[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?

I found A Land Called Paradise compelling and thought provoking yet at the same time immensely entertaining! So many of the stereotypes we develop about people who are different from us emerge from our not knowing individuals from that group personally. This short film opens up the lives of everyday people and in the process breaks down barriers and undermines prejudice. I'd love to see a series of films like this one where a range of religious or ethnic groups are each asked the same question: "what would you like to say to the rest of the world?"

‘We share one heart, one consciousness and one Divine source.'
Sharon Gannon and David Life, Jivamukti Yoga

A Land Called Paradise is a heart energy film. From the message to the music it is filled with the magic of love. It evokes our true inner spirit which unites us all. There is a strong sense of rising above our lower natures, and jettisoning our fears and our prejudices which separate us from one another. Ultimately, this is a film which transcends all religions. It reaches the heart of the soul. By the end of the film, you feel light and joyful.

We live so much of our lives making judgements. We reinforce our judgements through our prejudices and protect them by believing in the stereotypes we create in our minds. These judgements are a reflection of our own fears. They say more about us than the subjects they describe. Sadly, human history is smeared with the paranoia of individuals and races against those they perceive as different. Hatred, violence and misunderstanding are a legacy we leave behind time and time again. Today's victims are the Muslim communities around the world which makes this film all the more relevant and timely.

Are we ever going to learn from history? I hope so.

Someone once said to me ‘in every moment, through every thought, word and deed, we have two choices: to reach out or to pull away. The first is a gesture of love. It creates positive karma and raises our vibrancy making us joyful, inclusive and generous. It brings us closer to the blissful nature of our souls.

The second is a gesture of fear. It creates negative karma and lowers our vibrancy and our sense of being connected. It makes us distrust, take advantage of and harm one another. It isolates us and creates chaos and disharmony.

To open the heart centre, Anahata Chakra, in yogic tradition is the beginning of the state of enlightenment. This is the seat of the soul where we start to experience more spiritual realities. Lord Muruga, the gatekeeper of Anahata Chakra, resides here. He evokes calmness and stillness of mind, and peace and harmony.

This film reminds us of the tremendous power we each have: the power to influence by the choices we make and the energy we project. Not only can we shape our own lives, we can also create A Land Called Paradise, right here, right now in this very world.

Friendships, innocence, jealousy, anger and reason were all themes lightly touched upon in this evocative film, The Blessing of Charlie Sand. The challenge posed by a newcomer to the seemingly unshakable bond between ‘the Boy’ and his mate, Bubba, unfolded against a backdrop of visual splendour. This lush tropical island setting, amidst a lazy summer, tranquil beaches and childish abandon, transported me to my own summer holidays as a child enjoying the great outdoors and company of friends.

The arrival of Charlie Sand as the ‘other’ in this innocent repartee, and the gradual lure towards him by Bubba symbolised the challenge of difference and how we respond to it in life.

A soulful voice from the narrator enhanced the delight of this film. It conveyed so effectively the Boy's frustrated efforts in having to compete for Bubba's attention. How curiosity leads to a change in the status quo, is a familiar notion.

Such a genuine account from the Boy of feeling tossed to the outside, becoming progressively angrier with the world and those around him, culminated in a need to ‘burst’. However, when instead of bursting, the Boy witnesses what he believes to be the apparition of an Angelic figure (or was it his subconscious?), this somehow leads to the dissipation of all his angst, instantly. It was as if this angelic vision represented a metaphor that enables us to see situations from the perspective of others; a renewed clarity. That this clarity was spurred on by a celestial catalyst does resonate with spiritual traditions generally, wherein solace is sought from higher powers to help us understand the confusion around us.

The Boy's special experience of being touched by an Angel suggests a very childlike obsession with Angels, based upon a fascination with surreal and ethereal creatures. Indeed, as a child, I’m certain that I too saw an Angel in a dream once – much like the one seen by the Boy, complete with flowing dress, feathered wings and a serenely beautiful smile.

