Last night I watched a couple of movies on HBO, the first was called “Kingdom of Heaven,” and starred Orlando Bloom (who I think is such a cutie). I also like Liam Neeson, who also starred in the film.
Siege of Acre (1189–91)
The movie took place during the time of the Crusades, which is very interesting, but leaves me always with the clear sense of what a bloody, violent history we have had – always men killing each other. At least things are not as bad now as they have been in our bloody, bloody past. But do we ever really learn?
The other film I saw last night was animated, “Battle for Terra,” which was about humans in the future who, after having ruined our own planet, plan to take over another planet and, in so doing, wipe out that planet’s peaceful inhabitants. In essence, it explored the idea of whether human beings have the right to live at all costs, even if it means destroying another race. (So there is parallel between these two movies it seems.)
“Avatar” now comes to mind, wherein human beings again try to wipe out a peaceful civilization – this time in the name of the Almighty Dollar. (I really loved Avatar and bought a copy of that one to keep.)
I wonder if there aren’t in fact some human beings now who would believe that we do have the right to exist at all costs. During the Crusades, for instance, people really did believe that God condoned wiping out everyone who was a nonbeliever. Wars certainly do continue, and there are still those who believe it is God’s will to destroy others. So do we really learn? Apparently not all of us – but hopefully at least some of us do. I believe violence is based on ignorance. And the same can be said of religion. We are largely still a bunch of children who believe the universe centers around us.
But thank goodness for movies – and books! And, speaking of which – I recently decided I needed to read Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series, so I bought the original trilogy. After finishing with Daryl Gregory’s books now, I am starting Foundation.
I have also started reading another book I recently ordered (in order to ascertain just how I might teach Dalton here at home myself): The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home, by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise. Hopefully this will prove instructive and enlightening!