Submitted by Corinne Podger on 31 May 2008 - 6:28pm.
[Baha’i] I liked all of these films for different reasons, and perhaps the one that made me the most cheerful was A Land Called Paradise, because it targeted common prejudices in such an upbeat way. The Baha'i faith teaches that overcoming prejudices of nation, religion, gender and class is absolutely essential if we are to ever have peace on earth, and the founder of the Baha'i faith, Baha'u'llah, says we can easily overcome prejudice if we see the human race as one family, where everyone has a right to be here as a creation of one God. Even children who don't like broccoli!
However the film that touched my heart the most was Through His Eyes. It was not the most beautifully shot, nor the most powerfully acted, but it resonated with me. I do not believe that religion is something magical or weird. Rather it’s a pathway or form of education we have to follow and practice in order to really understand it, ourselves, and other people - and get a little glimpse of the infinite Almighty along the way. I find that the wonderment of faith comes not from having supernatural visions, or being magically saved from disaster, or finding a parking space, but rather when I try to actively put into practice the spiritual teachings of my faith. Baha'u'llah taught that the Founders of the world's great religions - Jesus, Buddha, Moses, Mohammed, Krishna, Zoroaster and Abraham - were, in a way, the same Person, bringing a renewal of the same Message from the same God, designed to meet the needs of the time and place in which They appeared. We believe Baha'u'llah is the Messenger for this day, but - like the Muslim guy in A Land Called Paradise wearing an "I love Jesus" t-shirt, I love and honour the Messengers of the past.
One element of their Message, which has remained constant throughout the ages, is the Golden Rule - to treat others as we wish to be treated ourselves, because we are all children of God. I just loved this film because the invisible central "I" in the film interprets two identical situations differently - first, in a negative, passive way by seeing other people as "other", or as strangers, and then in an active, positive way, seeing other people as fellow spiritual beings, loved by the same God. The closing quotation from the Book of John is perfect, reminding the viewer of their own responsibility, and of the joy that taking on that responsibility can bring.
Sometimes when I am on the tram or walking through the streets of Melbourne, I practice looking at other people walking by, and imagine that I am looking at brothers and sisters, grandparents, nieces and nephews - and I suddenly notice connections; a shared smile, a laugh, a moment of intimate interaction with someone I haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet. Has anyone else tried this?
Touched my heart
[Baha’i] I liked all of these films for different reasons, and perhaps the one that made me the most cheerful was A Land Called Paradise, because it targeted common prejudices in such an upbeat way. The Baha'i faith teaches that overcoming prejudices of nation, religion, gender and class is absolutely essential if we are to ever have peace on earth, and the founder of the Baha'i faith, Baha'u'llah, says we can easily overcome prejudice if we see the human race as one family, where everyone has a right to be here as a creation of one God. Even children who don't like broccoli!
However the film that touched my heart the most was Through His Eyes. It was not the most beautifully shot, nor the most powerfully acted, but it resonated with me. I do not believe that religion is something magical or weird. Rather it’s a pathway or form of education we have to follow and practice in order to really understand it, ourselves, and other people - and get a little glimpse of the infinite Almighty along the way. I find that the wonderment of faith comes not from having supernatural visions, or being magically saved from disaster, or finding a parking space, but rather when I try to actively put into practice the spiritual teachings of my faith. Baha'u'llah taught that the Founders of the world's great religions - Jesus, Buddha, Moses, Mohammed, Krishna, Zoroaster and Abraham - were, in a way, the same Person, bringing a renewal of the same Message from the same God, designed to meet the needs of the time and place in which They appeared. We believe Baha'u'llah is the Messenger for this day, but - like the Muslim guy in A Land Called Paradise wearing an "I love Jesus" t-shirt, I love and honour the Messengers of the past.
One element of their Message, which has remained constant throughout the ages, is the Golden Rule - to treat others as we wish to be treated ourselves, because we are all children of God. I just loved this film because the invisible central "I" in the film interprets two identical situations differently - first, in a negative, passive way by seeing other people as "other", or as strangers, and then in an active, positive way, seeing other people as fellow spiritual beings, loved by the same God. The closing quotation from the Book of John is perfect, reminding the viewer of their own responsibility, and of the joy that taking on that responsibility can bring.
Sometimes when I am on the tram or walking through the streets of Melbourne, I practice looking at other people walking by, and imagine that I am looking at brothers and sisters, grandparents, nieces and nephews - and I suddenly notice connections; a shared smile, a laugh, a moment of intimate interaction with someone I haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet. Has anyone else tried this?