Neeson: Aslan Symbolizes Christ, Muhammed, Buddha
DailyMail recently posted this quote from Liam Neeson (Aslan):
‘Aslan symbolises a Christ-like figure but he also symbolises for me Mohammed, Buddha and all the great spiritual leaders and prophets over the centuries.
‘That’s who Aslan stands for as well as a mentor figure for kids – that’s what he means for me.’
This article is horribly written and absurdly biased. Neeson is clearly NOT suggesting Lewis intended Aslan to symbolize Mohammed or Budha. He says "FOR ME" at the end. He says nothing about Lewis' intentions.
And this bit actually made me laugh: "Fans of Lewis’s stories are fuming, claiming Neeson is ruining the author’s legacy to be ‘politically correct’."
….Seriously? People think that one quote from one actor who portrays one character in adaptations of Lewis' books is going to ruin C.S. Lewis' entire legacy? Gimme a break. Either this article is exaggerating (likley) or people are over-reacting.
I wish narniaweb had a "like" button for GlumPuddles comment. 🙂 …Particularly for the "absurdly biased" part.
Neeson, who voiced Aslan should really know more about the Aslan 'voiced' by Christ.
I despise the Daily Mail with an absolute passion. They are the epitome of everything that is wrong with the British tabloid press, and it physically angers me everytime they twist and distort the truth so that they can push their hate-filled agenda.
Clearly Liam Neeson's comments are a personal interpretation of an artistic work, and aren't nearly as controversial as The Daily Mail would they like everyone to believe, but they have very deliberately focused on the "Mohammed" section of his quote at the expense of everything else because they know that nothing sells papers to idiots like a bit of mindless islam-bashing and a bit of "political correctness gone mad" to fit with their long running agenda on both subjects.
Well, I don't know anything about the daily mail, but it seems kinda low to use a statement like this just to have something shocking to write about.
Personally, I don't think Lewis meant it the way Liam puts it, but I think it's a beautiful way to put it, and so very true. I don't think Lewis would have minded, although he might have preferred the christian view. But I believe Lewis was wise enough to know that you can find beautiful aspects in all religions.
I know that Neeson was just talking about what he belives…it still was hard to hear him say it.
For me, it was like Aslan's voice saying he wasn't representing Christ, but all gods. Pray for Liam.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! What a way to blast Aslan!!!! This really makes me sad and mad!!!!!
I like that liam Neeson was being inclusive of other religions and I share the same view as him.
Yes, the Narnia books are Christian, but that doens't mean that people over other faiths can interpret the story and make it personal to them.
ONe thing that I have found about Christians is they want people to be tolerant of their beliefs, but dont' give any tolerance to other beliefs.
Get your panties out of a knott, enjoy the movie and let the man have his own beliefs.
Pray for Neeson. He needs to know Christ.
I'm very sorry to hear you think that, PB and J, but it's not your fault. You see, as with all religions, Christianity has some principles about it that are, or should be, non-negotiable, such as the fact that Jesus Christ died for your sins and that all it takes to become part of his kingdom is to believe in his sacrifice and, while on this earth, it is important to try to be as much like Christ as possible. This would be to spread the "good news" and show the love of Christ. Perhaps the Christians you've come across are very adamant about this, which is nice, but you're right: tolerance is needed from everyone for everything. I must say that I am very disappointed in the Christians you've met and I would like you to know that we're not all like that.
You're right, a lot of Christians are tolerant of other beliefs. But what you say about those non-negotiable facts isn't really true. Yes, many christians believe that, but there are others who believe that it's not to be taken so literally, that Jesus dieing for our sins is more metaphorical, and means that the love for every person, all equal, is the highest good, and that it is worth every sacrifice. It is possible to believe that the kingdom you talk about isn't really literally a kingdom, that you enter when you die after being good all your life, but that it is a metaphor for the idea that, when everybody is good to each other, a 'kingdom will come to us in this life.
I personally like this vision, and that is what I believe, and there are a lot of other religions who say the same, but only use different words. I was wondering what you take on that would be?
Yeah, the comment wasn't nearly as bad as the headlines made it out to be. In fact, I learned instead that Neeson was a devout Catholic, which I did not know before. I actually like Neeson more now, not less.
And by the way, Tilda Swinton believes a lot funkier stuff about Narnia than Neeson does about Aslan.