This film takes a childhood memory and transforms it into a delightful story exploring innocence, hope, faith and then clarity – experiences so eloquently communicated through the Boy's experiences and feelings. A beautiful film.

[A Land Called Paradise] In 2007, American Muslims were asked what they would like to say to the world. Their responses, documented with sensitivity and humour by Lena Khan, provide an opportunity to develop a greater understanding of the issues facing diverse Muslim communities and also of our commonalities. A valuable educational resource, particularly for young people.

I did not know what to expect when I read the title of the ten and half minute film, How my next door neighbour discovered life on Mars. As it was a Campfire film, I expected a religious component, but there was none. Well, at least, I did not pick-up on one. However, there was some relevance in the idea concerning the imagination of a child. Religion and other concepts without evidence can take on a reality of their own, in young minds. I will mention this later on.

The story starts with the boy watching a television program about two astronauts who are on the planet Mars. They suggest that someday someone will be brave enough to find intelligent life on the Red Planet. This idea enthrals the boy. Watched on by an elderly male neighbour, the boy heads out to the backyard with an oversized telescope. The neighbour decides to enhance the fertile thoughts of the lad. After viewing the night sky with some enthusiasm, the boy attempts to make radio contact with extraterrestrials. No luck has him donning his interpretation of a space suite and launching a home made rocket into space. With his 3D goggles on, the boy is last seen heading for a red dot in his imagination, ‘way out there'.

The father finds the boy asleep and carries him to his room. Later there is a knock at the front door and the boy answers it. Yes; you guessed it, it is an alien. The alien is the neighbour in disguise, a fact unknown to the boy. A short conversation entails then the alien leaves but uses phraseology with which the child is familiar. "Live long and prosper" and "May the force be with you."

On retreating, the neighbour, possibly intentionally, drops a small object, which the boy immediately recovers as a prize from beyond. The final scene has the boy holding the object out of a window with a background of the immensity of space.

Many a child would have had similar fantasies and the producers/directors did a fine job in bringing them to the screen. I reverted slightly to the state of childhood as the boy gave a convincing performance. All-round the film achieved professionalism by using only the common objects a child might utilise to fulfil a fantasy. I enjoyed the whole performance.

The obvious lesson here is that children's minds are a hotbed of fantasy. They take on contemporary and historical ideas and notions and think them real. Their world contains a plethora of imaginary scenarios and personalities, from bogey men under the bed to being able to fly. The problem this can initiate is if children perceive that adults also believe in any of their imaginary companions, they have no option than to accept them as existing in reality.

The thought for today is: if those beings and places are gods, devils, heavens and hells, then the child is compelled to accept them as true. ‘Stuff' believed to be a correct interpretation of reality in childhood is most likely to last a lifetime. Other cultures produce adults with different religions and beliefs. Are we, in indoctrinating children with a particular religion, especially with eternal threats and promises, committing (mental) child abuse? This is the conclusion drawn by many Atheist commentators, including Richard Dawkins in his book, The God Delusion. Think about it.

[The Blessing of Charlie Sand] This film attracted me from the start with its beautiful, lush setting, reminiscent of the green pastures and still waters of Psalm 23, and the great acting by the main character.

It’s the story of a young boy experiencing all the emotions that go with the defection of his best friend. When the intensely interesting Charlie Sand appears on the scene, the boy feels he cannot compete for his friend’s attention, and so withdraws. The ensuing supernatural experience is a bit overplayed, and the finding of the angel’s feathers contrived, but the latter makes the point that the experience was real and life-changing for the boy. His beckoning to Charlie to come and join the circle is a delightful moment – he displays the complete change of attitude that comes when Jesus Christ enters one’s life, his resentment replaced by the warmth of friendship. The narrator is the boy in adulthood, which allows his boyish feelings to be articulated. He gives no indication of how he eventually interpreted his experience, but the film left me feeling satisfied that he had come into a personal relationship with the living Lord Jesus.