::::::::
A nineteen fifties classic black and white film still resonates its message today. At the risk of using an oxymoron, this 'messianic sci-fi' is called: The Day the Earth Stood Still.
For those who've never watched it, in brief, an alien lands his flying saucer in a Washington DC park on a visit of peace and good will, but responding to the default fear of human nature, he is met with an inept military response, but quickly demonstrates what a bad idea that is with the appearance of a robot who promptly destroys tanks and other weapons before stopping but could easily destroy the earth if commanded to do so. An astounded humanity then waits for the purpose of this interplanetary tourist to become known, while the military, unable to recognise their own impotence, plot against him.
As it unfolds, the aliens mission is to offer humanity a way out of its history and cycle of conflict and war. And in spite of the obvious dramatic effect of his arrival watched worldwide, all attempts at official levels were fraught by the same kind of divisive politics we often see today. During an attempt to reach the common people against military orders and even after demonstrating a power beyond anything mankind could imagine possible, [that event is where the title of the film comes from and I won't ruin it for anyone by explaining] he is shot and killed but then brought back to life by the technology within his spaceship.
Having been unsuccessful, he turns to the scientific community to spread his message to the wider world. He then leaves earth with a solemn warning, that should mankind ever dare extend its violence out into space, which would threaten the peace of other planets, the earth itself would be reduced to a burned out cinder!
So, all the elements of an eschatological Christian event exist. Confronting directly the reality of a higher authority, wisdom and power beyond human nature, the offer of a defined moral choice, a judgement, a demand for change and final retribution. And undying them all are certain assumptions that even today we prefer to ignore.....maybe at our own peril.
Whatever sincere or lip service respect one might pay to religious tradition or practice of observance, to say that mankind has yet directly confronted such an ultimate authority as God is patently ridiculous. For a start atheism couldn't even exist if that were the case. The primary source of authority within any secular society remains the nation state, religion existing as a sub culture of it and within the framework of its laws. While often uncomfortable within those restraints, the pretensions of religious leaders appear to have few limitations, and there are no shortage of examples of religious, especially the most orthodox of any tradition, putting themselves or seeing themselves above secular law.
While religious texts may inspire secular law and through out history religion has made many attempts, even as today, to impose itself as such an authority or even a theocracy, religion remains a cultural add-on, more generally existing to add legitimacy for ruling elites, just as the earliest of European monarchs have done, [remember the divine right of kings?] and often used as the rational for dubious decisions as we see being make today. Who hasn't heard a politico say: 'but I have acted in good faith', however screwed up the outcome may be. Good faith is no defense for ignorance and poor judgement. If mankind had any fear of such a reality as God as the primary source of authority within human consciousness, the nation state would become the reflection of that higher moral authority, where right makes might. A contemporary world accelerating down the slippery slope of its own materialism makes a mockery of any idea that we have understood or reflect divine will.
The idea of a higher wisdom comes into play. While visiting the Arlington National cemetery and having its significance explained, the alien reply is 'we don't have cemeteries such as this anymore as we no longer have wars'. Thus to imagine a society free of tyranny, conflict and war represents a moral paradigm which we may dream about, but remains outside the moral potential of human nature. And while mankind has already proved, either by global warming or WMD's, its potential for reducing the planet to a burnt out cinder, it might be comforting to believe their was a plan B to save creation.....from ourselves!
On the table was the unambiguous choice, a change in conduct, the voluntary obedience to a greater wisdom and authority as the means to achieve moral goals beyond humanities reach. Sadly the film well reflects the obstinacy of human nature to any authority or ideas not of it's own intellectual origin, particularly by those cultural elites whose vanity is at stake. And this aptly demonstrates the problem, that the greatest limitation of 'self', is the very reasoning that emanates from that self. And such a choice can only exist within a 'judgement' that recognises and accepts the limitations of our very being, better understood as humility.
The bottom line. Retribution for those who choose the status quo over the higher moral path. For to do so would be to rationalise war, conflict and injustice, even as we see today, as an unfortunate necessity. Such moral illusion and double speak exposes the fact the human nature lacks any moral anchor to its thought and excuses the often predatory nature of the nation state that seeks to extend its influence under the guise of trade or progress, but always for the economic exploitation of others.
As a metaphor, this film may offer more insight into the mind of God than religion has yet to offer. And it may very well prove to be, that the single factor which has discredited the very notion of God above all others is the theological spin of religion itself. Offering a spiritual conception that has failed to deliver on the hope and expectations of a humanity which continues to dream but remains lost for a way to secure it, and in its place creating such myths as to avoid harder questions and confronting the unholy truth of itself.
Many religious in their own vivid imaginations believe a similarly dramatic return of Christ is imminent and will confirm their faith, forgetting that they themselves are going to be first in the firing line at any judgement. For such an event, should it ever happen, would finally decide what if anything is true or false. As for the drama of this return, I think the religious will be disappointed. A Christ that once entered Jerusalem on a donkey is more likely to be riding a bicycle today. And any drama might be in the nature of the teaching and revelation a true Messiah brings. Just as Jesus questioned the Jewish tradition, such an event could very well contradict everything we have understood to be 'Christian'. Consider, if the first incarnation had achieved its purpose, why even send a second? And what better way to to bypass the high priests, scribes and pharisees of the modern world then with the web? Maybe there is a plan B?...it maybe about time to decide and choose for ourselves. http://www.enrgon.org.uk