And by the way (again): Catholics ARE Christians. Neeson wasn't saying he put his faith in Muhammed etc, he was just citing them as inspirations to him. As a "devout Catholic" I expect he treats them as good, but not divine, people just as Muslims regard Jesus as a prophet, but not the Son of God.
I agree!! 🙂 Pray for him to relize Aslan represents Christ and ONLY Christ! 🙂
I know I will! :))
Ok, I see where you're coming from, but I'm confused about one thing. If Jesus's death was more metaphorical than real, what would your perception of Easter be then? And while you're absolutely right that many religions seem to share similar beliefs or principles, what I said earlier about the "non-negotiable" ones is what I think sets Christianity apart from other religions. Because, after all, they have to be different somehow.
I think maybe what makes the idea of Jesus's death being literal difficult for people to believe or understand is the context in which the Bible says his sacrifice was made. According to the Bible, he was perfect (since he's God and I would hope that God is perfect) and died for the sins of all mankind (I'm sure you'll agree that no one is perfect). This idea is pretty foreign to us today because we live in a world where sacrifice is rare or frowned upon. I mean, someone we've never "met" dying for us? Impossible, right? But it's so darn simple (and lucky for us) that some people like me just HAVE to believe it.
I'm not preaching here so please bear with me 🙂
And as for the "kingdom," yes, I believe the Bible literally when it says heaven is waiting for believers and that you don't get to heaven "by good works." Lots of people would agree with you that it only makes sense for people to get to go to heaven based on the good they did in this life. But then, who would be the judge of who did good, better, or best? God? Sure he could, but then what would have been the point of having Jesus die a horrible death? And I understand that you think maybe a figurative kingdom will come to us in this life as a result of good works, which is nice, but I think that's kind of impossible and naive. I mean, bad things happen to plenty of good people.
So I think that's what distinguishes Christianity (or at least, what I believe)from other religions. We should all be as "good" as we can, but being good will not save you. Also, defending your religion (Islam's jihad, for example? although I'm not an expert) will not "save" you either.
Hope that addresses what you're wondering 🙂 WOW, I wrote a lot
Like GlumPuddle said, Neeson said "FOR ME". Aslan has always been a different person to different people. Everyone has their own perspectives of Aslan.
May Neeson come to know Christ in a deeper way!
We don't know about his relationship with Jesus.
Oy vey…
Instead of praying…do useful things like feeding the hungry? Liam Neeson is just fine.
Very true. This is a total mess! Aslan clearly symbolizes Christ! If C.S Lewis heard of this, I'm sure he'd be very greived. You know, I used to like Liam Neeson because he seemed like a cool guy and it looked like he knew a lot about Askan, but now I'm , like, despising him now. Well, I guess if ur not a Christian, you could think that… then again, now that I think about it, Liam Nesson, ur a jerk! (no offense) Christ is totally seperate of the other "gods". Anyone can tell that he's totally different- in a good way; a VERY good way.
Pah ! Its the Daily Mail.
Wow, I seriously don't know what to say…I mean I don't want to offend anybody or sound biased. ummmmm..as glumpuddle said Aslan representing Christ, Mohammed, and Buddha is how Liam Neeson sees Aslan.
I know that when Lewis wrote the books, he was a Christian. I believe that he was using Aslan to represent Christ. For example, in LWW Aslan dying for Edmund is an anology of Christ dying for us on the cross. In VDT it is showing that there are many temptations in the world and how people struggle to overcome those temptations.
Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs. Liam Neeson thinks that Aslan could represent many spiritual leaders. I believe that Aslan is supposed to represent Jesus Christ and I think that's what Lewis had in mind too. As I said though, everyone is entitled to their own beliefs, and we shouldn't make a big fit if people of different religions and lifestyles want to try and make Narnia personal to them in some way.
Anways, that's my two cents. 🙂
if there was a "like" button for comments, i'd like this comment 😀
Not only was that quote partially taken out of context, but the article does horribly exaggerate the senario… to my knowledge NW is one of the largest, if not the largest Narnia news/fansite- well if fans were having alarm bells, why was there none when this quote first surfaced in the press junket… http://www.narniaweb.com/2010/12/dawn-treader-press-junket/ read the comments for yourself, noone, not a single person, even mentions this quote- much less do they seem disturbed by it. If I recall correctly its in the first video. Thisz is just another case of the media trying to make headlines by creating a huge controversy that never existed.
