Let me start off by saying…
Nathaniel, your honesty and godly insight never cease to inspire me. 
On the topic the rest of the thread has turned to, I refuse to believe that because a film contains pagan elements that it somehow promotes paganism. I refuse to believe that “Every film has a message, good or bad.”
Every film has something you can take from it. Christians seem only capable of taking evil from movies, and it depresses me. They also seem incapable of anything but condemnation for a movie, unless it contains specifically Christian religion-promoting and smugly dishonest drivel.
The only thing I have against Avatar is a lack of narrative originality - the only thing Christians have to support is a technical effect.
Nathaniel, for the sole fact that this film has impacted you so profoundly, and inspired you to such heights, I can honestly say that if it wins the Oscar for Best Picture, I won’t be angry!
I like how you see the good in this film. I like how you see it as something that opens up possibilities, that inspires you as a filmmaker. I wish everyone (myself included) could learn a bit from you. We should talk sometime.
I know I’m obviously not saved and all, and so I don’t expect you to believe me when I say that I have no intention of promoting paganism…
But I happen to have two different story concepts that I plan to “get back to” at some point, both of which are based heavily in pagan mythology.
One of the coolest-looking films coming out this year is Clash of the Titans!
For me, religion in a story is just another element. To say that James Cameron wants everybody to worship trees and connect with their inner spirit or some crap, simply because he uses certain elements in his story, is like saying that if a character in your film uses a Hershey’s bar to save the day, that it must be promoting an unhealthy lifestyle!
Not everyone’s like you! Not everyone feels the need to create propoganda, and use it to proselytize a nation.
I don’t think NB has a disdain for the “Great Commandment,”* I think he has a disdain for a specific application of the Great Commandment.*
I think when people look at the church, this is all they see. It’s like looking at an incredibly overweight, Norbit-esque woman and not realizing that behind the appearance is something worth fighting for.
A good friend of mine, whom I respect very much, once told me “If I could take Christ out of Christianity, and just follow him, I would.”
It’s no wonder they go for the hot-bodied whore.
You guys are seriously so obsessed with your witchhunt, I have trouble believing your films will reach anyone who really needs reached. It’s a tough thing to say, but true.
I don’t know if my films will make a difference - if anyone will look at my films and say, “That man loves God.” Perhaps the world’s notion of what a love for God looks like is so screwed up that they’ll figure me for a heathen, just like you do.
But my prayer to God is that, when they look at my life, they’ll see him. Part of me thinks that’s already in progress. Part of me thinks it never will be.
My entire goal in film is to entertain, to move, to provoke, to inspire - like a combination of Avatar and The Wrestler. If that means that I have no right to make films, I’ll be perfectly happy to pay for it on Judgement Day.
* You might notice that the actual “Great Commandment,” as spoken by Christ himself, is twofold: Love God and Love Your Neighbour.
