‘X-Men Apocalypse’ Keeps a Religious Balance

Back in December, when the first trailer for X-Men: Apocalypse was released, I posted a negative opinion of the film, which is why it took some convincing from a mentor of mine who saw the movie first to go see it for myself. The film itself is pretty good, though there are still many plot holes in the X-Men cinematic universe which this movie only adds too, but the special effects, action, and some of its themes were enjoyable. I am definitely more pleased with it than the trailer. As my mentor pointed out there is a religious balance within this film. Yes, there is still the line which suggests the Four Horsemen may have not been inspired by the Bible, and Apocalypse himself still claims to be a god. However, I was pleased when Apocalypse does refer to himself as a god, he uses the title ‘Elohim’ instead of ‘Yahweh’ (which had been used in the trailer). Though the claim is still blasphemy, which is made by the villain of the film, it is not as severe, for Elohim is the generic word for God in Hebrew while Yahweh is His divine/personal name. Xavier himself calls Apocalypse out on this claim, “You’re just another false god.”

People of a Thousand Enemies

“Long ago, Frith made the world. He made all the stars, too, and the world is one of the stars. He made them by scattering his droppings over the sky and this is why the grass and the trees grow so thick on the world. Frith makes the rivers flow. They follow him as he goes through the sky, and when he leaves the sky they look for him all night. Frith made all the animals and birds, but when he first made them they were all the same. The sparrow and the kestrel were friends and they both ate seeds and flies. And the fox and the rabbit were friends and they both ate grass. And there was plenty of grass and plenty of flies, because the world was new and Frith shone down bright and warm all day.

“Now, El-ahrairah was among the animals in those days and he has many wives. He has so many wives that there was no counting them, and the wives has so many young that even Frith could not count them, and they ate the grass and the dandelions and the lettuces and the clover, and El-ahrairah was the father of them all.”

“And after a time, the grass began to grow thin and the rabbits wandered everywhere, multiplying and eating as they went.”

“Then Frith said to El-ahrairah, ‘Prince Rabbit, if you cannot control your people, I shall find ways to control them.

“Tell Your Heart to Beat Again”

Dear Hurting Heart,

I hope this song touches you. It is a beautiful composure of meaningful lyrics that may bring tears, but I pray it brings hope to you, too. May God bless you where you at.

Love,

A Caring Heart

What I’ve Learned from taking Mythology in the Summer: Part II

1. Apparently, the Australian Aborigines do not like wombats: “Oh, what funny creatures some of them were–the kangaroo, the frilled lizards, the bats of all types, the pelican with its big bill, the platypus, the flying-fox, the stupid-looking wombat, and the frog that grew to maturity in such a strange fashion!”[1]  The ‘stupid-looking wombat,’ really? If you ask me, I think they’re pretty cute. But apparently, Australia’s natives would disagree with me on my opinion.
2. Ironically, if you ask one of my friends, one of my stock replies for years if someone asks me a particular question, such as, “Are you an assassin?” I’ll reply with, “Only on Tuesdays.” Unknowing till this week, this answer is apparently one which comes from my Celtic roots. In one of their myths, Bress, a king of the Tuatha Dé Danann, was captured.

Thy Will be Done

This world . . . is filled with trials. It’s filled with parents who divorce, with fathers who disappear, with friends who betray or move away. It is filled with heartaches and suicide and abuse and cancer and death–filled with so much brokenness. The brokenness which comes as a side-effect of sin. This world needed a savior, for there was no other way:

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand” Matthew 26:36-46.

This world needed a savior, yet that savior–Jesus–he prayed, “Daddy, Father if there’s another way, I beg you, let it be done instead. Please Father . . .” For he knew . . . Jesus knew what was to come. He knew how he would be given an unfair trial. He knew of the whips and the nails and the agony he would suffer upon that cross:

Facebook Posts: Spider-Man

I was surfing my Facebook wall, and amongst all the posts and photos and ads, I stumbled upon this treasure. I found it on the Red Hulk community page, and thought it was ‘amazing’ enough to share:

Heroes: Captain America~The Truest Friend

Ever since the first Avengers movie, I’ve admired Captain America because of him saying, “There’s only one God, ma’am, and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t dress like that.” Truthfully before this, I thought he was a dork, and I hope I’m not shot for this, but I really wasn’t impressed with his first movie. However, this quote made him my favorite Marvel hero, even above Wolverine (Logan) or Iron Man (Stark). Captain America in the last decade has been a great example of character, embodying many values which I admire.

Yesterday, I finally got to see Captain America: Civil War with a really good buddy of mine. Don’t worry, there’s no spoilers in this post apart from what can be deciphered from the trailers. I’m not going to spoil this film if you haven’t seen it yet, for it is a movie which I highly recommend for you to see in person (though I do wish there was less cussing in it). It is action packed, filled with surprises, laughs, and tears. Many say ‘betrayal’ is a main theme in the film, which I do agree; however, there’s another theme that I would like to hit upon which the film revolves around also, that being ‘friendship.’

What I’ve Learned from taking Mythology in the Summer . . . so far

1. There is more than one perspective when looking at life. When you look at this picture, what do you see? You could say “a dragon.” Looking through this world in a mythical lens, you could possibly see a dragon. Not a fire-breathing dragon, but a dragon. A reptilian creature of power, that can grow to massive size. Or through a scientific lens, you could say an alligator, for that is what science has labeled this beast (Alligator mississippiensis to be exact). Both are correct, yet different. One providing a more magical feel, an awe for something that would otherwise be seen as ordinary, while the other defining what this creature is. This world can be seen by many perspectives, a world which opens up by seeing with many eyes, yet can be very limited if seen by one. For if you say instead, “It’s just an alligator,” you place a limit upon what this beast can be, making it something common. Or if you say, “It’s a dragon, but I know it’s really an alligator,” then you don’t see the dragon at all, only pretending that it’s a dragon instead of really seeing it in a mythical way. Not one eye is more right than the other, though sometimes we act as such, for both are merely different ways of looking at creation, and a balance should be used in using them both.
2. Beans are dangerous.

The Runaway Dinosaur

Wow, I just got kicked in the heart. While watching the latest episode of The Flash, I was surprised by this scene below. Barry, is trapped in the Speed Force, where he has an encounter with something that appears as his mother. She talks with him, trying to help him to accept her death. Not only that, but to accept who he is. Accept himself, his powers, and his reason for existence. Such a powerful, intimate moment . . . which I hope will help you think of your own existence. Your reason for being here. And your talents that you’ve been given:

The Trick

PREFACE

This summer, I’m taking a mythology class. As an assignment, I’m supposed to create my own myth. And so here is a myth which has been passed down to me which I thought I would share:

 

A long time ago, before the age of fire or man, there lived the deity, Amakhozi, on top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Amakhozi was a twin-god, half lion, half tiger, possessing heads, paws, and fur of both, though having the memory of an elephant and the trickery of a monkey. None know who or what had molded Amakhozi, for if you asked him yourself, he would claim to be the first of the gods of the jungle, though the water buffalo know that the heifer-goddess Umama without any doubt had come before him.

Amakhozi though he had all he needed on top his mountain—plentiful water from the most ancient of falls, the richest of fruits, and the best trees so to nap, he was missing what he could see and envied from the animals below him—a companion. True, he did have himself to debate if the world was held up by a gorilla or by elephants, and to discuss all that he observed; however, it was just not the same, for Amakhozi would know what his other head would say before he said it.

And so after a thousand years of pondering and enduring this loneliness, Amakhozi finally decided, for he was not the fastest of thinkers, finally decided that he would leave his mountaintop in search for a friend.