*scenario -> please excuse my typos, I don't proofread when the media upsets me.
I'm with you. Way to go gP!
I'm with you icarus, sadly we have the same problem here in the US… whatever happened to the day when you could get honest and nonbiased news from the media…I'm not even sure if I trust the weather report anymore.
Aslan represents Jesus. If Neeson wants to think differntly he can do so, but that doesnt mean he is right.
Keep in mind that Neeson was probably trying to sell the film to a broader audience (even though comments like these are the stuff that makes some uneasy Christians boycott), and also keep in mind that his wife recentally died and he is probably expirementing with many different religions.
I reported on this over at Hollywood Jesus. I talk about Emeth in The last Battle, and came to this conclusion:
“I don’t think that Lewis would be shattered because Neeson sees Mohammed and Buddha in Aslan. If Neeson finds other spiritual leaders besides Christ in Aslan, then perhaps it is because he sees something of Christ in them and someday will find what he is truly seeking.”
Click on my name to read my article.
Amen
Re-read the news article. Neeson doesn't say that Christ is only equal to Muhammed and Buddha. He says that Aslan represents, for him, the wisdom of these other philosophers in addition to representing Christ.
Neeson is a devout Catholic. He is a professing christian. I don't think it's wiser not to make a judgement on how or if he believes. We can argue his comment, but implying he needs to "know Christ better" etc. is wrong because it implies we know Christ better than he, and we don't know that. It's incredibly presumptuous.
Aslan ain't Jesus. Aslan is Lewis' interpretation of Jesus. Lewis created Aslan, he didn't create Jesus.
Everybody has his thoughts and his interpretations…
What is wonderful about literature is that it can be interpreted in many different ways. Aslan may represent Christ to you, but that doesn't mean that people who see Aslan as something else are wrong.
I think that is what Liam was getting too, and that's at least what I take this quote to mean. Please be less judge mental.
Correction to my post above: "I think it's important NOT to make a judgement" etc.
Some things get all muddled :p
Neeson probably only said all of this to avoid people taking judgement of him (about the "other name" line), especially since he is Catholic. Actors are weird sometimes, they either want everyone to know their beliefs, or they want everyone to think their mindless, belief-less empty-shells that exists exclusively to please every single person on the planet; its cowardly, but I've seen many actors act such ways.
That made a lot of sense, and although it is notmy belief, I respect you for being able to put your belief into such strong yet simple expanation. I also want to make clear that I have all respect for those who's belief is strong. I wish I had that sometimes, but I don't really, and that can only change over time.
I simply believe in mysteries that will never be revealed. I believe that God isn't a being like we know, or could ever imagine, to me, he simply personifies the magic I see around me everyday, that gives people the chance to love and to show kindness. but there will always be a bad side to that, for something always needs an opposite to exist.
He gave us life, and with that the responsibility to do good. So as a person you have the choice to do so, whether you belief in something or not. and to me, the reward does not come in any sort of afterlife, but in the goodness itself. That's what causes happiness, and the kingdom on earth.
SirCC,
Can you explain what you mean? Do you mean Neeson said all this about Muhammed Buddha etc. to avoid anyone thinking he was being inclusive only to Christianity by portraying Aslan?
I think that's possible, but we can't be sure.
I agree we definitely need a "like" button. glumPuddle could not have said it any better, this article is completely biased and blown out of proportion. It could be possible that Liam Neeson was just trying to make the movie appeal to a wider range of people. That quote won't change the fact that Aslan is based on Christ, and it definitely will not ruin C.S. Lewis' legacy. And the fact that he said "For me" means that he isn't trying to impose his views on others.
Too many people have an oddly skewed notion of what tolerence means. To me, as a Christian (in fact, I think for all reasonable people regardless of faith), it doesn't mean that you must accept other people's religious viewpoints as equally valid as your own, only that you accept other people as possessing intrinsic worth to the same extent that you yourself do.
True tolerence allows one the right to dissent, even from the politically correct and religious relativism, and to defend one's own beliefs, as long as one does so with civility and courtesy. And, one has the right to do all that without people screaming that one is trying to force one's beliefs on others. Simply sharing one's beliefs is a far cry from trying force them on other people. This is something that too many people just do not understand.
