose, to marginalise a spiritual aspect?
How far does this likeness to Christ go? Does this mean that all superheroes and action-characters are Christ-like figures? Is there any true meaning or point behind imposing Christian symbolism onto movies? As Pope (2005) states, "to push it thus would serve only to demonstrate [...] the desperation of theologians to find connections with modern culture." Is there any real relationship between Spiderman and Jesus Christ, or is it all a theory to modernise religion? Spiderman, and other such Christ-figure films, alike Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia, do not offer any traditional religious information or teachings. Therefore, does the supposed Chrisitic symbolism just blur the true meaning of the film itself? Or does the theological "saviour" spin on the movie and characters make the film easier for people to understand? Can any film we watch be twisted and analysed to somehow incorporate a Christian element, such as the ideology of good versus evil?
Are Christ-figures utilised in non-religious films for the purpose of consumption? Are religious traditions mixed with the modern day film industry for the consumer culture, as a business tool (Carrette & King, 2012)? Or, are movies just simply movies, and theologians are using what they have to incorporate a religious twist in modern culture?
Does Spiderman truly reflect the attributes of Jesus Christ?
References:
Carrette, J, and King, R, 2012. Spirituality and the Re-branding of Religion. In Lynch, G, and Mitchell, J, with Strhan, A. Eds., Religion, Media and Culture: A Reader. 59-70. London and New York: Routledge
Deacy, Christopher, 2006. Reflections on the Uncritical Appropriation of Cinematic Christ-Figures: Holy Other or Wholly Inadequate? Journal of Religion and Popular Culture, 13. Summer. Retrieved from: http://www.usask.ca/relst/jrpc/art13-reflectcinematicchrist.html
O'Neil, Mary Kay, and Salman Akhtar, 2009. On Freud's The Future of an Illusion, London: Karnac, Retrieved from: http://site.ebrary.com.ezproxy.library.uq.edu.au/lib/uqlib/docDetail.action?docID=10419993
Pope, Robert, 2005. Speaking of God and Donald Duck: Realism, Non-Realism and Animation. In Telford, William, Christianson, Eric and Francis, Peter. eds., 167-81. Cinema Divinité: Readings in Film and Theology. London: SCM
Image Source:
My own drawing.
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