These are some of the questions raised (by the fire with hot cider) by the 20s30s40s group after watching "The Invention of Lying," a film about Mark (Ricky Gervais), the first man on earth to tell a lie. The theological bit comes in when Mark assures his dying mother that there is happiness and life beyond the grave - thus beginning a worldwide belief in "the big man in the sky." Though it obviously gives a somewhat cynical caricature of religion, the movie asks us some important questions about what it is we actually believe in and love.
Readers: What do you think? Is religion possible only in a world with lies? What other questions does this film raise?
Stay tuned for more from our Seminarian, Katie Nakamura
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Frank (Jonah Hill) is an interesting character in the film. He feels like he has no reason to live, so he incessantly talks about how to end his life. When Mark discovers that he can lie, he tells Frank that things are going to get better and he is going to have a great life. This changes everything for Frank because he accepts it as the truth. Can hope exist without lying? And is hope essential to living?
ReplyDeleteI’d like to give a shout out to the other 20s30s40s who attended! That was a great way to spend a rainy afternoon!