It's a question of faith

The Big Bro library includes DVDs. Tonights veiwing was supposed to be a nice, easy, non-thought provoking choice. Now, my mistake, I thought my choice was perfect - who would have thought that Billy Connolly was a theologian and not a comic!

"The man who sued God" - now I admit it may not have been the deepest films that I have ever watched - but it does make you think. The idea that insurance companies would hide behind the get out clause of 'act of God' - who'd o'thought it?!

As the film progressed I was wondering about the outcome and how the writers would resolve the dilema. If the film successfully showed that God was responsible for 'acts of God' then wouldn't scores of people start sueing the Churches. Everyone would have jumped on the bandwagon. However, on the flip side - what film of this type of genre could actually end with the main character losing? Now the film was Australian made so I guess may not have had the same pressure as a Hollywood blockbuster to have a happy ending - but even so... well I'm not going to say in case someone wanted to see the film but despite not being a Hollywood blockbuster everything was neatly wrapped up in a little over an hour and a half.

There were some valid points made in the film. If God exists and Priests are Gods representatives on earth then are they not to be held responsible? Should they therefore pay out when the insurance companies do not? It's not as if the Churches are bankrupt, and are they not supposed to give to the needy? Or will the Churches fall back of their get out clause - 'God moves in mysterious ways'.

Could 'God' be legitimately sued for all the pain and suffering that are caused by God's acts? If so - could God then legitimately expect payment in return for all the happiness that an individual receives in their life? What price would be put on those first moments of happiness as a child? A piggy-back ride? A surprise treat?

Does the cost vary depending on the amount of effort that goes in to achieve it? If you get full marks in a school test that you really worked for does that cost more becuase of the increased satisfaction of knowing you did well than if you sailed through without effort? Or does the fact that you sailed through mean that God gave you the gift to help you so therefore you owe more?

The lawyers defending the churches in the film realise that the only way the churches can win is by admiting that God does not exist. The definition of 'Atheism' on the net brings references like 'the belief that God does not exist'. Towards the end of the film a Rabbi says "It's a question of faith - either you believe He doesn't exist or you don't." It's an interesting thought - atheism is as much a question of faith as any other religion or belief system. Then again maybe God is just leading Atheists along a different path.

Who know's? I certainly don't and that is enough depth for tonight. Back to pride and Prejudice - I might actually finish it soon!