Yeah, exactly. Neeson *did* say 'for me'. And I think Neeson would have respect enough for Lewis to know that's not what Lewis meant. He knows it; but for him that's what Aslan equals.
Though, that reminds me of the Tashlan in LB… I only shuddered at that quote because it reminded me of Shift. And I'm not trying to be a jerk. I think Neeson is a great actor. I respect him. It… it just made me think of LB 🙁
I must agree with you my good sir. Even though I am a devoted christian I see your point.
"He gave us life, and with that the responsibility to do good." How right you are, adamie! I'm glad that we agree about that. Thank you for hearing my point of view, and I truly do understand yours. It is a noble way to live and nobility is hard to come by in today's world. Our discussion really demonstrated how powerful religion, or rather belief itself, is: it shapes the way we live everyday, not just what we do on Sundays or whether we celebrate certain holidays or not. Thanks for your insight and I hope that maybe someday, at the right time, God might become a more real person for you. Sometimes it's nice knowing that there's actually someone looking out for you, you know?
i don't blame u!
i agreed! we should!
with all due respected, we must prayed for him and leave the rest up to GOD! let Him DO it!
tash gives me the chills….hehe….i wonder how they will do that character in LB…that is one dark book…but great story…thats what i like about narnia it has adventures and journey for both children and adults…cooool…i guess we all have to wait 10 years to see that film….
The thing you have to keep in perspective here is that he is not saying that Jesus is on level Muhammad or Buddha, simply that Aslan can be interpreted as Muhammad or Buddha. If we are outraged more that a symbol is being desecrated rather than Jesus himself, then perhaps we should tune down our obsession with Narnia a bit.
how can aslan represent Jesus…Jesus didn't create the world…God is the only one who has the power to do anything…Jesus like us is a human that is weak and cannot do the things God does…infact Jesus is a messanger who was sent to earth to guide people to ONLY worship God..so yh aslan definitely doesn't represent Jesus to me…
I just realized…. who do you think Tash was based on?
and i don't see aslan represent God either…well the actions of guiding and the the fact he has power clearly refers to God…but remember God doesn't resemble any of his creations or anything we imagine….i know its a fantasy story but we need to get the right messages out there especially to children…hope everyone enjoys the film 🙂
hmmmm…to me he represents the bad and really evil people that are scary and evil at the same time…with names not sure actually…
I don't care what Liam Neeson says. Aslan is NOT symbolic of Muhammed or Buddah! He is a picture of Christ and a picture of Christ ALONE.
Jesus IS God, but he is God made incarnate. In Narnia, this relationship between the Emperor Over The Sea and Aslan seems to be pretty much the same. Aslan chooses to appear as a lion because the people he created for Narnia are animals.
That sounds like a Muslim. If Jesus isn't God, then we all have to go to hell.
I'm so sorry… I
I'm so sorry… I wasn't replying to you but the one above… Deeply sorry…
That's fine, if that's your opinion. And personally, I agree with you. But Mr. Neeson saying he believes Aslan also represents the wisdom of those other philosophers is his own opinion, and he stated it as such: as an opinion. He was not saying that CS Lewis intended Aslan as a representation of those other guys, in addition to Aslan. Basically Neeson is saying that Aslan's wisdom reminds him of Muhammed and Buddha's wisdom in addition to Christ's. I don't see anything wrong with that. After all, both of those guys came AFTER Christ, so it is completely possible to find wisdom in other places which agree with what Christ said.
actually Jesus is not God…sorri i didn't make it clear before…they both have totally different roles and not the same…God is the creator of our world and everything that exists because he created it…Jesus was sent to earth to reveal this message to the people of his nation and for everyone to worship God not Jesus and respect Jesus as their messenger and a person to trust…unfortunately many beliefs have changed and people got the wrong idea of Jesus and thought he was God coz he was unusual…well infact he is like other messangers, muhammad, joseph, moses and others..but they were sent for different nations and lived as humans…and are humans…if you think about it….why are we alive and here…well the obvious answer is that its a test and we are all tested in what we do do and what we believe…i just want to tell yous the truth…its really upsetting to see many people learning the wrong ideas…so yeah why would we be alive for a short time and then die…ITS A TEST…trust me yous will all see what i mean later…and aslan as a lion is cute and reflects to the narnian creatures like u said…i can see why Lewis made him a lion but in reality God is nothing we can imagine…anyways i hope yous all enyoy VDT 🙂