Before the film was released, before more films were released, Christian writers criticized the historical mistakes of the film and its specific description of Christians. John Sanidopoulos wrote on his blog: "On May 17, 2009, I wrote a short film about the upcoming movie Agora. I haven't seen it yet, and neither have I. At that time, I felt that this film would not treat this sensitive historical period fairly. Judging from the comments below, I seem to be right. "
Then, he reprinted the comments of Irene A. Artemi, a doctor of theology at the University of Athens, proving that his concern about historical accuracy and the film's description of the Christian community were reasonable. Among her numerous criticisms of this film, Dr. Artemi clearly pointed out that the historical defects of this film are related to the religious views of Amen Nabal: "... it should be pointed out that the director of this film, Alejandro Amenabar, is an atheist. By his own admission, he was born and raised in a Christian family, then became an agnostic and later an atheist. " Dr Artemia criticized how Amen Nabal's atheism influenced his life and described Alexander's death in Hipatia.
In fact, there are many historical mistakes in the movie market, just like other recent and not-so-recent Hollywood movies. They deal with historical times and historical figures, whether it is Gladiator (2000), Alexander the Great (1956), Alexander (2004) or even Troy (2004). It tries to turn Homer's "Erie" into a "realistic" version. Every screenwriter and director of these films chose to change the details of the actual history at that time for various reasons, but the main reason is that the purpose of this media is entertainment, not education. People go to the movies not to learn about ancient history, but for entertainment. Agora has the same paradigm, and it doesn't matter whether the director is an atheist or a religious believer. The fact that Dr. Artemis put forward his atheism when he denigrated the film is of great significance, but it points out the real core problem that Christian defenders oppose in the film: it depicts early Christians in an unpleasant way, which is not worth it.
A depiction of early Christians
Agora does contain some historical mistakes. These include: Hipatia's age (she was close to 50 or 60 at that time), her knowledge of Heliocentrism's universe, the invention of astrolabe and hydrometer, and the way of her death (historical records show that she was burned to death by a group of Christian monks in church). There are also fictional slave Charlie Davies's insertion, Christian's injury to Hipatia's father Theon, the fire of monk Amonis, and other similar historical mistakes, all of which are added for dramatic effect.
However, in the era of film location, the description of Christian community is accurate. Dr Artemis and others criticized the film's depiction of fundamentalist Christians destroying art and learning in the name of their God, but it must be admitted that the depiction of early Christians is supported by original materials and modern academic research. The era under consideration. Al themis once wrote, "This film makes Christians-mainly members of the Bath Brotherhood-not only ignorant, but also ignorant. In a conversation between them, they said that the earth and the sky are like a box and rejected theories related to astronomy. "
The anti-intellectual position of the early church was proved by the early Christian writers themselves. So, if Christians in movies are portrayed as ignorant, it is because they are willing. Saint Justin Martyr (about 100- 165) openly opposed classical learning, and claimed that all the important values and ideas expressed by writers like Plato were stolen from the Christian Bible and the Old Testament. The early Christian protector Tertullianus (about AD 160-230) also refused to accept classical knowledge, and there is a famous saying:
What is the relationship between Athens and Jerusalem? What is the tacit understanding between the college and the church? What is between pagans and Christians? Our teaching comes from "Solomon's porch". He once taught "Seek the Lord with a clean heart". Give up all attempts to produce a mottled Christianity composed of Stoicism, Platonism and Dialectics! After having Christ Jesus, don't argue curiously, and after enjoying the gospel, don't ask any more questions! With faith, we are no longer eager for further faith.
In these lines, from the seventh chapter of his Heresy Prescription, he quoted Plato College in Athens, the first university in the world, which was later closed by Christian emperor Justinian in 529 AD (although it managed to survive). He claimed that "with our faith, we are no longer eager for further faith", which reflected the enthusiasm of early Christianity and helped to explain the complete rejection of classical learning. Closer to the period handled by Agola, Santi Gregory (AD 329-390), a Christian writer in Nazi Anoos, was obviously an intellectual, familiar with Greek classical literature, and still refused to learn the precepts and supported the belief of Christian doctrine. Church.
Classical Greek and Roman literature, considered as part of the "old way", has been replaced by new beliefs. These authors insist that true Christians will reject all these studies and support the teaching of Christ, just as the Bible says, making "everything new". Scholar Walter Haig commented:
Christians who have won victory and prestige are no longer on the path of the gospel. In the eyes of true Christianity, secular success is doubtful. ( 15)
Similarly, if someone looks back and thinks that the past works are effective, they will also be suspected. Just as Lot's wife looked back at the ruins of the old house and turned it into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26), believers would endanger their souls when reading earlier non-Christian works.
