I have not yet seen Avatar. Probably won’t either. I’m not into movies that imply we are the bad guys. Also, the whole ‘natives were one with nature before Western European men came and ruined it all’ schtick isn’t my bag. Yet, Jonah Goldberg uses the film to make a great point. We are wired to believe.
We have within us a natural need to believe. Some, as evidenced by this article, may see that as an evolutionary construct. I believe it is hardwired into us by a Creator. If we assume a Creator, then it makes sense He would create us to believe in Him. Why would He do otherwise? This, in turn, explains the human need to believe in something–anything.
My favorite illustration of this is Darwinistic Evolution. Having rejected the idea of God, Evolutionists show no less faith in ‘science’ and ‘reason’ than I do in Jesus. Point out holes in their knowledge or theory and you are likely going to hear, “We haven’t figured that out yet.” Point out contradictions and they’ll suggest further research will answer the questions. In other words, blind faith in what science may discover tomorrow justifies ignoring flaws today.
In fact, we see this in Global Warming. When scientists at East Anglia cooked the books to support their Global Warming consensus, they did so like some pagan priest hiding his chicanery to maintain the faith of the masses.
Anyway, we will believe in something–God, science, ourselves, whatever. The question isn’t whether or not we will believe, but what the object of that belief will be. For me, I choose to place my faith in the author and perfecter of that faith, Jesus.
Brandon Markette 
I, too am a Christian, and I had heard all of the negative press surrounding Avatar. Most of it is coming from a North American perspective (perhaps defending our poor track record of taking resources when we feel inclined). I’m certainly not brow-beating anyone for being successful, wealthy, or living on farmland once ‘owned’ by aboriginals, but hey, let’s face it, Europeans have done a cruddy job of taking care of creation: God’s people, animals, land and resources. Yes, there are many notable exceptions, and maybe we’re learning from our mistakes, but as a rule, we’ve taken the whole ‘subdue creation’ command much too literally. We can do better. Maybe this film is just there to remind us of that. And hey, it’s a beautiful piece of film-making.
I’m not so sure Europeans have done such a cruddy job with Creation. European’s industrialized the world, lifting millions or more out of poverty. Europeans brought medicine, education and many other blessings to native peoples around the world. If the point of creation is humanity, then that seems to be a good use of it. Further, much of what we’ve been told about our negative impact on Earth is not supported by the facts. Just consider the recent Climategate scandal. Not only did they cook the books, they ignored data from Russia because it didn’t fit the AGW hypothesis.
Should we be wise with Creation? Yes, which means we use it for its intended purpose–sustaining human life.