LOTR:John Rhys-Davies (Gimli) Interview (MUST READ)Islam Vs. The West

http://promontoryartists.org/lookingcloser/movie%20reviews/Q-Z/returnoftheking-jrd.htm ^ | 12-05-03 | Jeffrey Overstreet

[OXENinFLA]

On Wednesday, Dec. 5th, Jeffrey Overstreet joined several other privileged film critics, including Steven D. Greydanus (Decent Films), Andrew Coffin (World), and Michael Elliott (Movie Parables) to talk with members of the cast and crew for the year's most ambitious, exhausting, and gloriously realized film.

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(There's some stuff about the movie but then this question is asked.)

Jeffrey: How much of Tolkien’s Catholic beliefs and perspective resonate with you?

I’m burying my career so substantially in these interviews that it’s painful. But I think that there are some questions that demand honest answers.

I think that Tolkien says that some generations will be challenged. And if they do not rise to meet that challenge, they will lose their civilization. That does have a real resonance with me.

I have had the ideal background for being an actor. I have always been an outsider. I grew up in colonial Africa. And I remember in 1955, it would have to be somewhere between July the 25th when the school holiday started and September the 18th when the holidays ended. My father took me down to the quayside in Dar-Es-Salaam harbor. And he pointed out a dhow in the harbor and he said, “You see that dhow there? Twice a year it comes down from Aden. It stops here and goes down [South]. On the way down it's got boxes of machinery and goods. On the way back up it’s got two or three little black boys on it. Now, those boys are slaves. And the United Nations will not let me do anything about it.”

The conversation went on. “Look, boy. There is not going to be a World War between Russia and the United. The next World War will be between Islam and the West.”

This is 1955! I said to him, “Dad, you’re nuts! The Crusades have been over for hundreds of years!”

And he said, “Well, I know, but militant Islam is on the rise again. And you will see it in your lifetime.”

He’s been dead some years now. But there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of him and think, “God, I wish you were here, just so I could tell you that you were right.”

What is unconscionable is that too many of your fellow journalists do not understand how precarious Western civilization is and what a jewel it is.

How did we get the sort of real democracy, how did we get the level of tolerance that allows me to propound something that may be completely alien to you around this table, and yet you will take it and you will think about it and you’ll say no you’re wrong because of this and this and this. And I’ll listen and I’ll say, “Well, actually, maybe I am wrong because of this and this.”

[He points at a female reporter and adopts an authoritarian voice, to play a militant-Islam character:] ‘You should not be in this room. Because your husband or your father is not hear to guide you. You could only be here in this room with these strange men for immoral purposes.’

I mean… the abolition of slavery comes from Western democracy. True Democracy comes form our Greco-Judeo-Christian-Western experience. If we lose these things, then this is a catastrophe for the world.

And there is a demographic catastrophe happening in Europe that nobody wants to talk about, that we daren’t bring up because we are so cagey about not offending people racially. And rightly we should be. But there is a cultural thing as well.

By 2020, 50% of the children in Holland under the age of 18 will be of Muslim descent. You look and see what your founding fathers thought of the Dutch. They are constantly looking at the rise of democracy and Dutch values as being the very foundation of American Democracy. If by the mid-century the bulk of Holland is Muslim—and don’t forget, coupled with this there is this collapse of numbers ... Western Europeans are not having any babies. The population of Germany at the end of the century is going to be 56% of what it is now. The populations of France, 52% of what it is now. The population of Italy is going to be down 7 million people. There is a change happening in the very complexion of Western civilization in Europe that we should think about at least and argue about. If it just means the replacement of one genetic stock with another genetic stock, that doesn’t matter too much. But if it involves the replacement of Western civilization with a different civilization with different cultural values, then it is something we really ought to discuss—because, g**dammit, I am for dead white male culture.

You do realize in this town what I’ve been saying [is like] blasphemy…

…but we’ve got to get a bit serious. By and large our cultures and our society are resilient enough to put up with any sort of nonsense. But if Tolkien’s got a message, it’s that “Sometimes you’ve got to stand up and fight for what you believe in.” He knew what he was fighting for in WW1.

[With that, he departed our appreciative and applauding table, saying:] Try and put verbs in my sentences.

[Fledermaus]

A white supremist? Boy, I'm surprise those intellectual morons even know how to turn on a computer!

[little jeremiah]

Muslims also invaded India and in addition to the regular looting, rapine and slaughter, practically all the Muslims in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and points east were all "converted" by force. I mean their ancestors were.

[Defiant]

Murray is a rare scholar who is unafraid to tell the truth. Let me know how it ends.

[Prince Charles]

By 2020, 50% of the children in Holland under the age of 18 will be of Muslim descent.

The enemy within.

[stuartcr]

I would guess that the same thing will happen to those 50pct, that is currently happening in much of the Muslim world...as they world becomes smaller, the importance of religious beliefs becomes less. This is happening in all religions. Much of the Muslim world is now worried that our western influence is ruining their younger generations. I don't think the 50pct will be radical Muslims, I think the western style of life will take precedent, and most of the European Muslims will become a much more diluted group. I really don't believe that we will all become subject to the religious police.

[Naspino]

If that is the fate of the world, then that must be the way God wants it. I can't see how anything can happen without the hand of the Almighty being involved.

I thought Jesus intervenes and the days are cut short because man would have destroyed itself. I hardly think that is what God wanted.

[stuartcr]

God is the Almighty, All-Powerful, and All-Knowing...How can things happen without the involvement of God?

[EveningStar]

Amazing!

[DoctorMichael]

After the repeated idiocies of Viggo and others it was refreshing to see that SOMEONE "got it".

Thanks. Bump.

[nutmeg]

bump

[Marysecretary]

I tend to agree with you. God has a plan even for the muslims. I believe many of them will come to Christ. We sometimes get worked up about things, forgetting that God knows exactly what's going on and He's moving continually on our behalf. I'm not going to get worked up about this stuff because I know who holds the future.

[Marysecretary]

Yes, He does but how can we know what His plan is for the Muslims? He loves them, too. He longs for them to be free, too. We always need to be praying for the Muslim population, that God would remove the veil from their eyes and heart so that they can see the Savior and receive Him. That's how they'll be changed. That day is coming. Change comes when we get on our knees.

[Marysecretary]

Exactly!

[Marysecretary]

I can't remember the name of the author, but a book has been written recently about that very thing. That the anti-Christ will be a muslim. He gives good reasons why. Interesting.

[Marysecretary]

There's nothing in scripture that says God helps those who help themselves. Actually, we need to get out of God's way so He can do what HE wants in our lives. We need to be so in tune with Him that we know exactly what He's saying to us.

[Marysecretary]

You're absolutely correct. Even Christians sometimes don't realize that.

[Skooz]

This is a home run. He really hit this one out of the park.

Superb.

[stuartcr]

I agree, but I would like to add that I also believe that there is no distinction, or, (for lack of better words...religious beliefs), after death, (I can't imagine the need anyway). Since we agree there is only one God, controlling all, then no matter what one believes here on earth...it's probably all the same after we die. Of course, I may be totally wrong.

On another note, I'm curious that, since you believe that God does know all that's going on, and will happen...how does this stand with your concept of free-will? Don't answer if this is offensive, off the subject, or will start anything we don't want. I'm just curious.

[OXENinFLA]

I caught a clip last night, he's going to be on a cable show in the next few days, on Dennis Miller(I think)

[pctech]

I second that, WOW!!!