Early Christians are described as "ignorant" in the modern sense in the market, which is consistent with the tradition left by Christian writers themselves as a legacy. With regard to the accusation that the film portrays early Christians as "obscurantists" (those who make things dark or vague), it is obvious that a group of people who actively reject the vast amount of knowledge available to literate people at that time are often vague rather than enlightening on any subject that is inconsistent with their decision.
In the early scene of the fair, Christian Amonius laughed at the "dead" statues of pagan gods while preaching his "living" God. This is exactly the argument used by early Christians, similar to that used by St. Paul for the Athenians in Acts 17: 16-34. Later, I saw in the movie that Amonius was engaged in the behavior that was considered as "obscurantist", but for such people at that time, there was nothing worth learning in classical literature.
In the early scene of the market, Christian Amonius laughed at the "dead" statues of pagan gods while preaching his "living" god, which is exactly the argument used by early Christians.
Destroy a temple
In early Christianity, believers believed that Christ would return at any time. Therefore, there is almost no need for books or intellectuals' thoughts, because Christ has brought a new paradigm to mankind: believing in a living, present and completely provided for believers. When a person believes that he knows the ultimate truth of existence, he will not be interested in other people's theories and ideas on this issue.
Christianity is a newly discovered truth and paganism, and all pagan things are enemies of this truth. St Augustine of hippopotamus (AD 354-430) lived roughly the same life as Hipatia. He wrote that pagan temples must be "redeemed" like pagan souls, and this "redemption" usually takes the form of burning temples, destroying them and building Christian churches on them.
Even so, as the scholar Helen Saradi-Mendelovici wrote, "the intention of imperial policy was never to systematically destroy pagan holy places" (49). More generally, the destruction of pagan sites seems to be the result of the enthusiasm of Christians in the community. Saladi Mendelovici continued.
Bishops, especially in the East and Africa, often use the religious enthusiasm of monks as a means to destroy temples. We also heard that newly converted Christians destroyed pagan holy places. The source said that these acts were a manifestation of their belief in Christianity. (49)
Usually, the destruction of pagan sites is only the result of people taking building materials from abandoned temples and shrines in this area, but it has become a historical fact that Christians deliberately demolish pagan temples and shrines.
A depiction of St. Cyril
The same is true of Cyril (later Saint Cyril) in the film, who plays the "enemy of learning" instead of the "defender of knowledge and truth" played by Patjas. Although Cyril's role in Hippacia's death has never been proved, ancient writers did hint at her murder in early materials, including works by Suda, Socrates Shilin and the Chronicle of Bishop John of Nichu. The modern criticism of this film is that there is no evidence that Cyril thinks women are inferior to men, so this film describes him as a misogynist, and the scene he read from 1 Timothy 2: 12 is considered as an offense to modern Christians.
However, Amen Nabal did not write such a sentence: "But I don't want women to teach or usurp men's authority, but to remain silent"-this can be found in the Bible and often read in churches all over the world today. Cyril was called "the pillar of faith" and a supporter of the church, which helped him to become a saint. His hostility to Hybatias and everything she stood for was completely in line with his character described by ancient writers.
In this case, Amanba introduced the story of Hipatia, a scholar and teacher in Alexandria. There are many reasons why the destruction of Alexandria Library by Christian fanatics in the film is criticized as inaccurate, but the main reason is that it puts Christians at a disadvantage. However, the fact is, in fact, Christians did do this in AD 4 15. There is no dispute about the theater license obtained in the performance, but the historical accuracy of similar scenes staged throughout the ancient world at that time is certain.
Modern Christians object to the depiction of ancient Christians in movies, which is not worth it. Early Christianity must eliminate pagan thoughts and practices and regard it as an opposing belief system and lifestyle. To be fair, before Constantine legalized Christianity, pagans tried to get rid of Christians in a similar way. Early Christians were regarded as "troublemakers". They refused to respect the community gods, thus destroying the relationship and harmony between man and God.
Even so, the early persecution of Christians did not cause serious losses like the later persecution of pagans by Christians. Aside from the loss of ancient knowledge contained in pagan works, the rise of Christianity leads to the decline of personal hygiene, ignorance of some basic instruments and methods used in medical and dental practice, the decline of women's status, the sudden stop of philosophical exploration and practice, and the overall neglect of this world, including the basic maintenance of the city, which is conducive to contemplating a bigger and better future world.
conclusion