The new apocalyptic movie ‘Knowing’ is apparently worth seeing

The Western Experience ^ | March 26, 2009 | Jason

[Western Experience]

I can’t believe I’m actually getting ready to do a movie promotion/review….

CNN/Entertainment has a story up on Nicholas Cage’s new movie, Knowing. It apparently beat out some stiff competition and surprised many that it is currently the number one film in the country. But, what grabbed my attention about it was Cage’s comments. Normally, I would brush over something like this but this made me do a double take.

“I’m a huge believer of the human spirit,” he told CNN. “I think people are amazing. I think what we have accomplished is incredible. … If you think positive and you apply the guts and ingenuity that mankind has been doing forever, at least in our existence, I believe we get through anything.”

I was a little struck by that comment. It was so boastful, assured, with a deep rooted belief in the human spirit. I don’t want to judge Mr. Cage because I know nothing about him personally or what his views are, but I appreciated such an “unoriginal” yet proven, rooted, and identifiable comment. It beats those boorishly deep and philosophical gibberish rants that most in his industry try to spout out whenever given the chance.

[GLDNGUN]

What a strange thing to say. Why would you think that aliens couldn't exist without being a demonic manifestation?

The "aliens" that have shown up thus far have seemingly come from zillions of miles away to discredit Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Don't you find that odd? They came from so far away to teach us "New Age" religion? And why is it that the "aliens" or whoever is doing "abductions" are terrified of the name of Jesus Christ? My, my, they seem to have quite a bit in common with demons. Coincidence? Me don't think so.

[GLDNGUN]

I was thinking the same thing. In CS Lewis's Space Trilogy he posits the notion of another planet, also created by God, whose beings did not succumb to temptation in the garden...

I didn't say there aren't other planets in the universe with God-created humans. That's an entirely different subject. Don't forget that Satan tries to immitate God.

[Scythian]

Right on, and I agree, they’re demons

[GL of Sector 2814]

The "aliens" that have shown up thus far

Um...what "aliens" actually have shown up?

have seemingly come from zillions of miles away to discredit Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Don't you find that odd?

I suppose I would, if they were real.

They came from so far away to teach us "New Age" religion?

The only ones teaching "New Age" religion are its adherents right here on good 'ole Terra Firma.

And why is it that the "aliens" or whoever is doing "abductions" are terrified of the name of Jesus Christ?

If they actually existed, that would be an excellent question.

My, my, they seem to have quite a bit in common with demons. Coincidence? Me don't think so.

I'll agree with you on this point! "Aliens" (the sort that New Agers & UFO devotees believe in) and demons do have things in common. In fact, they share this characteristic with Bigfoot, vampires, ghosts, the Loch Ness Monster, and all sorts of other beings.

What they have in common is of course that none of them exist, even though it's possible to make a pretty good living pretending that they do.

[GLDNGUN]

Demons don't exist? Really? I suppose you don't believe in Satan, evil, or God, either?

I can see now why you will be welcoming your "space brothers" with open arms when they show up.

[mysterio]

Preview looks good. This one is on my list.

[GL of Sector 2814]

Demons don't exist?

Not as far as I can tell. Granted, you can't prove a negative, but in the absence of reliable evidence there's no reason to presume their existence.

Really?

Really.

I suppose you don't believe in Satan,

Certainly not.

evil

I certainly believe that there is a set of behaviors that can be, for lack of a more precise term, labeled "evil", just as there are behaviors that can be labeled "good". It should be borne in mind, however, that which behaviors fall into which camp is a matter of human determination. While there is near-universal agreement that certain acts are either evil or good, it's humans who make that determination. The universe doesn't enforce these definition & rules, unlike the behavior of (for instance) subatomic particles during nuclear fusion.

or God, either?

Given what I just typed, that's a pretty good guess, although I would point out that there are plenty of people who believe in God who don't believe in demons, so it doesn't necessarily follow.

I can see now why you will be welcoming your "space brothers" with open arms when they show up.

I consider the likelihood of "space brothers" showing up in my lifetime extremely small, given that
a) We've been listening with radio telescopes for more than half a century without finding even a hint of artificial intelligence.
b) Interstellar space travel is hard. The energy requirements to get a spaceship up to significant fraction of lightspeed are staggering.
c) Even if there was an extrasolar civilization within a "reasonable" distance (say, under 1,000 light years) the chance of them just happening to be at a point in their development that they have enough technology to visit us and yet not be so advanced as to make interaction with us meaningless is, to say the least, small.

