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 