Besides, even if they do show up who's to say that they'll be friendly? I say, why take a chance? Thus, this book might illustrate the more prudent attitude towards ET:

(It's a great read even if you're not into roleplaying games)

[mainerforglobalwarming]

These posts have got me thinking. Superman is an illegal Alien. Maybe in the next movie he can face a just immigration officer that’s trying to deport him. In the end Superman and about a million illegals march on D.C., Obama appears and amnesty is granted. The immigration official is sent to a re-education camp and the bad guys reign supreme.

[GL of Sector 2814]

These posts have got me thinking. Superman is an illegal Alien.

DC Comics has already dealt with this issue. In a Superman comic in the 1960's he was declared to be a citizen of every country on Earth in gratitude for having saved the world so many times.

[GLDNGUN]

I consider the likelihood of "space brothers" showing up in my lifetime extremely small, given that...

Again, all of your givens assume that they would actually be from another part of the universe, while a demon/alien would be inter-deminionsal. In other words, they are already here.

There's little sense in debating the issue of demons/aliens further since you are still hung up on the "god" thing. That's another topic on another thread for another time.

[mainerforglobalwarming]

That's too bad. But then again the old tv show I believe used to say truth, justice and the American way. The cut out the American Way part in the last movie. So I think it may be time to examine the legality of superman's citizenship.

[GL of Sector 2814]

Again, all of your givens assume that they would actually be from another part of the universe, while a demon/alien would be inter-deminionsal. In other words, they are already here.

Of course I would assume that aliens would be from this universe. That's all there is. I see no reason to believe that they would come from Hell, Valhalla, Middle Earth, or any other mythical dimension. As for them already being here, let's see the evidence.

There's little sense in debating the issue of demons/aliens further since you are still hung up on the "god" thing. That's another topic on another thread for another time.

Um, you brought up God, not me.

[GL of Sector 2814]

That's too bad. But then again the old tv show I believe used to say truth, justice and the American way. The cut out the American Way part in the last movie. So I think it may be time to examine the legality of superman's citizenship.

Bear in mind that the Superman of the movies is a lot different than the Superman of the comics. The Superman of the comics regularly visited the 30th Century as a teenager to have adventures with the Legion of Super-Heroes, is currently a member of the Justice League of America, and has been married to Lois Lane since the '90s.

[mainerforglobalwarming]

Good point. As a kid I used to like the tv show. And the comics. It seemed that Superman always out-thought his adversaries. I wasn't too keen on the Christopher Reeve superman or this current one. It seems the writers have dumbed down superman.

[GLDNGUN]

Of course I would assume that aliens would be from this universe. That's all there is. I see no reason to believe that they would come from Hell, Valhalla, Middle Earth, or any other mythical dimension.

But you also just laid out a great case of why there' little chance of creatures from elsewhere in this universe finding us and getting here. You have me convinced that it's practically impossible; therefore, if some exotic beings show up with technology beyond our wildest dreams and claiming to be from elsewhere in the universe, I'll know they are lying and can't possibly be from elsewhere in the universe. That will certainly play into my reasons for believing that they are demonic, so we're right back to where we started.

[GL of Sector 2814]

But you also just laid out a great case of why there' little chance of creatures from elsewhere in this universe finding us and getting here. You have me convinced that it's practically impossible; therefore, if some exotic beings show up with technology beyond our wildest dreams and claiming to be from elsewhere in the universe, I'll know they are lying and can't possibly be from elsewhere in the universe. That will certainly play into my reasons for believing that they are demonic, so we're right back to where we started.

Little chance is not the same as no chance.

That having been said, let's do a thought experiment. Let us suppose that tomorrow evening exotic beings show up with technology beyond our wildest dreams and claim to be from elsewhere in the universe. As you believe them to be demonic, you approach them brandishing a cross and order them to begone in the name of Jesus Christ.

One of two things then happen:
1) They are terrified of the name of Jesus Christ (as per your previous statement) and flee back to the Hell that spawned them. I, seeing this, think "By golly, GLDNGUN is on to something. I am forced in the face of evidence to conclude that he's right and I'm wrong". You look at me smugly, and I get the Bible off my bookshelf, blow off the dust, and read it cover to cover...repeatedly.

2) The aliens pat you on the head condescendingly, and say to one another "Look dear, he's performing a native ritual for our entertainment. Toss him a few dilithium crystals". Your repeated exhortations begin to bore them, and they go on their merry way. I look at you smugly.

What do you do?

[Sharrukin]

66 % from viewers!

The 29% is from critics who don’t like any movie that doesn’t portray Christianity and basic morality in a bad light.

[babyfreep]

I liked the movie. It was semi-religious and had a moving story. The special effects were really good, too.

[1010RD]

Comedy? I’ve watched it. When did it get funny?